The Chula Vista Harbor Fest is back, and it came back big time at the J Street Marina. I heard so many rumors that it was returning, and I have been waiting for this one. Seeing it finally happen made it the summer event Chula Vista needed.
Plenty of vendors, but also so much to see and do. Lucha libre matches right there in front of everyone. Car clubs showing off some serious rides. A huge main stage with some really good live bands keeping the energy up all day. And the beer garden was a lot of fun too. If you grabbed VIP tickets, you got access to a shaded area, free tacos, and two free drinks. I’m telling you, everything about this event was well organized, from the layout to the flow of the crowd to the vendors themselves.
I made a whole video calling on the Lemon Festival organizers to come down to Harbor Fest and start taking notes, because what I saw at the marina is exactly what I want to see more of at our other Chula Vista events. That’s how much this one impressed me.
I can’t stop talking about it. Seriously, ask anyone who was standing next to me that day. I was going on and on about the bands, the food, the whole vibe of the place. This was hands down my number one summer event in Chula Vista, no contest.
If you were there, you already know what I’m talking about. And if you weren’t, mark your calendar for next year, because Harbor Fest earned a permanent spot on my list. Let me know in the comments what your favorite part of Harbor Fest was. Chula Vista, this is exactly the kind of event I love to see in our community.
Otay Ranch Town Center has been busy welcoming a diverse mix of new dining and retail tenants to the Chula Vista shopping destination as it prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary this fall.
New openings throughout the year
Late last year, Lovesac joined the lineup with a showroom where shoppers can try out the brand’s iconic bean bag chairs, modular Sactionals, Sacs and customizable accessories in person before ordering.
January brought 356 Korean BBQ, a full-service restaurant offering an interactive dining experience with premium meats grilled tableside. I visited and put together a video summary if you’d like a closer look before you go. You can watch it here.
May saw two new tenants open their doors. Mini Play Town brought an indoor playroom for kids complete with a multi-level play structure, a toddler area and event space. I stopped by when it opened and wrote up what parents should know; you can read it here. Creations Boutique also opened, offering a curated assortment of contemporary and bohemian-inspired women’s apparel and accessories.
Summer closed out with the opening of Swarovski in June, bringing the global upscale jewelry brand’s crystals, watches and accessories to the center.
Mini Play Town at the Otay Ranch Town Center
What’s coming next
Otay Ranch Town Center has more tenants coming in the months ahead. J. Crew Factory will open with the brand’s signature men’s, women’s and kids’ styles, and Taste of The Himalayas will bring authentic Nepali, Indian and Tibetan cuisine along with a patio for outdoor seating.
Tea shop favorite R&B Tea is also expanding and moving to the centrally located Dining Pavilion, where it will continue serving its milk and fruit teas, smoothies and specialty beverages.
“As we approach our 20th anniversary, our center continues to evolve based on our community interests and needs,” said Tim Kilcourse, General Manager of Otay Ranch Town Center, owned and operated by GGP. “Our diverse mix of national brands, local concepts, experiential uses and new dining options truly offers something for everyone,” he added.
Have you seen the new mural at the Otay Ranch Town Center?
Looking ahead to the holidays
I’m already looking forward to the holiday season at the center this year, especially the tree lighting and the other events they typically put together. There’s no exact date yet, but as soon as I have that information, I’ll be sure to share it across all of our social media channels.
Twenty years is a big milestone, and I remember being there for both the groundbreaking and the grand opening. This center has meant a lot to the area, and I’m looking forward to seeing what other stores and businesses join the lineup next.
For the full list of tenants, visit Otay Ranch Town Center’s website. And as always, keep an eye on our event calendar and follow along on Instagram and Facebook (@livingchulavista) for more on what’s happening around town.
About Otay Ranch Town Center
Otay Ranch Town Center is one of San Diego’s premier outdoor lifestyle destinations in Chula Vista, offering nearly 100 retail, dining, entertainment, fitness and health options along with a full-service Barons Market. The center’s mix includes Apple, lululemon, Sephora, Barnes & Noble, Road Runner Sports, H&M and Best Buy, complemented by a 12-screen AMC Theatres and restaurants including Yard House, P.F. Chang’s, The Cheesecake Factory and local favorites Karina’s Mexican Seafood and Savoie Eatery. The open-air center also features grand fountains, a pet-friendly setting and adjacent dog park, a branch of the Chula Vista Library and passport acceptance office, a food pavilion, fireplace and popper fountain for children. Otay Ranch Town Center is located at Eastlake Parkway and Olympic Parkway in Chula Vista, 4.5 miles east of I-805 and just off the South Bay Expressway (SR-125).
Woof Gang Bakery in Eastlake has landed in Chula Vista, and I got a firsthand look inside. Located at 1741 Eastlake Pkwy, Suite 105, this locally owned pet shop has been open for a few months and is quickly becoming a favorite stop for Chula Vista pet parents.
Owner Jassal gave me a full tour of the space, and honestly, it’s beautiful inside. The treat displays alone are worth the visit. They’ve got everything from frosted donuts to cookies decorated like little works of art, and even a treat shaped like a cannoli. It’s hard to believe it’s all made for dogs.
Beyond the bakery case, the shelves are stocked with quality pet food brands, chews, toys, leashes, and wellness products, basically everything you’d need for a dog or cat. In the back, their grooming salon offers everything from a Classic Bath to a Full Groom, with a calm, one-on-one approach designed to keep pets relaxed.
What stood out most was how genuinely community-focused this place feels. They host Yappy Hours, seminars, and pet photo events throughout the year, and after talking with Jamal, it’s clear this is about more than selling products.
If you’ve got a dog or cat in your life and you’ve been driving past the shops near Eastlake Pkwy lately, you’ve probably noticed Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming. It opened its doors a few months ago at 1741 Eastlake Pkwy, Suite 105, and it’s already becoming a go-to stop for local pet parents.
I stopped by about a month ago and got a full tour from Jassal, the owner. This is a locally owned business, and it showed in how he talked about it. He walked me through the whole space, and honestly, it’s beautiful inside. The treats on display looked incredible. They even had one shaped like a cannoli, and every case was so gorgeous I found myself wanting to try one, even though they’re made for pets. I featured the whole visit in a video. You can watch it here.
Jar after jar of all-natural chews and treats, from duck neck to duck feet, lining the shelves at Woof Gang Otay Ranch.
What’s on the Shelves
Step inside and you’ll find a full lineup of pet essentials. There are oven-baked, all-natural treats made for both dogs and cats, plus a nutrition section stocked with quality brands like Acana, Orijen, Fromm, Stella & Chewy’s, and The Honest Kitchen. Whether your pet eats kibble, raw, freeze-dried, or canned food, you’ll find something worth checking out.
Beyond food, the retail side covers just about everything a pet owner could need. Chews for dogs who need something to gnaw on, toys and accessories, leashes and collars, and a wellness section with supplements for joint care, dental health, and coat maintenance. If your pet has a birthday coming up, they even carry all-natural birthday cakes and treats to make the day feel special.
The treat table at Woof Gang Otay Ranch includes a cannoli-shaped treat, frosted donuts, and decorated cookies that are almost too pretty to be dog food.
Grooming That Feels Personal
The grooming side is where the personal touch really shows. Every dog gets one-on-one attention in a calm setting, and appointments are structured so dogs come in and out separately to keep stress levels low.
Services range from a Classic Bath to a Full Groom with a complete haircut, sanitary trim, and the works. In between, add-on spa treatments include the Blueberry Pie Facial (great for tear stains), the Hairy Beast de-shedding treatment, and the Diamond Dog brightening package. They also offer puppy-safe shampoos for pups as young as 12 weeks, so even the newest members of your family can get in on the pampering.
More Than Just a Store
What stands out about this location is how much they lean into being part of the neighborhood. Throughout the year they host Yappy Hours with treat giveaways, educational seminars, and photo opportunity events for pets and their people. It’s clearly meant to be a gathering spot, not just a retail counter, and after meeting Jassal, that community focus felt genuine rather than corporate.
Visit Woof Gang Otay Ranch
You’ll find them at 1741 Eastlake Pkwy, Suite 105, Chula Vista, CA 91915. They’re open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm, with grooming appointments available during those same hours. You can reach them at 619-694-5225 or book a grooming appointment online. You can visit their website here.
If you’re looking for a new neighborhood spot to treat your pet right, this one’s worth a stop. Check out the video to see the space for yourself, and let me know if you stop in.
Follow @livingchulavista on Instagram and Facebook for more Chula Vista business features, and check the CVL event calendar for what’s happening around town.
