A/C quitting and clicking

[tsuneya]

I have a 1999 VW Beetle and do not know much about cars at all. D:
Here are the symptoms: when I turn the A/C on, it works for about five minutes and then seems to fade into blowing hot outside air in. Also, when I come to a stop with the A/C on there are some clicking sounds. If I drive without the A/C (which is torture in the southern california summer) the car seems to be fine.
I don't know if I should also mention I just drove it about 800 miles from Idaho a week ago, and it's been about 12 months since the Air Filter was changed; which I'm sure needs to be done soon, but could a no good air filter cause this problem?
And if not, could the cause of this be dangerous?
I am hesitant to go to a mechanic, because of the risk of getting ripped off and I do not know about any in the area.

Thankyou in advance for any answers.

[D2Beetle]

The air filter is not related to your problem; if it were only that simple.

The clicking sound may be the A/C clutch engaging/disengaging or a bearing in the A/C compressor going bad.

Here is a thread that has some A/C diagnostic info that you can share with a competent mechanic when you find one.