Otay Ranch - Chula Vista, CA

Annexed by the city of Chula Vista in 1986, the former unincorporated community of Montgomery had twice rejected annexation. Designs for a 5,300-acre planned community sprung up immediately, with planners focusing on creating a walk-able neighborhood where residents could more easily connect and interact. Because of this careful planning, a network of bike trails meanders through canyons, and greenbelts called "paseos" encourage walking to the city center.

There are no cultural events to speak of in Otay Ranch, but Chula Vista hosts Harborfest, with two stages for local performers, a BMX competition/exhibition on the Olympic BMX training park and an expansive car show. Art displays, chef demonstrations, and fun activities for kids from jumpies to laser tag to animal encounters make this annual August event a blast for every age.

Convenience reigns supreme in this planned neighborhood, as residents can find shopping, restaurants, banks, community services and even childcare just steps from home. Otay Ranch Town Center houses most of the community's restaurants, which are primarily chains like California Pizza Kitchen, the Cheesecake Factory and Chili's, although a gem of an eatery or two inspires enthusiasm.

If high-end dining seems unlikely in a suburban family setting, you haven't visited the chic Savoie, a restaurant that mixes French, Italian, and Spanish influences into their menu. This establishment manages to combine elegant furnishings with modern, clean lines and a little whimsy, evidenced by the dancing cows on the bathroom ceiling. The lushly-furnished outside patio with roaring fire pits provides a cozy setting for parties or an evening gathering of friends. Locals favor the excellent organic steaks that are served with a heavenly sauce.

When your sweet tooth demands attention, head for the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in the food court. Not only do they carry every kind of concoction needed to satisfy your chocolate cravings, but they have elevated the traditional caramel apple to decadent levels. Tart green apples smothered with creamy caramel and rolled in M&Ms, Snickers and toffee make great gifts, if you can manage not to eat them all yourself. They even have doggy treats for your furry companion.

Few nightlife options exist, but residents like to grab a brew or something stronger during local happy hours, which are generous in this part of town. Tacos and Tarros on Birch Road offers cheap margaritas and domestic beers, along with reduced-price appetizers, on Monday through Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. This fun spot also provides drink specials especially for the ladies from 7 p.m. to close on Monday through Thursday and hosts Karaoke Night on Thursdays.

If watching a game ranks high in your bar-hopping priorities, head to Buffalo Wild Wings and catch a game on their more than 30 flat screens--you may catch a college basketball game, World Cup soccer and pre-season baseball during one single meal. Take friendly competition to a new level and try the Blazin' Challenge with your buddies, a contest involving 12 wings, 6 minutes and a hot sauce that will sear your insides.

Much has been made of Otay Ranch's walkability, but getting around by car is also quite convenient. The South Bay Expressway, a toll-road extension of State Route 125, cuts through Otay Ranch running north and south, leading to the Otay Mesa border crossing just a few miles to the south and providing quick access to several east/west major freeways to the north. To get to San Diego's downtown, head north on Interstate 805, just off of Otay Ranch's western border.

Public transit aficionados will appreciate the Metropolitan Transit System's 709 line, which runs east and west through Otay Ranch, with stops at the Eastlake Greens Golf Course at the northeast corner of the neighborhood, Southwestern College, just north of the community boundaries, and downtown Chula Vista. If the bus is not your style, hop in a cab just 10-15 minutes after making a call for traditional taxi service or after using Uber's easy app.

In this community built for outside activity and play, parks are plentiful. Playgrounds and picnic areas nestle into each neighborhood, or "village," and miles of trails connect resident areas with parks and the city center. Heritage Park's 10 acres, within the village of Heritage in Otay Ranch, contain a picturesque pond, an outdoor amphitheater and a 5,900 square foot community center. Santa Venetia Park and Horizon Park include softball fields, basketball courts and other amenities. Dogs romp at the 10,000 square foot dog park, conveniently located in Otay Ranch Town Center by the Pet Vet. Each village's HOA operates a private swim facility for residents to enjoy.

Just east of Otay Ranch, the Lower Otay Lake teems with large mouth bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish and trout when stocked in the winter months. Home of the United States Olympic Training Center, rowers on the lake may find themselves in Olympic-quality company.

Otay Ranch weighs in as one of the less expensive rental locations within Chula Vista, with one-bedroom rentals costing close to $1,500 per month. This is slightly less than San Diego's average, but close to twice the national cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment.

Fill up the tank in Chula Vista, as prices for gas trend 10% lower than the California average. Bottoms up at the local taverns as well; draft beers go for only $4 during Happy Hour.

Otay Ranch boasts one impressive outdoor mall with 38,000 square feet of retail, services and restaurants. Upscale merchandise from Macy's, REI and Barnes and Noble sets a high quality standard for Otay Ranch Town Center, and specialty stores like Anthropologie, Jos. A. Bank, Hollister, H&M and many other boutiques contribute to the higher-end feeling. After browsing through more than 50 shops and stopping to eat at the food court, the feet may start to complain. Locals take a movie break and head down the mall corridor to AMC Otay Ranch 12 Theatre complex to catch a show.

Once again proving itself to be a one stop for everything shop, Otay Ranch Town Center also hosts a local farmer's market Tuesdays from 4 to 8 pm. The star of the show remains fresh produce, but many food booths with roasted corn, aguas frescas and the requisite kettle corn tempt the palate. Kids will delight in face paint and balloon characters from vendors who work for tips.

For high value, low cost household items, shop at Target or Lowe's in Eastlake Village Marketplace just north of Otay Ranch; Sprouts and Trader Joe's next door provide convenient grocery options.