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I’ve been telling people for a long time that they experience San Diego completely wrong.
If you pull into a beach lot and see nothing but Arizona and Nevada license plates, congratulations, you’ve completely become a tourist – we, the locals, are snickering behind your back.
There are parts of San Diego where outsiders are rarely seen. Many fit into LA’s vast shadow and don’t realize how big the city is, let alone the county.
Vacationers often flock to Coronado, La Jolla and Del Mar, but rarely venture south to a region known as South Bay.
My hometown of Chula Vista has never been known as a hotspot, but it has come a long way, especially since the city’s very first resort opened its doors last year – much to the chagrin of locals.
But now it’s ready to pop with even more new attractions, vibrant culture and consistent rankings one of America’s safest cities.
San Diego’s new day trip
For the first time in history, San Diegans and Chula Vistans can travel between any city by ferry instead of navigating the chaos of both the 5 and 805 freeways.
Like I said, Nevada and Arizona license plates…need I say more?
Following the exciting ribbon cutting on June 1, the first trip across San Diego Bay departed from the Chula Vista Marina to Fifth Avenue Landing behind the world-famous convention center in downtown San Diego, where Comic-Con was famous.
But the most exciting aspect is the reverse: Tourists can board the ferry to Chula Vista to experience one of California’s most underrated cities.
It’s not your average small town suburb; Nearly 300,000 residents live here (including the undersigned).
Behold the closest casino to downtown, the aforementioned Seven Mile Casino Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Centerand a thriving 3rd Avenue strip with trendy restaurants, breweries, food trucks and cafes, you’re missing out if you don’t visit Chula Vista, less than 10 minutes from bustling Gaslamp.
You can book tickets for the historic Flagship Ferry ride here here. Prices are $15 one-way from San Diego.
Please note: ferries are not wheelchair accessible on this route.
Gaylord still needs to fill rooms
“Why Chula Vista?” was a common question when it was announced that shovels would be going into the ground to build the massive structure Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center now towers over the bay.
I wish I had a better answer, but I was in the camp supporting it. There’s no such thing as bad press, and a boost to the local economy never hurts – especially if it means my taxes can finally stop disappearing into holes that can never be fixed.
More than a year later, Gaylord has not taken off as expected. High prices don’t help, and neither does the location: unlike San Diego’s northern beach resorts, there’s no real beach at the Gaylord.
And even if it did, knowing the South Bay’s luck, it would likely be accompanied by the same bacteria warnings that have been plaguing parts of Coronado lately.
It can be busy, but not as busy as it should be, even if it is cheap Resort pass to entice visitors and locals for a stay to combat the low ratings.
I went there once – I thought it was a masterpiece. But I understand why it falls off the radar for the usual San Diego tourists as it is far removed from other activities, although the new ferry gives another reason to give it a try, even if just to try one of the many restaurants.
A bustling marina with water sensations
Near the Gaylord, the hottest spot in Chula Vista, Bayside Park is now home to a sky-high resort and a newly reopened Kayak Café, in partnership with Chula Vista water sports.
Chula Vista used to be largely off-limits to thrill seekers unless you charter a boat, but now you can rent kayaks, enjoy an ecotour, or even take a paddleboarding lesson (see you soon?).
Both Kayak Cafe and CV Watersports have perfect Google reviews so far as more and more visitors experience the delights of the South Bay with so many hidden gems in plain sight, including their site at J Street’s Marina Pier starting June 20.
Insider tip: order the nachos and thank me later.
In another exciting twist, the long-vacant Vogue Theater has finally been sold and will be revamped as an entertainment venue, especially to put downtown Chula back on the map, and that comes after the World Cup viewing party is expected to draw 25,000 people.
Chula Vista couldn’t feel safer
I’m not just saying this because I live a stone’s throw from the police station; I say it because it’s true.
Chula Vista feels remarkably safe at all hours from the furthest reaches of East Lake with some of the best mountain views in the county to bar-hopping Third Ave after a taco run.
The figures also support this.
Our safety index reflects San Diego, which scores 84/100:
Chula Vista was ranked as the 23rd safest city nationwide for 2026 in an insightful WalletHub study and it has long been known to be statistically the “second safest city” in California.
