CBS 8 was live from Vista all morning on Friday, May 23! Neda, Evan, Regina and Eric shared all the things that make Vista great.
The word “Vista” is Spanish for “view,” and the city certainly lives up to its name! Located in North County San Diego and just seven miles from the Pacific Ocean, the City of Vista is marked by hills and valleys. People who live there call it a hidden gem.
The city, founded in 1963, has a rich history. The area was originally inhabited by the Luiseños, who lived on the land until the founding of the Mission San Luis Rey in the 1700s. After Mexico gained independence from Spain, the land was divided into three ranchos, including Rancho Buena Vista. When California became a part of the United States in 1850, the area began to develop agriculturally, particularly through citrus and avocado farming. Now, Vista is home to over 100,000 people. The community continues to thrive and grow.
The Moonlight Amphitheatre, AVO Playhouse and the Wave Waterpark are just some of the many places people can enjoy and visit. Vista’s downtown district is continuing to grow, with many new restaurants opening up along Main Street.
Whether you love hiking, tasting local food and beer, or relaxing in a sunny, welcoming town, Vista is the perfect place to visit.
8 Great Things to do in Vista Highlighting some of the activities in Vista
8 great things to do in Vista, California
From waterparks to breweries, there are so many fun activities and things to see in Vista. CBS 8 is highlighting eight great stops you need to check out.
The Wave Waterpark is a summertime attraction that features a slide tower, a floating river, a rip tide slide and a flow rider. Be sure to check out the waterpark's website for information on daily hours and events. Season passes are also available.
Located in Brengle Terrace Park, the Moonlight Amphitheatre is an open-air venue that hosts concerts, musicals and special events all year round. Moonlight Amphitheatre is in it's 44th season of musicals. There are also plenty of concerts you can attend. Click here to view upcoming events.
The Pepper Tree Frosty is a longtime family-run shop serving award-winning burgers, fries, shakes and ice cream. The walk-up restaurant has been around since 1953. There's plenty of outdoor seating for the entire family to enjoy a delicious treat.
Located in downtown Vista, the tavern and grill offers award-winning beers, craft cocktails and delicious food.
Booze Brothers Brewing Co. on Progress St. offers a great selection of craft beer. The business is best known for its West Coast IPA's, pale ales, lagers, ambers, browns and stouts.
The Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum was founded in 1969, and is located on North Santa Fe Ave. It's open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Located on Vale Terrace Drive, people can walk around Alta Vista Botanical Gardens and see plants native to areas around the world. Admission is $5 for non-members and $3 for children three to 12 years old.
The historic AVO Playhouse is located in the heart of downtown Vista. It's home to the Moonlight Youth Theatre productions. For more information on shows, click here.
Meet the Mayor Vista Mayor, John Franklin
Meet John Franklin, Mayor of Vista, California
There is truly so much to see and do in Vista. Mayor John Franklin, who has served in his role since 2022, talked about everything this community has to offer.
Pure Project Brewery Practicing sustainable brewing in Vista
Pure Project brings sustainable brewing practices to Vista
San Diego-based brewery Pure Project has recently expanded its operations to Vista, where it has more space to produce beer sustainably. The business is attracting beer enthusiasts to the city with its unique drink offerings and environmentally conscious practices.
"People come for the beer and I think they stay for the ethos and the story," said Mat Robar, co-founder of Pure Project.
The brewery had its start in Costa Rica, where the founders were inspired by the concept of "pura vida" or pure life. After moving to San Diego, they established Pure Project with a commitment to sustainability.
"What we're trying to do as a brewer is to be a little bit different and give back, make the world a better place," said Robar.
The brewery is certified climate-neutral by The Change Climate Project, reflecting a commitment to measure, reduce and offset its carbon footprint. Pure Project's sustainability efforts are evident throughout its brewing process. The brewery recently installed a grain silo, which significantly reduces packaging waste.
"That grain is brought in by rail and straight to us by truck, and that is a lot less in between, a lot less waste, and that will keep us supplied for a couple of months," said Robar.
The Vista brewery is Pure Project's main production hub. It houses a 14,000-square-foot facility with a 15-barrel brewhouse, consolidating all canning and bottling operations as well as expanded administrative offices.
Demetra Hammel, the head brewer at Pure Project, oversees the daily operations. She said cleanliness is an important factor when brewing.
"The biggest thing brewers are responsible for is cleaning," Hammel said. "We spend 90 percent of our day cleaning. We need to keep everything sanitary for our products, so we're mostly janitors."
The brewery also prioritizes using local, organic ingredients. The brewery's core beer, Tropical Mist, is filled with organic oranges from J.R. Organics Farm in Escondido.
"Every batch has 120 pounds of local organic oranges that go into [them]," said Jensen Atwood, director of brewing operations at Pure Project.
Pure Project's commitment to sustainability extends to their packaging as well. They use plastic-free, paper-based four-pack holders for their canned beers.
As Vista's beer scene continues to grow, Pure Project stands out not only for its quality drinks but also for its dedication to community engagement. Pure Project contributes 1% of all sales to non-profits, supporting environmental and community causes.
Wave Waterpark Keeping cool all summer long
Exploring the Wave Waterpark in Vista
CBS 8’s Eric Kahnert took a tour of the new Wave Waterpark for a preview of what attractions you can expect this summer.
Moonlight Amphitheatre Watch productions and concerts in Vista
See an upcoming production or concert at the Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista
The Moonlight is excited to announce their 2025 season! Find out more about upcoming productions and concerts at: moonlightstage.com
Strawberry Festival 2025
Visit the Vista Strawberry Festival on Sunday, May 25
The Vista Strawberry Festival is an annual event that will be held Sunday, May 25, in downtown Vista from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Much more to do in Vista Events and places that make Vista great
Tortilleria Los Reyes | Makes corn tortillas you can’t pass up
Tortilleria Los Reyes has been around for 25 years. The Vista business is known for its delicious corn tortillas and opened on Main Street in 2000.
Vista Village Pub brings a taste of Ireland to North County
Vista Village Pub is located on Main Street in downtown Vista. They strive to bring the sights, sounds and tastes of a traditional Irish pub to Vista.
Belching Beaver Brewery | A delicious night out in Vista
The Belching Beaver Brewery started from a desire to brew great beer, which turned into serving up award-winning beers, delicious food and more.