A brand-new playground is open on the Chula Vista Bayfront. Today, Wednesday, October 14, the Port of San Diego and the City of Chula Vista officially opened the new nautical-themed playground at Harbor Park. I can’t wait to get down there and see it in person.
If you’ve been following along, you know I’ve been watching this one closely. I wrote about Harbor Park breaking ground back in March, and it’s exciting to see it finished and open to families. Today I was out there for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, and I got a first chance to check it out. Let me tell you, it is an awesome spot.
A New Chapter for the J Street Marina
You already know I have been a longtime Chula Vista resident, and it has been a long time since the J Street Marina area was redeveloped like this. For years, this part of the waterfront felt a little forgotten. As a local, I love watching it come back to life one phase at a time.
Harbor Park is what we all used to know as Bayside Park, and it’s getting a lot bigger. The Port is expanding it from 12 acres to about 25, which more than doubles the space for families to spread out and enjoy the bay. The work is happening in phases. The goals are more beach and bay access and a shoreline that can better withstand the elements over time.
What You’ll Find at the New Chula Vista Harbor Park
The playground has a nautical theme, which fits a park sitting right next to the marinas. Kids get slides, a rope-climb hill, and climbing and play equipment built for all ages, so toddlers and older kids both have something to do.
Parents will appreciate the shade structures, because we all know how that afternoon sun hits down by the water. Wide walkways connect the playground to the rest of the park, and there’s new landscaping throughout.
I know so many families here in Chula Vista, and across San Diego, will make this a regular weekend stop.
So Much Green Space on the Bayfront Now
This is what excites me most. Sweetwater Park opened last year with 39 acres of trails, nature play areas, and bay views. Now Harbor Park joins it. Together, they give you more green space along the Chula Vista Bayfront to walk, bike, picnic, and enjoy the water than we’ve ever had.
Picture a Saturday where you walk the Sweetwater Park trails in the morning, then head down to the new playground so the kids can burn off some energy. That’s the bayfront I’ve been hoping for.
Work Is Already Starting on the Next Section
If you’ve been down there lately, you may have noticed fencing going up on the area just north of the new Chula Vista Harbor Park. That’s the start of the next phase. You can learn more about all the projects going on here on the Port of San Diego website.
The $4 million Harbor Park Upland Improvements North Phase brings new landscaping and pedestrian promenades along E Street. It should make it much easier to walk into the park from the new street parking there, and those improvements are expected in 2027.
The California Coastal Conservancy is helping fund that work. The Conservancy awarded the Port a $6.6 million grant. Up to $2.26 million goes to the North Phase, and the remaining $4.34 million is set aside for a future beach and boat launch at the park’s north end. I’ll be keeping a close eye on a beach and boat launch on our bayfront.
The Splash Pad Will Have to Wait Until Spring
I’ll admit I’m a little disappointed the splash pad didn’t open alongside the playground. It’s set to open right next to it in spring 2027. With the cooler months coming, though, I’m okay with waiting for now. I just want it ready by spring so families can enjoy it once the warm weather returns.
Both the playground and the splash pad are part of the $15 million Harbor Park Upland Improvements South Phase. The County of San Diego, BNBuilders, KTUA, and Petersen Studios are also project partners.
Part of the Bigger Bayfront Picture
Harbor Park is part of the first phase of the Chula Vista Bayfront redevelopment, a partnership between the Port and the City. That first phase also includes Sweetwater Park and the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center, which both opened in 2025, and the Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay RV resort, which opened in 2021.
I’ve covered a lot of this transformation over the years, and last month’s Harbor Fest at the J Street Marina showed what this waterfront can feel like when the whole community shows up. Harbor Park gives us even more reason to come back.
Come On Down to the Bayfront
Harbor Park is open, Sweetwater Park is right up the way, and more is coming north toward E Street. Whether you stop by this afternoon or bring the kids this weekend, this is a great time to come down and enjoy the Chula Vista Bayfront.
