What are some fun things to do in Chula Vista? Well, if you are new to this city or simply looking for something new to try out, there is no shortage of options here. So, let us look at some popular attractions here and find out what all is there for you.
Seaport Village
It is your typical coastal festival place where you can dine, shop, enjoy street performances or just lay down on the grass and gaze at the sea. One of the most popular tourist attractions here, this place typically has some significant events going on throughout the year. So, you always have something to look forward to, even if it happens to be your first time here.
San Diego Botanical Garden
It is another of those “don’t miss” places here where you can spend entire days strolling through the pathways, looking at all the pretty flowers. This place is also home to some endangered species, so the thrill is doubled for animal lovers like me! The best season to visit this place is Jan-April.
Besides these few important attractions, Chula Vista has many more fun things to do. It’s just that they are lesser-known than the two I mentioned above and also tend to be crowded during weekends only. These lesser-known places include:
Go, Bowling
Which is one of my favorite places in the city. Family-friendly and affordable, this place has some cool arcade games that you can play while bowling. It has a vast food court, too, with unlimited free refills on drinks! Also, they have unlimited bowling for $20 on weekends during certain times of the year.
K1 Speed
It is another famous family fun center where kids and adults alike will love to spend hours playing go-karts! If go-karts aren’t your thing, they also have laser tag and paintball. Suitable for birthday celebrations or just a grownup night out with buddies!
Visit the Living Coast Discovery Center
It is a must for all animal lovers visiting this city. Here you can learn about the different ways how volunteers are helping marine life here! You can touch sharks, hold starfish and watch penguins happily waddling through their enclosure here. This place also has a small aquarium, so kids will have fun learning about different fish species.
Mira Mesa High School Baseball Field
It is one of my favorite weekend spots where I love to sit down with friends and enjoy an evening breeze while watching talented high school baseball players do what they do best- play ball! The season typically runs from October until May every year, so check it out if you want to catch some exciting games live in action!
Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center
is a place where you can easily spend an entire day simply watching the amazing athletes train! So, if you are looking for some inspiration as to what hard work and perseverance can do to you, come here and take a sneak peek into this world of gym rats.
You will not regret it! Also, they have classes for beginners too so don’t worry about your lack of experience in martial arts or other similar disciplines. The best part is that all this happens indoors under a huge glass roof. So, even on hot summer days like these, you will never feel uncomfortably warm here at any time!
Mission Bay Park
is one last location that Chula Vista has in store for those who want to enjoy themselves outdoors while staying in the comfort of an air conditioned room. Although not as popular as other tourist spots, this place is a must visit if you want to enjoy some quality time in nature and also be back in your hotel room before sundown!
That’s about it, folks. There is so much more that I wish I could tell you all but space doesn’t allow me too! All I can say is; come here and explore Chula Vista for yourself. It has something new to offer every single day of the year! Welcome to San Diego county my friends! Enjoy your stay here like we did- minus the painful sunburns of course.
Museums & Educational Centers :
Apart from San Diego Museum of Art (which one must not miss), there are several other museums where you can learn about history, geography, or science. Some of them include:
Mingei International Museum San Diego Museum of Man National Wildlife Art Center Butterflies Insects and Animals Exhibit Oceanic Society Whale Watching Cruises MCRD Command Museum (Marine Corps Recruit Depot) Liberty Station NTC Park at Liberty Station USS Midway Museum
Places Of Worship : Chula Vista has several places where you can go for your religious services. These include: Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses First Baptist Church North Coast Calvary Chapel Iglesia de Cristo Rey St. John Vianney Parish Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Episcopal Church San Diego Chinese Catholic Community The Muslim Association of Chula Vista Hindu Temple BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Parks & Beaches :
Chula Vista has several city parks where you can go to relax, spend some time with family or stroll. Some of the popular ones include:
Sweetwater Regional Park : Right
next to the San Diego river, this park has a large pond for fishing. When we were there, I actually saw someone catch a huge catfish! So if you’re an angler, don’t skip it!
Otay Lakes County Park : Another great place to go hiking or simply spend an afternoon in nature with family and friends. This park is home to several different species of native animals so kids will have a blast looking for them all day long. But beware- these aren’t domesticated animals so be careful when you spot one near your path.
San Diego Bay Parade Of Lights: Chula Vista is the final stop on the parade route which starts from Coronado and ends at Harbor Island (in San Diego). So, if you are in the area during December, do check this out!
Las Palmas County Beach :
Chula Vista has several beaches where you can simply chill out with family and friends. Some of the popular ones include:
Chula Vista Nature Center :
A must visit if you have kids! This is an interactive educational center that helps children learn about nature in a fun way. We went there on a day when they had scheduled several shows for entertainment so it was even more enjoyable! One thing to keep in mind though- the place gets crowded really fast so if you want to get a good seat, come here early before 10AM.
Coronado Tidelands Park:
Nice place to go for a walk or even take your pets out. It’s located right next to the Coronado Ferry Landing which makes it an ideal location if you want to combine two things in one- water and land fun!
Coronado Ferry Landing :
This is not actually something that Chula Vista can boast about, but it might as well be because this spot isn’t very far from here. So if you are planning on crossing over to Coronado Island anyway, then this would be the perfect place to stop by before boarding the ferry/boat. I didn’t run into many tourists during my visit, so I’m assuming most people prefer going straight for the entrance gate, which is just across this area. Plus
San Diego Bay:
If you are into water activities then San Diego Bay is definitely for you. You can do several things here including kayaking, boat racing or simply go to one of the many restaurants located right on the bay’s edge. The view is gorgeous too which makes it all the more worth visiting!
National Wildlife Refuge:
This is another place in Chula Vista that kids will love. This area is home to several different species of animals which you can see in their natural habitat. You can go on a guided tour or explore all by yourself- it’s really up to you!
Otay Lakes:
This spot is a great place if you want to do water sports like kayaking, fishing or even windsurfing. There are several establishments located right next to the lake where you can actuallyp go and take a class on water sports or rent gear from them..
Balboa Park:
One of my favorite spots in San Diego- perfect for both history buffs as well as those who just love museums! With museums such as The Modern Art Museum of San Diego, The Natural History Museum of San Diego and the Air & Space Museum all within one single park, it would be an absolute crime not to visit here. Make sure to check their website first before you go because the exhibits often change so there might be something new that interests you
County Park Mountain:
Chula Vista has a lot of hiking trails and this place is one such spot where you can go if you’re planning to get some exercise. Just make sure that you pick the right trail because it can get pretty intense!
El Embarcadero:
This is another popular destination in Chula Vista where people usually come for water sports or simply spend some time on the beach during weekends. It’s also close to several restaurants and bars so make sure not to leave this place without enjoying yourself with dinner/drinks on the side,
Places To Eat
Indian Food :
If you are tired of eating out at various American fast food joints all the time, then head over to one of these Indian restaurants for a change. You will find that food tastes much better here and is also healthier! Some places I liked include: Ambiance Restaurant Little India Cafe San Pura Restaurant Railway Ghandi Restaurant Bombay House Tandoori Point
Thai Food :
I love Thai food. And in Chula Vista, the place to head over is Yummy Thai Cuisine. This is another gem of a restaurant that serves mouth-watering dishes at great prices. It’s just too good! Mexican Food.
If you are looking for some excellent Mexican food, then go no further than Casa Ole’. They have some amazing burritos and tacos here with generous servings of meat. Just don’t forget to try out their creamy guacamole dip which tastes really delicious with nachos or tortilla chips! Pizza Places.
While there are several restaurants in Chula Vista offering Italian food, I find pizzas particularly tasty here. I have tried some of the best at Mona Lisa Pizza House, Tony’s Pizza & Pasta Café Primo Pizza , and Round Table Pizza .
Other Places To Eat :
You can head over to Cafe Calacas for Mexican desserts or Fusion Bowl for Taiwanese food for other cuisines.
Things To Do During The Early Morning & Late Evening Hours
Unlike most American cities, you will find that Chula Vista has several things that are open during these hours of the day only. This is a boon if you are on vacation here with your family or friends because then you won’t feel like all there is to do in this city is a party! So what things can you do during the early morning and late evening hours?
Luckily, an excellent bus network here can take you to different parts of the city. You have to check the routes and timetables first. Once you get on a bus to go somewhere, then it’s good fun. Chula Vista has several historical buildings and remnants from its past. These include:
For shopping malls and supermarkets which are open during late evening hours only, head over to Parkway Plaza Mall or Westfield Shopping Town Plaza Bonita.
Tourist Attractions In The Vicinity Of Chula Vista
While San Diego is the leading tourist destination for those visiting this part of California, don’t forget that it’s very close to and Ensenada in Mexico.
If you want some beach time, then head over to Coronado and relax at the Silver Strand. If you’re going to go deeper into Mexico, then Ensenada is just a two-hour drive away, and it’s well worth visiting in its own right.
And if you love beaches, then why not head over to San Diego, which has the most famous ones in California, such as La Jolla Beach and Mission Beach? And when in San Diego, don’t forget to check out Sea World, where you will see different types of marine life such as dolphins, penguins, polar bears, and even killer whales.
Conclusion
For more fun, try parasailing in Coronado or visit the wild animal park in San Diego. So there is always something new to do in Chula Vista, even when you are nearing the end of your vacation here. And with so many things to see and do, one week is not enough! I would say two weeks at least if you want to explore this city thoroughly.
What’s more, the people are amiable here, and I never felt unsafe during my whole stay, which was a tremendous change after living for years in East Asia. All in all, then, Chula Vista is a great place to check out if you love America but still want to get away from it all for some time. A word of warning, though – you may well fall in love with this place and never want to leave!
