A Brief History of Chula Vista, CA

In 1542, a fleet of three ships, under the command of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, sailed into San Diego Harbor. These explorations led the Spanish into the area to claim the land. In 1795, Chula Vista became part of a Spanish land grant known as Rancho del Rey (Spanish for "The King's Ranch"). When Mexico formed its own government in 1831, Rancho del Rey became known as Rancho de la Nacion (National Ranch). The ranch encompassed the area that is now known as National City, Chula Vista, Bonita, Sunnyside and Sweetwater Valley. The name Chula Vista means "beautiful view".