The charmingly old-school Belmont Park has thrived on San Diego’s Mission Beach since the 1920s with good reason: it blends classic roller-coaster and bumper-car fun with timeless views of the beach.
Where Is Belmont Park?
Belmont Park is located in the Mission Beach community of San Diego, right on the sand at 3146 Mission Blvd. Sitting between the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay, it's just a few miles northwest of downtown San Diego and easily accessible from Interstate 5 or Interstate 8.
What Are Belmont Park’s Hours?
Belmont Park is open year-round, though exact hours fluctuate by season and day of the week; individual rides, attractions, and dining spots may keep their own separate hours.
Rides and attractions open at 11 a.m. daily, closing anywhere from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. depending on the day and time of year—weekends and summer months tend to stay open later than weekdays in the off-season. Since hours can shift, it's best to check the official calendar at the park’s website before planning a visit.
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Belmont Park History
The park first opened in 1925, as a project of local sugar magnate John D. Spreckels—whose name is on various landmarks around San Diego, including the famed outdoor organ in Balboa Park. After a lull in the 1960s and ’70s, when the park almost met with the wrecking ball, Belmont Park was reborn in the late 1980s. That included a total makeover for the Giant Dipper roller coaster, thanks to some assistance from the folks behind its cousin coaster—also called the Giant Dipper—at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Another piece of the original park still remains, right next door: dating back to 1925, the old Plunge Pool has been renovated and rechristened The Plunge San Diego. The heated, 60-by-175-foot pool, housed in a Spanish Renaissance building with a retractable roof and floor-to-ceiling windows, is now part of a cutting-edge Fit Athletic Club & Gym location and welcomes swimmers of all ages.
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Rides at Belmont Park
- New Thrills: The park is home to newer adrenaline-inducing attractions as well. At the 30-foot interactive tower ride Shipwreck Cove, for instance, guests pull themselves up using a rope attached to the gondola before experiencing a thrilling drop and rotating 360 degrees for a view of the entire park.
- Stomach Churners: Teens will opt for the super fast rides such as Control Freak and Vertical Plunge.
- Great Rides/Games for Little Kids: Younger children might prefer to climb aboard decorated steeds on the Liberty Carousel—which is especially pretty at night when it’s illuminated.
- Fun For All: You can also compete for a hole-in-one in the mini-golf area, let the kids scramble up the climbing wall, take a spin in the go-karts, or make your way through the arcade.
Fun on the Water at Belmont Park
If you’re looking to make the most of your time on the beach or in the ocean, spots like Mission Beach Rentals at Belmont and Mission Beach Surf Rentals can hook you up with everything from bikes (single and tandem) to scooters to surfboards and wetsuits.
Admission, Tickets, and Parking at Belmont Park
Admission into Belmont Park is free, and you pay as you go for rides or attractions; visitors are free to come and go from the beach or elsewhere as they please. Check the online tickets page for day passes that bundle access to some attractions; The Plunge San Diego has separate admission. There are several free parking lots nearby.
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What Are the Dining Options at Belmont Park?
Belmont Park has more than a dozen dining options ranging from grab-and-go snacks to sit-down restaurants with ocean views, so there's something for every appetite and budget.
- Casual boardwalk-style fare: For a quick, low-key bite between rides, Belmont Park is packed with classic carnival-style kiosks — think Hot Dog on a Stick, Wetzel's Pretzels, Dippin' Dots, an Icee stand, and a Sweet Shoppe for candy and treats. You can also grab Dole Whip, tacos, or a slice from Round Table Pizza, all easy to eat on the go between attractions.
- Best for families: Belmonty's Burgers offers straightforward, kid-friendly classics like burgers and fries, perfect for refueling between rides without a long sit-down wait.
- Best casual sit-down meal: Draft serves hand-crafted American fare alongside more than 55 locally brewed beers on tap, with a laid-back, no-reservations-needed vibe (though parties of 8 or more can call ahead).
- Best splurge: Cannonball, perched atop San Diego's largest oceanfront rooftop, serves inventive sushi and Pacific Rim–inspired California cuisine alongside craft cocktails, with sweeping ocean views, live acoustic music on Thursdays, and a more refined, date-night atmosphere.
- Best for beach-day lounging: Beach House Grill sits right on the Mission Beach boardwalk, offering a full menu (plus a bottle-service option) and cabana seating just steps from the sand.
Places to Stay Near Belmont Park
There is no shortage of lodging near Belmont Park, and the options span a range of budgets. All of the following are within walking distance of the boardwalk:
Best for a splurge: The Bahia Resort Hotel sits on its own 14-acre peninsula on Mission Bay, offering bay-front rooms, suites with kitchenettes, and a private beach—plus proximity to both Belmont Park and SeaWorld. The Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina is another upscale option, set on 10 tropically landscaped acres with a marina and an eco-friendly spa.
Great for budget-minded families: The Boardwalk Hotel puts guests just steps from Sail Bay Beach in the heart of Mission Beach, a short walk from both Belmont Park and the water, with well-reviewed, comfortable rooms.
Best lodging for a minimal-frills stay: The Ocean Villa Inn, a straightforward, well-reviewed motel-style property in Mission Beach, sits within walking distance of Belmont Park and the sand. Another inexpensive option is the ITH Mission Beach Backpacker Hostel, which offers dorm-style and private rooms with free Wi-Fi and an included breakfast, just a couple hundred feet from the park.
Insider tip: If you’re able to make a springtime visit, starting in late March and stretching until late May, Belmont Park celebrates the season with the Belmont in Bloom Spring Festival annual event. Dance to live music, stroll amidst gorgeous floral arrangements and sculptures, or take part in creative workshops and interactive art performances.
