Your TL;DR Guide to This Free Amusement Park in Mission Beach, San Diego
TL;DR: Located in San Diego’s Mission Beach, Belmont Park is a historic landmark and popular tourist destination. With a vibrant atmosphere, boardwalk games, and theme park rides, Belmont Park is a delightful amusement park and boardwalk for people of all ages. With free entry and free parking, it’s easy to add onto any travel itinerary. Keep in mind, however, that the various attractions may have an additional cost.
- What Makes Belmont Park Special?
- Transportation and Parking for Belmont Park
- What to Do in Belmont Park
- Explore More of San Diego
Recently, I had the chance to revisit a few of my favorite San Diego spots. On my last day in the city, I made sure we stopped by Mission Beach for a light walk. On our stroll, we made our way up the boardwalk to Belmont Park, one of San Diego’s most iconic destinations. And with Belmont in Bloom, the Spring festival, in full-swing, the mood was electric! It immediately brought back my memories of running around the Park with friends. So I thought it was about time that I dedicated a post to this special place.
As the weather gets warmer, many of us will be heading to the coast to soak up the sun, sand, and surf. So if that sounds like you and you are wondering where you should go this summer, read on for my break-down of Belmont Park – and what you should do there!
What Makes Belmont Park Special?
To me, Belmont Park is quintessential coastal Southern California. And while “touristy” spots can get a bad rep for being too cliche, I personally think this one is worth the trip. It’s fun, it’s historic, and it is just iconically San Diego. In fact, it was featured in Kevin Woo’s Ride Along music video (my shameless plug for a San Diego king).
San Diego’s Belmont Park goes back to the 1920s. Once known as the Mission Beach Amusement Center, it was a hub of entertainment, featuring the Mission Beach Roller Coaster and the Plunge, one of the largest indoor swimming pools in the world (which you can still check out!). Now, it has evolved into a modern beach-front amusement park, blending vintage and contemporary attractions together. With a fun atmosphere, Belmont Park continues to show off its nostalgic charm while still adding in new activities to entertain guests of all ages.
Transportation and Parking for Belmont Park
At a Glance:
Address: 3146 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109
Location: Mission Beach, San Diego
Parking: Free
Cost: Varies depending on attraction – see more here. Entry cost is free.
Walkable: Yes
Bathrooms: Available
The Best Time to Visit Belmont Park
With an upbeat atmosphere and marvelous ocean views, San Diego’s Belmont Park absolutely pops-off in the Summer and Spring Break seasons.
If you want to immerse yourself in that summer energy and you love vibing with large crowds, then joining during a peak season/weekends can add to the fun. The park tends to be more lively and hosts various vendors during these special seasons. My last visit was during Belmont in Bloom and the park was decorated with so many cute flowers and bright colors.
However, if you prefer a little more space to move around (aka less crowds), stop by during the week or during Winter and Fall. My usual visits to Belmont Park happen during “off-season,” and it’s a ton of fun to explore.
Public Transportation for Belmont Park
With four free public parking lots, Mission Beach/Belmont Park aims to be accessible to tourists. If you don’t have access to a car (or a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft), then you can can check out San Diego’s public transit options (MTS) here – Mission Beach is on bus route 8!
What to Do in Belmont Park
Now, before I get into a list of fun things to do when visiting Belmont Park, I just wanted to say that this area is fun for people of all-ages. With some attractions geared towards younger kids and others focusing on an older crowd, there really is something fun for everyone. I’ll be naming out a few recommendations, but I did my best to link a few other things to check-out so your day can be tailored for your enjoyment! If you have questions or want more specific recommendations for the various ages in your group, feel free to comment below!
And now, onto things to do in Mission Beach’s Belmont Park!
Explore the Historic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster
Belmont Park’s most recognizable feature is the wooden roller coaster that borders Mission Blvd. In fact, on my first visit to this beach-front boardwalk, I remember trying it out myself. Since 1925, the Giant Dipper has been a classic (and iconic) part of San Diego’s coastal life. And, as the rollercoaster approaches its 100th year anniversary, now is the perfect time to try it out for yourself.
Personally, I don’t think it’s an especially scary ride, but it is a really fun (landmark) thing to do while in the area. But, if roller coasters aren’t your thing, be sure to check out some of the other rides! The Plunge is another historic activity to try, also entertaining guests since 1925.
Try Your Hand at Mini Golf
Another classic thing to do (tried and tested by yours-truly!) is mini golf. To be honest, I’m someone that thinks mini golf is mini golf – it’s hard to find a truly amazing course that stands out above the rest. And while this location is fun, what makes the experience truly special is Belmont Park’s electric atmosphere. I absolutely felt like a tourist putting around Tiki Town, but in the BEST way possible.
Get Fit at Fit
There’s something about the beach that makes people want to exercise – I’m not necessarily one of you, but hats-off to you fitness fiends! And even though the sun makes me want to sip on lemonade and go for light stroll around the boardwalk, even I have to admit that Belmont Park’s Fit does stand out in a special way.
Fit is a fairly new addition. With a roof-top exercise area that offers unbeatable views of the ocean and fun classes, this gym is a great place to get in a sweat.
Day passes usually run around $35. Look into visiting and getting a guest pass here.
Explore Mission Beach and the Bay
Even though Belmont Park has a delightful boardwalk scene, it’s also a popular beach – so don’t forget to factor in some time to just enjoy the ocean. Whether you like to swim, surf, or play a little beach volleyball, Mission Beach is perfect for a day out in the sun.
I also love the Bay – located just across the street – which has a few playgrounds for the little ones. I find bay-side to be a bit more relaxing and low-key than beach-side, making it a good place to escape from the crowds for a bit.
Other Things to Check-Out
Belmont Park is packed full of things to do. Aside from checking out the rides, playing some mini-golf, or hitting the gym, there is still so much to try out. While in the area, you can also:
- Play a few carnival games
- Grab a bite to eat (both sit-downs and classic boardwalk eats are available!)
- Go shopping
- Join for a special event or trivia night (check-out the calendar here!)
Belmont Park shows us that some travel-classics are classics for a reason. With a vibrant and fun-filled atmosphere, Belmont Park is a worth-it destination for visitors of all ages. The lively ambiance and diverse attractions make Belmont Park a must-visit spot for anyone looking to experience the excitement of a classic amusement park combined with the beauty of the California coast. Have you been to Belmont Park? Let me know what your experience was like!
TL;DR Travels 
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