Belmont Park

The massive wooden frame of the Giant Dipper roller coaster dominates the skyline above Mission Beach, acting as the primary visual marker for the park. Built in nineteen twenty-five by sugar magnate John D. Spreckels, the amusement center was originally designed to promote land sales and travel along his local railway line. It opened on July fourth of that year as the Mission Beach Amusement Center, featuring the coaster and the Natatorium, an indoor pool later known as The Plunge.