Visiting Chula Vista | CBS 8 Zip Trip
CBS 8 is hitting the road to feature the vibrant areas of San Diego County. On this Zip Trip, we visited Chula Vista and all that makes this community great.
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"A Beautiful View" is the literal Spanish translation of Chula Vista and this vibrant community lives up to the name. Founded in 1911, Chula Vista is home to more than 277,000 people, making it the second largest city in San Diego County. It has a view of both the bay and mountains with easy access to shopping and services.
The city was once known as the “Lemon Capitol of the World.” Although the lemon groves are no more, many of the homes in the area have their own lemon trees. Each year, they host the Lemon Festival along Third Avenue complete with live music, a lemon cook-off competition, a kids zone, delicious food options, arts and crafts vendors and a wine and beer garden.
During the holiday season, Chula Vista hosts the Starlight Parade and Festival. There is always so much to see and do in this South Bay City.
A recent study ranks Chula Vista among the safest cities in the US. Chula Vista is also home to Southwestern College and the city is taking steps to bring a four-year university to the city.
CBS 8 spent the day along Chula Vista's Third Avenue to experience the history, food, future development plans and the residents that make up this vibrant San Diego community.
Meet the Mayor Chula Vista's Mayor John McCann discusses the growth
Meet the Mayor of Chula Vista: John McCann
CBS 8's Neda Iranpour met Chula Vista's Mayor John McCann took a walk along the Chula Vista Bayfront and talked about his plans for the future of the city. This new addition will bring new hotels, walking trails, and parks are on the horizon as Chula Vista continues building and expanding.
It is important to the mayor that the growth bring more housing to the city so that residents can buy a home and build generational wealth.
"This is Chula Vista's decade," McCann said about all of the exciting things happening in the community.
The new Gaylord property is well under construction and bringing jobs to Chula Vista. It is scheduled to be completed by Summer 2025. Only seven miles from the heart of Downtown San Diego, this beautiful property is flanked by San Diego Bay and the Chula Vista Marina for spectacular views.
8 Great Things to do There are so many fun activities in the city
8 great things to do around Chula Vista
From Downtown Chula Vista to the Living Coast Museum, and the District at Eastlake, there are so many fun activities in Chula Vista. Here are 8 great things to do in Chula Vista (in no particular order):
Downtown Chula Vista is a thriving city center with new shops, breweries and speakeasies that have brought Third Street back to life. If you haven't had the chance, it's worth checking out again.
Along the bay, the Living Coast Discovery Museum is an environmental education center that lets children explore marine life with both marine and avian exhibits.
This South Bay favorite is a beautiful public boat launching ramp but also offers stunning and expansive views of the San Diego Bay.
Sesame Place in San Diego is where you can be 2 or 62 and enjoy entertainment for the whole family. With a mix of theme park and water park attractions, Sesame Place is an incredible theme park experience for children of all ages.
The 20,500-seat amphitheater located in Chula Vista is right next to Sesame Place. It offers one of the largest concert venues in the city as well. It is operated by Live Nation and features artists like Janet Jackson, New Kids on the Block, Willie Nelson and more.
The District at Eastlake is designed as a center for entertainment and enrichment for the whole family. They feature Lolita's Taco Shop, the Speed Circuit go-kart track, Crunch Fitness, and the Search Bar, a lively sports bar.
The Lower Otay Lake is an artificial body of water in San Diego buffeted by Chula Vista and the Otay County Open Space Preserve. You can rent a boat, go kayaking or enjoy the fantastic views.
Did you know there are over 92 miles of trails in Chula Vista? That includes Rice Canyon which provides a peaceful backdrop to enjoy the surrounding natural beauty on a 3.5-mile trail.
Things to do Places that make Chula Vista great
The determined owners of La Nacional in Chula Vista are serving up old favorites and new classics on Third Avenue. This family-friendly establishment serves up Mexican spirits, cerveza, and comida traditional.
Did you know there is a world-class athletic facility in Chula Vista? Did you know that some of the best athletes for the United States Summer Olympics teams train there? You do now. This 155-acre facility provides training and coaching to the best athletes in the country and the world.
A Taste of Third: March 21
Hungry for more from Chula Vista? On March 21 join your fellow foodies for delicious dishes and raise a glass to this year's event celebrating location businesses along Third Avenue. General admission tickets start at $45 and can be purchased here.
Sun Outdoors makes a great spot for staycations
Escape from the grind with a staycation at the RV Park and cottages at Sun Outdoors right next to the San Diego Bay. Sun Outdoors has something for everyone from exclusive retreats to luxury resorts. You can be near all the activities and places you want to be while staying close to nature.
The History Chula Vista was founded in 1911
Chula Vista History
Here's a look back at our Throwback coverage of the history of Chula Vista through the years. We go back to 1978 and 1994 see how the history and trajectory of the community have grown and changed. Doug Oliver and Larry Himmel share some highlights throughout the year that make this city special.
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