Wednesday, June 3, 2026
New ferry service links Chula Vista Bayfront with downtown San Diego
Flagship Cruises & Events launched a new ferry route between the Chula Vista Bayfront and downtown San Diego on June 1, providing residents and visitors with a scenic transportation option across San Diego Bay while supporting the area's growing water
A new ferry service connecting the Chula Vista Bayfront to downtown San Diego officially began operations Monday, marking the addition of a new transportation link across San Diego Bay.
Flagship Cruises & Events launched the Chula Vista Ferry Service with a community celebration at Safe Harbor Marina South Bay that drew elected officials, tourism leaders, regional partners and residents for the route's inaugural departure.
"This new ferry service reflects our continued commitment to enhancing transportation and waterfront access across San Diego Bay," Flagship Cruises & Events president Brad Engel said in a statement. "The Chula Vista Ferry Service establishes a new transportation link across the bay, providing residents and visitors with a reliable and scenic connection between the Chula Vista waterfront and downtown San Diego."
Engel spoke at Monday's event along with Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, Port of San Diego board chair Ann Moore, and Russ Mitchell, director of sales and marketing for the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center.
Moore said the new route fulfills a long-standing goal of the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan to strengthen connections between the waterfront, jobs, recreation opportunities and tourism destinations.
"When we created the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan many years ago, we envisioned a bayfront that wasn't just beautiful but connected," she said. "Connected to jobs. Connected to recreation. Connected to tourism. And connected to the rest of the region. This new ferry service helps deliver on that vision.
"I want to thank Flagship Cruises & Events for seeing the opportunity in Chula Vista and helping expand transportation choices for the region."
The launch celebration included community activities and the ceremonial first departure of the ferry service.
The route is expected to support growing visitor activity along the Chula Vista Bayfront, including the recently opened Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center.
Flagship Cruises & Events launched the Chula Vista Ferry Service with a community celebration at Safe Harbor Marina South Bay that drew elected officials, tourism leaders, regional partners and residents for the route's inaugural departure.
"This new ferry service reflects our continued commitment to enhancing transportation and waterfront access across San Diego Bay," Flagship Cruises & Events president Brad Engel said in a statement. "The Chula Vista Ferry Service establishes a new transportation link across the bay, providing residents and visitors with a reliable and scenic connection between the Chula Vista waterfront and downtown San Diego."
Engel spoke at Monday's event along with Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, Port of San Diego board chair Ann Moore, and Russ Mitchell, director of sales and marketing for the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center.
Moore said the new route fulfills a long-standing goal of the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan to strengthen connections between the waterfront, jobs, recreation opportunities and tourism destinations.
"When we created the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan many years ago, we envisioned a bayfront that wasn't just beautiful but connected," she said. "Connected to jobs. Connected to recreation. Connected to tourism. And connected to the rest of the region. This new ferry service helps deliver on that vision.
"I want to thank Flagship Cruises & Events for seeing the opportunity in Chula Vista and helping expand transportation choices for the region."
The launch celebration included community activities and the ceremonial first departure of the ferry service.
The route is expected to support growing visitor activity along the Chula Vista Bayfront, including the recently opened Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center.
