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.

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

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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

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Parasailing off the cliffs of La Jolla, San Diego
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Adventurous Things to do in San Diego

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Go Ghost-Hunting Here’s a way to increase your heart rate without going to the extreme lengths of e.g. jumping off a cliff strapped to a man with a big parachute. Once described by LIFE magazine as ‘the most haunted house in America’, The Whaley House in San Diego’s Old Town has seen its fair share of grisly deaths over the years and was reputedly built on the site of a former gallows. Eek. Scare yourself silly on one of the museum’s spooky evening tours – if you dare. Save on adventurous 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
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Visiting San Diego on a Budget - A Simple Way to Save on Your Vacation

There is a reason California has been deemed the Golden State of our nation. With seemingly endless beaches and sunshine - California offers an outdoor playground for kids and families of all ages. Southern California is a great choice for budget-minded travelers when you use a Go San Diego Card, which makes visiting San Diego on a budget a breeze. We’ve connected with some SoCal locals to put together a list of budget-friendly family fun for your next San Diego adventure. Save on Admission to Tourist Attractions Admission to many of these San Diego tourist attractions are included on the Go San Diego Card. The Go San Diego Card give you the flexibility to choose as you go from dozens of top attractions to create a vacation tailored to your family's interests. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more. A few of the attractions include: The San Diego Zoo LEGOLAND® California SeaWorld® San Diego USS Midway Museum And more! Top Attractions to Visit for a Budget Friendly Trip The San Diego Zoo The San Diego Zoo is home to over 3,500 animal ranging from salamanders and frogs to elephants and giant pandas. With a such variety, there is sure to be an animal to wow everyone. This animal haven offers 100 acres of paths surrounded by flourishing plants and is also open 365 days a year. We suggest hopping on the Skyfari to get an overview of the park and map-out your day. The Skyfari offers a bird's-eye-view of exhibits, plants and San Diego’s Balboa Park: you may even scope out an evening picnic spot. Getting In: San Diego Zoo tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card. LEGOLAND® California Located just north of San Diego in Carlsbad, CA, LEGOLAND California is a world of its own. With over 60 rides and attractions, LEGOLAND ignites the imagination while guaranteeing to get everyone’s creative juices flowing. The Imagination Zone exposes children to hands-on stations that allow them to build and race their own cars. Too young to build your own race car? LEGOLAND also offers a DUPLO Play center designed to tap into your toddler's inner engineer. Other attractions at LEGOLAND include: NINJAGO World, Miniland USA, Pirate Shores, Explorer Island and much more for creating a memorable trip. Getting In: LEGOLAND California tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card. SeaWorld San Diego Photo credit: Mike Aguilera/SeaWorld® San Diego Dive into life underwater with a visit to Sea World San Diego. SeaWorld San Diego is home to a variety of aquatic life and allows visitors to get up close and personal with penguins, sea turtles, dolphins, whales, sharks, California sea lions and more! Ever wanted to speak dolphin? SeaWorld San Diego’s Dolphin Interaction Program is a must-do attraction that teaches you to communicate with dolphin’s using the universal language of play and various hand signals. If you’d rather look and not touch – the park offers a number of shows and attractions that both educate and entertain us about life in our oceans. Getting In: SeaWorld San Diego tickets are included on 3, 5, and 7-Day Go San Diego Cards. USS Midway Museum After getting a glimpse of what its life living under the ocean, explore life on the ocean by visiting the USS Midway Museum, America’s longest serving Navy air craft carrier of the 20th century. The USS Midway Museum allows guests to get an inside-look at what life was like aboard the ship for over 225,000 Midway sailors. There are over 60 exhibits that feature all facets of life aboard the Midway from sleeping quarters, engine room, machine shops to the ship’s jail and post office. With over 972 feet to explore, most visitors spend 3-4 hours exploring this “City at Sea.” Getting In: USS Midway Museum tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card. San Diego Harbor Tour There is something amazing about a city-scape from the ocean; hop aboard a San Diego Harbor Tour for the chance to see San Diego Bay from a different perspective. The San Diego Harbor Tour highlights a variety of historical and naval landmarks in San Diego. The tour allows guests to choose between the South Bay’s Coronado Bay Bridge and USS Midway or a tour through North Bay, each tour lasting about an hour. Regardless of which Bay is chosen, you’ll be immersed with both history and beauty while cruising through San Diego Bay! Getting In: One Hour Harbor Tour by Hornblower Cruises are included on the Go San Diego Card. Fun Options to Visit During Your Trip: Whether a short or long-stay in San Diego, this city offers so much. Educate the inner scientist, please the ocean lovers or create your own tour-de-San Diego all whilst saving money; below are some fun budget-friendly options also included on the Go San Diego Card. San Diego Zoo Safari Park – If you didn’t expect to go on an African Safari in San Diego – think again! The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is home to over 2,600 animals including lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, antelope and more! San Diego Air and Space Museum – Located in San Diego’s Balboa Park, fly through aviation history at the San Diego Air and Space Museum. The museum is home to the first vehicle that defied gravity in the sky – a model of the Montgolfier brothers 1783 hot air balloon. San Diego Natural History Museum – Also in Balboa Park, the San Diego Natural History Museum (TheNat) offers enriching history of Southern California and Baja California. View over 200 skulls, fossils and plant life with TheNat’s unique educational family-friendly exhibits. Whale Watching Tour- Spend an afternoon on the water, where you’re guaranteed to see gray whales! This excursion is narrated by a naturalist from Birch Aquarium and will be sure to enlighten you with knowledge off the majestic gray whale. GoCar Tours - Meander through the streets of San Diego with San Diego’s first-ever GPS guided tour car. This little yellow storytelling Gocar will point out landmarks, let you choose the stops and makes for a great way to see the city! Free Activities for a Budget Friendly Vacation San Diego Beaches – A trip to California simply isn’t complete without a swim in the Pacific Ocean. Grab the towels, pack the lunches and take a drive down the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) to one of our favorite beaches near San Diego: Mission Beach, Coronado, Imperial Beach and Moonlight Beach. You won’t want to leave the beach before sunset and be sure to pack the camera – California sunsets are a truly stunning. Seals at La Jolla Cove – While exploring the La Jolla area, you’ll want to follow the crowd for this one. On any given day at La Jolla, people gather around Shell Beach and Children’s Pool to watch as Seals and Sea Lion’s swim and frolic throughout the area. These furry friends are used to modelling for photos all day long and you may even want to capture the 'seal scooch' on video. Seaport Village- San Diego’s Seaport Village will satisfy the foodie, music lover and shopaholic all in one place. With over 50 shops, free outdoor entertainment and a variety of restaurants - this unique area is a great place for an afternoon or evening stroll. Old Town- When the Europeans first settled in California, Old Town San Diego was their place of choice! Historic Old Town is now considered the birthplace of California offering rich history, museums, artisan festivals, galleries and restaurants all in one convenient, beautiful area. Mission Bay Park – With 27 miles of sandy shoreline, Mission Bay is scattered with campers, kite boarders, runners and beach goers alike. Mission Bay is a great place to spend an afternoon or evening picnic. We suggest renting bikes and cruising down the 14-mile bike path while taking in the stunning views. Let's Recap on Visiting San Diego on a Budget There you go - a few great recommendations for things to do when visiting San Diego on a budget. Remember, many of these great budget friendly attraction options and more are included on the Go San Diego Card, where you can save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. So when you are planning your trip, consider including some of these options to your San Diego vacation itinerary.
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