Move Over San Diego! Nearby City Is California’s New Summer Vacation Hotspot
Arizona plates have already taken over San Diego highways, which implies just one factor – it is the unofficial begin to summer time.
But this summer time will probably be completely different than the remaining as fairly probably probably the most extremely anticipated lodge in America is about for a gentle opening May fifteenth, adopted by the official blue-ribbon reducing the next days.
A whopping $1.3 billion was spent to convey not solely the most important lodge on the West Coast, however the first-ever resort to Chula Vista, a lesser-known metropolis sandwiched between San Diego and the Mexico border, and one of many final remaining swaths of untouched land in Southern California for a secluded, paradisal escape.
As many vacationers search out ritzy stays in Coronado and Del Mar and family-friendly enjoyable in San Diego’s Mission Beach, it is really Chula Vista that is destined to be California’s new summer time trip hotspot with the grand opening of Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center.
Chula Vista? Where?
Most typically, San Diego vacationers keep central in and round Balboa Park or enterprise west to close by seashores or north to small seaside cities or Legoland in Carlsbad, however few vacationers even think about Chula Vista except they’re passing by way of to have a wild night time in Tijuana simply throughout the border.
South Bay, because it’s identified, hasn’t been a selected draw to outsiders except they’ve seen a viral taco stand on TikTook, skilled a traditional drive-in theater, or wished to see the well-known “wall”.
Chula Vista boasts an exquisite bay with lush inexperienced parks and a vibrant marina, however no correct seashores. Imperial Beach, the southernmost seaside within the U.S., is extra identified for its hazardous circumstances as a result of sewage run-off from Mexico reasonably than how its postcard boardwalk and the one different South Bay seaside, Silver Strand, is a state-run seaside with entry charges, and even so, there’s nothing the state can do to mood micro organism from spreading north.
As such, the South Bay did not have a lot of a promoting level till this month. In reality, probably the most notable promoting level earlier than the Gaylord’s soon-to-be grand opening is Seven Mile Casino, a few blocks away, which will get its title from the 7-mile drive to downtown San Diego.
So, the Gaylord is definitely one of the handy resorts to San Diego vacationers regardless of being in a distinct metropolis.
“This is Chula Vista’s decade. We could have billions of {dollars} invested within the Chula Vista Bayfront over the following a number of years […] and we’ll be doing a considerable improve on eating, designing, and facilities that the town has by no means had earlier than.
– Chula Vista Mayor, John McCann
The Gaylord Pacific: A Destination Unto Itself
According to San Diego Magazine, the Gaylord Pacific is about to debut 12 restaurants. Unfortunately, it is not all-inclusive, however company could have an array of choices from the dry-aged specialists at Old Hickory Steakhouse with sweeping bay views, sushi to-go at Taiyo so that you snack poolside or gas up for a sunny day spent floating the lazy river, and even Growlers Sports Bar & Taproom, boasting a 75-foot television display to observe the massive sport in peace away from noisy kiddos.
Gaylord has one thing for everybody, but it surely’s positively family-friendly, with its 4+ acre water park that includes slides, a wave pool, and a large water playground.
Not that you’d ever need to depart the resort grounds, simply final month, Sweetwater Park reopened to the general public with miles of pedestrian walkways and bikeways lining the scenic bayside — the proper place to soak up the sundown in case you do not care to make the 20 minute drive to San Diego’s Sunset Cliffs.
The Gaylord affords a variety of lodging, from customary rooms with mountain, marina, or Pacific views to 89 spacious suites, together with the luxury Presidential Suite with an ocean-view balcony well worth the sky-high worth alone.
Grand opening weekend charges are as little as $350 per night time, whereas mid-summer charges are within the $500s.
What Else To Do In Chula Vista
As a resident of Chula Vista, I’ve to say I like residing right here! Out of all of the locations I’ve lived in San Diego County, this metropolis is my favourite.
Rather than observe the vacationers who flood the Gaslamp Quarter, try Chula Vista’s Third Avenue District, a pint-sized drag of breweries, dive bars, cafes, meals vehicles, taco retailers, and my favourite restaurant within the metropolis, Lime in the Coconut.
Eating in Chula Vista is a loophole to your tastebuds to take pleasure in genuine flavors of Baja without having a passport. There are quite a few hole-in-the-wall taco stands serving Tijuana-style tacos and mulas like well-known Tacos El Gordo, or you’ll be able to examine Jalisco flavors to Baja’s with newly-opened El Pastor Del Rica, owned by champion boxer Canelo Alvarez.
But Chula Vista is not only a place to eat; it is a extremely underrated place to discover the outside. The additional East you go, the extra you will need to come again to the coast to chill off throughout the summer time months.
One of my favourite native secrets and techniques is Mountain Hawk Park within the Eastlake neighborhood of Chula Vista.
It boasts panoramic Otay Lake views backdropped by the staggering Otay Mountain vary.
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Opinions expressed listed below are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, authorised or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the put up.