Over twenty years ago, city officials and port leaders in Chula Vista envisioned a dramatic redesign of the Chula Vista bayfront, aiming to convert a predominantly industrial area into a flourishing destination for living, working, and recreation.
This ambitious initiative, known as the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan, is poised to drive significant economic growth in the region.
During a recent city council meeting, Port of San Diego Vice Chair Ann Moore highlighted the plan’s impact on the local labor market, stating, “Thousands of people from our labor community built the bayfront and thousands of local residents now work there. People are gaining skills, supporting their families — and they’re doing so without having to commute to San Diego for a good job.”
A monumental milestone in this transformation was achieved in May with the launch of the Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center, a $1.3 billion facility offering 1,600 rooms, various recreational amenities including pools and waterslides, nine restaurants, and expansive meeting spaces.
Chula Vista local Jose Brizuela, a retiree, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunities created by the new resort, suggesting he might even apply for a job there.
The master plan is anticipated to generate over 2,200 permanent jobs and approximately 7,000 construction jobs for the area, a development that Brizuela believes will substantially benefit the community.
Growth is not limited to the resort. The ongoing development on the 535 acres of waterfront includes various planned projects to enhance housing and retail availability in the bayfront area.
Retail shopping options, along with new housing, are set to emerge around the marina, particularly with the Amara Bay development that aims to deliver 1,500 condos in seven towers across the street from the Gaylord Resort. Currently, construction is in its initial phases, with public infrastructure improvements underway.
Additionally, the Bayview Point initiative, a collaborative project involving the City of Chula Vista, the Metropolitan Transit System, and MountainWest Real Estate, promises to introduce a housing and commercial hub with stunning ocean views and direct access to transportation via the Blue Line’s E Street stop.
This transit-oriented development will feature a 22-story apartment tower with 288 units, a 19-story tower with 216 apartments, and include a 400-room hotel and 37 for-sale condominiums.
According to MountainWest Real Estate, the design is still being finalized, and it is expected to incorporate 100 to 150 affordable housing units. Chula Vista and MTS are in the process of negotiating the development agreement, targeting completion by late 2026.
In terms of hospitality, the Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay RV Resort opened its doors in 2021. This 19-acre park includes 197 RV sites, vacation rentals, and numerous amenities such as a pool, fitness center, café, and various sports facilities.
The Gaylord Pacific Resort also provides leisure and wellness options, offering guests water park access and various recreational activities, spa services, and rentals for outdoor adventures.
Plans for another hotel project, which will provide 1,200 rooms alongside a cultural center, are in the pipeline just across H Street from Gaylord Pacific. Moore reported that necessary permits for this venture have been secured.
In addition to the ongoing residential construction, the Amara Bay development will also encompass commercial space and a 250-room hotel, further diversifying the bayfront’s offerings.
An important aspect of this redevelopment focuses on green spaces. The Sweetwater Park, spanning 39 acres and bordering the RV resort and Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, aims to deepen community engagement with the waterfront. Opened in April, it features educational trails, nature playgrounds, and decorative installations celebrating local wildlife.
Bayside Park, located near the Gaylord hotel, is also seeing enhancements with an expansion into Harbor Park, which is set to double its current size. This expansion includes additional public areas, beach access, and parking improvements, driven by the design leadership of Petersen Studio, the same firm behind Downtown San Diego’s Waterfront Park.
Local officials are eyeing further commercial development south of the marina to complement the existing and upcoming attractions.
To address anticipated service demands from the growing community, a new fire station is also part of the overall vision for the bayfront development. The City of Chula Vista plans to open this facility, which will evolve as funding becomes available.
Initially, the station will operate with one engine company, aiming to double its capacity to two years with further growth.
Once complete, this will be the largest fire station in the city, according to Chula Vista spokesperson Mirella Leung Lopez. The station is designed to house 16 dorm rooms, offices, common spaces, and a gym while accommodating up to six emergency response vehicles, including fire engines and ambulances.
The city is currently in the plan check and permitting phase, with ground-breaking anticipated in the fall, making the station’s opening projected for late spring 2026.
As various construction projects continue to progress, the master plan for the bayfront will also entail realizing new navigation channels and modifying marina water areas to fully optimize the bayfront experience.
Chula Vista’s waterfront redevelopment is emerging as a dynamic destination poised for a bright future, and the local community is eager to embrace the changes ahead.
image source from：inewsource
