Harborside - Chula Vista, CA Area Guide

Located on the San Diego Bay, Harborside was once its own township before becoming a suburban neighborhood of Chula Vista. The citrus orchards that earned the area the title "Lemon Capital of the Nation" are no longer present, but remain celebrated each spring during the Lemon Festival. The Chula Vista Heritage Museum sits a 10-minute drive north of Harborside, and the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge lies 10 minutes beyond that. As is true of San Diego County in general, Harborside continues to grow in leaps and bounds, each year becoming a better version of itself.

Like many neighborhoods in southern California, finding authentic Mexican fare in Harborside is very easy. Tacos El Gordo has some of the best tacos in town. This local, family-owned favorite opened back in 1998 and serves up an amazing carne asada and tender abodaba. Expect long lines and food so tasty you still think of it into next week. Score Baja Burgers and Beer satisfies your craving for delicious burgers while watching the game, and Yoshinoya, an international food chain featured on the Travel Channel, quenches your appetite for Asian rice bowls served on the quick. After the sun sets, Mr D's Cocktail Lounge is the place to be. Gather with other residents for dancing and karaoke. Tecate costs only $2 on Tuesdays.

If you were to visit downtown San Diego in 1886, you would find a system of horse- or mule-drawn street cars. Thankfully, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System today provides bus and paratransit services throughout all of San Diego County. Bike paths remain plentiful, and public transportation, buses, and trolleys proves efficient. While the western portion of Harborside is considered a walkable area thanks to its many local amenities, most residents still prefer to drive, especially with the easy accessibility of Interstate 5. Parking can often be found free in Harborside, including at its many Park-and-Ride locations. Parking meters downtown accept coins, Park Cards, or credit and debit cards.

Harborside Park, the area's most centrally-located green space, provides plenty of free parking, as well as a gazebo, skate park, several play and picnic areas, a basketball court, and a soccer field. Other nearby parks include Bayside, Lauderback, and Otay Valley Regional Park. At Otay Valley Regional Park, hiking, horseback riding, and fishing remain part of the everyday experience. Throughout the year, the San Diego Parks and Recreation Department sponsors a variety of free concerts and open-air theatrical productions in all of its parks, which means fun times for everyone. Skate parks are a big deal in Chula Vista. Len Moore Skate Park, the area's largest, costs just $2 per session.

The cost of living in Harborside averages $43,000 per year, 41 percent lower than the state average. A one-bedroom apartment in Harborside goes for about $1,025, and a two-bedroom apartment costs around $1,300. Bus fare runs between $2.25 to $2.50 one-way, while express buses cost up to $5, as do trolley rides. Gas prices run in line with the rest of California, which ranks slightly higher than the national average. Parking is usually free here. Downtown Chula Vista does have meters, but don't expect to spend more than 50 cents per hour to park. Money generated through parking fees helps fund future improvements in the downtown parking district, including bike racks and new landscaping. The cost of a beer runs $5 runs for domestic and $6 for import in the Harborside neighborhood.

When it comes to convenience, Harborside ranks high a wonderful place to live. Gas stations and post offices prove plentiful, and supermarkets remain easy to find. The central shopping areas here can be found at Broadway Plaza and Hometown Square. Be sure to check out the UCP Chula Vista Thrift Store for great deals on clothes and other items. Northgate Markets, a family-owned California grocery store, has a Harborside location within walking distance and another within driving. Opened over 40 years ago by the Gonzalez Reynoso family, Northgate received the first loan given from the California Fresh Works Fund, an organization that finances grocery businesses willing to open in areas that lack supermarkets. Otay Farms, another supermarket, acts as a local favorite. While not fancy, this small market serves up meats, cheeses, bread, homemade tortillas, and inexpensive produce sourced through local farmers. The Otay Ranch Certified Farmers Market opens every Tuesday afternoon in downtown Chula Vista. Hans & Harry's Bakery in nearby Bonita sells delectable, world famous strudels created by the artful hands of two European-trained cake designers.