National City’s three-mile long waterfront, a bustling hub of world trade activity, naval operations and maritime ship building, is preparing to welcome new neighbors. In June 2009, a Best Western Hotel and Buster’s Beach House restaurant will bring lodging, alfresco dining and 16,000 square feet of commercial space to this maritime Working Waterfront.

At the south end of National City’s portion of the Big Bay on Marina Way is the new 245-slip marina.

Named after National City businessman and civic leader Leonard Pepper, Pepper Park, National City's 5 ½-acre bayside park, sits alongside the Sweetwater Channel, with a pleasant view of San Diego Bay and the activities along the Working Waterfront. A family-friendly destination, the Pepper Park boat launch was recently upgraded, and an aquatic center is on the drawing board. The public art piece Seaside Seating is on display and is set against the magnificent Working Waterfront, National City’s marine terminal and San Diego’s lifeline to the West Coast’s supply of fresh produce, building materials, automobiles and more.