At the southernmost end of the county, South Bay has beautiful beaches and great neighborhoods. It is unique because it has what no other region in the county has, an International Border. Only 20 minutes from downtown San Diego, the United States ­ Mexico border is the gateway to Baja, California.

As the county's population slowly spreads to outlying regions, the South Bay has not been ignored. As in North County Inland, many young neighborhoods, such as Eastlake and Otay Ranch are springing up to complete the older areas, like National City, Imperial Beach, and San Ysidro. Home prices are among the most affordable in the county.

An Olympic Training Center opened recently in South Bay, as did an enormous water slide park and Coors Amphitheater with a 20,000 seat, outdoor venue for concerts. As with San Diego's other regions, the South Bay is constantly looking to the future and finding ways to make its little corner of paradise even better.

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Bonita Chula Vista Coronado Coronado Cays Eastlake

Imperial Beach National City Otay Mesa San Ysidro Tijuana River Valley

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Originally associated with Bonita Ranch of 1884, the area was divided up for hilltop homes. The homes are well-kept and the South San Diego community is a perfect retreat for horse lovers, providing ample space for trails.

Located near the U.S and Mexican border, Chula Vista has grown to be the second largest city in San Diego. Chula Vista is home to the Coors Amphitheater and the ARCO Olympic Training Center. With shopping, a community college, golf courses and two marinas, Chula Vista continues to grow at an increasingly rapid pace.

Coronado is an internationally renowned tourist destination, made famous over the years by its rich history, idyllic setting, and unique ocean village atmosphere.  Located across the bay from San Diego, this 13.5 square mile community is home to three world-class resorts, training facilities for the Navy’s elite SEAL corps, and one of Southern California’s most desirable residential communities. 

Coronado, often called “Coronado Island,” is actually a peninsula connected to the mainland on the south via the six-mile Silver Strand scenic highway.  The 2.5 mile Coronado Toll Bridge also connects the community to San Diego providing quick access to San Diego International Airport and an abundance of cultural and spectator sports events.

Coronado is a uniquely enchanted village enjoying a near-perfect climate. The village provides a stable and secure setting for residents and businesses alike. It’s a great place to live and work with an unsurpassed quality of life. The quiet tree-lined streets, friendly neighborhoods and healthy economy are truly deserving of the name: Coronado - the Crown City.

Located four miles south of Coronado Island, along the Silver Strand, the Coronado Cays consists of 10 villages that make up the quaint and beautiful marina community. Loews Coronado Bay Resort is also located here, making it a popular site for tourists to visit.

With the first housing development opened in 1986, Eastlake has grown tremendously over the years. It was voted San Diego's best new home community in the San Diego Union Tribune, as it offers everything to its residents (schools, parks, and business). Located in Chula Vista, Eastlake is close to the 5 and 805 freeways, making it accessible to the rest of San Diego.

Located just north of Tijuana, Mexico, and serving as the most southwestern city in the United States, Imperial Beach first originated in 1887 as a beach retreat for Imperial Valley residents. Many Navy personnel call the beachside community home, as it is within close proximity to North Island Naval Air Station. Surrounded by Chula Vista, Tijuana, Coronado, and views of downtown San Diego, Imperial Beach offers great beaches and surf-sports, along with a 1,500 foot fishing pier.

Just north of Chula Vista between Paradise Hills and the Pacific Ocean, National City is considered an industrial community. With the 32nd Street Naval Station, which is responsible for building Navy ships, and the "Mile of Cars", one of the largest auto sales centers in the city, National City is a growing community located in the South Bay.

Otay Mesa has grown in leaps and bounds, with numerous housing developments and an international business center, featuring companies such as Sony and Fujitsu. With such close proximity to the border, the community of Otay has its own international border crossing and a regional airport.

The community is considered the busiest port of entry in the world, with tourism serving as the major industry. Dividing California and Mexico, San Ysidro is home to the San Diego Factory Outlet Center, a shopping mall with over 85 name-brand, discount stores.

Located on the border of the U.S. and Mexico, the Tijuana River Valley Estuary is primarily a shallow water habitat that is characterized by an extremely varying stream flow. The estuary is considered the largest salt water marsh in South California, and is a unique part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. The lower Tijuana River Valley has about sixteen documented archaeological sites as well.