Bonita's housing spans a wide spectrum, from traditional suburban single-family homes to larger-lot and custom properties, including multi-acre horse ranches and equestrian estates. The community is organized into several distinct neighborhoods, with the busier Lynwood Hills area in the west and more rural, hilly areas such as Bonita South to the east. This range reflects the community's evolution from citrus and ranching country into a sought-after South Bay enclave. Because much of Bonita remains unincorporated and preserved, new construction is limited, and buyers are typically drawn by lot size, privacy, and equestrian access.

Bonita's neighborhoods reflect its rural-suburban mix. Lynwood Hills, in western Bonita, is the most active area, with restaurants, cafes, and commercial activity along Bonita Road. Bonita South is a hillier residential district whose eastern edge holds multi-acre horse ranches, just minutes from schools, golf, and retail. The community's third distinct area rounds out its neighborhoods, with homes ranging from conventional subdivisions to custom properties on larger lots. Throughout, the Sweetwater Valley's open space and trail network tie the neighborhoods together, preserving the area's equestrian and outdoors-oriented character.

Bonita offers a rare blend of rural character and South Bay convenience. The community's unincorporated status and its history of civic activism have helped preserve open space, trails, and an equestrian way of life that has largely disappeared elsewhere in the region. Residents enjoy quiet, tree-lined streets, horse properties, and neighborhood parks, while Chula Vista's shopping and dining and downtown San Diego's employment centers remain a short drive away. Many locals commute to San Diego's military bases and other industries. Bonita appeals to families, horse owners, and anyone seeking more land and a slower pace without leaving the metro area.

Bonita is served by two public school districts. Elementary students attend the Chula Vista Elementary School District, while students in middle and high school are served by the Sweetwater Union High School District, one of California's largest and most diverse secondary districts. The district's Bonita Vista High School, located in neighboring Chula Vista, serves much of the area and offers Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs. The combination of a local elementary experience and a large regional high school district gives Bonita families both neighborhood schools and broad program choice.

Bonita's location in the South Bay places it within convenient reach of the region's transportation network. State Route 54, the corridor that residents once organized to route around the community, runs nearby and connects to Interstates 5 and 805, providing access to downtown San Diego, the military bases, and the greater county. Chula Vista's commercial districts and transit options are minutes away, and the San Diego Trolley serves nearby areas. Most residents commute by car, with Bonita's quiet streets and open roads offering a contrast to the freeway congestion of the surrounding urban core.

Bonita's recreation reflects its rural, outdoors-oriented character. The Bonita Golf Course offers an 18-hole public round with valley views, while Sweetwater Regional Park provides open space, picnicking, and a beloved community garden. Rohr Park, with its playgrounds and family amenities, sits nearby, and the community's network of trails supports hiking, walking, and horseback riding throughout the Sweetwater Valley. For horse owners, the area's equestrian trails and ranches are a defining asset. The broader South Bay and San Diego region add beaches, regional parks, and urban attractions within a short drive.