My wife and I are taking a week's vacation in San Diego and she has picked out Chula Vista for where we will be staying. I guess she heard some good things about Imperial Beach. I was wondering if anyone knows the area well, so I know what to expect. Forgive me for being naive, but I live in Utah...
We like to walk most places rather than drive, is Chula Vista somewhere you can walk around at night and be relatively safe?
2007-02-27 15:28:54 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ United States ➔ San Diego
Being from Mission Hills I would give Chula Vista and Imperial Beach a big thumbs down.
Chula Vista is the town right across from the mexican border earning it the nickname "Chulawanna"
This area has the highest crime rate in the San Diego Area.
This area has the fewest attractions, even the malls are dumpy.
A hotel on hotel circle would put you by Mission Valley Mall and Fasion Valley and shouldn't be to much more.
As far as beachs go....
Mission Beach is know for it's firepit policy. Yes it is allowed.
Pacific Beach is much "hipper" with a better night life and a good family day beach.
Trust me. You will spent enough time driving to get out of Chula Vista that you will go away thinking San Diego is a horriable palce to vacation.
Stay north and come back!
Quick Edit : I am not trying to be insulting to residences of Chula Vista.... but lets all be honest with our out of town vistors. Sometimes nice places to live are not the best places to visit. For example I loved living in Sufolk, VA but I would NEVER EVER recommend anyone waste their hard earned vacation time there....
2007-02-27 15:50:37 · answer #1 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It depends what part of Chula Vista your going to be staying at. Though I've lived in Chula Vista all my life, I don't recommend staying there if your on vacation. It's more of a residential place more than a tourist attraction. There are good hotels and the freeways closeby. Chula Vista is safe, but it depends what part. Some places are more prone to danger. You won't be able to walk too far, if you want to see everything. I'd recommend renting a car so you can drive down to the beach or drive up north to go to seaworld or whatever you decide.
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About an above comment: Devd_Roberts- Chulawanna? Never heard Cv called that ever in my life, and that's saying something.
2007-02-28 17:28:46 · answer #2 · answered by Steph [♥] 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are 2 totally separate cities. If you are talking to people who do not know the area you can always say you live in Chula Vista which is right next to San Diego. Chula Vista is still in San Diego County but is a different city.
2016-03-29 03:47:35 · answer #3 · answered by Hilary 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like Chula Vista, The Eastlake area and Bonita area are all very rich. Imperial beach isn't exactly the best place to walk around at night though. Try La Jolla for that. You can walk around at night in Chula Vista, just not in the older section.
2007-03-01 04:56:00 · answer #4 · answered by Johnny L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chula Vista is about 30 minutes from downtown SD but it's only 5 minutes from Mexico. Imperial Beach is OK but there are a lot of places in SD that are much nicer. Del Mar, Pacific Beach, San Diego Bay. If you want to walk then I suggest you stay in Downtown San Diego. There's not much to see or do in Chula Vista. (I lived there for 3 years). Unfortunately, San Diego is very spread out and cabs are very expensive. I highly suggest you get a rental car.
2007-02-28 08:29:47 · answer #5 · answered by austin619 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Justin, if it's not too late, please cancel your reservation. If anyone asked me about coming out to SD and where to stay, Chula Vista & Imperial Beach are the last places I'd recommend. Scratch that, I wouldn't recommend them at all.
Chula Vista is atleast a half hour drive from down town SD. With traffic, that commute is unpredictable. You're relatively far from the ocean.
Chula Vista--no,no,no,no!
You can find decent places in Hotel Circle, Clairemont, UTC, Del Mar, or Mira Mesa.
2007-03-01 16:44:04 · answer #6 · answered by AJ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is drainage channel that empties sewage into the ocean from the Tijuana slums which caused Imperial beach to be closed 159 days last year. Not a good choice if your going to get wet.
The boardwalks connect many of the beaches just north of downtown and would probably be better for walking around at night (more to do and see). Many of the major Motels are in one area of San Diego called Motel Circle.
Don't want to drive, the Bus system was incredible (many years ago). You'll find that every thing is spread out instead of being built up due to earthquakes and all.
Stay out of Balboa Park after sunset. If you go to TJ walk across the border and don't get off Revolution Ave.
Edit. Oh yea, it is Chulawana, has been for over twenty years.....
2007-02-28 21:45:02 · answer #7 · answered by Red 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes to both, and skip "relatively"; you have appr 3 NAVY bases and appr 20.000 - 30.000 soldiers with it around ! (and that is only from Coronado bridge area to the southern tip of the US, not counting all other bases to the northern part of SD)
Yes, it is quite nice in Chula Vista, an open market on thursday afternoon, and a nice walking area; check your hotel location and compare with stations of the trolley, to take you downtown, to gaslamp and or to the border, in case you like to walk into our neighbour country for a REAL good taco and a Tecate beer...
Check craigslist for offers of tickets to zoo etc.
see balboa park and museums - tuesday mornings free
see the pier in IB and the fishplace at the end of it (bring jacket it's windy)
Have FUN/ enjoy
2007-02-27 16:34:06 · answer #8 · answered by reginalarson 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on what part of chula vista you're staying. in general, it's safe but you really have to drive to get to some parts of chula vista.
imperial beach is pretty nice...the sandcastle tournament is done there every summer.
2007-02-27 15:37:21 · answer #9 · answered by MaryE 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not the greatest place to stay. I would head north in San Diego county for some really nice beaches.
2007-02-27 15:38:45 · answer #10 · answered by Appliance Man 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋