Chula Vista was incorporated in 1911. It is the second-largest city in the county. Agriculture gave way to residential development in the 1950s. Architectural styles range from small homes with flat-top roofs to modern, ranch-style homes with shake roofs and attached garages.
Single-family housing predominates; complete with gentle hills, palm trees and mesas, but apartments are available, most with a pool within the complex. The newest neighborhoods offer parks, schools and recreational centers within a tract area complete with landscaped yards and underground utility lines. In the incorporated area, Chula Vista has more than two-dozen parks, municipal pools, a community center, a teen nightclub, a redeveloped downtown center, boat launches, two marinas, golf courses, a community college, two medical centers, major shopping centers and an Olympic Training Center. Annual community events include the Starlight Yule Parade complete with floats, lights, and bands. Nearby communities include Bonita, Eastlake, Otay Mesa, and National City.