Sunbow - Chula Vista, CA Area Guide

During the 1800s, the main focus of the city remained the railroad, water, orchards and the olive industry, which drove residential neighborhoods, like Sunbowl, to pop up everywhere. Today, interest lies in Industrial Park where more than 60 different industries reside.

Bonita Museum and Cultural Center remains the go-to neighborhood museum, while the Chula Vista Heritage Museum resides just west of Interstate 805. Additionally, Balboa Park is about 15 miles north and features 17 museums, including the San Diego Natural History Museum.

The many stories of Bonita's history at The Cultural Center are told through imaginative digital art, local artifacts and photographs. Furthermore, the society hosts community art shows, presentations and various annual special events including an annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration and a music concert series. The permanent displays include Native American culture, the events of the flood of 1916 and the transformation of family life by technology.

Residents enjoy an eclectic variety of restaurants dispersed throughout the neighborhood. A multitude of Mexican, Asian, and American-style eateries sit all around Chula Vista.

The Asian-inspired Tastea Grill Hawaiian BBQ Restaurant serves up fast and affordable dishes, even offering Sushi in January. Locals generally come for the boba, specialty teas, slushees and smoothies when walking around the streets of Otay Village.

Home of the best burgers in the city, Canada Steak Burger combines Greek and American favorites. Locals have been ordering the famous Steakburger for decades with some even adding a little gyro meat.

The neighborhood nightlife can be described as a casual yet fun atmosphere; a lot of pubs and sports bars reside in Sunbowl. The Canyon Sports Pub and Grill, arguably the most popular dive bar in town, serves specialty cocktails and unique craft brews. The establishment also serves up some of the best bar food in town and always has fun events and happy hours. For a more lively nightlife, head 15 minutes north to Downtown San Diego for a variety of nightclubs and bars.

The most common ways to get around the neighborhood include bus, trolley and car. The transportation system remains quite extensive in the neighborhoods surrounding Sunbowl. Locals and visitors have their choice of bus or trolley. If you rely on these forms of transportation, choose a residence near a stop to avoid long walks. Residents call in advance for a cab, or they request an Uber using their smartphones.

A vast amount of free public parking in and around the neighborhood can be easily found, and accessing freeways remains a breeze. Surrounded by Interstate 805, Highway 54 and the 125 Tollroad, Sunbowl give residents quick access to highways. Furthermore, Interstate 5 and Highway 95 are just a few miles away. The neighborhood can be walkable during the day and safe for bike riders as bike lines line the major streets.

Residents have many kid-friendly and exercise-centric parks to choose from in and around Sunbowl. A great place for kids, Discovery Park offers a playground, a baseball field and picnic tables for a fun afternoon in the sun. El Rancho Del Rey Park has many similar features, but the location has a tennis court instead of a field.

Some locations are perfect for picnics and dog walks such as Greg Roger's Park and Independence Park as they highlight an open grassy space with tables and overhanging trees. Be sure to visit El Toyon Park when seeking an off-leash area for your furry friends.

The most popular outdoor recreation area, Rohr Park, never fails in the activity department. With plenty of green space, a baseball field, two great play structures for kids, hiking trails, model train rides and an equestrian ring, this park offers a variety of options for all different types of personalities. It is not uncommon to see many soccer games occurring every weekend in addition to plenty of pickup basketball games.

The cost of living remains lower than the city average. A one-bedroom apartment in Sunbowl will cost an average of $1,494 per month. The typical price of a beer runs about $5.50 for a pint as happy hours drag down the medium. Gas prices stand 11 percent higher than the national average but a little on the lower side for a San Diego neighborhood.

The two major shopping areas nearest the neighborhood are Westfield Plaza Bonita and Chula Vista Center, which both feature familiar chain shops and departments stores. Furthermore, Sunbowl is only a few miles north of the Mexican boarder. Many locals and tourists enjoy walking the streets of Tijuana during the day, finding great deals on fashion accessories, clothing, and gifts.

Closer to the coast, you can find Tutu Princess and Fashion Club — two specialty women's boutiques offering trendy apparel and accessories.

For those seeking a unique experience, take a day trip to Seaport Village near The Gaslamp. Not only does it feature live music and fine dining, the outdoor village has an eclectic group of shops like the Toy Cottage, a store that features unique and hard-to-find toys for kids. One of the most visited boutiques sells art from the internationally renowned marine life artist Wyland. This group of stores overlooks San Diego Bay and features fun street performers and events on the weekends.

Ralph's, Von's, and Costco service the neighborhood for groceries, and there is a Save-A-Lot on the west side of Interstate 805 for those who prefer discounted food items. The city of Bonita also hosts a farmers market from 4 p.m. to 7p.m. on Wednesdays on the north side of Sunbowl.