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Belmont Park (San Diego) facts for kids

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Belmont Park
Belmont Park with Giant Dipper.jpg
View of the entrance to Belmont Park with the Giant Dipper roller coaster in the background
Location Surfrider Square, Mission Bay, San Diego, California, United States
Coordinates 32°46′17″N 117°15′8″W / 32.77139°N 117.25222°W / 32.77139; -117.25222
Opened July 4, 1925 (1925-07-04)

Belmont Park is a super fun amusement park located right on the beach in San Diego, California. It's in the beautiful Mission Bay area. This park first opened its doors on July 4, 1925!

A famous person named John D. Spreckels helped create the park. He wanted to give people a great place to have fun and also help develop the Mission Beach area. Today, millions of people visit Belmont Park every year to enjoy its rides and attractions.

The most famous ride at Belmont Park is the historic Giant Dipper roller coaster. It's a wooden roller coaster that many people consider a landmark in San Diego.

Discovering Belmont Park's History

Belmont Park has a long and interesting past. It first opened in 1925 as the Mission Beach Amusement Center. Many of its original attractions are still here today!

The Giant Dipper: A Historic Ride

The Giant Dipper is a classic wooden roller coaster. It's so special that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important part of history!

The Plunge: A Giant Pool

Another historic spot is The Plunge, a huge indoor swimming pool. When it first opened, it was called the Natatorium. It was the biggest salt-water pool in the world!

Today, The Plunge uses fresh water. It closed for a while for repairs but reopened in 2019 after a big renovation. Now it's ready for more swimmers!

New Owners and Exciting Changes

Over the years, Belmont Park has had different owners. In 2012, a company called Pacifica Enterprises took over. They worked hard to make the park even better.

They added new restaurants and updated existing ones. This helped bring new life and excitement to Belmont Park.

What to Do at Belmont Park Today

Belmont Park is packed with exciting rides and fun activities. Besides the famous Giant Dipper, there are many other attractions to enjoy.

Thrilling Rides for Everyone

You'll find a variety of rides that spin, drop, and zoom! The park's rides are managed by the San Diego Coaster Company.

Here are some of the popular rides you can try:

  • Giant Dipper
  • Vertical Plunge (a tall drop tower!)
  • Control Freak
  • Liberty Carousel
  • Tilt-A-Whirl
  • Crazy Submarine
  • OverDrive Bumper Cars
  • Speedway
  • Krazy Kars
  • Octotron
  • Belmont Express
  • Beach Blaster
  • Zero Gravity

Fun Attractions and Games

Belmont Park also has many other attractions beyond just rides. You can test your skills or explore new adventures.

Some of these attractions include:

  • Sky Ropes (an obstacle course high in the air!)
  • Laser Tag
  • Xanadu 7D Theater (a cool movie experience)
  • Lazer Maze
  • Tiki Town Adventure Golf (mini-golf fun)
  • Zip Line
  • Rock Wall
  • Jungle Gems
  • Escapology (escape rooms)

Delicious Food Options

When you get hungry, Belmont Park has lots of tasty places to eat. You can grab a quick snack or sit down for a meal.

Some of the restaurants and treat spots include:

  • Beach House Grill
  • Cannonball
  • Draft
  • Belmonty's Burgers
  • Hot Dog on a Stick
  • Sweet Shoppe
  • Dippin' Dots
  • BeaverTails
  • Beach Treats
  • Dole Whip

Belmont Park is usually open from 11 AM until late in the evening. It's a great place to spend a day with friends and family!

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