The Giant Dipper
A 1925 wooden coaster, one of only a handful of its era still running in the country, and a National Historic Landmark. Short, rough and genuinely fun. 48-inch height requirement.
Belmont Park
The Giant Dipper, what a day actually costs, the parking problem, and who this place is right for.
Last updated
Quick answer
Belmont Park is a small beachfront amusement park on the Mission Beach boardwalk, free to walk into, with rides paid individually or by unlimited-ride wristband. The centerpiece is the Giant Dipper, a 1925 wooden roller coaster and a National Historic Landmark, which is worth riding once for the history alone even though it rattles. Beyond it, expect a compact set of family rides, a tilt-a-whirl, a beach blaster, laser tag, an arcade, mini golf, a zip line and the FlowRider wave machine, plus rope courses. Unlimited-ride wristbands typically run in the $40s to $50s with lower pricing for shorter riders, and individual ride tickets make sense if you'll do fewer than four rides. Parking is the real problem: the on-site lot is small and free for a limited time with validation, Mission Beach street parking is brutal in summer, and the walk from further-out free parking is long. Go on a weekday, in the morning, or in the off-season — and treat it as two hours attached to a beach day rather than a full-day destination.
What a Belmont Park visit costs
| Item | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | You only pay for rides and attractions |
| Unlimited ride wristband | $40s-$50s | Lower tier for riders under a height cutoff |
| Single ride ticket | $6-$12 per ride | Better value under about 4 rides |
| Giant Dipper | Included in wristband | 1925 wooden coaster, 48in height requirement |
| FlowRider | Sold by the hour | Separate from ride wristbands |
| Parking | Free lot with validation, limited | Street parking is very hard in summer |
What's there
Family rides
A compact cluster including the Beach Blaster, Tilt-A-Whirl, Krazy Kars, a carousel and smaller kids' rides. Best suited to roughly ages 4 to 12.
FlowRider wave machine
A standing wave you can bodyboard or flowboard on, sold by the hour and separate from the ride wristband. Genuinely fun and genuinely hard for the first thirty minutes.
Arcade, laser tag and mini golf
The rainy-day and evening options, and where the money quietly disappears if you have kids. The arcade is large and open late.
Zip line and ropes course
Elevated attractions over the park with ocean views. Additional cost, height and weight limits apply.
Restaurants and the boardwalk
Beachfront restaurants and bars sit right at the sand with ocean views. Reasonable food, tourist pricing, and a great sunset location.
Doing it well
Go on a weekday morning
Summer weekend afternoons are the worst combination of ride lines and parking chaos. Weekday mornings and shoulder-season days are near-empty.
Decide on wristband versus tickets first
Four rides is roughly the break-even. With small kids doing two or three rides, individual tickets are much cheaper than wristbands.
Park smart
The on-site lot is free for a limited period with a purchase validation and fills fast. Otherwise, park east of Mission Boulevard and walk, or come by bike along the bay path.
Combine with the beach
Belmont Park works best as a two-hour add-on to a Mission Beach day — sand and boardwalk first, rides in the late afternoon, dinner on the beachfront patio.
Check height requirements before you buy
Several rides have 48-inch minimums, and a wristband for a child who can only ride three things is wasted money. The height chart is posted at the ticket booth.
Practical notes
- • Prices, hours and ride availability change seasonally and rides close for maintenance — confirm on the official Belmont Park site before going.
- • The park is open year-round but runs shorter hours outside summer, and some attractions close entirely in winter.
- • Mission Beach parking is among the hardest in the county on summer weekends; plan for it or don't drive.
- • Everything is walkable from the Mission Beach boardwalk, so a beach cruiser is the ideal way to arrive.
Frequently asked
Is Belmont Park free to enter?
Yes. Walking into Belmont Park is free — you only pay for individual rides, an unlimited-ride wristband, or the separately priced attractions like the FlowRider and ropes course.
How much is a Belmont Park wristband?
Unlimited-ride wristbands typically run in the $40s to $50s, with a lower-priced tier for riders under a height cutoff. Individual ride tickets run roughly $6 to $12 each.
How old is the Giant Dipper roller coaster?
It opened in 1925 and is a National Historic Landmark — one of a small number of surviving wooden coasters from that era still operating.
Where do you park for Belmont Park?
There's a small on-site lot that's free for a limited period with validation, but it fills fast. Otherwise expect difficult Mission Beach street parking, especially on summer weekends.
Is Belmont Park worth it?
As a two-hour add-on to a Mission Beach day, yes — especially for the Giant Dipper and families with kids aged 4 to 12. It's too small to justify a full-day trip on its own.
What's the height requirement at Belmont Park?
It varies by ride, with 48 inches the common minimum for the Giant Dipper and the larger thrill rides. Check the posted height chart before buying a wristband for a small child.
Keep reading
Things to Do in San Diego
The full activity guide, sorted by the kind of day you want.
San Diego Events Calendar
What's on this week, this month and the rest of the year.
Mission Beach Guide
The boardwalk, the beach, parking and where to eat.
San Diego with Kids
The attractions that actually work with young children.
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