Belmont Park adds new ride and games, and readies for summer

Turning 98 this year, Belmont Park is gearing up for its upcoming centennial celebration by debuting a new logo, signage, murals, website, and merchandise in July.

The oceanfront Mission Beach amusement park at 3146 Mission Blvd. has also made updates throughout the park including adding murals by local artists, improving ride experiences, adding new rides and food choices, opening a new escape room, and expanding its carnival-style games and arcade.

Of its park-wide re-branding, Belmont Park general manager Steve Thomas said: “It’s a new cool thing we’re launching this summer preparing for next year when we’ll have an elevated summer experience before our 100-year anniversary in 2025. We’ve taken an inside-out approach for the re-branding, unifying the park together with a vision for a world-class beach boardwalk entertainment destination in San Diego creating an authentic Southern California experience.”

As Belmont Park approaches its 100th anniversary, Thomas pointed out, “It is important that we celebrate with a new look. For 98 years, Belmont Park has been a place travelers come to visit and locals come to gather. We want to continue to be that place for people and upgrading the park both in our online presence and in-person experience is vital.”

Historically, Thomas said Belmont Park has always been a strip mall with a roller coaster and a bunch of different tenants with different ideas on how to run their businesses. But, added Thomas, that has all changed. “Over the last five years, we unified the park putting all the pieces together with one marketing vision, and merged or acquired 95% of all the businesses, all the food and beverage, and all of the rides and attractions. We rebuilt the Plunge Pool and brought in Fit Athletic Club & Gym. We felt it was the right time to pull everything together with this new re-brand.”

Belmont Park upgrades include the opening of a new ride called Shipwreck Cove offering thrill seekers ocean and boardwalk views. The ride’s tower features two seats per car pulled up on a rope. Once the rider lets go of the rope – they drop. Concurrently, the tower slowly rotates on its own axis providing 360-degree views.

For the second time since opening Escapology in 2016, Belmont Park has released a new Escapology room, Scooby-Doo and the Spooky Castle Adventure. Opened in January, the Scooby Doo-themed escape room takes place in the town of Crystal Cove, which has been terrorized by monsters and ghosts. A local has gone missing and it’s the players’ job to solve the crime.

Belmont Park also has expanded its Arcade by over 1,600 square feet, adding 14 new games, and doubling the size of its Prize Shack for more opportunities to win epic prizes such as a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch OLED, and much more.

Also, with a seven-acre footprint by the beach, Belmont Park has room for murals and art installations. The park now features seven murals, all done by local and regional artists. The park’s biggest mural, next to the giant rock climbing wall, reads “Supplying Good Vibes Since 1925,” featuring bright colors and a nostalgic message about the park’s history. Other murals can be found around the park, including the iconic pink wall at Sweet Shoppe and a vibrant photo opportunity along the walls of the Lazerblast Arcade.

“It took a lot of time but we’ve created an authentic San Diego feel and pulled together some message and design elements that San Diego can be proud of,” Thomas said. “People from around the world visiting San Diego come to Belmont Park to see what Southern California has to offer.

“We are proud to say we have been true to San Diego culture. We are about sun and sand, good food, and promoting health and wellness with an indoor pool and gym. We are unlike any other park people have ever been to. This idea that you can come to Belmont Park and do yoga, ride a roller coaster, and eat sushi, all in one place, is pretty unique.”

BELMONT PARK

Belmont Park was developed by sugar magnate John D. Spreckels and opened on July 4, 1925, as the Mission Beach Amusement Center.

Features: Giant Dipper roller coaster turns 98 this year. The Giant Dipper is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Plunge historic beachfront pool features floor-to-ceiling glass walls for ocean views and a retractable roof. Originally, the world’s largest saltwater pool was called the Natatorium.

Rides: Flip Out, Beach Blaster, Octotron, Overdrive Bumper Cars, Krazy Kars, Tilt-A-Whirl, Mic Drop, Liberty Carousel, Crazy Submarine, Wave Jumper, Speedway, Zero Gravity.

Attractions: Laser Tag, Lazer Maze, Sky Ropes, Rock Wall, Zip Line, Tiki Town Mini Golf, Xanadu 7D Theater, Coconut Climb.

Games: Arcade, Escapology San Diego, Jungle Gems, Midway Games, Belmont Lanes Mini Bowling, Old Time Phone Booth.

Restaurants: Beach House Grill, Cannonball, Draft, Belmonty’s Burgers, Hot Dog on a Stick, Sweet Shoppe, Dippin’ Dots, Round Table Pizza, Icee, Wetzel’s Pretzels, Beach Treats, and Dole Whip.

For more information, visit belmontpark.com.