Stand at the west end of E Street, where the road runs out against the marsh, and the shuttle waiting there is your way into the South Bay wetlands. Chula Vista spreads between San Diego Bay and the coastal foothills, and much of what a visitor comes for sits at that meeting point of water, marsh and open sky.
The city suits travellers who want nature centres, an Olympic training site and a working marina rather than a beach holiday; note that Chula Vista has only a harbor and no beaches of its own. Boaters, anglers and families with children will find the most to do.
1. Living Coast Discovery Center
This nature centre sits in the marshes of the South Bay, with interactive exhibits on animals native to San Diego Bay. Highlights include an aquarium with sharks and sea turtles, a touchpool with rays, an aviary for shorebirds and some birds of prey, and short trails lead out from the centre through the marsh to the shores of the bay.
Park at the west end of E Street, across I-5 from the E Street Transit Center and Trolley station, then wait for the shuttle that takes you through the marsh to the centre. It is open daily from 10AM to 5PM; admission is $14 for adults, $9 for seniors, students and youth, half price for military, and free for children 3 and under.
2. Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center
This is a training centre for Olympic athletes, and tours are available. A self-guided tour of the central path and visitor centre is free, while guided tours run $10–45 per person, with the $45 tour including a buffet lunch.
Self-guided tours run Monday to Saturday during daylight hours, and the visitor centre and store are open Monday to Friday from 9AM to 5PM. Guided tours run Monday to Friday from 9:30AM to 3:30PM.
3. Chula Vista Marina and J Street Marina Park
Because the city has a harbor rather than beaches, boating and recreational fishing are the main water activities here. A boat launching ramp sits at the J Street Marina Park, off the J Street I-5 offramp, with a large parking lot for vehicles with trailers, picnic facilities and restrooms.
Take care navigating the adjacent areas of San Diego Bay, as there are extremely shallow shoal areas; refer to a current navigational chart before leaving the ramp area. Nearby South Bay Anchorage is free to use but requires a permit, which can be obtained from the Shelter Island Harbor Police Office in Point Loma. Several parks and bike trails are in the vicinity.
4. North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
This is an amphitheatre that is even larger than the Hollywood Bowl. Check what is on during your dates if you want an evening of live music to anchor your trip.
5. Sesame Place San Diego
Formerly Knott's Soak City, this is a water park at 2052 Entertainment Circle in the Otay Valley. The redevelopment of this area in 1997–98 made it a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.
It pairs naturally with the other Otay Valley attractions if you are basing a day in the east of the city.
6. Lower Otay Reservoir (Otay Lake)
At 1500 Wueste Road, this reservoir is owned by the City of San Diego and open for fishing and general boating. It operates Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from sunrise to sunset, so plan your visit around those days.
7. Rohr Park
At 4548 Sweetwater Road, this park is surrounded by the unincorporated community of Bonita. It is home to Chula Vista Live Steamers, which offers train rides on the second Saturday and Sunday of every month.
Time a visit to one of those weekends if the train rides are what you are after.
8. San Diego Country Club
Founded in 1897, this is a private golf club at 88 L Street that has hosted the U.S. Women's Open, U.S. Women's Amateur and U.S. Senior Women's Open. As a private club, it is one to note rather than assume you can walk into.
9. Sky Zone San Diego
An indoor activity option in the city, useful when you want something to do that does not depend on the weather or the water.
10. American Legion Post 434
A veterans service organization with a cantina, at 47 5th Ave. It is one of several such posts in the city where members and their guests can stop in.
11. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2111
A veterans service organization with a cantina at 299 I St. Note that it shares its address with the Fleet Reserve Association branch below.
12. Fleet Reserve Association Branch 61
A veterans service organization with a cantina, also at 299 I St. If you are visiting one of the posts on I Street, you can look in on the other at the same address.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at the Living Coast Discovery Center, arriving for the 10AM opening. Park at the west end of E Street, take the shuttle through the marsh, and give the aquarium, touchpool, aviary and the short trails out to the bay their time.
Afternoon: Head to the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center for a self-guided tour of the central path and visitor centre, or join a guided tour if you are there on a weekday between 9:30AM and 3:30PM. If you would rather be on the water, swap this for the boat launching ramp and picnic facilities at J Street Marina Park, checking a current navigational chart first if you plan to go out on the bay.
Evening: Finish at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre if there is a performance on, or take a table at one of the veterans posts with a cantina, such as American Legion Post 434 on 5th Ave.
Does Chula Vista have beaches?
No. The city is surrounded by Silver Strand and has only a harbor and no beaches. Boating and recreational fishing are the main water activities, with a launching ramp at J Street Marina Park.
When can I visit Lower Otay Reservoir?
It is open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from sunrise to sunset, for fishing and general boating.
Do I need a permit to use South Bay Anchorage?
The anchorage is free to use, but a permit is required. Permits can be obtained from the Shelter Island Harbor Police Office in Point Loma.
When do the train rides at Rohr Park run?
Chula Vista Live Steamers offers train rides on the second Saturday and Sunday of every month.
Pick your dates around the days the reservoir and the train rides are open, and you can build a Chula Vista itinerary that fits the water, the marsh and the Otay Valley into a single trip.