Sitting On California's Coast Is A Beachfront Amusement Park With Iconic Rides And Food

About a century after it was first built, the Giant Dipper Rollercoaster still attracts crowds of thrill-seekers. Generations of riders have been cranked to the first summit, then dropped down the track at 55 miles per hour, and passersby have heard their giddy screams since the attraction first opened in 1925. The Giant Dipper is both an antique and a rite of passage for San Diego youths; the moment they're tall enough to ride — 4 feet and 2 inches — local kids clamor onto the Giant Dipper for their first rollercoaster experience.

The Giant Dipper is the anchor point of Belmont Park, a 7-acre amusement park just north of downtown San Diego. The carnival atmosphere has attracted people to this slice of Mission Bay since the Roaring Twenties, and the park is still popular with families, tourists, and pretty much anybody who likes rides and snacks. Many of the diversions are old-school, such as the carousel and bumper cars arena, while others are 21st-century favorites, like zip lines, climbing walls, sky ropes, and the Lazer Maze. Belmont Park is open year-round thanks to the dependably sunny weather, yet another reason why San Diego makes for a great winter trip on a budget.

As you'll see from several Viator tours and packages, admission to Belmont is free, as is parking in four nearby lots. Viator can score you some deals and bundle Belmont Park with other local experiences or connect you with other travelers who share your zest for mini-golf and tilt-a-whirls.

Belmont Park is located on the edge of the Mission Beach Boardwalk, a 3-mile concourse of walkways and sun-baked sands. This is a wildly popular place to stroll, tan, and rollerblade, and on some days, it feels like all of San Diego has gathered on these shores to bask in Pacific waves. This is also a prime destination for rookie surfers and stand-up paddleboarding; here are some good reasons to learn how to surf.

Mission Bay is a complex mix of landforms and coves, and it's home to parks, entertainment complexes, and the local branch of SeaWorld. Tours can help acclimate you to all this district has to offer, or you can score a ride from one of Mission Beach's many bike-rental shops and explore the palm-dotted peninsulas on two wheels. Mission Beach is packed with accommodations that cater to a wide range of travelers and budgets; whether you're a backpacker who just needs a bunk in the local ITH Hostel or you want a private suite for your family at the luxurious Bahia Resort Hotel, you'll almost certainly find the lodging you're looking for, most of it within view of the ocean. The healthy outdoor vibe and easygoing hospitality have made this area — and San Diego in general — an unexpected destination for fun family adventures.