Call Center Company in Chula Vista, CA

Southwestern College (SWC) and Cal State San Marcos will host a ceremonial signing to celebrate a groundbreaking partnership that brings new bachelor’s degree programs directly to South County San Diego. This marks the first time CSUSM will offer degree pathways in the region, through a collaboration based at the newly established CSUSM @ SWC University Center.

WHEN: Thursday, May 29, noon

WHERE:

Southwestern College – Chula Vista Campus

Instructional & Discovery Complex – In front of the University Center, 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, CA 91910

WHO:

WHY:

This partnership brings accessible, high-demand bachelor’s degree programs to the heart of South County, enabling local students to complete their four-year degrees close to home. CSUSM @ SWC will launch programs in Business Administration, Computer Information Systems and Cyber Security in Fall 2026, followed by Human Development with emphasis on Wellness Coaching and Bilingual Speech Language Pathology in Fall 2027.

These fields were selected based on findings from the 2023 Workforce and EducationNeeds Assessmentconducted by the San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center, Southwestern College and the City of Chula Vista. The report identified business, healthcare and technology – including cybersecurity and information systems – as among the highest-priority fields for new bachelor’s degree programs in South County. Additionally, the future-adjusted list of 147 priority occupations includes many roles that require bachelor’s degrees in healthcare and wellness-related fields, such as bilingual speech-language pathology and wellness coaching. The report notes that 73% of the region’s priority occupations are projected to require a bachelor’s degree at entry, yet the region remains underserved in terms of degree-granting institutions.

With more than 600,000 residents, South County San Diego, anchored by Chula Vista, the largest city of its size in California without a public university offering bachelor’s degrees, faces a critical gap in higher education access. This absence limits the region’s ability to produce the skilled, degreed workforce required to meet projected demand across key sectors such as technology, healthcare and education. Expanding place-based access to four-year degree programs is essential not only for educational equity but also for strengthening regional economic competitiveness. The launch of CSUSM @ SWC is a strategic response that directly addresses this need, equipping South County residents to fill high-priority, high-wage occupations that drive long-term growth.

QUOTES:

“This partnership marks a turning point for South County,” said Dr. Mark Sanchez, Superintendent/President of Southwestern College. “Together, we are not only expanding access to high-quality, affordable bachelor’s degrees, we are preparing our students to step directly into high-demand careers that power our regional economy. We are proud to welcome CSU San Marcos to South County.”

“At Cal State San Marcos, our mission has always been centered on access and student success – and this partnership with Southwestern College is a powerful extension of that commitment,” said Dr. Ellen Neufeldt, President of CSUSM. “By creating seamless pathways to higher education, we are not only expanding economic opportunity in South County, we are advancing social mobility for generations of students, families and communities.”

VISUALS:

Ceremonial signing, college leadership, local officials, students and the University Center backdrop.

CONTACTS:

Southwestern College: Armando Lamadrid, alamadrid@swccd.edu, 619-421-6700, ext. 5945

CSUSM: Jerry McCormick, jmccormick@csusm.edu, 619-549-9438

ABOUT SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE:

Southwestern College, the only public institution of higher education in southern San Diego, serves a diverse community of students through a wide range of high-quality academic programs, comprehensive student services, and visionary partnerships, including between Arizona State University and Centro de Enseñanza Técnica y Superior (CETYS). With enrollment now exceeding pre-pandemic levels and Southwestern College’s championing of AB 91, thousands more local students are now reimagining what’s possible every day. Southwestern College also stimulates the development and growth of the region through partnerships, services and educational programs that meet the region’s economic and workforce demands. For more information, visit swccd.edu.

Chula Vista is getting a massive glow-up. It’s not a stretch to say it’s a game-changing shift in the city, from employment to property values to becoming an event destination on par with San Diego’s convention center just eight miles to the north. It’s not an exaggeration to say that when Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center opens on May 15, it’s going to change the face of the entire South Bay. And it’s just the start of a city-wide transformation. It’s mega stoke-worthy.

In case you don’t know the nuts and bolts of the property, it’s gigantic—36 acres of prime waterfront property with a 4.25-acre water park, nearly half a million square feet of meeting and event space, and 1,600 guest rooms, all at a cost of around $1.3 billion. Deluxe is an understatement, and that’s before we even dive into the food & beverage program.

Executive chef Jakob Esko is king of the castle—or at least king of the kitchens across the Gaylord Pacific. (Did we mention this location is the sixth in the hotel chain’s portfolio and the largest hotel build on the West Coast?) He’s no stranger to overseeing hotel operations, working with the Marriott at Ritz-Carltons in California and Spain; and most recently as executive chef for Gaylord National. The latter currently has locations in Tennessee, Colorado, Maryland, Florida, and Texas.

In his 30-plus year career, Esko has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants around the world, like The Square in London, England, and other lauded restaurants like Ulriksdals Wärdshus in Stockholm, Sweden.

TL;DR, he’s a huge deal chef spearheading a huge-deal project.

He says having the chance to be a part of a growing culinary community that has unique access to ultra-fresh local and seasonal produce is an incredible experience. “It’s been exciting to lean into our Southern California roots and be a part of this property’s highly anticipated opening,” he tells San Diego Magazine. His team is equally star-studded, with chef Aaron Nguyen (Nobu) and executive sous chef Jose Martinez Silvestre bringing the heat from two Michelin-starred kitchens: DiverXO in Madrid, Spain (three stars) and Comerç in Barcelona, Spain (one star).

With the help of his A-list team, Esko is now at the helm of 12 different concepts across the property, each with a different offering to bring a pretty huge variety of cuisines under its roof. Here’s a rundown of the deliciousness coming to the development.

Gaylord Pacific Restaurants

This is the Gaylord Hotel’s signature steakhouse, serving all the requisite favorites like a seafood tower, dry-aged steaks, and signature items like an American Wagyu sourced from Snake River Farms and dry-aged bluefin tuna with maple au poivre, rainbow Swiss chard, and heirloom beets. Let’s not forget the classic sides either, with items like truffle crab creamed spinach and Swiss chard served with truffle béchamel, double cream brie, and crispy shallots. Decadence at its finest.

Think American seasonal with local seafood for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This is where you’ll want to grab light bites like a yellowfin tuna crudo, or whatever locally caught fresh seafood they have on hand. Simple and elegant.

This one is for corporate guests aiming to impress, or even locals looking for a fine dining experience on the bay. Marzul’s menu draws inspiration from nearby Baja California, with a breezy view and upscale dishes and drinks. (This is the one restaurant that isn’t quite ready for the property’s grand opening—expect Marzul to open its doors this fall.)

Taiyo is a casual sushi spot with all the usual suspects to dine-in or to-go. I mean, duh. You’ve gotta have sushi. And if you can snag a fresh plate to enjoy while cocooned in a plush robe in the comfort of your room, you are living your best life.

Gaylord Pacific Bars

Growlers is a sports bar, yes, but about as far from a dive bar as you can get. Picture this—you’re watching the Padres crush the Dodgers on a 75-foot screen all while eating a Wagyu burger and local craft beer. It’s delicious, both literally on your tastebuds and in terms of payback. (LFGSD!)

This one is a real head-turner of a lobby bar. Situated underneath the entryway atrium with a crystal-clear view of the beautiful San Diego sky with an undulating light installation designed specifically for the space, it’s unlike any lobby bar I’ve ever seen. I’ll have a martini straight up, please.

Of course there’s more than just one bar. Mariner’s Bar draws inspiration from the coastal location, emulating #yachtlife with a curvy, wood-centric design that flows from the outside space to inside. (Pro tip: if you’re not from the West Coast and want to catch the iconic sunset-over-the-ocean pic, this is where you should post up.)

In 2022, Chula Vista got its first speakeasy, so it was only a matter of time before another followed. (I’m a little amused that it’s in a hotel, but maybe that’s just me.) 1920s culture meets moody design with cocktails and small bites, but the selling point here is the transformative decor, and also the promise of a prime beef tartare served on brioche with cornichons, crispy shallots, and whole grain mustard. YUM.

Gaylord Pacific Poolside & Casual Concepts

With a whole slew of pools, a lazy river, wave pool, and a slide, I have a feeling this will be one of the busiest options on the property. Yes, it’s poolside dining by the shallow end, so expect plenty of Shirley Temples and relatively tidy snacks for all ages, but with a bit of a twist (bacon-wrapped TJ dogs instead of regular hot dogs and banana splits instead of popsicles).

Sunny’s sits next to the adult pool for a (hopefully) slightly less rowdy clientele. The Baja-inspired menu is a step up from the kiddie pool, with a more cocktail-forward drink menu and items like a local fish ceviche with salsa verde, cucumber, radish, avocado, cilantro, and housemade tortilla chips; or the Wagyu ribeye asada tacos with avocado pico, crispy melted cheese, and salsa roja.

PARTNER CONTENT

Coffee, pastries, and everything you need to start your day right can be found at Cocoa Bean. It’s not reinventing the wheel, but it will get your wheels turning for that early morning meeting.

This is the spot for those on-the-go, with quick grab-and-go options like sandwiches and salads. It’s requisite for any convention center and hotel, so there you have it.

Beth Demmon is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work regularly appears in national outlets and San Diego Magazine. Her first book, The Beer Lover's Guide to Cider, is now available. Find out more on bethdemmon.com.

CHULA VISTA, CALIF. — M.A. Mortenson and McCarthy Building Cos. have completed the Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center, a $1.3 billion hospitality project located on the Chula Vista Bayfront, about seven miles from downtown San Diego. The nearly 2 million-square-foot development, construction of which began in August 2022, is the largest hotel project in the United States, according to the development team.

Spanning 36 acres, the development consists of a 22-story Marriott hotel with 1,600 guestrooms (including 89 suites) and an 800,000-square-foot convention center that has an open-floor exhibit hall with meeting rooms, elevated ballrooms and areas to host large-scale events. The property also features a 4.3-acre outdoor waterpark with a waterslide, lazy river, wave pool, poolside bars and private cabanas.

Guests have access to additional amenities such as a sports bar, fitness center, full-service spa and salon, nine-story parking garage and several restaurants, including Old Hickory Steakhouse, Trēō Kitchen + Bar, Shallow End Grill and Sunny’s.

The development team, which includes HKS Architecture, the City of Chula Vista, the Port of San Diego and Marriott International, completed the project in 34 months, creating approximately 3,000 annual jobs during the construction phase. The team also estimates that the project will ultimately create an additional 3,900 permanent jobs both at the resort and in the surrounding city.

“As a joint venture, Mortenson | McCarthy is proud to have completed the Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center in record time,” says Andrew Corson, project executive for Mortenson | McCarthy. “This project will be a beacon for tourism in Chula Vista for decades to come.”

M.A. Mortenson is a national builder, developer and engineering services provider serving the commercial, institutional and energy sectors.

Founded in 1864, McCarthy Building Cos. is the oldest privately held national construction company in America and is ranked as the 17th largest domestic builder.

RIDA Development Corp. operates major divisions in California, Texas, Florida and Europe, and is currently managing and developing retail, office, distribution, residential, hotel and mixed-use land developments that are aggregately valued at more than $7 billion.

Chula Vista has wanted it for decades. It took years to build. Now, the South Bay only has to wait a few more days until Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center opens.

“I want people to feel ‘wow’ and welcome,” smiled Scott Siebert, the hotels’ first general manager. “We feel this is going to be a great addition to this beautiful city of Chula Vista and help this part of the area flourish.”

The $1.3 billion, 1,600-room resort on Chula Vista’s Bayfront has a private, invite-only grand opening ceremony Thursday. Friday begins Gaylord Pacific’s grand opening weekend.

“It is so exhilarating. All my emotions are exhilarated and totally annihilated at the same time,” laughed Siebert.

Gaylord Pacific comes equipped with several restaurants, a sports bar, a speakeasy, giant pieces from local artists, ballrooms, convention center space and the Gaylord Hotels signature atrium. That’s before you step out of the hotel into the resort’s water park with waterslides, a wave pool and a lazy river.

“Transformational,” exclaimed Gaylord Pacific’s managing partners and RIDA Development CEO Ira Mitzner.

The plan for a resort hotel on Chula Vista’s Bayfront dissolved in 2007 when unions, elected officials and Gaylord Hotels couldn’t find common ground. The project got back on track in 2012, but it still took another 13 years to complete.

“We went through COVID. We went through inflation. We went through so many things,” Mitzner said.

The Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center along Chula Vista's bayfront opens in less than two months. As NBC 7's Joe Little explains there's still more work to do right outside before that happens.

More than 7,000 construction jobs were created to build the resort. Roughly 1,400 people will be hired to run it.

“It's here, and no one can take it away from us. It's an amazing feeling,” smiled Mitzner.

Gaylord Pacific is also expected to be a catalyst for development in the empty lots immediately next door and for miles around in Chula Vista. Other Gaylord projects around the country have spurred unprecedented growth in their respective surrounding areas. The Port of San Diego said it anticipates Gaylord Pacific to help generate roughly $475 million for the local economy every year.

“It's going to be amazing,” Mitzner said.

“I can't wait to see this in a decade,” Siebert added.

After years of planning and construction, it is time. Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center officially opened along the Chula Vista Bayfront on May 15, 2025.

Let’s dive into what to expect at the stunning, $1.3 billion resort that is poised to spur tourism, economic growth, and further development in San Diego’s South Bay — and sneak a peek with us here, too.

Splish, splash — one of the resort’s eye-catching features is its 4.25-acre outdoor water park with multiple pools overlooking the bay. The area includes a big water playground with water slides and a lazy river, wave pool, surf simulator, lounge chairs, private cabanas, and two pool bars. Summer staycation, anyone?

Pro tip: The resort is offering a small number of day passes for the pool via its website.

Led by Marriott veteran Chef Jakob Esko, Gaylord Pacific will feature 12 dining options from fast-casual to fancy. This includes the Growlers Sports Bar & Taproom with its 75-ft screen, Old Hickory Steakhouse for “refined surf & turf,” and Oeste, an atrium bar with a premium selection of tequilas, craft cocktails, and local craft beers.

Look for these other restaurants, too:

A resort this big is going to need a lot of helping hands. Gaylord Pacific Resort has been hiring for hundreds of positions, including estheticians, servers, bellpersons, front desk managers, and housekeeping aids.

At the resort’s grand opening on May 15, local dignitaries spoke about how this property is “a dream more than two decades in the making.” They said it’ll cast a global spotlight on Chula Vista — a city that “deserves to shine.”

As the resort ramps up, we’ll keep an eye on the Chula Vista Bayfront. With this towering addition, you really can’t miss the area anymore.