Vista, incorporated in 1963, is a city in North County - San Diego and is part of the San Diego - Carlsbad metropolitan statistical area. Oceanside, Carlsbad, and the Pacific Ocean are to the west, San Marcos is to the south and southeast, and San Diego County is to the north and east. Vista is home to two city-owned theaters: the Moonlight Amphitheatre and the Avo Playhouse.

The Moonlight Amphitheatre, located in Brengle Terrace Park, is an open-air theater that specializes in musical productions, performing several musicals during the course of the summer. During the winter, the stage is used as a concert venue called ClubM which hosts both performers and audience members alike on the stage itself. Moonlight Productions performs plays in winter months at the Avo Playhouse, a former movie theater now owned by the city.

Several popular downtown events include the North County St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival, the Vista Strawberry Festival, the Vista Rod Run and the annual Winterfest & Christmas Parade.

Two of the best-known parks in the city are Brengle Terrace Park and Guajome County Park. Brengle Terrace Park houses the Moonlight Amphitheatre, Alta Vista Gardens (a city-owned botanical garden, two softball fields, a senior center, a playground, and the city community center, where the main offices of the city's day camps are held. Guajome County Park has 557 acres (2.25 km²) of land, which is shared between Vista and nearby Oceanside. It features a small lake, willow and oak woodlands, campsites, horse trails, and Rancho Guajome Adobe, a National Historic Landmark.

The Rancho Guajome Adobe and Rancho Buena Vista Adobe are two historic rancho buildings in Vista, built in the mid-nineteenth century, both available for tours and special occasions. Rancho Buena Vista Adobe is owned and operated by the city government, while Rancho Guajome Adobe (and Guajome Park itself) are owned by the county. Adjacent to Guajome Park is the Antique Gas and ~team Engine Museum, an open-air museum demonstrating agricultural equipment from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Vista Historical Society and Museum

The Vista Historical Society at Rancho Minerva is a nonprofit membership organization. Its mission is the discovery, recording, collecting, preservation, and presentation of historical artifacts, properties, a?d other historical objects, and to make them available for us to see and enjoy. Memberships a e available. Volunteers and donations are always appreciated.

Vista Chamber of Commerce

The Vista Chamber of Commerce has represented businesses in Vista, Oceanside, Carlsbad, San Marcos and the surrounding areas for more than 95 years. Some of the primary goals of the chamber are to represent business interests, to government agencies, provide educational and networking opportunities, and promote local businesses. The chamber also provides a valuable business directory.