Chula Vista is a dynamic city with an international setting, located just seven miles from downtown San Diego. Long known as a sleepy neighbor to San Diego and Tijuana, MX, in recent years, Chula Vista is in the midst of a cultural revolution with new development, dining and entertainment.
SEVEN MILE CASINO - < 1 MILE
A new gambling club with coastal class. From the casual player to a seasoned pro, Seven Mile Casino features 20 Poker and Table Games. Check out the daily tourneys. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER problemgambling.ca.gov
LIVING COAST DISCOVERY CENTER - < 1 MILE
Hands on, fun and educational, Living Coast Discovery Center offers visitors a chance to explore the the animals and plants of the San Diego coastal region.
CORONADO CENTRAL BEACH - 10 MILES
Long regarded as one of the nation’s best beaches for families, Coronado is perfect for tide pooling, sunbathing and boogie boarding.
SAN DIEGO ZOO - 8 MILES
The San Diego Zoo is home to more than 3700 animals and 650 species, including the rare giant panda. In 2017, the zoo added Africa Rocks with leopard sharks and penguins.
BALBOA PARK - 8 MILES
Balboa Park spans 1200 acres and boasts over 80 museums, gardens and attractions. Kids love the Balboa Park Carousel and Reuben H. Fleet Science Center while adults can get a culture fix at Old Globe Theater or San Diego Museum of Art.
AQUATICA SAN DIEGO WATER PARK - 10 MILES
Nothing feels more like summer than a day at Aquatica. Fun for the whole family, this dynamic day on water includes wave attractions ranging from extreme to serene, animal encounters and opportunities to lounge in our cabanas.
PETCO PARK - 6 MILES
Take me out to the ball game! Whether you're a fan of the sport or just the pastime, Petco Park offers a delicious day of baseball. Grub on a selection of local food and drinks while you cheer on The Padres (or their opponent).
MATTRESS FIRM AMPHITHEATRE - 10 MILES
Boasting over 20,000 seats, Mattress Firm Amphitheatre is one of the largest concert venues in San Diego and hosts various artists in its outdoor space throughout the year.
GASLAMP QUARTER - 8 MILES
The historic Gaslamp Quarter features eighteen square blocks of Victorian-era buildings and modern skyscrapers that house a variety of restaurants, bars, nightclubs and retail shops. Pro tip: when in doubt of just where to go, wander on over to 5th Avenue.
MEXICO BORDER - 8 MILES
Just south of the border lies Tijuana, affectionately known at "T.J." to the locals. This Baja city promises activity both day and night with a rich arts and food scene, exciting sporting events and glittering nightlife. If you venture further through the country, you'll discover more coastal beauty and Guadalupe's booming wine country.
SO DIEGO FOOD & WINE TOURS - 9 MILES
Bottoms up! Experience the best of San Diego with food and drink themed So Diego Tours such as Tacos, Tequila and Tombstones in Old Town or Vino Vino in Little Italy! If you’re not eating and drinking your way through the city, are you even doing it right?
LA JOLLA KAYAK - 20 MILES
And so the adventure begins… with La Jolla Kayak Rentals! Receive a custom water map to all the best views (and possibly buried treasure). Follow the water map to La Jolla Ecological Reserves for kelp beds, cliff sides, and wave to the sea lions and leopard sharks as you float by!
SAN DIEGO SAILING TOURS - 11 MILES
Set sail along the coast and experience San Diego from a different perspective onboard a classic sailing yacht with San Diego Sailing Tours. Whether it be a sun-kissed day cruise or a romantic sunset sail, the Pacific Ocean is yours to explore.
SAN DIEGO SAFARI PARK - 37 MILES
Choose your safari adventure and discover rare and endangered species at San Diego Safari Park! Go behind the scenes, test your jungle skills, or get a birds-eye view of rhinos, giraffes, and other wildlife on their Flightline Safari!
BELMONT PARK - 15 MILES
Home to San Diego’s historic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, Belmont Park is a must-see beachfront amusement park and entertainment center. With fun bites, 69 beers on tap at Draft, rock climbing, and mini golf, Belmont Park has it all!
HAUNTED SAN DIEGO GHOST TOURS - 12 MILES
Get ghosted by Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours! Their haunted ghost tour takes you on a spiritual journey through Old Town, Golden Hill, Gaslamp District, and finally ending in the El Campo Cemetery in Old Town.
Dave Warner - Culture Trip
Visit Tijuana for amazing food with a healthy dose of urban sophistication. Indulge at Telefonica Gastro Park's mouthwatering gourmet food served from food trucks and decorated with twinkling overhead lights. Stroll down Pasaje Rodriguez, an alley turned hipster haven of coffee shops, artisan shops and adorned with street murals. Rock out at Mous Tache Tijuana with local acts and interesting beers.
Stacy Warner - Family Fun
San Diego is well known for its abundance of family activities, but there's a lot more beyond the major tourist attractions (which are great too!). Older kids will be thrilled by the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge that spans 375 feet and was built in 1912. Go back in time and out on the water with a tall ship adventure aboard The Californian, a replica of a gold rush era boat and the Official Tall Ship of California. It's no secret that the beach experience in Coronado is unparalleled, but if you haven't tide-pooled there, you are missing the best part.
Kristopher Watson - Brews
Eat, Drink, Repeat. Most of San Diego's beer bars focus on local brews, but my favorite Chula Vista bar, Bar Sin Nombre, has an impressive selection of domestic and international beers and you are very likely to find a beer you've never seen before. You can eat tacos for days in Chula Vista and try something new every time. Some of my faves are Tacos el Gordo, which serves up traditional street tacos and Mariscos Fili La Carreta, a food truck (always parked in the same spot) for fish tacos.
