Our Chula Vista California real estate spotlight features the second largest city in San Diego’s metropolitan area.
Covering 52 square miles, Chula Vista also the second largest area in San Diego County. In Spanish, the words “Chula Vista” means beautiful view.
Chula Vista Real Estate Location
Chula Vista located only 7.5 miles from downtown San Diego. Also, an equal distance from the Mexican border.
Nestled between the foothills of San Ysidro and the Jamul Mountains. Its north and south borders the Otay River and the Sweetwater River. Its east and west borders San Diego Bay.
Chula Vista Real Estate History
Along with San Diego, the Kumeyaay Indians inhabited the area before the Spanish came. By 1821, the Mexican Empire included Chula Vista. When California joined the United States after the Mexican-American War ended in 1848, it included Chula Vista.
Incorporated in 1911, Chula Vista experienced fast population growth. By 2013, Forbes declared Chula Vista as the second fastest growing city in the U.S. increasing by 17.7%.
Chula Vista Real Estate Demographics
The 2010 U.S. Census reported Chula Vista’s population as 243,915. Over 99% of its population lived in households.
In 2015, over 31,000 Filipino Americans lived in Chula Vista. Filipinos became the majority of the 48,800 Asian-Americans living in Chula Vista.
A post office in Chula Vista’s Eastlake neighborhood renamed the Jonathan “J.D.” De Guzman Post Office Building in honor of a Filipino-American San Diego police officer killed in the line of duty in 2016.
Chula Vista Economy
Chula Vista’s small business sector services its tourism industry. Therefore, many dining, shopping, and cinema venues exist. Lots of golf courses too.
The top employers include:
- Sweetwater Union High School District employs nearly 5,000 people;
- Chula Vista Elementary School District employing over 2,800 people;
- United Technologies, Collins Aerospace employing nearly 2,500 people;
- Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center employing nearly 1,900 people;
- Southwestern College employing nearly 1,700 people;
- Walmart employing over 1,200 people;
- City of Chula Vista employing over 1,150 people; and
- Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista employing over 1,130 people.
Chula Vista Real Estate Neighborhoods
East Chula Vista
Started in the 1980s and developed from an annexed area of California State Route 125 and Interstate 805.
By 2008, the Los Angeles Times reported that East Chula Vista experienced such rapid growth by upper-class Mexicans escaping the crime and violence of nearby Tijuana. Many wealthy Mexicans cruised the neighborhood in their BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes, according to the Times.
The Times declared East Chula Vista as the “U.S. Haven for Tijuana’s Elite”.
In 2018, downtown San Diego connected with East Chula Vista with a new “Rapid” bus route.
West Chula Vista
The original Chula Vista includes the area north of L Street and west of Hilltop Drive now called “West Chula Vista”.
West Chula Vista does not have a Mello-Roos otherwise called a Community Facilities District (CFD). In California, CFD special districts established by local governments. The CFD provides public funding for public works and services.
Thus, West Chula Vista developed a separate civic identity.
Chula Vista Real Estate Market
Trulia reports these trends about the Chula Vista real estate market in 2019:
- Increase by 4% ($20,000) in median home sales during the past year;
- Yet, the average price per square foot fell from $306 to $301.
As of June, 2019 the median sales prices:
- One bedroom home = $225,000 (down 3.6%);
- Two bedroom home = $371,000 (down 1.1%);
- Three bedroom home = $486,000 (up 1.4%);
- Four bedroom home = $601,000 (up 2.9%);
- All Properties = $520,000 (up 4%).
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Chula Vista Overview
The City of Chula Vista government site and the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce site provides this overview.
With its name meaning “beautiful view” visitors and residents enjoy fantastic views of the mountains, coastline, and open space with great year-round weather. Its miles of trails beckon cyclists, hikers, joggers, birders, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Dining, shopping, and entertainment options abound with its historic downtown district and two major malls.
Chula Vista Center located in convenient downtown boasts, dining, major retailers, movie theaters, and much more with over 100 shops since it opened in 1962.
Otay Ranch Town Center provides outdoor shopping, entertainment, and dining. A bustling, urban open-air center featuring many amenities including outdoor cafes, a library, an adjacent dog park, and pet-friendly settings. Also, includes a fireplace, food pavilion, and a play fountain for children.
Third Avenue Village is the city’s culture center featuring historic buildings, landmark restaurants, quaint shops, outdoor musical concerts, and a weekly farmers’ market.
The city boasts 60 sports fields and parks all well-maintained and available for picnics, recreational activities, and sports. Including four golf courses offering a variety of challenges.
The Aquatica SeaWorld Waterpark offers 32 acres of water including slides, rides, and exotic marine animals.
The Chula Vista Elite Athletic Training Center showcases America’s best athletes. It’s an official United States Olympic Training Center.
The North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre features world-class entertainers performing reggae to roll and roll making it San Diego County’s best outdoor music site.
Chula Vista’s unique neighborhoods along with nationally recognized entertainment venues performing in year-round warm weather beckon families. In addition, historic downtown and an award-winning nature center attract businesses and families.
Chula Vista Attractions
Living Coast Discovery Center home for interactive exhibits of the history and geological aspects of San Diego Bay and the Sweetwater Marsh. This Center also contains exhibits about birds of prey, water birds, stingrays, sharks, flora, and insects.
Otay Valley Regional Park, partially located within Chula Vista includes a natural river valley.
OnStage Playhouse, since the 1980’s Chula Vista’s only community theatre. It’s all volunteer cast puts on six productions annually in its 60 seat theatre.
The Chula Vista Marina, located in South Bay includes many marinas and home to the Chula Vista Yacht Club. Offers whale watching and sports fishing.
Chula Vista Dining
Trip Advisor recommends these Chula Vista restaurants in 2019:
Italianissimo Trattoria earned 5 Stars (out of 5) from 210 reviews. Considered the best Italian restaurant in Chula Vista making it Ranked #1 with Trip Advisor.
Family House of Pancakes ranked as the #2 restaurant in Chula Vista earning 4.5 Stars from 217 reviewers. Offer a full variety of breakfast meals and many types of pancakes.
Tacos El Gordo De Tijuana ranks #3 with 4.5 Stars from 331 reviews. The best Mexican food in Chula Vista.
Aunt Emma’s Pancakes ranks #4 with 4 Stars from 247 reviews. Chula Vista residents must love pancakes. Also, vegetarian-friendly offering a wide breakfast menu.
Zorbas Greek Restaurant & Buffet ranks #5 with 4 Stars from 160 reviews. Authentic Greek cuisine! Also, vegan and vegetarian-friendly.
Black Angus Steakhouse came in as #6 from 162 reviews with a 4 Stars rating. A very popular after work Happy Hour hangout too.
La Bella Pizza Garden ranks #7 with 4 Stars from 131 reviews. Pizzas and Italian food perfect for a date night. Best pizza and lasagna in Chula Vista. Vegetarian-friendly too.
La Quinta Grill ranked #8 with 4 Stars from 73 reviews. Rated the 2nd best Mexican restaurant in Chula Vista. Favored by locals because it’s quiet and convenient.
Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes ranked #9 with 4 Stars from 55 reviews. Soups, salad, and veggie buffet heaven. Vegan and vegetarian-friendly too.
Miguel’s Cocina ranks #10 with 4 Stars from 56 reviewers. Southwestern Mexican foods in a relaxing atmosphere.
Chula Vista Schools
Chula Vista hosts the Sweetwater Union High School District headquarters which oversees the Chula Vista Elementary School District.
The local school district contains 44 campuses of grades kindergarten through the sixth grade making it the largest in California.
Also, Chula Vista hosts a private college called the Southwestern College founded in 1961 educating nearly 20,000 students.
Chula Vista California Real Estate Spotlight Conclusion
This Chula Vista California real estate spotlight focused on the second largest land area in the county and the second largest city in San Diego’s metropolitan area.
Only 7.5 miles from the Mexican border and downtown San Diego. A racially diverse city with the vast majority living in households. Most employed by schools and medical centers and an aerospace facility.
Median home sales prices increased by 4% over the past year. Yet, a four-bedroom home only costs around $600,000.
Chula Vista offers its residents lots of open space and outdoor activities. Plenty of cultures and a variety of dining options too.
Contact Us so one of our Realtors can explain the benefits of moving to Chula Vista.
Steven Rich, MBA – Guest Blogger
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Steven Rich, MBA has been involved in the real estate industry for over 30 years. As an investor, real estate agent, associate editor of a real estate magazine, a real estate marketing expert, a Wikipedia real estate article author, and as a writer.
