Inside the Gaylord Pacific Resort in Chula Vista: California’s Largest Resort and Convention Center and Home to Relâche Spa
Gaylor Pacific Resort & Convention Center is an expansive property located just 7 miles from downtown San Diego. [Photo courtesy of Gaylord Pacific Resort]
When you walk into the Gaylord Pacific Resort in Chula Vista, the first thought that crosses your mind is, “Wow!” It’s the largest resort on the West Coast, and the Gaylord Resorts know how to do “wow.”
The first time I walked into a Gaylord property, I was living in Tennessee to help start up the General Motors—Saturn Corporate plant in Spring Hill outside Nashville, before Saturn even started selling cars. (Raise your hand if you remember Saturn?!)
I was a mechanical engineering co-op student, far from my family in New Jersey during the holidays. The Gaylord Opryland Hotel was a sight to behold with its enormous Christmas tree and festive decor.
Everyone and their mother, in and around Nashville, would make a holiday beeline to see the impressive, maximalist ornamentation at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.
The resort’s 4-acre water oasis includes a lazy river, wave pool, waterslides, and more. [Photo courtesy of Gaylord Pacific Resort]
Opened in May 2025, the 1,600-room hotel is adjacent to a gigantic conference center, nestled along the San Diego Bay and Chula Vista Marina.
In the lobby are palm trees and marble floors; looming windows showcase the blue Pacific skies above the outdoor patio that extends along the entire perimeter. A giant screen above the lobby bar shows mesmerizing images of ocean animals, such as whales and manta rays.
The impressive facility hosts California’s largest convention center and ballroom. The California Ballroom and Exhibit Hall sit on 140,049 square feet.
There are four ballrooms, 67 breakout rooms, and 135,000 square feet of outdoor space for meetings and parties of various sizes.
The resort’s spacious and airy glass atrium showcases serene waterways and local greenery. [Photo courtesy of Gaylord Pacific Resort]
Rooms
Many of the rooms have balconies that overlook a marina, bay, and an expansive water park that even adults would enjoy. Ask for a room overlooking the bay for a lovely sunset view. The rooms are decorated in coastal blue colors.
There are 89 suites, including six luxury suites, 10 presidential suites, and two ultra-premium penthouse presidential suites.
The most extravagant suite is bigger than many houses; indoor and outdoor spaces stretch over 3,254 square feet with a furnished balcony showcasing panoramic views of the San Diego Bay, Pacific Ocean, and Coronado Island.
Gaylord Pacific Resort’s premier accommodations are decorated in a coastal-inspired palette. [Photo courtesy of Gaylord Pacific Resort]
Relâche Spa and Salon
The Relâche Spa is gorgeous and relaxing. The lounge looks like a giant living room I wish I had in my own house — plenty of couch sets with a constant luminescent blue flame in the fireplace. Beyond the waiting room is another lounge area with several partitioned sections with movable curtains that can be drawn to ensure privacy.
On one wall of the Himalayan salt room is a solid slab of pink salt illuminated with a glowing orange border. The room serves as a sauna as well, with wooden benches lining opposing walls. Right next to the Himalayan salt room is a steam room with refreshing eucalyptus scents.
The Himalayan salt wall is located in the sauna at Relache Spa. [Photo by Helen Hwang]
Treatments range from massages, facials, hair care, makeup, nails, and waxing. The relaxing spa rooms host everything from deep-tissue massage, aromatherapy massages to mom-to-be massages.
Skin care includes Doctor Babor’s facials (bright and glow, hydrate and plump, lifting Rx) and HydraGlow hydrafacials. For a splurge treatment, try the high-vibrational gold body ritual, which includes a sound bath and gold-infused peptide body serum and body cream for $465.
If you’re there for a celebration, the spa has you covered with a complete special occasion make-up package or Little Glam magic makeover for the kids.
The spa’s relaxation lounge includes a cozy fireplace and plenty of comfortable seating. [Photo by Helen Hwang]
Aquatics
The water park is a must, no matter what your age. Spanning 4.25 acres, it’s the newest water park in San Diego. There’s a lazy river, pools, two enticing water slides, a few Jacuzzis, and bars on either end of the water park.
Scanning a QR code at your lounge chair is also another way to order libations without getting up, and servers deliver your order right to your spot. Overlooking the wave pool is a giant television screen that broadcasts sports games and California scenery.
The resort also has several pool bars and restaurants where guests can dine poolside. [Photo courtesy of Gaylord Pacific Resort]
Dining
Throughout the resort, there are 12 eateries and bars, ranging from a fast pickup with a self-checkout option to meals to remember. In the center of the lobby atrium is the Oeste Bar, perfect for a welcome drink to kick off your visit with a wide range of tequilas on hand. Near the main entrance is Mariner’s Bar next to a warm fireplace.
The Old Hickory Steakhouse is the signature restaurant at the Gaylord Pacific. The premier restaurant is the resort’s surf-and-turf restaurant with an impressive in-house dry-aging program.
Starters include a cheeseboard, scallop crudo, and Maryland jumbo lump crab salad served tableside with an option to upgrade to a caviar add-on. Seafood includes fresh and baked oysters, tuna crudo, scallops, and shrimp cocktail.
A palate cleanser involves bubbly poured onto the ice cream at the table. Don’t skip the steaks that range from tomahawk, dry-aged New York strip, porterhouse, and American wagyu ribeye. Accompaniments include bone marrow, brussels sprouts, and three types of potatoes.
Treo Kitchen + Bar features a seasonal menu that highlights the best of the region’s ingredients. [Photo courtesy of Gaylord Pacific Resort]
For the best brunch, try the Treo Kitchen with an incredible buffet including fresh berries, melons, and rambutan. There’s a donut wall, pastries, overnight oats, and a crepe station.
At night, head to Growlers Sports Bar and Taproom, which has giant televisions broadcasting all types of sports. On one side, near the host stand, is a small podium that leads to a freezer door.
That’s the Cask & Crown speakeasy, which opens to a 1920s-themed Prohibition-themed bar with small bites and spectacular cocktails.
Various small bites and innovative cocktails can be enjoyed at the Cask & Crown speakeasy, which opens to a 1920s-themed Prohibition-themed bar. [Photo by Helen Hwang]
For more information and to book a stay at Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center, call (619) 310-9800 and visit their website. Follow on Instagram: @gaylordpacificofficial
1000 H St., Chula Vista, CA 91910
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[Photos courtesy of Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center & Helen Hwang]
Helen I. Hwang is an award-winning journalist, author, and mechanical engineer. Her works have appeared in The New York Times for Kids, Eater San Diego, People Magazine, Parents.com, Trip Advisor, Huffington Post, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine,TravelSavvy.com, and other publications. She has also written a book, titled All Grown Up: Please Touch Museum and Its Move to Memorial Hall, for the Please Touch Museum, a children's museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In addition, Helen worked as a researcher for the Peabody Award-winning NPR radio program, Fresh Air with Terry Gross. Over the years, she's lived on three continents and traveled to more than 40 countries. She currently lives in San Diego, CA, the 16th place she's called home. More about her can be found at helenihwang.com.