Chula Vista is a large city in San Diego County in Southern California. Originally a farming and dairy city in the early 20th century, by the early 21st century the city had grown tremendously with the addition of several prominent suburbs and business districts.
Get in
Chula Vista is accessible by car through Interstate 5, Interstate 805, Highway 125, and Highway 905. The nearest major airports are San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Tijuana International Airport (TIJ).
The San Diego Trolley Blue Line serves Southern San Diego County, running between Downtown San Diego down to the US-Mexico Border. Chula Vista has three trolley stations: Bayfront/E Street, H Street, and Palomar Street.
Private boats can dock at the local Chula Vista Marina.
Get around
Metropolitan Transit System runs several bus routes around Chula Vista, most of them connecting to at least one of the Chula Vista trolley stations.
See
- Living Coast Discovery Center, 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive (parking lot is at the west end of E Street, across I-5 from the E Street Transit Center/Trolley station; once in the parking lot, wait for shuttle to take you through the marsh to the center), 32.63887°, -117.10938°, +1 619 409-5900. Daily 10AM-5PM. Situated in the midst of the marshes of the South Bay and something of a hidden gem is this fun nature center with lots of interactive exhibits on animals native to the San Diego Bay. Highlights include an aquarium with sharks and sea turtles, a touchpool with rays, an aviary where you can view shorebirds, and some birds of prey. Short trails lead out from the nature center through the marsh to the shores of the bay, where you can view some of the local wildlife. $14 adults, $9 seniors/students/youth, military 50% off, free for children 3 and under
- Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, 2800 Olympic Parkway, 32.630701°, -116.937241°, +1 619-656-1500. M-F 9AM-5PM (Sa hours vary by season). Training center for Olympic athletes. Tours available. Tours $5-35/ person ($35 tour includes buffet lunch) 2019-08-12
- North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, 32.5878°, -117.006°. An amphitheater even larger than the Hollywood Bowl 2019-08-27
Do
While a majority of activities can be found in the city of San Diego, there are still several things for visitors to do.
- Since Chula Vista is surrounded by Silver Strand, it has only a harbor and no beaches. However many boaters and recreational fishers find this to be an interesting area to boat and fish. There is a boat launching ramp located at the J Street Marina Park, off the J Street I-5 offramp. The ramp has a large parking lot for vehicles with trailers, picnic facilities and restrooms. Care should be taken navigating in the adjacent areas of San Diego Bay as there are extremely shallow shoal areas. Refer to a current navigational chart prior to leaving the ramp area. Nearby is South Bay Anchorage, which is free to use, but a permit is required (permits can be obtained from the Shelter Island Harbor Police Office in Point Loma). In the vicinity are several parks and bike trails.
- In the east is Coors Amphitheater and Knott's Soak City, both in the Otay Valley. The redevelopment of the area occurred in 1997-8 and his since been a popular place for locals and visitors.
- Aquatica (formerly Knott's Soak City), 2052 Entertainment Circle, 32.5874°, -117.0119°, +1 619 222-4732. Water Park 2017-07-08
- Sky Zone San Diego, 32.6539°, -116.9547°.
Buy
Shopping Centers
Eat
- Aqui Es Texcoco, 32.630190°, -117.089770°. Great lamb barbacoa.
- Mae Kwan Thai Cuisine, 230 3rd Ave (Just south of E Street and 3rd Avenue, on the north end of the 3rd Avenue district), 32.64360°, -117.08112°, +1 619 426-5172. Good Thai food at reasonable prices with good deals on lunch. Easily accessible via bus from trolley stations or other parts of South Bay. Metered parking on the street and in city-owned lots.
- Hungry Hank Deli, 866 3rd Ave, 32.62173°, -117.07235°. Known locally as having some of the best sandwiches around, has a wide menu for a variety of eaters.
- Tacos El Gordo, 32.630060°, -117.093191°. Family-owned counter-serve restaurant with Tijuana-style food 2019-08-27
- Joe & Ernie's Pizza, 2295 Otay Lakes Rd, +1 (619)-240-7980. Affordable local pizza of great quality. Their best offer is the combo meal, which includes two slices of pizza and a fountain drink. For students K-12, the combo is $6, and for adults, $8. They are also known for a wide selection of flavors. They offer takeout, dine-in, and local delivery. 2022-07-11
Drink
Sleep
- Best Western Chula Vista Inn, 946 Broadway, 32.61578°, -117.08402°, +1 619 691-6868.
- Best Western South Bay Inn & RV Park, 710 E St, 32.63928°, -117.09697°, +1 619 420-5183.
- Holiday Inn Express, 4450 Main St, 32.59398°, -117.03732°, +1 619 422-2600.
- Motel 6 San Diego - Chula Vista, 745 E St, 32.64097°, -117.09906°, +1 619 422-4200.
- Vagabond Inn Chula Vista (San Diego), 230 Broadway, 32.63999°, -117.09400°, +1 619 422-8305. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM.
- Hercor Hotel, 32.629687°, -117.092820°. Relatively inexpensive "urban boutique"-style hotel, just a block from the light rail station 2019-08-23
- The Rambler Motel, 32.638068°, -117.100622°. 2019-08-23
- San Diego Metro KOA, 111 North 2nd Avenue, 32.39225°, 117.04535°, +1 800-562-9877. Campground with numerous tent and RV sites available with 50 Max Amp full service hookups. Amenities include wi-fi, a pool/hot tub open year round, kitchen facilities, dog park, and a game room. 2020-01-28
Cope
Coin laundries
Libraries
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