Move Over San Diego! Nearby City Is California’s New Summer Vacation Hotspot
Arizona plates have already taken over San Diego highways, which suggests just one factor – it is the unofficial begin to summer time.
But this summer time will likely be totally different than the remainder as fairly presumably essentially the most extremely anticipated lodge in America is about for a tender opening May fifteenth, adopted by the official blue-ribbon slicing the next days.
A whopping $1.3 billion was spent to carry not solely the biggest 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 seashore cities or Legoland in Carlsbad, however few vacationers even contemplate Chula Vista except they’re passing by means of to have a wild evening in Tijuana simply throughout the border.
South Bay, because it’s recognized, hasn’t been a selected draw to outsiders except they’ve seen a viral taco stand on TikTook, skilled a basic drive-in theater, or wished to see the well-known “wall”.
Chula Vista boasts a ravishing bay with lush inexperienced parks and a vibrant marina, however no correct seashores. Imperial Beach, the southernmost seashore within the U.S., is extra recognized for its hazardous circumstances as a consequence of sewage run-off from Mexico reasonably than how its postcard boardwalk and the one different South Bay seashore, Silver Strand, is a state-run seashore 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, essentially 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 identify from the 7-mile drive to downtown San Diego.
So, the Gaylord is definitely one of the crucial handy resorts to San Diego vacationers regardless of being in a unique metropolis.
“This is Chula Vista’s decade. We may have billions of {dollars} invested within the Chula Vista Bayfront over the subsequent a number of years […] and we’ll be doing a considerable improve on eating, designing, and facilities that 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 isn’t all-inclusive, however friends may have an array of choices from the dry-aged consultants at Old Hickory Steakhouse with sweeping bay views, sushi to-go at Taiyo so that you snack poolside or gasoline 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 large recreation 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 go away 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 absorb the sundown when you do not care to make the 20 minute drive to San Diego’s Sunset Cliffs.
The Gaylord affords a variety of lodging, from commonplace rooms with mountain, marina, or Pacific views to 89 spacious suites, together with the luxury Presidential Suite with an ocean-view balcony definitely worth the sky-high worth alone.
Grand opening weekend charges are as little as $350 per evening, 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, take a look at Chula Vista’s Third Avenue District, a pint-sized drag of breweries, dive bars, cafes, meals vehicles, taco outlets, and my favourite restaurant within the metropolis, Lime in the Coconut.
Eating in Chula Vista is a loophole on your tastebuds to take pleasure in genuine flavors of Baja with no need 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 through 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.
Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No advertisements, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where vacationers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even discover like-minded journey buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your e-mail handle to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s newest breaking journey information, straight to your inbox.
This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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, authorized or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the submit.