I moved my sailboat here (Non Liveaboard) from the North Bay to get away from the party boaters,…read morerental Jet-Ski idiots, Bimboats and all around douchebags & assholes that make up Harbor Island. Wow. What a treat! The place is quiet! The staff is FANTASTIC. The other boaters and people are really friendly. The marina is incredibly well maintained and clean with nice facilities. I think some of the negative reviews on here are from people that either don't park a boat here, or they associated the RV park next to the marina. They are worlds apart and the RV park is going to be closed soon for a Bayfront Convention center. (I have mixed feelings about that, but we'll see what transpires). I feel very secure and safe all the time with a friendly, security staff that watches the place like hawks. The Galley Restaurant / Bar is a blast with live music 4 nights a week, with delicious and reasonably priced food. (Try the Mahi Fish Tacos, OMG!) South Bay is great for sailing with good, consistent wind, no kelp and very little boat traffic. Also notable is the 24 mile, South Shore bike path that goes all around the bay. Wonderful kayaking, wind / kite surfing, water skiing and bird watching. The duck families are super cute as are the Herons, terns and other birds. Supposedly, there is a turtle sanctuary there some where but I haven't found it, yet. It is probably in the Nature Preserve that is just to the north of Chula Vista in National City.
However: There are a few cons worth mentioning:
It is a LONG trek to the ocean from here through a long, narrow channel. If your main goal is to get out to the ocean and come back same day, you'll be very disappointed. South bay is SHALLOW! If you stray outside of the channels at lower tide, you'll run aground, quickly. Shoals are everywhere! BE careful!
If you want a party atmosphere. Don't be a tenant here. It is quiet and boring. (Except for the really fun bar). But you won't find a lot of people getting crazy and naked on the other boats and docks. Go to harbor Island for that.
It seems that this is a place where old boats come to die and there seems to be some sad cases of abandonment.
There is a pool and hot tub, but they are located at the RV park next door and always full of people. And, supposedly, the pool and hot tub are going away when they demolish the RV park. If you are looking for a Marina with a great pool, this probably isn't the place. I don't do public pools, so that wasn't a factor for me.
Overall: Move your boat here, I think you'll be glad you did!