Chula Vista is a beautiful coastal city located in San Diego County, California. With its scenic bayside parks, fascinating museums, and family-friendly attractions, Chula Vista offers visitors plenty of things to see and do.
| Attraction | Description |
|---|---|
| Bonita Cove at Rohr Park | Scenic natural area with a freshwater marsh. |
| Chula Vista Nature Center | Hands-on museum and aquarium with tidal pools. |
| Veterans Memorial Park | Waterfront park with military memorials. |
| Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center | Olympic & Paralympic training facilities. |
| Living Coast Discovery Center | Wildlife refuge with interactive exhibits. |
| Otay Valley Regional Park | Large park with diverse habitats and trails. |
| San Diego South Bay Fish and Game Preserve | Wetland habitat for birdwatching. |
| Olympic Training Center Lake | Lake with recreational activities. |
| Mount San Miguel Park | Park with hiking trails and panoramic views. |
| Third Avenue Village | Hub of shops, galleries, and eateries. |
| Aquatica San Diego Waterpark | Waterpark with rides and pools. |
| South Bay Drive-In Theater | Nostalgic outdoor movie experience. |
From exploring marshes teeming with wildlife to learning about local history and culture, there are activities and sites that will appeal to all interests. Here are the top 12 attractions that you don’t want to miss during your visit to Chula Vista.
Bonita Cove at Rohr Park
Name and Location: Bonita Cove at Rohr Park is located in Chula Vista, California near the Sweetwater Marsh.
History and Significance: This park provides access to Bonita Cove for launching kayaks, stand up paddleboards, and small boats to explore the Sweetwater Marsh wildlife area.
What to Expect: Launch your own non-motorized watercraft or take a guided kayak tour of the marsh to view birds and wildlife. Shoreline trails offer wildlife viewing opportunities as well.
Visitor Information: The launch and trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Parking is available at Rohr Park.
One of Chula Vista’s most scenic natural areas, Bonita Cove at Rohr Park offers visitors the chance to explore a lush wetland environment. The cove features a freshwater marsh that is home to hundreds of bird species as well as reptiles, mammals, and native vegetation. Well-maintained walking trails wind through the marsh and along the shoreline, offering prime wildlife viewing opportunities.
Benches are located at strategic spots for resting and observing the tranquil scenery and wildlife activity. The park also has grassy areas and picnic tables perfect for a relaxing picnic. With its diversity of birds and wildlife plus the serene natural backdrop, Bonita Cove is a must-visit attraction for nature lovers.
Chula Vista Nature Center
Name and Location: The Chula Vista Nature Center is located within the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge.
History and Significance: Founded in 1987, this nonprofit nature center promotes education, conservation, and wildlife rehabilitation.
What to Expect: See native reptiles and raptors in natural exhibits. Walk nature trails through coastal sage scrub and marsh habitats. Attend educational programs and events.
Visitor Information: The Nature Center is open daily 9am-5pm. Entry fees apply. Parking is available onsite.
For a family-friendly experience focused on environmental education, head to the Chula Vista Nature Center. This hands-on museum and aquarium complex highlights the plants, animals, and habitats of Southern California’s coastal regions. Interactive exhibits let visitors get up close with turtles, sharks, octopuses, and more within the aquarium’s living tidal touch pools.
Outdoors, visitors can explore lush garden trails winding through reconstructions of coastal sage scrub and riparian habitats. The Nature Center also offers regular educational programs and events like guided birdwatching walks. With so much to see, do, and learn, it’s easy to spend hours discovering the natural side of Chula Vista.
Veterans Memorial Park
Name and Location: Veterans Memorial Park is located in Chula Vista, California.
History and Significance: Dedicated in 1998, this park honors the service of Chula Vista veterans. The memorial wall lists over 400 local veterans.
What to Expect: The park features a memorial wall and plaza, walking paths, picnic areas with views of downtown, and occasional ceremonies. Visitors can pay respects, reflect, or enjoy the open green space.
Visitor Information: The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Free parking is available onsite.
This waterfront park in western Chula Vista honors the military veterans of the Chula Vista community through a series of thoughtful memorials and tributes. The park’s main feature is a memorial wall listing the names of over 400 local veterans. Other memorials recognize Pearl Harbor survivors, Medal of Honor recipients, POW/MIAs, and more. Interpretive signs provide details on each memorial.
Benches placed along the park’s shoreline walking path provide places for tranquil reflection looking out over San Diego Bay. The park is the site of annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies. With its scenic bayfront location and moving memorial tributes, Veterans Memorial Park is a meaningful site to visit year-round.
Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center
Name and Location: The Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center is located adjacent to the Olympic Training Center.
History and Significance: This 155,000 square foot state-of-the-art training center opened in 2014 to provide new facilities for athlete training and events.
What to Expect: The training center features an indoor track and field arena, sports courts, sports medicine clinic, and sports performance and recovery facilities to support elite athletes.
Visitor Information: The center is generally not open to the public except for occasional events.
Home to one of the nation’s premier Olympic & Paralympic Training Centers, Chula Vista is a destination for witnessing elite athletic performances. The massive 155-acre campus includes state-of-the-art sports facilities where athletes train in sports like track & field, soccer, cycling, rowing, and more.
Visitors can take guided walking tours of the training center on certain days, allowing a behind-the-scenes look at the cutting-edge facilities. The center also hosts events like the Paralympic Sport Club Open House and Nitro Athletics meets that are open to the public. Watching world-class athletes train and compete is an absolute must for sports fans visiting Chula Vista.
Living Coast Discovery Center
Name and Location: The Living Coast Discovery Center is located within the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista.
History and Significance: Founded in 1982, the Living Coast Discovery Center promotes conservation through hands-on exhibits and outdoor experiences focused on coastal environments.
What to Expect: See sharks, rays, turtles, birds, plants and more in indoor and outdoor exhibits representing different coastal habitats. Attend events, camps, and programs.
Visitor Information: The Discovery Center is open daily, with varying hours seasonally. Entry fees apply. Parking is available onsite.
Experience the diverse ecosystems of San Diego Bay up close at the Living Coast Discovery Center. Located within the protected Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, this hands-on museum lets visitors learn about coastal environments through interactive exhibits, up close animal encounters, and walking trails.
Highlights include a shark and ray touch tank, turtle lagoon, aviary, and a looping trail that meanders through coastal sage scrub and salt marsh habitats. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers provide insightful details about the native plants and wildlife.
Nature-focused art displays and a gift shop with eco-friendly products round out the experience. Visitors of all ages will enjoy exploring the coastal habitats and learning about conservation efforts.
Otay Valley Regional Park
Name and Location: Otay Valley Regional Park spans Chula Vista and San Diego, California.
History and Significance: Established in 1967, this large regional park protects native landscapes and habitats. It is one of the last intact riparian forests in San Diego.
What to Expect: Hike, bike or ride horses on over 20 miles of trails. Enjoy fishing, picnicking and wildlife viewing within its diverse ecosystems. Interpretive programs offered seasonally.
Visitor Information: The park is open daily sunrise to sunset. No entry fees. Parking areas, restrooms, and info boards are located throughout.
Spanning over 8,500 acres, Otay Valley Regional Park is one of the hidden gems of Chula Vista and all of San Diego County. The extensive park protects sensitive habitats like riparian woodlands, freshwater marshes, and coastal sage scrub. Over 27 miles of multi-use trails allow visitors to hike, run, bike, or ride horses through scenic areas rich with native plants and wildlife.
Well-known spots include Lower Otay Lake with fishing and boating opportunities and the historic Otay Valley Railroad Trail. But with so much acreage, there are plenty of peaceful spots and secluded trails to explore within this urban wilderness refuge. From short nature walks to day-long adventures, Otay Valley Regional Park offers nature lovers endless outdoor recreation.
San Diego South Bay Fish and Game Preserve
Name and Location: The San Diego South Bay Fish and Game Preserve is located in Imperial Beach, California.
History and Significance: This 8-acre marshland preserve provides protected habitat for many migratory bird species.
What to Expect: Walk the nature trails and birdwatching platforms to spot migratory and resident bird species in the salt marsh habitats. Interpretive signs describe the ecology.
Visitor Information: The preserve is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Free admission and parking available onsite. Leashed dogs permitted.
Operated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, this protected wetland area in southern Chula Vista provides habitat for migratory birds and other coastal wildlife. Egrets, herons, ducks, shorebirds, and other species flock to the freshwater lakes and saltwater marsh. A short nature trail with interpretive signs winds along the preserve, offering prime birdwatching.
While protecting sensitive habitats is the preserve’s primary purpose, catch-and-release fishing is allowed on designated days and times. Leashed dogs are also permitted on the trail. Just across the highway lies the South Bay Wildlife Preserve extending the protected wetland area. Together these preserves give nature lovers a tranquil wildlife haven right within urban Chula Vista.
Olympic Training Center Lake
Name and Location: The Olympic Training Center Lake is located in Chula Vista, adjacent to the Olympic Training Center facilities.
History and Significance: This man-made lake opened in 1997 to support aquatic training for Olympic athletes. It hosted events for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Trials.
What to Expect: The lake has hosted training and competitions for Olympic athletes in rowing, canoe/kayaking, and swimming. It is not open for public recreational use.
Visitor Information: The lake is closed to public access. It can be seen while touring the adjacent Olympic Training Center.
Originally created as a practice venue for rowing events during the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, this peaceful lake in eastern Chula Vista is now open for recreational activities. The 2,000-meter long lake is surrounded by grassy shoreline areas perfect for picnicking and relaxing. Visitors can rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, pedal boats, and aqua cycles to enjoy on the water.
Fishing is also allowed with a permit, and there are designated swimming areas. Special events like holiday boat parades and lakeside concerts take place periodically. With its convenient location and variety of family-friendly activities, the historic Olympic Training Center Lake is a great spot to spend a few hours or a whole day.
Mount San Miguel Park
Name and Location: Mount San Miguel Park is located in Chula Vista, California.
History and Significance: This 40-acre park features the ruins of a World War II military observation station on Mount San Miguel.
What to Expect: Hike trails to the summit ruins and enjoy panoramic views. The park also has picnic areas, playgrounds, and basketball courts set among native vegetation.
Visitor Information: The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Free parking is available.
Located within eastern Chula Vista’s rolling San Miguel Mountain hills, this natural park features rugged hiking trails with panoramic views. The steep trails climb through coastal sage scrub, sycamore groves, and chaparral up to the mountain’s 1,150-foot summit. From the top, hikers are rewarded with sweeping vistas taking in San Diego Bay, downtown San Diego’s skyline, Mexico’s Coronado Islands, and more.
Even if you don’t make it to the peak, the trails offer plenty of scenic coastal views. Picnic tables are scattered throughout the park for taking a leisurely lunch or rest. For an elevated hiking experience with spectacular vistas, it’s hard to top Mount San Miguel Park.
Third Avenue Village
Name and Location: Third Avenue Village is located in downtown Chula Vista, California.
History and Significance: This pedestrian village opened in the 1990s, transforming Third Avenue into a vibrant district with shops, dining, entertainment, civic spaces, and housing.
What to Expect: Stroll Third Avenue to enjoy shopping, restaurants, cafes, breweries, dessert shops, live music, a farmers market, and special events.
Visitor Information: The village is open daily. Free parking garages are available off Third Avenue.
Downtown Chula Vista’s Third Avenue Village offers visitors a charming hub of boutique shops, art galleries, brewpubs, cafes, and local eateries. Historic storefronts lining the pedestrian-friendly avenue have been adapted into stylish shops selling gifts, clothing, used books, and more. Several craft breweries like Chula Vista Brewery and Novo Brazil Brewing have tasting rooms in the neighborhood. Cafes like Yogurtland, Coffee Bean, and Black Crown Coffee offer relaxing spots for refreshments.
The village truly comes alive on Friday evenings when the street closes to traffic for the weekly Third Avenue Village Farmers’ Market showcasing live music, artisans, fresh produce, and street food. With its walkable setup and distinctive local businesses, the village is perfect for leisurely strolling, window shopping, or enjoying a nice dinner.
Aquatica San Diego Waterpark
Name and Location: Aquatica San Diego is a water park located in Chula Vista, CA.
History and Significance: Opened in 1997 as White Water Canyon, it was renovated and rebranded as Aquatica San Diego in 2020 featuring new slides, attractions, and amenities.
What to Expect: Enjoy thrilling water slides, a lazy river, wave pool, and other water play areas. Relax on the sandy beach areas. Experience animal encounters like turtle feeding.
Visitor Information: Aquatica is open seasonally. Purchase tickets online in advance. Parking available onsite for a fee.
The massive Aquatica San Diego waterpark offers families a full day of water rides, slides, lazy rivers, and splash areas. Highlights include the Taumata Racer high-speed competitive slide and the splash-filled Loggerhead Lane lazy river. The park has one of the world’s largest saltwater pools, Big Surf, with waves up to three feet high.
For little ones, the Walkabout Waters feature mini slides, fountains, and bubble jets. Dining options range from snacks and salads to burgers and pizzas so you can refuel between playing in the water. With its variety of attractions for all ages, Aquatica San Diego is always a hit when visiting Chula Vista.
South Bay Drive-In Theater
For a nostalgic and uniquely Southern California experience, catch a movie outdoors at the South Bay Drive-In Theater. This old-school drive-in harkens back to the 1950s and 60s, yet offers modern amenities like digital projection and FM stereo sound.
The drive-in can accommodate up to 1500 vehicles spread across five screens, so there are plenty of viewing options each evening. Power outlets allow charging cellphones or using inflatable mattresses. There is a snack bar serving up all the classic drive-in treats like popcorn, candy, and hot dogs. With its timeless atmosphere under the stars, South Bay Drive-In is a one-of-a-kind attraction.
Conclusion
From breathtaking natural parks and wildlife refuges to family-friendly museums and attractions, Chula Vista offers visitors plenty of options for creating memorable experiences. Hiking and nature enthusiasts will appreciate the city’s many scenic parks and protected wetland preserves teeming with native plants and animals.
Hands-on educational experiences await at sites like the Chula Vista Nature Center and Living Coast Discovery Center. Places like Third Avenue Village and South Bay Drive-In Theater give a sense of Southern California’s history and culture. Whatever your interests, you’re sure to find worthwhile attractions to fill your itinerary when visiting Chula Vista.