The historic ribbon cutting that marked the official opening of the Gaylord Pacific Hotel. Photo: Horacio Renteria/El Latino San Diego,

CHULA VISTA, Calif. – A monumental step forward in the long-awaited Chula Vista Bayfront project was realized on Thursday, May 15, with the grand opening of the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center, a flagship property under the Marriott International brand.

Impressive interior view of the hotel, the first concrete step toward the ambitious Chula Vista Bayfront project. Photo: Horacio Rentería/El Latino San Diego.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Chula Vista Mayor John McCann and former mayors Mary Casillas Salas and Steve Padilla—now a California State Senator. Joining them were Danielle Moore, Chair of the Port of San Diego; Julius Robinson, Regional Chief of Marriott International for Southern California; and City Councilmembers Michael Inzunza (District 3), Carolina Chávez (District 1), and César Fernández (District 4), among many other dignitaries. This historic event marks the beginning of what many believe will be a transformative economic boom for Chula Vista—the second-largest city in San Diego County.

With kindness and diligence, receptionists Andrea Cruz and Fernanda Tapia assist a customer who requested information about her reservation. Photo: Horacio Renteria/El Latino San Diego.

A Cornerstone of the Bayfront Master Plan

The opening of the Gaylord Pacific is a key component of the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan—a visionary project focused on revitalizing the city’s waterfront through environmental, commercial, and tourism-driven development. The resort is positioned as a landmark in this effort, featuring 1,600 guest rooms, multiple swimming pools for adults and children, water play areas, and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Bayfront Park.

Guests had a great time at the Gaylord Pacific Hotel grand opening. Photo: Horacio Renteria/El Latino San Diego.

Strategically located in one of the city’s most serene and scenic areas, the Gaylord Pacific promises to serve as both a luxurious retreat and a dynamic convention destination.

Years in the Making

The Chula Vista Bayfront project received formal approval on April 24, 2018, when the Chula Vista City Council and the Port of San Diego Board of Commissioners jointly authorized a Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA). This agreement allowed developer RIDA Development Corporation to move forward with the hotel’s construction. With an investment exceeding $1 billion, the project officially broke ground on May 31, 2022.

Front view of the gigantic hotel, which has 1,600 rooms and represented an investment of more than $1 billion. Photo: Horacio Renteria/El Latino San Diego.

Now, nearly three years later, the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center stands completed—signaling a major leap forward for the Bayfront project and setting the stage for Chula Vista’s emergence as a premier destination for tourism, business, and community engagement.

Our colleague Esperanza (first, in a blue jacket) closely observed the elegance and excellent service offered by the hotel’s reception staff to the public who inquire about information. Photo: Horacio Renteria/El Latino San Diego.
A young employee uncorks a bottle during the opening. Photo: Horacio Renteria/El Latino San Diego.
Delicious appetizers were prepared by staff knowledgeable in the best of culinary and gastronomic art. Photo by Horacio Rentería/El Latino San Diego.
The coconut water and the inscription of the new hotel’s name were very popular with those lucky enough to try it and take home or to the office as a souvenir that could become historic due to its significance as the formal start of an ambitious project for the city of Chula Vista. Photo: Horacio Renteria/El Latino San Diego.
Staff at the new hotel also enjoyed the opening party after a long wait, which finally came to fruition yesterday, Thursday, May 15. Photo: Horacio Renteria/El Latino San Diego.