Belmont Park
San Diego, CA
Free entry; rides ~$6 each
By Simir Shah
★★★★★4.6(18,085 Google reviews)
What parents say
AI summary of 5 Google reviews — not a first-hand visit. How we write these
A small seaside amusement park where ride lines stay short. Reviewers with young children note there are not many little-kid rides, and height limits rule out the wooden coaster for the smallest. One parent was caught out by unclear fine print on whether adults pay to ride along, so ask first.
Mission Beach boardwalk amusement park built in 1925 by developer John D. Spreckels, anchored by the Giant Dipper — a wooden coaster built in just four weeks that's now a National Historic Landmark and one of only two vintage wooden coasters left in California. It closed for a stretch in the late 1970s-80s before reopening in 1990 and remains a beachfront classic today.
Plan your visit to Belmont Park
Researched from the venue and public sources, not a first-hand visit. How we write these
- How long to spend
- Most families spend a few hours; how long depends on your kids' ages and how many rides and attractions you buy into.
- Best time to go
- Weekday mornings close to opening are the quietest. Summer weekends and summer evenings bring big beach crowds, and spring and fall offer mild weather with fewer tourists.
- Parking & getting there
- Four free public lots serve the park, but they fill quickly on weekends, especially in summer; overnight parking is not allowed. Rideshare is the easier option on busy days.
- Best ages
- Thrill rides have height minimums: Giant Dipper 50 inches, Beach Blaster 48 inches, Flip Out 52 inches. Little kids have more options, including the Liberty Carousel (no height listed), Speedway and Wave Jumper (36 inches solo), plus Tiki Town Mini Golf and Lazer Maze for all ages.
- Food
- There are about 17 dining spots on site, from Pizza Port, Belmonty's Burgers, El Jefe tacos and Hot Dog on a Stick to Dippin' Dots and soft serve. Sit-down options include Cannonball with rooftop ocean views.
- What to bring
- Pack swimsuits if you want to add a swim at the Plunge, and bring beach gear since the park sits right on the sand at Mission Beach.
- Rain or heat plan
- The arcade, Lazer Tag, Lazer Maze and Xanadu 7D Theater are indoors. The Plunge is an indoor, heated pool with day passes open to the public, and its glass walls and retractable roof make it work in any weather.
Common questions
How tall do you have to be to ride the Giant Dipper?
Riders must be at least 50 inches tall.
Does Belmont Park have rides for toddlers?
Yes. The Liberty Carousel has no listed height limit, and several kiddie rides like Speedway and Wave Jumper allow kids under 36 inches with a chaperone. Mini golf and the Lazer Maze are open to all ages.
Is parking free at Belmont Park?
Yes. Four free public lots serve the park, but they fill quickly on summer weekends, so arrive early or use rideshare.
Is there an entrance fee to Belmont Park?
No. Walking in is free, and you pay only for the rides and attractions you choose, either per ride or with a Park Pass.
Good for
- Ages 10+
Happening near here
- Beachside Fall Fest at Belmont ParkSan Diego · <1 mi
- Liberty Public MarketSan Diego · 3 mi · Sat–Sun 9am–8pm
- Halloween at the Station (Liberty Station)San Diego · 3 miFree
- Old Town San Diego Living HistorySan Diego · 3 mi · Sat 10am–5pmFree
3146 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
Hours via Google — confirm before a special trip.
Map
What visitors say
- Stephanini R★★★★★
The upgrades have been amazing, I really enjoyed the golf course. The ride lines weren’t longer than 5 min which was great. Got the wrist band from Groupon for a deal. Cost around $42 with the discount. My favorite is the rock climbing wall and it’s even better now.
4 months ago
- Scott Laird★★★★★
Fun outing while visiting San Diego. We really enjoyed the small amusement park. The Big Dipper roller coaster was fun and not much of a line to get on to it. There was plenty of shops to buy souvenirs for friends and family before heading home. There are plenty of food choices in the area from fast food to sit down. We found a great restaurant right on the boardwalk and enjoyed watching the sunset as we ate dinner. People on the beach were very friendly and welcoming. Is worth it just to go and people watch. You cannot get much of a better sunset. We only walked a short distance along the boardwalk wish we would have found this area before our last day in California. When we go back we are definitely have to spend more time in this area.
5 months ago
Showing 2 of 5 Google reviews · Read them all on Google Maps
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