Late March Trip -- Whales, Olympic Training Center?

Hi,

My sister and her three kids recently moved to Chula Vista, and myself, my two parents (late 60%26#39;s and early 70%26#39;s) plus my other sister and her three kids (ages 6-14, same as ones we%26#39;re visiting), are going there the last week of March. My sister isn%26#39;t too familiar with the area yet, so I would love to get some help with things we might do. I%26#39;m pretty sure we%26#39;ll go to Seaworld and probably Wild Animal Park or the zoo. Can anyone fill me in on other things that would be good that time of year, such as:

Whalewatching, is that the right season (again, last week of March?)

Has anyone toured the Olympic Training center in Chula Vista, is that worth visiting? Do you get to see any of the athletes actually train?

It looks like on the map Imperial Beach is the closest beach, is that nice that time of year?

Also, weatherwise it looks Chula Vista averages highs in the 60%26#39;s that time of year, is that accurate? I would greatly appreciate anyone%26#39;s help, thanks! I%26#39;m very excited, this will be my first time in California.

David

Late March Trip -- Whales, Olympic Training Center?

Chula Vista is a busy growing city that is south of most of the tourist sites in the city and county of SanDiego. Will you be staying with your sister? I f so you will have to be aware of rush hour traffic which can be bad going north in the morning and coming south in the evening.

I have never toured the Olympic Training Center but it is certainly close by as is Coors Amphitheater which is a big music venue.

Imperial Beach is close by but it is a beach that mostly local people go to and not many tourists. A little further along is Silver Strand State Beach and the beach in Coronado where you will also find the historic HoteldelCoronado where the old movie Some LikeIT Hot with Marilyn Monroe was filmed. People go there to see it and have a drink or snack on theoutdoor patio overlooking the sand.The beaches are public so even if the hotel is there you can still use the beach.

You are right about the weather. You can expect 60s and hope fo r70s. th eocean water however will be somewhat chilly for swimming.

You will be towards the end of whale watching season.

The zoo is located inBalboa Park which is a destination in itself with all kinds of interesting museums and gardens, and live theater and I-Max movies.See:www.balboapark.org

Further south near the Mex border is an outlet mall called

LasAmericas. North of downtownSandieog is an area called LajOllacove which has small rock enclose dbeaches where seals play an dyou can go tide pooling. Maay things to do.

Late March Trip -- Whales, Olympic Training Center?

Hello David -

I can answer some of your questions re: Chula Vista.

Olympic Training Center - I haven%26#39;t toured it recently... However, since you%26#39;ll be in the area, it%26#39;s worth a shot going there. We didn%26#39;t see any athletes at the time we visited but we didn%26#39;t look up training schedules - just showed up. We saw some of the training fields and had gone to the visitor%26#39;s center. Fun to see the different flags, Olympic flame, etc.

Beach - I would definitely suggest Coronado instead of Imperial Beach. You will go through Imperial Beach to get to Coronado if you take the Silver Strand (CA 75) to get there. The other way to get to Coronado is to go north on the 5 fwy and take the Coronado bridge just before you get to downtown San Diego.

Location - Chula Vista is a residential community, not much in the way of sightseeing. There is so much growth happening there...it%26#39;s not the same Chula Vista that I lived in during high school! Other than the Olympic Training Center, there%26#39;s a Knott%26#39;s Soak City that your kids might enjoy. Our family hasn%26#39;t been there though. Whatever you do, plan your day so that you%26#39;ll miss the commuting times otherwise you%26#39;ll get stuck in commuter traffic.

Have a great time!

Hello,

Thank you both so much for the wonderful advice! We are going to all to try to fit in at my sister%26#39;s house (and garage). Thanks for the tip about traffic. La Jolla and Coronado both sound really interesting. It sounds like we will have no shortage of things to do while we%26#39;re there:)

David

I just remembered 2 more Chula Vista attractions. There is a wonderful nature center. see:www.chulavistanaturecenter.org

AND th echula Vista Harbor has a great marina with its own whale watching so you don%26#39;t have to drive up to SanDiego Bay and also a nice park where you can walk, bike, watch the yachts and eat at decent restaurants.

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