K9 Protection Dogs in Chula Vista, CA

The Chula Vista City Council unanimously appointed a longtime, in-house administrator to become the next city manager, despite criticism the process should have been more transparent.

On Tuesday, during a closed session meeting, officials voted 4-0 to appoint Assistant City Manager Tiffany Allen. She will assume the post Oct. 3, following the retirement of City Manager Maria Kachadoorian. Councilmember Michael Inzunza was absent due to personal reasons, he said.

City leaders are expected to vote on Allen’s employment agreement in open session next month, said City Attorney Marco Verdugo.

“I am honored and thrilled to become City Manager for the City of Chula Vista at such a pivotal time in its growth and development,” Allen said in a statement Wednesday. “I look forward to working collaboratively with the City Council, City staff, and the community to continue moving this great city forward.”

Allen will oversee more than 1,300 public employees and a budget of approximately $600 million for the new fiscal year, which begins on July 1.

The vote comes after several closed-session meetings among council members regarding the appointment, which came after Kachadoorian’s announcement in late May that she would retire in the coming months. Because discussions were held behind closed doors and only the appointment was announced, it’s not known what process the City Council followed to select Allen for the position.

City staff and the City Council did not respond to questions about whether an internal or outside search was conducted and why the city had not advertised the city manager position, as other municipalities often do, including its neighbor, National City, which is currently looking to hire a city manager. They also did not respond to a question about whether Allen was interviewed for the role.

In a text message Wednesday, Inzunza said that he did not want “to waste tens of thousands of dollars of [taxpayers’] money in searching for a qualified city manager that we already have working for us. Mrs. Allen is overwhelmingly qualified and has our unanimous support.”

Municipalities aren’t obligated to advertise a city manager vacancy, but it is best practice to do so, said David Snyder, executive director of the First Amendment Coalition, a nonprofit that advocates for transparency in government.

“The decision making process is at least as important as the final choice,” he said. “The public has a great interest in understanding whether the process that the city followed is rigorous, whether it is looking as broadly as possible for the best candidate, or whether it’s just taking an easier path and selecting an insider without looking beyond.”

“Total secrecy until the position is selected does not inspire a lot of confidence because it suggests that the city either doesn’t want to or isn’t interested in being transparent with the public,” Snyder added.

Kachadoorian appointed Allen as her key advisor in February 2023 and supported Allen succeeding her. Allen previously served as deputy city manager and before that as the city’s director of development services.

Tuesday’s vote was taken despite members of the public urging the council to conduct an outside search.

The City Council also had been made aware of at least three former employees who said they had experienced a hostile work environment. One of them was Michelle Clock Schrotenboer, the city’s former communications manager. In her exit interview, shared with the council, she alleged a “toxic workplace” stemming from the City Manager’s Office. Elected officials declined to say whether the allegations were taken into consideration when voting for Allen’s appointment.

The City Council said in a statement that Allen was “an exceptional leader with a wealth of experience and deep understanding of Chula Vista’s unique needs. We are confident that under Tiffany’s leadership, Chula Vista will continue to thrive and achieve even greater success in the years ahead while meeting the evolving needs of our community.”

Allen’s 20-year tenure with the city spans various departments, including positions as departmental analyst and treasury manager. She was also the deputy city manager and director of development services before being promoted to assistant city manager.

She has been credited with helping to lead major city projects, including the newly opened bayfront resort and convention center, the city’s first project labor agreement and the continued push to develop the University and Innovation District, where the city envisions bringing higher education and jobs.

Originally Published: June 18, 2025 at 6:13 PM PDT

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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.

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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.

On May 15, Chula Vista’s new mega resort, the $1.3 billion Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center, is set to open its doors. Thirteen years after the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan (CVBMP)—a decade-long joint planning effort by the Port of San Diego, the City of Chula Vista, and Pacifica Companies—was approved by the California Coastal Commission, the Gaylord will finally solidify itself as the largest built hotel on the West Coast.

So what does a billion-dollar price tag get you?

February 15, 2024

What to Know About Chula Vista's $1.2B Bayfront ProjectRELATED ARTICLE

Nearly 500,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor spaces; 1,600 rooms, including 89 suites; 12 different food and beverage concepts; a 7,500-square-foot fitness center; full-service salon and spa; and a 4.25-acre water park with slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and a giant water playground. And of course, plenty of bragging rights.

The range of restaurants will all be led by executive chef Jakob Esko, who has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants including The Square in London and Ulriksdals Wärdshus in Stockholm. Among some of the standouts is Old Hickory Steakhouse featuring premium steaks and an in-house dry-aging program; Growlers Sports Bar & Taproom serving upscale bar food and boasting a 75-ft screen and sports team–themed keg wall; and Cask & Crown, a speakeasy-style bar with Prohibition-era design.

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Gaylord’s convention center will also be the largest hotel convention center, ballroom, and exhibit hall in the county, measuring nearly 140,050 square feet. The ambitious project came to life thanks to several key stakeholders, including Marriott, the City Council, and other local agencies.

“This is Chula Vista’s decade,” Chula Vista Mayor John McCann says. “We will have billions of dollars invested in the Chula Vista Bayfront over the next several years […] and we’ll be doing a substantial upgrade on dining, designing, and amenities that the city has never had before.”

“Everybody wanted this to happen and really worked together to find a way to make it happen,” says Scott Siebert, the general manager of Gaylord Pacific. “We struck gold. In California, to get a chance to build a waterfront project is few and far between, and it’s just a really great opportunity to be part of this community.”

February 8, 2025

7 of the Most Luxurious Suites at San Diego HotelsRELATED ARTICLE

Gaylord Pacific’s opening comes during a time of great economic uncertainty. Tourism is down across the US, conventions are being cancelled across the country, and a potential recession looms. But Peter Borum, director of marketing and public relations at Gaylord Pacific, says the project is opening with momentum. And while he can’t share specific figures, “early demand and pace have exceeded expectations” from both national associations and international groups.

“What we’re seeing in terms of interest and bookings gives us every confidence that this property is arriving at exactly the right time for the West Coast meetings market,” he says.

With its arrival, the project has created a large economic impact and is estimated to bring in $475 million each year once it opens, according to the Port of San Diego. To date, it’s created 3,850 jobs through construction and 4,000 permanent jobs.

The resort worked with San Diego Workforce Partnership to ensure those jobs went to residents. Borum says several members of the leadership team are San Diegans, including Director of Sales and Marketing Russ Mitchell, who was the very first employee hired for Gaylord Pacific.

The job openings also range from entry level to more experienced management positions. “We wanted to make a major push and impact the South Bay by opening up those positions locally,” says director of strategic partnerships Marian Daryaie, who oversaw local job fairs. “That was the whole drive of those events—to hire people who live in the community.”

Beyond his excitement of the opening, Borum also emphasized his plans to showcase the area and its community through local programming and events. “We are excited to eventually explore hosting signature events like food and wine festivals, live music performances, and meaningful community gatherings,” he says. “These ideas will, of course, be developed in close collaboration with the city of Chula Vista, ensuring they are a perfect fit for the local community and respect our environmental responsibilities.”

In total, the larger 535-acre Bayfront Master Plan includes Sweetwater Park and Sweetwater Bicycle Path and Promenade, the Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay RV Resort, Harbor Park and the Pacifica Development for residential, hotel, and commercial development. McCann says working with environmental groups was key to planning the Bayfront Master Plan. “Sustainability has been a hallmark for what we’ve put on the Bayfront to ensure quality public access and environmentally friendly structures,” he adds.

Eve Hill, an employee of the nearby Bison Mobile Home Park, says she’s excited about the project because it “brings Chula Vista into today” and doesn’t expect more people in the area will negatively impact her park. “We’re private property and we’re gated,” she says. But she said the incoming restaurants would be good for residents, both because they could bring jobs, and because they’d have more places to go.

Hill says a few residents are worried about additional traffic while acknowledging that it’s been a problem prior to the opening and hasn’t heard anything from the city about mitigating it. McCann acknowledges the project will increase demand on infrastructure, but says the city worked with the Port District and SANDAG to mitigate that, expanding transit access to the area.

Artiss Redmond, owner of nearby R&R Surf Rentals, says the project “feels like the tide turning in all the right ways” because it will create opportunities for his business. “We’re excited to welcome guests from around the world and offer them a front-row seat to the beauty and adventure of San Diego Bay,” he says.

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When the project is open, Borum says the hope is it’ll be more than just a building to the surrounding community. “Our hope is that thousands of people will be able to look at this hotel and say, ‘That’s where your Dad and I got married. That’s where we celebrated my son’s first birthday and my daughter’s quinceañera. That’s where I got my first job,’” Borum says.

Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center opens on May 15 with rooms starting at $350 per night.

The San Diego Auto Swap Car Show is dealing in 2025!

Now at a new location. Taking place at the San Diego Sports Arena in SD. Yeah, that one that’s constantly changing names due to the sponsor du jour.

This automotive event is not free. Plus, you have to pay to park. And you cannot bring your four-legged friends. However, for a reasonable price of admission you get to enjoy a lot.

All sorts of deals to be made and automotive awesomeness to enjoy. This one usually happens twice annually - Memorial and Labor Days.

But when you need parts and a solid injection of vitamins C-A-R. This is just what the doctor ordered!

It starts early. So be sure you’re going to bed at a decent hour the night before.

San Diego Auto Swap Car Show – San Diego County, California

Location: Pechanga Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Boulevard, San Diego, California 92110 Start: 6:00 AM Ends: 1:00 PM

*Please note: iDriveSoCal is not hosting this event. To learn more about the event please contact the San Diego Auto Swap Car Show organizers HERE . Including details about attending and displaying your car. Also about becoming a car show vendor or sponsor.

Additionally, for more of the best Southern California automotive events click HERE .

First-timer? Review our Ultimate Guide to Cars And Coffee events and roll like a pro!

Plus, if you have a car show, automotive event or car meet you think we should post? Submit car shows and events HERE .

NEVER MISS ANOTHER AWESOME SOCAL CAR SHOW! Sign up for our newsletter HERE .

Details

Date:

May 26

Time:

6:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Event Categories:

Annual Show , Swap Meets

View Event Website

Organizer

Car Show California

View Organizer Website

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (April 24, 2025) – Located 10 miles from San Diego International Airport on 36-acres of waterfront property in Chula Vista, Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center is introducing its veteran leadership team at the helm of the project, opening May 15. An integral part of the pre-opening phase, Director of Group Sales Joy Lynch has overseen group business for the resort since 2022, with Director of Sales and Marketing Russ Mitchell joining the same year to spearhead pre-and-post opening marketing strategies, and Scott Siebert tapped as general manager in 2024, following previous Gaylord management experience.

“With substantial, combined experience in the hospitality industry, Scott, Joy and Russ bring a wealth of knowledge and talent to this landmark West Coast opening for Gaylord Hotels,” said Johann Krieger, vice president and managing director of Gaylord Hotels at Marriott International. “Their guidance, leadership and expertise continues to play a pivotal role as we gear up to debut the largest new build to date in Southern California, and we look forward to having them at the forefront to ensure pre-and-post opening success.”

Scott Siebert, General Manager

As General Manager of Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center, Scott brings more than 35 years of hospitality experience to his role, including key leadership positions across Marriott International. Most recently serving as hotel manager at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Tennessee, his insight to large-scale resort operations seamlessly blends with essential knowledge rooted in the Gaylord brand, offering expertise in guest and staff satisfaction, as well as overall financial performance. Prior to his time in Tennessee, Siebert also held roles including food and beverage director at Eden Roc Miami Beach Resort, resort manager at JW Marriott Hill Country San Antonio and various titles with JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa.

Joy Lynch, Director of Group Sales

Demonstrating exceptional leadership with over 30 years of sales experience in the hospitality and events industry, Joy is a Marriott International veteran who’s played a pivotal role for the West Coast market and has a proven track record in driving results throughout her career. Joy was the Senior Market Account Executive Leader for Marriott’s Western Mountain Pacific (WMP), before she moved to the Philippines to open the largest Marriott ballroom/convention center in Asia Pacific as Director of Convention Sales. Lynch returned from Manila to join the Gaylord Rockies pre-opening team and to lead sales following the opening. Her deep passion for the brand coupled with her experience, would ultimately lead to her current role as Director of Group Sales for Gaylord Pacific. She holds the prestigious Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation and earned a Bachelor of Vocational Education from California State University, Sacramento, and a Master of Hospitality Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Russ Mitchell, Director of Sales and Marketing

A seasoned industry professional, Russ has spent over 30 years shaping and further elevating San Diego as a one-of-a-kind destination. With a passion for collaboration, strategic planning and delivering high quality guest experiences, he has become an expert in the local market, serving as director of sales & marketing for a variety of iconic San Diego hotels & resorts, including The Westin Gaslamp, The U.S. Grant, and Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. Following his most recent role with Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, Mitchell looks forward to redefining the next generation of West Coast hospitality.

Headshots are available here, with property renderings for Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center available here. For more information on the hotel, please visit the hotel’s website here.