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Citrus Bay Community Brings New Homes to Chula Vista

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Citrus Bay Community Brings New Homes to Chula Vista

New Life for a Familiar Location The Citrus Bay community in Chula Vista, California, is nearly complete and now open for sales. Located behind the Chula Vista Center, the development sits on the former Sears site, a spot many locals remember fondly. While it’s sad to see Sears gone, this new project brings fresh opportunities for families and individuals looking to live near shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Townhomes Now Selling Developer Cal West Living has started pre-sales for the two- and three-story townhomes at Citrus Bay, located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and I Street. More than a dozen homes have already been purchased, highlighting the strong demand for new housing in the area. “These homes combine traditional design with modern features you don’t often find in older homes on the west side of Chula Vista,” said Matt Thorne, partner and Chief Operating Officer of Cal West.

Citrus Bay Community Chula Vista
Citrus Bay Community Chula Vista

Citrus Bay offers six floor plans ranging from 1,102 to 1,776 square feet. Homes feature up to three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and two-car garages. Prices start in the high $500,000s for one-bedroom units, in the low $600,000s for two-bedroom units, and in the mid-$700,000s for three-bedroom homes.

Citrus Bay Community residents will enjoy a private recreation center with a pool, lounge area, and restrooms. Additionally, Cal West is developing a public park on the northeast corner of I Street and Fifth Avenue, adjacent to the Chula Vista Center. The half-acre green space will include play areas for kids, shaded picnic tables, benches, fitness equipment, and walking paths.

Although the city typically requires nearly two acres of parkland for a project of this size, the urban layout made a larger space impractical. Still, because Cal West is both funding and maintaining the park for its first 20 years, the city has approved the plan. The park will be called Citrus Bay Park, a name that reflects Chula Vista’s history of citrus farming. The estimated $1.8 million park is expected to be completed within the next 12 months.

Citrus Park in Chula Vista
Citrus Bay Park will take over the corner of I Street and Fifth Avenue. This will be a new public park and is expected to be complete in 2026. Chula Vista Living

A New Chapter for Chula Vista: In 2023, Cal West acquired the former Sears building, which had closed in early 2020. Demolition took about four months. I personally remember flying my drone over the site during that time; those photos are still on my Instagram for anyone interested in seeing the project’s early days. As you may recall, I initially posted about this project in March 2024; you can view the video here. There will also be a new SHARP Medical Center, but I will save that for another post.

Marciel Paras, a longtime Chula Vista resident and Citrus Bay Community sales rep, says the project comes at an exciting time. With the whole Chula Vista bayfront revamp underway and a planned makeover of the Chula Vista Center, the area is poised for growth.

In February, Los Angeles-based developer Primestor acquired the Chula Vista Center for $86 million. They announced plans to refresh the 32-acre site, which includes Macy’s, JCPenney’s, and the AMC Theater. However, we’ve yet to see any visible changes. Many locals I have spoken with had expected summer events or upgrades, but so far, it has been quiet. We will keep you updated on any changes as we become aware of them.

Are you excited for this new development in the area? Be sure to visit them on Instagram to see more photos and videos of the new homes.

Chula Vista Entertainment Complex to Host Public Open House

Chula Vista Blog
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Chula Vista Entertainment Complex to Host Public Open House

Chula Vista is stepping into the spotlight. Set to open in phases beginning in 2026, the new Chula Vista Entertainment Complex (CVEC) will transform a 90,000-square-foot space at the Millenia campus into a full-service production hub. With facilities designed for film, television, podcasting, and post-production, the city is positioning itself as Southern California’s next creative powerhouse, without the Hollywood price tag.

Designed for Creators, Built for Growth

The Chula Vista Entertainment Complex layout is designed with creators in mind. The third floor will house studios, podcast booths, and flexible spaces where content creators can work and collaborate. From YouTubers to filmmakers, they can produce, collaborate, and launch new projects. On the fourth floor, professional post-production bays and executive offices will support high-end video work, editing, and final cut delivery. CEO Aaron David Roberts walked the team through the building. It is still under construction and many of the levels are empty.

“We’re going to really build it out with a bunch of different types of amenities- studios, podcast rooms, edit bays, meeting spaces, and it’s really supposed to be a place that the creative community in San Diego comes together,” Roberts said.

For Creators like Mr. Chula Vista, this will be perfect. Aaron plans to offer monthly memberships and even day passes for local creators who need some space to film their next project. No word on pricing has been announced, but we will keep you updated.

Four production studios of varying sizes are also planned for Phase Two of the project, enabling the complex to host everything from commercial shoots to full-length features.

Be Part of the Vision: Open House This August

The Chula Vista Entertainment Complex invites the community to a special open house on Saturday, August 2nd, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The event is free and open to the public, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the future of content creation in Chula Vista.

Attendees will receive a guided tour of the building, hear more about the project’s goals, and have the opportunity to ask questions directly to the development team. Guests are encouraged to RSVP in advance and select a time slot that works best for their schedule.

To stay connected, follow the CVEC project on Instagram for updates, photos, and more ways to get involved as the development continues.

Chula Vista Entertainment Complex
The Chula Vista Entertainment Complex has always been a project we have long anticipated. When both phases are complete, it’s going to be beautiful.

A Local Boost to the Creative Economy

This development marks a significant investment not just in facilities, but also in local opportunities. By offering affordable, professional-grade resources, CVEC aims to attract both up-and-coming talent and seasoned professionals who may otherwise be priced out of traditional hubs.

More than just a business venture, the complex could also lead to job creation, educational partnerships, and increased visibility for Chula Vista’s creative community.

Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond

The entertainment complex is scheduled to open in stages between 2026 and 2027, with early phases focused on pre-production and studio development. As the city continues to grow, the CVEC signals a shift in where content is created and who has the authority to create it.

With an eye on the future and roots in community investment, Chula Vista is turning its vision into action, one soundstage at a time.

Farm to Bay Chula Vista Returns with Food, Wildlife, and Coastal Conservation

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Farm to Bay Chula Vista Returns with Food, Wildlife, and Coastal Conservation

The Farm to Bay Chula Vista event, known as “Feast Among Sea Creatures,” offers adults a rare opportunity to enjoy locally sourced cuisine while surrounded by the vibrant wildlife of San Diego Bay. Taking place Saturday, August 2nd at the Living Coast Discovery Center, this unique celebration blends gourmet dining with up-close encounters with animal ambassadors, including owls, hawks, sea turtles, jellyfish, and more. It’s a night that combines local flavor with conservation impact.

Now in its 16th year, Farm to Bay Chula Vista is held on the scenic grounds of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Guests can enjoy a sunset dinner in a marshland setting, taste wines from local vineyards, and interact with both land and marine animals, all while supporting the center’s mission to inspire care for coastal wildlife and habitats.

As the Living Coast Discovery Center’s largest annual fundraiser, the event raised more than $128,000 last year. Those funds support hands-on educational programs, summer camps, and school field trips for thousands of students. With recent federal funding cuts exceeding $80 million, community-driven fundraising efforts like Farm to Bay Chula Vista play a vital role in keeping these programs accessible, often at no cost to local schools.

Farm to Bay Chula Vista
The Living Coast Discovery Center is a great place to explore and learn more about the Chula Vista Bayfront. The recent “Day at the Bay” event was a fun-filled event with numerous guests exploring the center.

The event also champions sustainability. Committed to its zero-waste goal, less than 10% of the evening’s waste is sent to landfills. Vendors use compostable or reusable serving materials, and a volunteer team helps sort recycling and compost. This eco-conscious approach underscores the event’s commitment to preserving the coastal environment.

Tickets are $120 and available at thelivingcoast.org. The event is for adults 21 and over, and advance purchase is strongly recommended due to limited availability. Whether you’re a food lover, an animal enthusiast, or a conservation supporter, Farm to Bay Chula Vista offers an evening of meaning, memory, and mission.

About the Living Coast Discovery Center

The Living Coast Discovery Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit zoo and aquarium located within the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista. Founded in 1987 as the Chula Vista Nature Interpretive Center, it has evolved into a vibrant community hub that welcomes approximately 70,000 visitors each year for interactive exhibits, daily animal encounters, and conservation-focused programs.

Guided by its mission to inspire the community to connect with and care for our coastal environment, the Center offers educational field trips, scout programs, composting workshops, and public hikes that reach thousands of schoolchildren annually.

Bag of Beans Chula Vista Set to Open Its First U.S. Location Soon

Chula Vista Blog
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Bag of Beans Chula Vista Set to Open Its First U.S. Location Soon

This is one Chula Vista restaurant I’ve been most excited to see open. I’m thrilled that Bag of Beans Chula Vista has chosen Eastlake for its first U.S. location.

Bag of Beans Cafe, the beloved destination from Tagaytay City in the Philippines, is preparing to open its first U.S. location in Chula Vista, San Diego County. Known for its rustic charm, hearty breakfast sets, and bold Kapeng Barako coffee, the cafe will bring Filipino-American fusion cuisine to the Village Walk at Eastlake later this year.

Since opening in 1998, Bag of Beans has become a favorite among locals and tourists in the Philippines, praised for its welcoming atmosphere and comforting menu. Signature items, such as their fresh Raisin Bread and traditional Filipino fare, including tapa and bangus, have earned a loyal following.

The new Chula Vista location will take over the space formerly occupied by Pho Hiep Grill. With a strong Filipino-American community in the area, the cafe’s arrival is especially meaningful to those who miss the flavors of home. At the same time, it offers an opportunity for new guests to experience the rich culinary traditions of the Philippines with a modern twist.

Inside, the cafe will recreate the warm, earthy ambiance of its Tagaytay roots, featuring lush greenery, wood accents, and cozy seating designed to make every guest feel at home. A full-service bar will also be part of the experience, featuring cocktails, spirits, wine, and local craft beer.

I recently met Bag of Beans Chula Vista owner Anthony Jose at the Summer Sundays Car Show, where he shared more details about the upcoming location. He mentioned that the Chula Vista cafe will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with a full in-house bakery and bar. While he didn’t offer an exact opening date, he said it would be very soon.

Beyond the food and drinks, Bag of Beans hopes to become a hub for culture and connection, offering a taste of nostalgia for Filipino Americans while introducing Filipino flavors to a wider audience.

Bag of Beans Cafe will be located at 872 Eastlake Parkway, Suite 310, in Chula Vista. For updates on the official opening date and menu details, visit bagofbeansusa.com. Let us know on Facebook if you’re excited to see them open. I know it has been a long time coming, that’s for sure.

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