Home to one of the country’s oldest all-wood roller coasters, San Diego’s historic beachfront amusement park, Belmont Park, offers visitors of all ages the chance to act like kids and enjoy some of the best views of the Pacific Coast. Despite an overwhelming number of “other” amusement parks in southern California, a trip to Belmont Park is an absolute must for families with kids and those who are still kids at heart as it provides a truly unique and historical experience.
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Belmont Park History
First opening its doors on July 4, 1925, Belmont Park is a historical part of the southern California lifestyle. When it was originally opened by sugar magnate John D. Spreckles the Mission Beach Amusement Center’s main purpose was to draw people into the Mission Bay area in an attempt to sell land. Along with a Boardwalk and the beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean, the original park included both the classic wooden roller coaster, the Giant Dipper, as well as the indoor Olympic-size pool, the Plunge. When it opened, both attractions were wildly popular and the Plunge set a record as the largest salt water pool in the world, holding 400,000 gallons of water.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, the park, along with its two main attractions and several retail shops and restaurants, was extremely popular among the southern California population as well as visitors to the area. However, as the San Diego metropolitan area and its suburbs began to build up in the ensuing decades the park fell into disrepair, eventually closing in December of 1976. Over the course of the next dozen years, residents of Mission Bay began to call for the demolition of the park and its famous roller coaster which had become a hang out area for local transients and other undesirables.
It was a group of dedicated Mission Bay residents who ultimately saved the Giant Dipper, and hence the Belmont Park area, by forming the “Save the Coaster Committee.” Eventually, the developers responsible for the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk amusement park acquired the lease to the area, including the Giant Dipper coaster, and renamed it Belmont Park area. The park reopened to resounding effect on April 11, 1990 and has served as a popular area tourist attraction ever since. Millions of people from across California, the United States, and the world travel to Belmont Park each year. Throughout that time, additional attractions have been added, including the Wave House in 2005. A popular attraction that boasts the “quintessential southern California experience,” the Wave House features a fully functional wave pool setup for surfing along with kava bars, hammocks, fire rings, and more.
Belmont Park: The Main Attraction
There is a lot to do whether you are young or old or in between at Belmont Park. Situated on the Mission Bay Beach, there is always the option of soaking up the California sun or crashing in the waves. The Belmont Boardwalk includes shopping and dining and the entire area is open to the public, free of charge.
Brave souls can take a ride on the Giant Dipper or one of the many other current attractions at the amusement park area. This includes classics like the Tilt-a-Whirl and Bumper Cars as well as Belmont exclusives such as Beach Blaster, Control Freak, and Octotron. Additional attractions at Belmont Park include the Wave House wave pool, the Plunge indoor saltwater pool, laser tag, an arcade and games of chance on the midway.
In addition, Belmont Park is a great place to throw a party. If you want to host a birthday party, group retreat, or any other kind of celebration in the San Diego area, Belmont Park offers different party packages, including kids parties, indoor pool parties, killer wave parties, arcade, golf and maze parties and private group parties.
Why Belmont Park is a Must-Do
Though most of those who travel to the San Diego area think of a giant mouse when they hear the term “amusement park” there is so much more to southern California’s amusement park culture that they miss when they allow themselves to be boxed in by that cliché. Among the best and most noted places to visit in San Diego is Belmont Park. This place, so full of history and entertainment, situated right next to the beautiful Pacific Ocean, is a must-see for many reasons, but primary among them is sheer fun.
Where to Buy Belmont Park Tickets
There are a number of ways you can enjoy admission to this attraction.
Pay Full Price and purchase a ticket from Belmont Park, Mission Beach either online or in person.
Purchase a Tourist pass. Belmont Park is available on the Go San Diego Card.