The history of the city of Chula Vista, whose name translates from Spanish as "beautiful view," begins on lands that in 1795 were part of a Spanish land grant known as Rancho del Rey. Later, after coming under Mexican jurisdiction, it became known as Rancho de la Nación. The modern era of development began in the late 1880s when the San Diego Land and Town Company acquired these lands to create a new settlement. A vital boost to growth was the construction of the Sweetwater Dam in 1888, which provided the region with water for agriculture. Chula Vista was officially incorporated on October 17, 1911.
Its geographical location between San Diego Bay and the coastal foothills created a unique microclimate ideal for agriculture. This became the primary economic driver at the dawn of the city's history. Lemons became the main crop, and thanks to massive harvests, Chula Vista earned the unofficial title of "Lemon Capital of the World" for many years. The lemon trade, with fruit exported across the United States, provided a steady income and attracted new settlers to the region. Development was also bolstered by the railroad, which allowed for the rapid delivery of produce to markets.
In the early 20th century, Chula Vista's economy was almost entirely agrarian. Land purchases were often tied to an obligation to grow lemons, which shaped the city's appearance as a collection of agricultural plots. In 1931, even in the midst of the Great Depression, lemon orchards brought in significant revenue. In addition to lemons, celery was also successfully grown here. This agricultural era continued until World War II, after which rapid population growth and industrialization began, gradually pushing out the citrus groves in favor of residential development.