Chula Vista, the second largest city in San Diego County, is also the seventh largest city in Southern California and the fifteenth largest city in California. It was incorporated in 1911.

Prior to the area being occupied by Spain, it was home to the Kumeyaay People for thousands of years. In 1921, the area became part of the Mexican Empire which became the Mexican Republic two years later. After the defeat of Mexico in the Mexican-American War, the area became a territory of the United States. California was subsequently admitted to the union as a state in 1950.

In early 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the infamous Executive Order 9066 ordering that all American Citizens of Japanese ancestry be removed from their homes and communities for forced incarceration in what was called a "relocation camp". Thousands of Americans of Japanese ancestry living in San Diego, Chula Vista, and the surrounding communities, were incarcerated in one of 38 "relocation camps." Most lost their homes, cars, and businesses.

Today, the economy of Chula Vista is heavily based on tourism. Some of the attractions include the Chula Vista Marina, the Living Coast Discovery Center, Otay Valley Regional Park, Chula Vista Nature Center, and the Onstage Playhouse. The Onstage Playhouse is the only live theater in South Bay San Diego.

 

Chula Vista Bayfront

The Chula Vista Bayfront is a large planned development on the San Diego Bay waterfront in Chula Vista which is in South Bay San Diego. The development started in the 1970s and is one of the largest waterfront projects in the entire United States. The development includes hotels, restaurants, condominiums, and a large convention center which attracts visitors from all over San Diego County and Imperial County.

 

Otay Valley Regional Park

Otay Valley Regional Park is jointly administered by the city of San Diego, San Diego County and Chula Vista. The park offers passive recreational amenities including 8.3 miles of hiking trails and several picnic areas that include seven ponds and excellent bird watching areas.

 

Living Coast Discovery Center

The Living Coast Discovery Center is an environmental educational center with extensive animal, marine animal, reptile, and bird exhibits located in the Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge which is in Chula Vista.

 

Otay River

The Otay River is a 25 mile long river in southern San Diego County that originates at San Miguel Mountain, flows through Chula Vista and San Diego to its mouth in Imperial Beach at San Diego Bay. The Savage Dam, completed in 1921, forms the 49,510 acre Lower Otay Reservoir. The Upper Otay Dam, completed in 1901 forms the Upper Otay Reservoir. Jamul Creek is a tributary of the Otay River.

 

Southwestern College

Southwestern College is a two-year, accredited community college in San Diego County. Locations are in Chula Vista, National City, Otay Mesa, and San Ysidro. Earned college credits are transferable to the University of California and all of the California State Universities. Southwestern College offers the Associate of Arts degree, the Associate of Science degree, and numerous certificate programs.