Chula Vista is blessed with a beautiful harbor, picturesque rolling foothills, pristine lakes, charming new communities and a stylish new shopping center east of the 805 Freeway. This forward looking city is definitely worth discovering.

It is only seven freeway miles south of downtown San Diego and the San Diego Trolley provides easy, frequent access. Plus, Chula Vista has easy access to two major north/south freeways: Interstate 5 and Freeway 805, which are connected in an easterly direction by Highway 54. And now east of the 805 is the new Highway 125 toll road.

Chula Vista is also proud to be the home of the official warm weather U.S. Olympic Training Center (12) at 2800 Olympic Pkwy. (619-656-1500). You can watch America's top athletes train and compete in nine sports including archery, cycling, track and field, field hockey, tennis, rowing, canoeing/kayaking, the triathlon and soccer. Free guided tours are of fered on Saturdays at 11 a.m. To support the Olympics, you can also purchase T-shirts and other Olympic souvenirs at their Olympic Spirit Store.

Also impressive is Chula Vista Living Coast Discovery Center (3), which is surrounded by the 316-acre Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge (619-409-5900). The Living Coast Discovery Center, formerly known as the Chula Vista Nature Center, is a unique zoo and aquarium located on the southern edge of San Diego Bay in Chula Vista. The center offers an intimate wildlife experience for animal lovers of all ages. Guests are able to get up-close and learn more about a wide range of marine and terrestrial animals native to the Southern California coastal region including endangered sea turtles, sharks, rays, jellies, eels, snakes, tortoises, octopuses, owls, hawks, eagles, falcons and shorebirds. Use their coupon to get 2 for the price of 1 on admission.

Uniquely situated within the natural beauty and tranquility of Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, the center is a favorite destination for families and wildlife enthusiasts. Visitors are invited to watch the daily animal feedings or, for an extra-special experience, add on a VIP Animal Encounter for families or small groups to go behind the scenes to meet, feed, touch and ask questions about your favorite Discovery Center animals. 

Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the breeze off San Diego Bay. Bring binoculars and bird watch from the observation decks and take in the panoramic views of the downtown skyline and Coronado Bridge. Take an easy stroll through the wildlife refuge and explore for crabs, shorebirds and other critters. Don't miss the gift shop for special animal mementos of your visit.

In addition to the ongoing live animal exhibits, the center also offers a variety of educational and recreational programs throughout the year including day camps, Family Overnight Adventures, wildlife lectures, art workshops, environmental conservation trainings and school field trips.

The Discovery Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: $14 adults, $9 Children (4-17) Young Children (0-3), $9 Seniors (65+), $9 Students (18+ w/ID), Military - 20% Discount Group Rate - 20% Discount (reservation required).

Annual memberships are available, including a family membership good for two adults and up to five children for just $75. Members enjoy unlimited admission all year, plus discounts at the gift shop and on day camps, the annual food and wine event and other special programs.

Just minutes from Downtown San Diego, the Discovery Center is located just off Interstate 5 at the E Street exit. It is also just steps from a San Diego Trolley stop. The shuttle bus takes visitors from the parking lot onto the protected wildlife refuge approximately every 15 minutes. Parking is free and the last shuttle leaves at 3 p.m. More information, including special events and promotions, can be found at thelivingcoast.org or by calling (619) 409-5900.

Nationally known entertainers regulary per form at Sleep Train Amphitheatre (7) at 2050 Entertainment Cir. in Chula Vista (619-671-3500). For the latest lineup of musical headliners visit their website at livenation.com.

Chula Vista is also a popular destination for golfers. There are three challenging public golf courses in the area - The Salt Creek Golf Club (16) (619- 482-4666), Chula Vista Municipal Golf Course (15) (619-479-4141) and East Lake Country Club (9) (619-482-5757).

Otay Ranch Town Center (11) is a classy 860,000-sq. ft. shopping destination that draws people from as far south as Tijuana and as far east as La Mesa. It is home to the best of the best including Ann Taylor Loft, Macy's, Coach, REI, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, The Gap and a host of fabulous restaurants. Though it has every store you're looking for, the center is still small enough to find your way around without having to use a mall map. The Otay Ranch Town Center (619- 656-9100) lies east of the 805 Freeway via Olympic Parkway.

Chula Vista's Downtown Shopping District (8) will make you feel like you stepped back in time. In fact, the cars are still parked diagonally on the main street. This district is centered around Third Avenue and F Street. A popular weekly shopping attraction is the openair Farmer's Market (8), which is held every Thursday 3 p.m.–7 p.m. at Center Street and Third Avenue (619-422-1982).

The other major shopping district in downtown Chula Vista is the Chula Vista Center (6) (619-427-6700) at H Street and Broadway. This 923,000-sq. ft. complex is home to JC Penney, Victoria's Secret and more. The most popular place to dine is The Olive Garden Restaurant.

Chula Vista is a hub of delicious dining alternatives in part because it caters to Mexicans who come from south of the border on a daily basis to eat here. Plus, many Mexicans have migrated to the U.S. to live in both Eastlake and Chula Vista. So catering to the appetites of hungry Latinos has made the South Bay a mecca for great dining alternatives.

With that thought in mind, the oldest, largest and most popular restaurant in all of the South Bay is the 57 year old La Bella Cafe & Games (8) at 373 Third Ave. (619-426-8830). Generations of repeat customers come here daily to enjoy great tasting pizza, fabulous Italian specialties and their 3,000-sq. ft game parlor jammed full of every parlor game imaginable. Use their coupons to get a $24 Microbrew and Appetizer deal, Complimentary beverage with lunch on the patio, or $10 game cards for only $8 on week nights.

Serving home-style food since 1979, the Broken Yolk Café 884 Eastlake Pkwy. (619-216-1144) is a favorite among local San Diegans and hungry visitors alike. With a strong dedication to good food and equally good service, the Broken Yolk has built a reputation for its large menu, ample portions and freshly-made flavor. With over twenty different omelets plus a large variety of breakfast favorites including pancakes, waffles and French toast, Broken Yolk satisfies even the heartiest of diners - all in a clean, comfortable and casual atmoshpere.

Several restaurants that cater almost exclusively to Mexicans include Los Arcos Seafood Restaurant and Bar (13) at 89 Bonita Rd. (619-934-3517). They feature delicious south-of-theborder seafood specialties and have 16 locations throughout Mexico. So you know this place has got to be very good!

Also on Bonita on the east side of the 805 freeway is a food lover's paradise called Romesco Baja Med Bistro (22) at 4346 Bonita Rd. (619-475-8627). Nightly specials and a host of memorable tapas make this Italian gourmet restaurant a winner. For the best waiter ask for Gustavo.

Red Robin 3030 Plaza Bonita Road is in National City and is known for their delicious burgers and great selection of food, with a happening happy hour. Once you dine at a Red Robin Restaurant you’ll know that every other hamburger restaurant is a wannabe compared to a world famous Red Robin Gourmet Hamburger Restaurant. This legend in the world of burger mania has been the most recommended since being founded in Seattle, Washington in 1969! Having a burger is more than just sitting down and having a burger. The setting sizzles with Americana memorabilia that runs the gammet from classic photos of James Dean to an American gothic super embossed picture of hamburgers on pitch forks.

For the best Italian gourmet cuisine in all of the South Bay, if not San Diego itself, dine at Via Lago Trattoria (18) at 866 Eastlake Pkwy, (619-216-8660). They feature live music several evenings a week. It is one of the seven Busalacchi restaurants. It's located in the Village Walk Shopping Center.

And if these selections aren't enough, you won't be disappointed with the host of delicious dining alternatives at the Otay Ranch Town Center (11) at 2015 Birch Rd, (619-656-9100). It's home to Chili's, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, King's Fish House, California Pizza Kitchen, Romano's Macaroni Grill and La Parroquia Cafe & Live Music Lounge, which is just across the street from the Cheesecake Factory.

Chula Vista continues to grow, especially on the east side of Freeway 805, with new communities and stylish shopping and dining destinations. And homes are both new and affordable.

While nothing compares to the thrill of owning a new home, the affordability and the incredible selection of homes available in the South Bay for resales is absolutely incredible and worth looking at. The undisputed leader in resale homes is McMillin Realty (23) at 320 East H St. (619-422-4500) in the Terra Nova Shopping Center with a second location of McMillin Realty (22) at 4210 Bonita Rd. (619-475- 0233). They remain the largest new homebuilder in the South Bay as well.

National City, which is north of Chula Vista and south of downtown San Diego is San Diego County's industrial business hub. It boasts more than 3,000 businesses in a tiny land area of only 7.3 square miles.

Major employers include its huge marine terminal that processed 270,000 cars last year. It is also home to the county's largest new and used auto sales center, The The National City Mile of Cars (19) with an inventory of more than 5,000 cars. National City is also home to Westfield Plaza Bonita (20) at 3030 Plaza Bonita Rd. (619-267-2850). It is the largest enclosed mall in the South Bay and includes an AMC theater and a Red Robin Gourmet Burger location (619- 267-2000).

A top dining destination in National City is Villa Manila Restaurant (1) at 500 E. Eighth St. in the Old Schoolhouse Square (619-477-8512). The specialty of the house is the best Filipino cuisine you have ever tasted served in a comfortable, family atmosphere.

Sweetwater Harley-Davidson (2) is the best stop for anything Harley-Davidson. This is an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer, so they are your number one source for genuine Harley-Davidson motorcycles, parts, accessories, Motorclothes and collectibles.

Bonita means "beautiful" in Spanish and originated from a ranch of the same name from the 1800's. It was once a farming community where in the early years, it was home to a thriving lemon industry.

My Kids Clubhouse in Bonita at 5034 Bonita Road (619-434-8676) is a great place watch your kids laugh as they race down their triple wave slide and climb through a maze of tunnels in one of San Diego’s largest indoor play structures. Plus try out their rock climbing wall at the new Bonita location.

San Ysidro is home to the world's busiest land border crossing, where U.S. Interstate 5 crosses into Mexico at Tijuana. In the 2005 U.S. fiscal year, more than 50 million people entered the United States at the San Ysidro port of entry. The great majority of these are workers (both of Mexican and U.S. nationality) commuting to jobs in the greater San Diego area and throughout southern California.

Before or after a visit to Mexico, the biggest attraction that San Ysidro has to offer is shopping at the Las Americas Premium Outlets at 4211 Camino de la Plaza (619-934-8400). It is home to the finest collection of designer and namebrand outlet stores. It's also the best shopping in the South Bay. Get their VIP shopping pass here.

Whether you are relocating to this tranquil region of San Diego or you need a trustworthy place to store your valuables, San Diego Self Storageis the place. View their special offers for new customers at [sandiegoselfstorage.com]. This network of neighborhood self storage facilities has locations in Eastlake and National City for your convenience. Use their coupon for 1/2 off 1st 2 months.