Chula Vista, a stunning city renowned for its vibrant culture, scenic surroundings, and lively theatre scene, is affectionately coined the “Lemon Capital” for its abundance of citrus trees.
Sitting within the county of San Diego, it comes as no surprise that Chula Vista boasts wonderful weather all year. In Chula Vista, you’ll find plenty of ways to spend your precious holiday time. The city offers an abundance of Mexican cuisine, vibrant bars, and exciting outdoor activities to make for an eventful getaway destination. Spend the day lounging on the beach and walking down the colorful piet before heading to the discovery center or family theme park to make some great memories with the family.
Though the second largest city in the county, Chula Vista still maintains its small-town charm and friendly character. Check out the list below to find some of the must-see attractions during your time in Chula Vista.
The 83 Most Popular Things To Do In Chula Vista, California
83. Otay Valley
5.0 (1 review)
Credit: RightCowLeftCoast, License, Wikimedia commons
82. Sweetwater Dam
4.0 (1 review)
Credit: RightCowLeftCoast, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Spring Valley CA
81. San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art
3.3 (3 reviews)
Location: 555 Saturn Blvd Suite B #261 San Diego CA
Tel: 619 253 8499
Web Address: https://sdaamfa.org/
80. John J. Montgomery Memorial Wing
4.5 (4 reviews)
Location: 3020 Coronado Ave San Diego CA
79. Upper Otay Reservoir
4.7 (7 reviews)
78. Millenia Park
5.0 (11 reviews)
Location: 1902 Millenia Ave Chula Vista CA
77. Lower Otay Reservoir
4.5 (12 reviews)
Credit: Laurel Wreath Victors, License, Wikimedia commons
76. Lemon Grove Historical Society
4.9 (12 reviews)
Location: 3185 Olive Street Lemon Grove CA
Tel: 619 460 4353
Web Address: http://lghistorical.org/
75. San Miguel Mountain
4.6 (12 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
74. Downtown Chula Vista Association
4.2 (14 reviews)
Location: 353 3rd Ave Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 422 1982
Web Address: https://downtownchulavista.com/
73. Coronado Cays
4.6 (17 reviews)
72. Bancroft Ranch House Museum
4.6 (18 reviews)
Location: 9050 Memory Ln Spring Valley CA
Tel: 619 469 1480
Web Address: http://svhistoricalsociety.org/
71. Mother Miguel Mountain
4.9 (21 reviews)
Credit: RightCowLeftCoast, License, Wikimedia commons
70. Sweetwater Reservoir
4.6 (30 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
69. Stylus Park
4.5 (31 reviews)
Location: Otay Ranch Chula Vista CA
Web Address: https://playgroundfind.com/places/united-states/california/chula-vista/water-park/millenia-stylus-park-splash-pad/
68. The Stein Family Farm
4.6 (33 reviews)
Location: 1808 F Ave National City CA
Tel: 619 477 4113
Web Address: http://thesteinfamilyfarm.com/
67. Norman Park
4.5 (35 reviews)
Location: Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 409 1930
Web Address: https://chulavistaca.gov/departments/public-works/parks/locations-features-amenities-photos/norman-park
66. Escaya Park
4.5 (37 reviews)
Location: 1075 Camino Prado Chula Vista CA
Web Address: https://escayalife.com/amenities/
65. South Bay Salt Works
4.5 (39 reviews)
Credit: Codobai, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1470 Bay Blvd Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 423 3388
Web Address: http://south-bay-salt-works.keeq.io/
64. Greg Cox Bike Park
4.4 (40 reviews)
Location: 325 Rancho Dr Chula Vista CA
Web Address: http://sdparks.org/
63. San Diego Electric Railway
4.6 (48 reviews)
Location: 922 W 23rd Street National City CA
Tel: 619 474 4400
Web Address: http://sdera.org/
62. Bonita Museum & Cultural Center
4.6 (51 reviews)
61. Heritage of the Americas Museum
4.8 (55 reviews)
Location: 12110 Cuyamaca College Dr W El Cajon CA
Tel: 619 670 5194
Web Address: http://heritageoftheamericasmuseum.com/
60. Lower Otay Lake
4.7 (57 reviews)
Credit: Brazilfox, License, Flickr
59. Sweetwater River Bridge
4.6 (64 reviews)
Credit: Jason Ward, Google Maps
Location: Spring Valley CA
Tel: 619 468 9245
Web Address: https://fws.gov/refuge/san_diego/
58. Heritage Park
4.8 (80 reviews)
Credit: Maria A. Keller, Google Maps
Location: 1339 E Palomar Street Chula Vista CA
Web Address: https://chulavistaca.gov/departments/public-works/parks/locations-features-amenities-photos/heritage-park
57. McGinty Mountain-McGinty Mountain Trailhead
4.7 (87 reviews)
Credit: Andrew Stanick, Google Maps
Location: 13852 13998 Jamul Dr Jamul CA
56. Bonita Long Canyon Park
4.5 (92 reviews)
Credit: Matt Hendricks, Google Maps
Location: 1745 Coltridge Ln Bonita CA
Tel: 619 397 6000
Web Address: http://chulavistaca.gov/departments/public-works/parks/locations-features-amenities-photos/bonita-long-canyon-park
55. Grand Caribe Shoreline Park
4.7 (93 reviews)
Credit: Parimal Patel, Google Maps
Location: 598 Grand Caribe Causeway Coronado CA
Tel: 619 725 6001
Web Address: https://portofsandiego.org/where-go/coronado-bayside/grand-caribe-shoreline-park
54. Eucalyptus Skateboard Park
4.6 (101 reviews)
Credit: Ryan Stroman, Google Maps
Location: 1301 Oleander Ave Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 421 4011
Web Address: https://chulavista.com/chula-vista-attractions/len-moore-skateboard-park/
53. Skyline Church
4.6 (102 reviews)
Location: 11330 Campo Road La Mesa CA
Tel: 619 660 5000
Web Address: https://skylinechurch.org/
52. San Diego National Wildlife Refuge
4.5 (109 reviews)
Credit: Pacific Southwest Region, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 14715 CA 94 Jamul CA
Tel: 619 468 9245
Web Address: https://fws.gov/refuge/san-diego
51. Valle Lindo Park
4.3 (136 reviews)
Location: 545 Sequoia Street Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 409 5892
Web Address: http://chulavistaca.gov/
50. Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge
4.7 (139 reviews)
Credit: maria alonso, Google Maps
Location: 301 Caspian Wy Imperial Beach CA
Tel: 619 575 2704
Web Address: https://fws.gov/refuge/tijuana-slough
49. Windingwalk Park
4.3 (150 reviews)
Credit: Todd Lewis, Google Maps
Location: 1675 Exploration Falls Dr Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 409 5979
Web Address: http://chulavistaca.gov/
48. Mackenzie Creek Park
4.6 (192 reviews)
Location: 2775 MacKenzie Creek Road Chula Vista CA
Web Address: http://chulavistaca.gov/departments/public-works/parks/locations-features-amenities-photos/mackenzie-creek-park
47. Voyager Park
4.5 (193 reviews)
Credit: Jeanette Infante, Google Maps
Location: E J Street Chula Vista CA
Web Address: https://chulavistaca.gov/departments/public-works/parks/locations-features-amenities-photos/voyager-park
46. Chula Vista Friendship Park
4.4 (201 reviews)
Location: Chula Vista CA
Web Address: http://chulavistaca.gov/departments/public-works/parks/locations-features-amenities-photos/friendship-park
45. Sweetwater Regional Park
4.5 (211 reviews)
Credit: Cameron Bruce, Google Maps
Location: 5102 Sweetwater Road Bonita CA
Web Address: https://sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation
44. Chula Vista Community Park
4.3 (223 reviews)
Credit: NASA, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1060 Eastlake Pkwy Chula Vista CA
Web Address: https://chulavistaca.gov/departments/public-works/parks/locations-features-amenities-photos/chula-vista-community-park
43. Otay Park
4.5 (223 reviews)
Credit: Unknown author provided, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1613 Albany Ave Chula Vista CA
Web Address: http://chulavistaca.gov/departments/public-works/parks/locations-features-amenities-photos/otay-park
42. Water Conservation Garden
4.8 (228 reviews)
Location: 12122 Cuyamaca College Dr W El Cajon CA
Tel: 619 660 0614
Web Address: http://thegarden.org/
41. Cottonwood Park
4.5 (250 reviews)
Location: 1778 E Palomar Street Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 397 6000
Web Address: http://chulavistaca.gov/departments/public-works/parks/locations-features-amenities-photos/cottonwood-park
40. Rock House Trail
4.7 (253 reviews)
Credit: Victor Fabian, Google Maps
Location: Paseo Veracruz Bonita CA
39. Harborside Park
3.6 (304 reviews)
Credit: F. Gabriel Olvera, Google Maps
Location: 670 Oxford Street Chula Vista CA
Web Address: https://chulavistaca.gov/departments/public-works/parks/locations-features-amenities-photos/harborside-park
38. Coronado Cays Park
4.7 (305 reviews)
Location: 99 Grand Caribe Isle Coronado CA
37. Discovery Park
4.4 (306 reviews)
Credit: Laurel Stvan, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 700 Buena Vista Way Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 409 5979
Web Address: http://chulavistaca.gov/departments/public-works/parks/locations-features-amenities-photos/discovery-park
36. Pacific Coast Skydiving
4.9 (320 reviews)
Location: 6810 Curran Street San Diego CA
Tel: 619 661 0194
Web Address: http://pacificcoastskydiving.com/
35. Otay Open Space Preserve4.4
(348 reviews)
Credit: Robert Baker, Google Maps
Location: 2155 Otay Lakes Rd. Dulzura CA
Tel: 858 694 3030
34. Otay Lakes County Park
4.7 (363 reviews)
Location: 2270 Wueste Road Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 482 7361
Web Address: http://sdparks.org/
33. Steele Canyon Golf Club
4.5 (382 reviews)
Credit: Ryan Johnston, Google Maps
Location: 3199 Streetonefield Dr Jamul CA
Tel: 619 441 6900
Web Address: http://steelecanyon.com/
32. Montevalle Recreation Center
4.7 (449 reviews)
Credit: Ahren Scholz, Google Maps
Location: 840 Duncan Ranch Road Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 691 5269
Web Address: https://chulavistaca.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/community-centers/montevalle-community-center
31. Mother Miguel Mountain Trailhead
4.7 (459 reviews)
Credit: Tricia Muench, Google Maps
Location: 2345 Paseo Los Gatos Chula Vista CA
30. Spring Valley County Park
4.2 (483 reviews)
Credit: Aurelio G. Ustoy, Google Maps
Location: 8735 Jamacha Blvd Spring Valley CA
Tel: 619 644 5492
Web Address: http://sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/park-pages/SpringValley.html
29. Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center
4.7 (511 reviews)
Credit: Todd Lewis, Google Maps
Location: 2800 Olympic Pkwy Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 656 1500
Web Address: https://trainatchulavista.com/
28. Lemon Grove Park
4.3 (511 reviews)
Credit: Gregg Diederich, Google Maps
Location: 2271 Washington Street Lemon Grove CA
Tel: 619 825 3800
Web Address: http://lemongrove.ca.gov/community/parks
27. Chula Vista Marina View Park
4.5 (524 reviews)
Credit: Laurismont, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 900 Marina Pkwy Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 725 6001
Web Address: https://portofsandiego.org/wonderfront/discover-chula-vista/chula-vista-marina-view-park
26. Otay Valley Regional Park
4.5 (528 reviews)
Credit: Trevor Vandeveld (TV), Google Maps
Location: 2369 Beyer Blvd San Diego CA
Tel: 619 424 0463
Web Address: https://sandiego.gov/planning/programs/parkplanning/ovregpark
25. Bonita Golf Course
4.4 (545 reviews)
Credit: Bonita Golf Course, Google Maps
Location: 5540 Sweetwater Road Bonita CA
Tel: 619 267 1103
Web Address: http://bonitagolf.net/
24. Skydive San Diego
4.8 (569 reviews)
Credit: Skydive San Diego, Google Maps
Location: 13531 Otay Lakes Road Jamul CA
Tel: 619 216 8416
Web Address: https://skydivesandiego.com/
23. Memorial Park
4.3 (600 reviews)
Credit: Hosam Abdul Nour, Google Maps
Location: 373 Park Way Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 409 5979
Web Address: http://chulavistaca.gov/departments/public-works/parks/locations-features-amenities-photos/memorial-park
22. Mount San Miguel Park
4.7 (656 reviews)
Credit: Roger F. Jones, Google Maps
Location: 2335 Paseo Veracruz Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 409 5893
Web Address: http://chulavistaca.gov/departments/public-works/parks/locations-features-amenities-photos/mount-san-miguel-park
21. Berry Street Park
4.3 (681 reviews)
Credit: Gabriel Trujillo (Gabe), Google Maps
Location: 7071 Mt Vernon Street Lemon Grove CA
Tel: 619 825 3800
Web Address: http://lemongrove.ca.gov/community/parks
20. Hilton Head County Park
4.5 (702 reviews)
Credit: Nicole SEMAIA, Google Maps
Location: 1605 Hilton Head Road El Cajon CA
Tel: 858 565 3600
Web Address: http://sandiegocounty.gov/parks/picnic/hiltonhead.html
19. Sky Zone Trampoline Park
4.2 (839 reviews)
Credit: Sky Zone Trampoline Park, Google Maps
Location: 851 Showroom Pl #100 Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 614 5010
Web Address: https://skyzone.com/sandiego
18. Seven Mile Casino
3.9 (844 reviews)
Credit: Erika y Scott, Google Maps
Location: 285 Bay Blvd Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 425 3333
Web Address: http://sevenmilecasino.com/
17. Mountain Hawk Park
4.7 (857 reviews)
Location: 1475 Lake Crest Dr Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 409 5979
Web Address: http://chulavistaca.gov/departments/public-works/parks/locations-features-amenities-photos/mountain-hawk-park
16. San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge
4.6 (882 reviews)
Credit: Pacific Southwest Region, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1080 Gunpowder Point Dr Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 221 3473
Web Address: https://fws.gov/refuge/san-diego-bay
15. Montgomery-Waller Community Park
4.6 (934 reviews)
Credit: Carlos Avalos, Google Maps
Location: 3020 Coronado Ave San Diego CA
Tel: 619 424 0466
Web Address: https://sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/centers/recctr/montgomery
14. Pepper Park
4.5 (1,189 reviews)
Credit: Daniel Castleberry, Google Maps
Location: 3299 Tidelands Ave National City CA
Tel: 619 686 6200
Web Address: https://portofsandiego.org/where-to-go/national-city-marina-district/pepper-park
13. Chula Vista Bayfront Park
4.6 (1,794 reviews)
Credit: Ryuch, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 980 Marina Way Chula Vista CA
Web Address: https://portofsandiego.org/where-to-go/chula-vista-bayfront/chula-vista-bayfront-park
12. Rohr Park
4.6 (2,245 reviews)
Credit: RightCowLeftCoast, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 4548 Sweetwater Road Bonita CA
Tel: 619 409 5979
Web Address: http://chulavistaca.gov/departments/public-works/parks/locations-features-amenities-photos/rohr-park
11. Bayside Park
4.6 (2,398 reviews)
Credit: Martha Jimenez, License, Flickr
Location: 999 Bayside Pkwy Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 725 6001
Web Address: https://portofsandiego.org/where-to-go/chula-vista/chula-vista-bayside-park
10. South Bay Drive-In Theatre and Swap Meet
4.4 (2,951 reviews)
Location: 2170 Coronado Ave San Diego CA
Tel: 619 423 2727
Web Address: http://southbaydrivein.com/
Our Top picks
9. San Diego Bay
4.8 (503 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
8. Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve
4.5 (556 reviews)
Location: 301 Caspian Way Imperial Beach CA
Tel: 619 575 3613
Web Address: http://trnerr.org/
7. Living Coast Discovery Center
4.6 (781 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1000 Gunpowder Point Dr Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 409 5900
Web Address: http://thelivingcoast.org/
6. Border Field State Park
4.4 (802 reviews)
Location: 1500 Monument Road San Diego CA
Tel: 619 575 3613
Web Address: https://parks.ca.gov/
5. Sweetwater Summit Regional Park
4.5 (1,438 reviews)
Credit: Betty Postell, Google Maps
Location: 3218 Summit Meadow Road Bonita CA
Tel: 619 472 7572
Web Address: http://sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/park-pages/SweetwaterSummit.html
4. Imperial Beach Pier
4.8 (1,652 reviews)
Location: Imperial Beach CA
Web Address: https://imperialbeachca.gov/attractions
3. Sesame Place San Diego
4.1 (3,744 reviews)
Credit: Shawn Collins, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 2052 Entertainment Cir Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 943 3566
Web Address: https://sesameplace.com/san-diego/
2. North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
4.3 (3,825 reviews)
Credit: Trevor Bexon, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 2050 Entertainment Cir Chula Vista CA
Tel: 619 494 5600
Web Address: https://livenation.com/venue/KovZpa2WZe/north-island-credit-union-amphitheatre-events
1. Jamul Casino
3.9 (7,722 reviews)
Credit: Jamul Casino, Google Maps
Location: 14145 Campo Road Jamul CA
Tel: 619 315 2250
Web Address: https://jamulcasinosd.com/
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Chula Vista, California! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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