Bayfront Complex Brings More Room for Travelers Near San Diego
In May 2025, the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center began operations in Chula Vista, marking the first California-based property for the Gaylord Hotels brand, part of Marriott International. The project was completed in collaboration with the City of Chula Vista and the Port of San Diego. It forms a major component of a long-term initiative to develop underused coastal land and strengthen Southern California’s ability to host large-scale hospitality and business events.
The resort spans a $1.3 billion development footprint and includes 1,600 hotel rooms alongside roughly 477,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space. Located on the San Diego Bay waterfront, the complex connects to regional highways and sits within a reasonable drive of downtown San Diego. Its geographic position may make it accessible for both international visitors flying into the region and local residents attending occasional events or conferences on-site.
Bringing our signature all-under-one-roof experience and expertise bringing people together for extraordinary experiences to the West Coast for the first time is a proud moment for our team and a meaningful expansion of our portfolio. This opening celebrates a decade-long collaboration with the City of Chula Vista and the Port of San Diego, and we’re excited to become part of this vibrant community.
Now that the complex has opened, there are clearly more places for people to stay nearby than there were before. That means during busy times of the year, when it’s usually hard to find a place to stay in San Diego County, this new resort could help ease the crunch a bit. Everything from places to eat to spots for relaxing and getting help is packed into one location, so guests don’t have to go far for what they need. These additions may help reduce the need for off-site travel for attendees of multi-day gatherings or long-format events based at the resort.
A large part of the new resort is focused on spaces where people can gather for talks, meetings or events, such as big rooms for conferences, smaller spaces for discussions and open areas for displays. These spaces are supported by in-house logistics staff and integrated catering services, which are expected to support corporate, educational, and government-related events. As a result, the site may help relieve pressure on other major convention venues and allow organizers more flexibility when scheduling regional functions.
The opening of this resort brings noticeable changes to how visitors might experience the South Bay area. Its size and location suggest it could become a regular stop for travelers attending events or visiting the region. While it is too early to predict long-term effects, having more accommodation and meeting space outside central San Diego may shift some visitor traffic southward, offering a different access point to the region’s attractions and transport links.