Tips for visiting Belmont Park

Belmont Park is special because it's made up of many smaller rides and attractions, meaning there's something for the whole family. Read on for our top tips on spending a day here.

By Lindsay Eagan
Published: July 18, 2024
Belmont Park

Heading to San Diego for a vacation? You've got to add a stop to Belmont Park to your itinerary. Belmont Park is a whimsical amusement park located on the boardwalk of one of the area's most popular and active beaches, Mission Beach. Belmont Park embodies California beach living and entertainment with an authentic historic chronicle.

Check out our helpful guide for visiting San Diego's Belmont Park, packed full of ways to save on admission, tips for visiting, other nearby attractions, and much more.

Save up to 50% on San Diego attractions

All-access Belmont Park combo passes are available on all Go City® San Diego passes. 

☀️Compare San Diego passes☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 –  ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️ 

Tips for visiting Belmont Park

giant-dipper-roller-coaster-belmont-park

 

  • Plan on breakfast or lunch at the park. You will find everything from acai bowls, Belgian waffles, hot dogs, burgers, salads, freshly squeezed lemonade, grilled cheese sandwiches, and Dole pineapple whips.
  • The area has an abundance of swimming, surfing, body boarding, and sunbathing, and Belmont Park offers a fun place to stroll around while enjoying an ice cream cone or a few amusement rides before hitting the sand and ocean.
  • If you need beachwear, plan on shopping for it at Belmont Park. The shops offer some of the best selections of swimsuits, beach cover-ups, towels, beach toys, boogie boards, sunscreen, and anything else necessary for an entertaining day at the beach.
  • Parking can be a challenge, but the Park does have a parking lot. Street parking is available but frequently at capacity. Mission Bay Park also has parking lots a short walk away and is easier to find a spot.
  • If you love the ocean, plan on trying the wave machine at the Wave House. The attraction allows you to try surfing without having to invest in a board and bodysuit.

Best times to visit the park

Belmont Park is open all year, although many of the rides do not operate during weekdays in the winter months. Early spring and autumn generally offer perfect sunny weather along the coast. June can bring classic San Diego “June gloom,” which is coastal fog early in the morning that burns off by afternoon. Weekends in the summer are very busy, as are holidays all year long.

What you should bring
 

  • Belmont Park is directly adjacent to the sand and surf at Mission Beach, so bring the appropriate articles for a trip to the beach.
  • Sunscreen is a must, especially in the spring and summer months.
  • A camera, especially if you enjoy people-watching and sunsets over the ocean.

Things to do at Belmont Park

Roller_Coster_San_Diego_Belmont_Park

Belmont Park is made up of many different attractions, and each can have different hours depending upon the activity. Probably the most famous attraction at Belmont Park is the Giant Dipper, a vintage 1925 wooden roller coaster that still provides thrills for visitors who enjoy a fast ride. The ride can be a bit bumpy due to its vintage construction, so be prepared. Your All Access Combo Pass includes an entire day of fun on the following ocean front Rides & Attractions...
 

  • Giant Dipper Roller Coaster (Riders must be 50 inches tall to ride)
  • Octotron
  • Beach Blaster
  • Control Freak
  • OverDrive
  • Tilt-A-Whirl
  • Liberty Carousel
  • Vertical Plunge
  • Krazy Kars
  • Crazy Submarine
  • Speedway
  • LazerBlast
  • Tiki Town Mini Golf
  • Sky Ropes
  • Rock Climb
  • Speed Wall

The carnival-like park also offers such attractions as the WaveHouse, which operates the FlowRider and FlowBarrel, which are surf machines producing a continuous perfect wave for bodyboarders and surfers to perfect their sport. Belmont Park also has a wide array of arcade games that are fun for all age groups, including single-player and multi-player options 

Belmont Park funfair rides

The carnival-like park also offers such attractions as the WaveHouse, which operates the FlowRider and FlowBarrel, which are surf machines producing a continuous perfect wave for body boarders and surfers to perfect their sport. A 1 hour FlowRider session is included with the Go San Diego Card) Belmont Park also has a wide array of arcade games that include both single player and multi-player competitions. The arcade is fun for all age groups from kids and teens to adults.

Shopping near Belmont Park

Belmont Park also has some great beach shopping experiences, and you can find the best in surf, skate and bike apparel. Wings offers beach clothes, swimsuits, sandals, shoes, and accessories as well. You can get temporary tattoos and create your own design at the Henna Heaven, then show them off while sunbathing on Mission Beach.

More attractions in the area

Mission Beach

Mission Bay Park is adjacent to grassy picnic areas, water sports, and playgrounds. SeaWorld San Diego is just a short drive from Belmont Park and offers extensive fun and educational opportunities to learn about sea life. The downtown harbor area is just 15 minutes away, with many unique attractions such as The Midway Museum, The Maritime Museum, The Gaslamp District for shopping and clubbing, and Seaport Village.

Just north of Belmont Park in Mission Beach is the beautiful resort town of La Jolla. In La Jolla Cove, you'll find some of the best snorkeling, a protected underwater park, and a marine life refuge area. The village has many upscale boutiques for shopping and great dining spots overlooking the ocean.

Places to eat near Belmont Park

The park hosts a wide variety of restaurants and other eateries if you get hungry from all the fun. You can grab a burger and beer at the Wavehouse Bar and Grill while watching the surfers and boogie boarders practice on the FlowRider, or you can indulge in comfort food such as fish and chips or chili cheese fries. Belmont Park is in the heart of the Mission Beach business district with dozens of restaurants and kiosks to grab a bite to eat.

  • Cane’s Bar and Grill is located at the south end of Belmont Park, and its menu includes pizza, salads, Mexican dishes, and burgers, as well as some awesome veggie burgers. The club also has live entertainment.
  • The Beachcomber Bar will give an authentic taste of beach life with its live music, grub, pool, darts, and free popcorn.
  • La Playa Taco Shop has a wide array of tacos, shrimp, horchata, burritos, carne asada and pico de gallo.
  • The North Shore Café offers breakfast all day, and the Patio Grill serves pizza and submarine sandwiches.

Need to know details

Hours

  • Daily, 11:00 am–5:30 pm. Operating hours vary by season.
  • Check the Belmont Park site for current hours of operation or call (858) 228-9283
  • Closed during inclement weather, Christmas Day, and various weekdays from October to February.

Directions & Address

3146 Mission Blvd San Diego, CA 92109 

Driving: I-5 S to Sea World Drive. Follow the signs to West Mission Bay Drive. I-5 N to Hwy. 8 W. Follow the signs to West Mission Bay Drive. 

Public Transportation: Old Town or Mission Trolley on ‘C’ Street and 3rd Avenue to Old Town Transit Center. Transfer to Bus 34 or 34a to Belmont Park.

Can't choose? No need, see it all with Go City® 

With an All-Inclusive Pass from Go City, you can visit both attractions for a fraction of the cost. Plus, you could save up to 50% on all your San Diego must-sees. Or pick an Explorer Pass, if you've chosen your fave and have a specific bucket list you're dreaming of ticking off.  

☀️ Compare San Diego passes ☀️– 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 –  ✈️ Buy a pass ✈ 

Lindsay Eagan
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

A beach at sunset in La Jolla, San Diego
Blog

Where To Stay in San Diego

Sunny San Diego is made up of a series of neighborhood villages, each with its own distinct personality and stacks of different things to see and do. But where to stay in this often bewildering landscape of canyons, mesas and golden California sands? Surfers and divers could do worse than La Jolla, with its easy access to rolling waves and underwater kelp forests. Bringing the kids? You’ll love the laid back family vibe of Ocean Beach and Coronado. If you’re just looking for some of that legendary San Diego nightlife, that’d be the Gaslamp Quarter and hip nearby neighborhoods of Hillcrest and North Park. Still not sure? Read on for our mini guide to where to stay in San Diego. Best for First Timers San Diego’s atmospheric Old Town is an intoxicating hybrid of Mexican, Spanish and American culture. Here, in the birthplace of California, first timers can truly immerse themselves in the city’s heritage. It’s a place where palm-lined streets are crammed with colorful shops and restaurants inside restored adobe buildings and there are more fab museums, galleries and – gulp – haunted houses than you can shake a very large stick at. Visit the notorious Whaley House Museum, once described by LIFE magazine as ‘the most haunted house in America’ and scare yourself silly on one of their spooky evening tours – if you dare. The nearby Old Town San Diego State National Park contains many more original and reconstructed 19th-century buildings including the old courthouse and restored Cosmopolitan Hotel. It’s a real slice of the Old West, with regular living history demonstrations and a colorful Mexican market housing independent boutiques, artisan souvenirs and, of course, plenty of lip-smackingly authentic taquerias. All of which makes the Old Town a fantastic choice for first-time visitors to San Diego. Couple that with easy access to Downtown, Mission Bay and historic Mission Valley, home to the Insta-perfect Mission San Diego de Alcalá (the sugar-white 18th-century church that gives the region its name), and you have all the ingredients for the perfect introduction to America’s Finest City. Best for Seeing it All Perched on the San Diego Bay, the Downtown neighborhood is the location for you if it’s fine restaurants, the best nightlife and easy access to the city’s bucket-list attractions that float your boat. Head to the waterfront Embarcadero for sport fishing, seal-spotting, sensational seafood and sweeping sunset views of Coronado, and get your fix of pizza and pasta in Little Italy, with its cobbled piazza, ornate tiled fountain and traditional trattorias. Sample some of San Diego’s famously excellent craft beers in the Gaslamp Quarter’s atmospheric dive bars or shake it up with rooftop cocktails and live music here in the city’s nightlife mecca. If you’re planning on seeing the Padres in action or spending a lot of time in Balboa Park (and let’s face it, why wouldn’t you?) Downtown is the place to stay. The Padres’ huge home stadium also puts on major concerts and has hosted such household names as Taylor Swift and Paul McCartney in recent years. Balboa Park is San Diego’s vast green lung. Walkable from Downtown, it also happens to contain some of the city’s biggest attractions, including – deep breath – San Diego Zoo, the Fleet Museum of Science, a Japanese Friendship Garden, the San Diego Museum of Art and an old-fashioned carousel. And that barely scratches the surface. Sun worshippers take note: while San Diego Bay is renowned for its views across the water it is less esteemed for its beaches. Because, well, there aren’t any. Fear not though: Ocean Beach, La Jolla and Pacific Beach are within your grasp thanks to Downtown’s proliferation of cabs and other easy transport links. Best for Families and Beach Lovers Sunny days that number well above the national average, a laid back SoCal vibe and some of the best beaches on the West Coast make San Diego a great choice for family vacations. South of the San Diego River, hippy-dippy Ocean Beach has a lovely community vibe. It’s packed with cute taquerias and boho boutiques and there’s a weekly market with live music and great street food. Not to mention that all-important stretch of sun-kissed California sand, where surfers ride the gently rolling waves, pelicans dive-bomb the herring-rich waters for their dinner and kids hunt for crabs and anemones in exposed tide pools beneath the epic, 600-meter Ocean Beach Pier. There’s even a dedicated dog beach here where your four-legged friends can frolic happily in the surf and sand with their doggo pals. Head over the river to Mission Bay for SeaWorld San Diego, where there are enough thrill rides and sea creatures to keep even the most jaded teen entertained for a day or more. Across the bay, Coronado’s landmark hotel is a tourist attraction in itself. The Hotel del Coronado is a San Diego institution (haunted, of course) that has been hosting US presidents, household-name celebs (you’ve heard of Marilyn Monroe and Sly Stallone, right?) and royalty since the 19th Century. Its turrets are even said to have inspired resident writer L. Frank Baum’s Emerald City in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Families build sandcastles along the fine stretch of golden sand in front of ‘The Del’, go paddle-boarding in the lagoon and gorge on firepit s’mores at sunset. Around 12 miles north of Downtown San Diego, La Jolla is an absolute playground for outdoor types. Set in pine-scented hills along seven miles of coastline, it scratches your surfing, sunbathing, sea-swimming and seal-spotting itches all in one go. Here’s where you can find native harbor seals basking in their dozens at Children’s Pool; spot dolphins and migrating whales from high in the bluffs of wildflower-rich Torrey Pines Nature Reserve; and scuba-dive among the green tendrils of La Jolla Cove’s vast kelp forests. Or get your sea-critter fix at the Scripps Aquarium where you can meet leopard sharks, loggerhead sea turtles and a giant Pacific octopus without even getting wet! La Jolla also boasts fine dining and boutique shopping galore in its village, a world-class clifftop golf course and some of the best outdoor art in the city. It’s also well-placed for day trips to family favorites just north of the city, including LEGOLAND California and the sprawling 1,800-acre San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Best for Hip Young Things Hip with a dollop of history might be the best way of describing Hillcrest and North Park, the alluring uptown neighborhoods that hug the north end of Balboa Park. Hillcrest is the heart of San Diego’s thriving LGBTQ+ community, its streets brimming with lively gay bars and cool brunch spots. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Hillcrest also provides the hub for the annual Pride festival. Each July, thousands of revelers from around the globe descend on its leafy avenues, here for the legendary Parade, huge music festival in Balboa Park and – in some cases at least – the 5k fun run. Like its neighbor North Park, Hillcrest is famed for its fine 1920s Crafstmen’s houses – simple dwellings that date to the 1920s Arts and Crafts movement – as well as being one of the jewels in San Diego’s craft ale crown thanks to the likes of the Hillcrest Brewing Company, self-styled ‘first gay brewery in the world’. North Park’s charming jumble of colorful street art, microbreweries and 1920s style earned it a place in Forbes’ 2012 list of America’s finest hipster ‘hoods, in which it was praised for its creativity and cultural diversity. And you don’t have to wander far in this art lovin’ beer drinkers’ paradise to see what they mean. There’s around a dozen local microbreweries within two or three blocks around University Avenue and 30th. Look out for the Belching Beaver Brewery, right next to the famously Instagrammable Greetings from San Diego mural, and the Fall Brewing Company, with their excellent hazy IPAs and beloved Humpty Dumpty mascot. Save on things to do in San Diego Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Blog

Free Things to Do in San Diego with Kids

When it comes to entertainment, sports, and outdoor activities, San Diego has something for everyone to enjoy. What’s more, there are plenty of family-friendly activities that are free and that kids are sure to enjoy. Here is a selection of the activities to consider the next time you are in San Diego and want to get the kids involved in something exciting. 1) La Jolla Cove – Snorkeling If you enjoy the ocean and are intrigued by aquatic creatures, then there is no better place to go snorkeling than La Jolla Cove. Given the protections for wildlife in the area, you can observe a variety of sea life in a clean and natural environment. The La Jolla area is one of the most affluent in the San Diego area, making a trip to this beach area exciting on multiple levels. You can enjoy the ocean and eat at world-class restaurants. 2) Balboa Park – Free Walking Tour World-class museums, classic architecture and well-kept grounds make Balboa Park an attraction for all ages. There are free walking tours of the park, giving adults and children alike the opportunity to learn about the origins of the park and everything it has to offer. You can take in the architecture and get some exercise, which is positive for everyone involved in the tour. 3) Mission Beach – Swimming & Sunbathing Every year, locals and tourists alike flock to Mission Beach to surf, body-board, swim, and sunbathe. This is an ideal place for kids and adults to spend quality time together. There are also popular restaurants and shops in the area, if you want to grab something to eat or do some shopping. This is a good place to just lay back and relax, while enjoying the ocean breeze. 4) Mission Trails Regional Park – Walking/Hiking Walking and trekking excursions are fun ways to explore, get some cardio in, and bond with the people next to you. Mission Trails Regional Park has some easy trails to trek, allowing you to enjoy the natural beauty of the San Diego area. Be sure to bring the right shoes and even a walking stick. If you and the kids decide to walk during the summer, be sure to wear comfortable clothing and bring some sunscreen. 5) Old Town – Historical Attraction For those that enjoy learning about history and exploring old-time buildings, old town is an ideal place to visit. Kids are sure to enjoy the history, culture, and getting an idea of how things used to be in San Diego. You can explore old town and then venture out into downtown San Diego, which will help give contrast to the new and old ways of living. 6) Mission Bay Park - Biking There are plenty of trails and areas where you can bike along with kids in Mission Bay Park. The paths are easy and the climate will likely be sunny and warm. The backdrop is unique given the many water activities going on in Mission Bay. You can work on your cardio, suntan, and relax in a peaceful environment when you bike this area. 7) Ocean Beach – Dog-Friendly Beach Often-times it doesn’t feel like a family outing unless the pets come to. If you and your kids choose Ocean Beach to swim, sunbathe, and relax, you can bring your pet to dog beach. Your kids are sure to enjoy the sunshine and the laid-back atmosphere of Ocean Beach. Having your pets close by will cut down on the anxiety of leaving them at home or with friends, which will increase your peace-of-mind too. San Diego is a beautiful, diverse city that has everything from world-class beaches, historical sites, and water sports that are free to explore or partake in. If you’re looking to spend some quality time with kids and you don’t want to break the bank, try exploring the free San Diego activities above. If you're looking for free things to do in San Diego for kids in October then the 'Kids go free in October' is a great initiative in San Diego to allow kids free access to major attractions such as zoos and safari parks. You can also save money on the city's best attractions with a Go San Diego pass - see, it is possible to do San Diego on a budget after all.
Andrew Martineau
Blog

A Guide to Whale Watching in San Diego

Due to its ideal location along the Pacific coast, San Diego is one of the premier spots for whale watching in the U.S. Travelers will be amazed at the variety of whales that swim majestically along their migratory patterns through the Pacific Ocean, passing San Diego on their long treks. In fact, roughly 20,000 gray whales make a 10,000-mile round-trip journey from Alaska to Baja California each year! If you’re interested in going whale watching in San Diego, there are a few things to keep in mind before heading out into the open ocean. Check out our guide to San Diego whale watching for important info and tips. When is the best time to go on a Whale Watch? There are two primary seasons for whale watching cruises in San Diego: summer/fall, and winter/spring. During the summer months (mid-June through September), you're more likely to see a greater variety of whales. You could see whales including minke whales, fin whales, humpback whales, orcas, and the largest animal on earth—the blue whale. During the winter whale watch season (mid-December through April), you'll mainly see the remarkable gray whales. Other animals frequently spotted on San Diego whale watches include a diverse array of dolphin species, including bottlenose dolphins, Pacific white-sided dolphins, and common dolphins. You could also see sea lions and several types of sea birds like herons, gulls, and pelicans. Essentially, if you have the freedom to decide what time of year your trip to San Diego will occur, you can arrange it around which kind of whale you’d like to see the most. What to Bring on a Whale Watch? While San Diego’s climate is renowned for being temperate, it’s still chilly out on the open ocean. Bring layers and prepare for unpredictable wind and weather. You’ll be out on the ocean during the day, so it’s also important to wear sunblock and protective eyewear/headwear. As mentioned, it can get breezy and the ocean reflects a tremendous amount of light. (Even on cloudy days.) You should also bring a camera or recording device, ideally a waterproof one. Newer smartphones are usually reliably good for these kinds of photo opportunities, too, if you don’t want to spring for a nice camera. One thing you won’t have to bring is snacks. Most whale watch companies offer their own onboard food and drink, and usually prohibit outside fare anyway. Where Does the Whale Watch Go? Depending on the time of year you’ve selected for your cruise, whale watching ships in San Diego can travel a varying distance away from the coast. During the beginning of the whale watching season (starting in December), gray whales migrating south to warmer waters will stay nearer to the coast. At that time of year, you may only need to sail a few miles offshore to reach their routes. However, later in the spring and into the summer, whales tend to stay further away from the coast so your captain may choose to take the ship about ten or more miles from shore. If you choose a summer whale watch, you may see more diverse marine life as well. Many whale enthusiasts also like to venture further up the coast towards Los Angeles in search of these amazing but elusive creatures. If you choose a whale-watching cruise that departs from Newport Beach, you’ll sail out to one of the largest protected marine parks in the region, located just outside Newport Bay. Whale Watching San Diego Tips Research your whale watching company wisely. Some companies are more of a commercial venture, while others employ real marine biologists from respected institutions like the San Diego Natural History Museum. Certain companies also fail to practice eco-friendly and sustainable behavior toward whales. Therefore, it’s important to choose an ethical whale watch. Be patient. It often takes quite some time for whales to surface around human vessels. Be prepared to sit offshore for a while before sighting any of these gentle giants. This behavior is often the reason whale watch cruises usually last between 3 to 4 hours. Appreciate the other creatures. Whales aren’t the only marine life you’ll come across on your nautical adventures. Keep a careful eye out for cavorting dolphins, swooping birds, and glistening sunfish. They’re just as much fun to see as the star attraction, and are usually more plentiful. You can also see some whales from land. While it’s hard to beat the appeal of being out on the open ocean so close to these impressive creatures, you can also see gray whale migration from places just on the Pacific, like the Birch Aquarium at Scripps or Torrey Pines State Reserve. Whale watching is a great family activity. Kids of all ages will love the chance to catch glimpses of marine mammals several hundred times their size. Just remember to pack things to keep them occupied during the time you’ll be waiting for the whales to breach—even if you think the novelty of being on a boat will be sufficient entertainment. Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity in your vacation photos and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, and events and inspiration for your chosen destination too!
Katie Sagal

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.