Side Trip: Chula Vista

Side Trip: Chula Vista

Ten miles south of San Diego via I-5 is one of San Diego County's southernmost communities, Chula Vista, meaning "beautiful view" in Spanish. Stretching 52 square mi, from the southern shore of San Diego Bay east to the San Miguel Mountains, it's one of several towns along I-5 that link downtown San Diego with Tijuana, just across the Mexican border. Chula Vista has more than 200,000 residents, a harbor with two marinas, bayside parks, coastal wetlands, master planned communities, the outdoor Coors Amphitheatre, a Knott's Soak City water park, and several other attractions.

You are likely to see Olympic athletes working out at the 155-acre U.S. Olympic Training Center (2800 Olympic Pkwy. 619/482-6222. www.usolympicteam.com. Free), the U.S. Olympic Committee's only year-round, sea-level training facility for both summer and winter sports. The Copley Visitor Center has displays and videos on the history of the Olympics, and there is a gift shop (both open daily 10 to 5). Guided walking tours along the Conrad N. Hilton Olympic Path, an elevated visitor promenade from which you can see athletes in training for the Olympic gold, take place Tuesday through Saturday at 1:30, but you can walk the path by yourself at other times. Plants and animals native to the San Diego Bay can be seen at the Chula Vista Nature Center (1000 Gunpowder Point Dr. 619/409-5900. www.chulavistanaturecenter.org. $6. Tues.-Sun. 10-5), a zoo and aquarium in the 316-acre Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. Major displays include the Shark and Ray Experience, consisting of a 4,000-gallon touch-tank with five species of sharks and rays and a free-swimming tank with underwater viewing areas. Eagle Mesa holds both golden eagles and a bald eagle. Other exhibits focus on marine life as well as other animal life typical of salt marshes; there's a walk-through shore bird aviary and aviaries of other native birds, including hawks, owls, and falcons. One and a half miles of trails lead to San Diego Bay. Free nature walks take place at 2 on Wed., Sat., and Sun. Park in the small lot off I-5 at E Street and get the free shuttle to the center.