Located on Lake Crest Drive in the Eastlake Vistas community of Eastlake, Chula Vista is the beautiful Mountain Hawk Park. Now, I’m not going to lie, it’s kind of a trek to get to Mountain Hawk if you don’t live in Eastlake. Even from the 125 exit, it’s about a 7 minute drive or from the Olympic Parkway exit off the 805, it’s about a 17 minute drive from the freeway. That being said, it’s worth it just for the million dollar view. The park sits on a hill offering an expansive view of lower Otay Lake.
Mountain Hawk Park opened in 2006 and boasts 12 acres of open green grass, gazebos, an amphitheater for rent, sports courts and fields, play equipment, a walking trail, and the only splash pad in the city.
Basketball court, soccer field, picnic tables, benches, BBQs, restrooms, parking lot, open grassy picnic areas, path for learning to ride a bike, gazebos, water fountain, hot coal bins.
Tot Lot with small slides, bark, play structure with monkey bars and climbing wall, climbing rock, spinner, and splash pad.
Large parking lot with 50 parking spaces including 2 disabled spots.
- Dogs Allowed (leashed)
- Good for Events
- Alcohol Allowed
- Tot Lot
- Bathroom Facilities
- Sunrise to Sunset
Playgrounds
The two play structures at Mountain Hawk are fairly basic and leave something to be desired in that area. I do appreciate, however, that they have a climbing rock and what I like to call “the spinning wheel of death”. Jokes aside, kids love things that spin. The main attraction of Mountain Hawk would have to be the splash pad. It’s the only one in Chula Vista and so far, only one of three water play features in a park in San Diego County (THAT I KNOW OF YET). The splash pad is open April 1-November 1 and is virtually impossible to tear my toddler away from.
Tot Lot
Larger Play Structures
Parking
Mountain Hawk has a large parking lot with 50 spaces, including 2 disabled parking spots.
Great for Events
Aside from the massive open grassy areas, there are 3 gazebos with BBQs that you can reserve, which makes Mountain Hawk a great park for events. The downside is that aside from the gazebos, there aren’t many trees to provide shade, so those hot summer days can be brutal – cue the splash pad! Pro-tip: the restrooms are much closer to Gazebo 1 than Gazebos 2 and 3, so keep that in mind when booking your space.
Sports and Surrounding Area
This beautiful park offers a lighted full basketball court with 2 hoops. Their website says that they have a soccer field. I didn’t see an actual soccer field, but I imagine teams can easily set up one (or more) in the grass.
On the outer edge of the park is a dirt and gravel walking and biking trail which also has lights. Off in the distance over the mountains behind the lake, you can watch skydivers floating to the ground. (I’ve circled some for you in the photo below!) I definitely want to come back sometime and take a nice walk or ride on the trail. Every time I’ve been here, I haven’t been able to tear my toddler away from the splash pad.
The park also has an amphitheater that is available to reserve by calling 619-397-6000.
Around the park are totems explaining the theme and why the park is designed the way it is, along with a lot of history of the people who lived in the area thousands of years ago.
