Chula Vista is one of the largest cities in the San Diego metropolitan area. In fact, Chula Vista is the seventh largest city in Southern California. The city name is Spanish and means beautiful view. The city name is accurate, as Chula Vista offers gorgeous views of the region as well as access to beautiful nearby resources.
The population of Chula Vista was nearly 244,000 according to the 2010 census. The city's population density is about 4,682 people per square mile. Approximately 54% of the population is White, 1% is Native American, 15% is Asian or Pacific Islander, and 58% of the population had Latino heritage.
The census determined there were approximately 75,500 households in Chula Vista. Nearly 48% of these had children living in them, and about 56% of the homes consisted of opposite-sex couples who were married. In about 17% of the cases, women lived alone with no husband. About 6% of the households had male leaders with no wife. Ultimately, the average household size in Chula Vista is about 3.21 people.
The median age of Chula Vista residents is about 33.4 years, which is nearly two years younger than the median for all of California. In fact, this region tends to be slightly younger than much of California.
The culture of Chula Vista is very outdoor oriented. The city, which is in the South Bay, is actually home to several marinas. The Chula Vista Yacht Club has quite a following, and recreational activities include sports fishing and whale watching. The Olympics are a major component of Chula Vista culture. In fact, many people come here to train in sports at the Olympic Training Center, especially in archery, rowing, soccer, kayaking, field hockey, tennis, cycling, track, and softball.
For those who love to hike, Mountain Hawk Park is a must-visit location. Go for a trail run or use the open space for a family picnic and soccer game. The views are beautiful and the park is welcoming.
Employees in Chula Vista work in a number of industries. The most popular include retail (12%), public administration (10%), manufacturing (9%), health car (9%), construction (8%), food/accommodation services (8%), and education (6%).
The nearby ocean has a lot to do with Chula Vista's culture as well. The Living Coast Discovery Center is a prominent choice, situated near Gunpowder Point. Walk on the trails to catch a glimpse of local wildlife and to see natural flowers and plants native to the area. This is a great place for families with children, and you might even learn a thing or two by visiting.
Four private colleges exist in San Diego County, and Chula Vista is home to one of them. Additionally, Chula Vista has a community college called Southwestern College. The school was founded in 1961 and serves about 19,000 students each year. When it comes to educational statistics, about 79% of residents over the age of 25 have graduated from high school. Nearly 26% have graduated with a four-year degree, and more than 8% have completed a graduate degree.
The median household income as of 2013 was approximately $60,880. This suggests growth in the last 16 years that may continue. Additionally, the median home and condo value is approximately $356,000. Meanwhile, renters pay a median of about $1,200 each month.
The unemployment rate in Chula Vista is about 7.2% according to data from June 2014, which is on par with the unemployment rate for California. It is also less than the unemployment rate for other local cities.Residents who are employed travel about 26.4 minutes to work each day.
Chula Vista also has plenty of park space -- 560 acres to be exact. Chula Vista Bayside Park offers more than a marina. It's also a fantastic place to dine at a restaurant or take a walk. Shops present more than souvenirs, and visitors and locals can enjoy soaking up those year-round sun rays. Game table sand fishing piers are also available here. You can even see the skyline of downtown San Diego from here.
There are also parks like the Lauderbach, which offer plenty of space for parties and playtime with nearly four acres of land. You can order vendor services to the park or enjoy a lovely barbecue.
Chula Vista is likely best known for being equidistant from Downtown San Diego (7.5 miles) and the United States-Mexico border. If you are keen on traveling south of the border, Chula Vista offers a pretty decent drive.
Plus, Chula Vista is made famous by its United States Olympic Training Center. Visitors can tour the facility for free, which offers 150 acres of fields, tracks, and more. Tours of the center are available throughout the week for visitors.
Other popular attractions in the city include the Sleep Train Amphitheatre, Chula Vista Marina, and Living Coast Discovery Center. Sleep Train offers the opportunity to listen to music in the open air environment, all the while enjoying drinks and other treats. There is also an Aquatica Water Park for those visiting in the dead of summer who may need a bit of relief.
Chula Vista is clearly a beautiful place to live; the name does not lie. If you want to live somewhere affordable with access to both Mexico and San Diego, this is the city you need to look at first.
