FWIW, when I checked into San Diego. I entered everything into the app in Ensenada, but stopped short of submitting my arrival. I got a late start out of Ensenada and arrived in San Diego late, around 11pm if I
recall. I stopped at the Customs
dock.
I then reported my arrival, and expecting customs to do their thing in the morning, I went to
bed. Not 5 minutes later, I got a phone call, was asked a few basic questions, and was granted entry. No video chat or
inspection. Then I went back to
bed.
Then things went downhill. About an hour later, the police knock on my boat. They ask why I am there. I tell them that I just arrived, and am here (at the customs dock) to clear customs. "Great you are in the right place, when is your appointment with them?" I tell them that I checked in with the ROAM app. They are totally confused and have never heard of such a thing. They look at my passport and boat document, and call customs. After a few minutes they return and tell me, "Customs confirms you are cleared in. You need to leave the dock, immediately." I politely tell them no problem, please advise me where to go. It is now 1am, and I can't check into any marina at 1am. "Well, you can't
anchor unless you make an appointment 48 hours in advance and get a
permit." (incidentally, those permits are purchased in person in San Diego, not online) Again, I tell them that I am will to go anywhere they tell me, but I need somewhere to go.
Luckily, I happened to remember that as I was entering San Diego, I heard a USCG broadcast advising of a gale warning the next morning. I mentioned this. The officer becomes argumentative and says that they are notified of any gale warnings. I say I don't
recall where it was for, but for sure I did hear the broadcast. He gets on the phone again.
He comes back "I have confirmed that there is a gale warning. When there is a gale, we have to give safe harbor to any vessels that need it, so you can enter the anchorage and
anchor without a
permit."
Anyway, be damn sure you have a plan for where to go once you get to San Diego. I suggest reserving a slip at a marina, an be sure to arrive before the Marina closes for the day.