After years of planning and construction, it is time. Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center officially opened along the Chula Vista Bayfront on May 15, 2025.
Let’s dive into what to expect at the stunning, $1.3 billion resort that is poised to spur tourism, economic growth, and further development in San Diego’s South Bay — and sneak a peek with us here, too.
By the numbers
- This is Gaylord Hotels’ sixth resort, but its first-ever in California.
- The resort sits on 36 acres along the waterfront and features 1,600 guestrooms, including 89 suites.
- Gather ‘round — the property features 477,000-sqft of meeting and events space (we’re going to need someone to please invite us to a big event ASAP).
- When it’s completed, the Gaylord Pacific will boast the largest hotel convention center in San Diego County, and the largest ballroom + exhibit hall measuring 140,049 sqft.
- Guests will also find a 7,500-sqft fitness center on site, and a full-service spa + salon.
Making a splash
Splish, splash — one of the resort’s eye-catching features is its 4.25-acre outdoor water park with multiple pools overlooking the bay. The area includes a big water playground with water slides and a lazy river, wave pool, surf simulator, lounge chairs, private cabanas, and two pool bars. Summer staycation, anyone?
Pro tip: The resort is offering a small number of day passes for the pool via its website.
The food scene
Led by Marriott veteran Chef Jakob Esko, Gaylord Pacific will feature 12 dining options from fast-casual to fancy. This includes the Growlers Sports Bar & Taproom with its 75-ft screen, Old Hickory Steakhouse for “refined surf & turf,” and Oeste, an atrium bar with a premium selection of tequilas, craft cocktails, and local craft beers.
Look for these other restaurants, too:
- Cask & Crown | This speakeasy bar is tucked away inside Growlers and offers a 1920s-themed menu of small bites.
- Trēō Kitchen + Bar | With locally sourced seafood and regional ingredients, this spot will offer breakfast, lunch + dinner.
- Mariner’s Bar | Guests will spot this bar when they first arrive — cozy up by the fireplace.
- Cocoa Bean | Fuel your morning with coffee drinks + fresh bakery items.
- PCH Cafe & Market | This grab-and-go cafe offers specialty coffee, sandwiches, salads, and snack boxes.
- Taiyō | So. Much. Sushi.
- Shallow End Grill | Grab local craft brews, craft cocktails, a loaded TJ Dog, or a banana split from this poolside eatery.
- Sunny’s | Another poolside escape (the pool is big, y’all), this spot offers Baja-inspired dishes like fish tacos + ceviche.
- Marzul Coastal Cuisine | This Baja-inspired fine dining restaurant comes with beautiful bay views.
Creating local jobs
A resort this big will need a lot of helping hands. Gaylord Pacific Resort has been hiring for hundreds of positions, including estheticians, servers, bellpersons, front desk managers, and housekeeping aids.
At the resort’s grand opening on May 15, local dignitaries spoke about how this property is “a dream more than two decades in the making.” They said it’ll cast a global spotlight on Chula Vista — a city that “deserves to shine.”
Chula Vista Mayor John McCann said the Chula Vista Bayfront will be “a regional economic engine creating $475 million of economic impact annually and thousands of jobs.”
As the resort ramps up, we’ll keep an eye on the Chula Vista Bayfront and additional redevelopment including Harbor Park upgrades, more retail + restaurants near the marinas, and more public parks.
One thing’s for sure — with this towering resort that can be seen from as far as the freeway, you really can’t miss the area anymore.
