Belmont Park - San Diego

Today we didn't have all day to dedicate to a major park so we decided to keep it short and local. There are tons of things to do in the Mission Bay & Mission Beach, it is my favorite place to be San Diego. When I was in high school we used to go down to the beach or bay, and hang out in the sand and water. If that wasn't enough we would ride the Giant Dipper Rollercoaster and hang out at all the different shops and restaurants. When I first turned 21, Mission Beach was were I spent most of my night life drinking at all the different bars and clubs and getting so intoxicated night rides on the Rollercoaster. Belmont Park is not the only amusement park in the area, I'm sure everyone has heard of SeaWorld San Diego. The last time I was in the area was 4th of July 2008. We hung out at family members beach front house and ended the night with SeaWorld's Fireworks display lighting to the sky. Today the sky was covered in clouds, the perfect weather for a wooden coaster.

We didn't have much time so we purchased tickets instead of wristbands which only got us two rides on the Giant Dipper. The ride was pretty good, really smooth from the cold weather, but the ride lacks forces both negative and positive. The only thing that bothered me was the ride restraints, they lock at a really tight setting, so tight I almost didn't get to ride it. This is not for everyone, I am a big guy, tall and thick, but those who are a bit overweight will not be able to fit on this ride. In the past I fit on this ride no problem, but with work being be so limited the past two years, I've put on some weight.


One thing I thought was odd about this coaster is that the experience and forces are pretty much the same no matter where you sit on the train. A ride on the Giant Dipper cost 6$ a ride and there is no on-ride photo system, but there is a small museum for the coaster where you can purchase books, apparel, and view old pictures, facts, and history of the Rollercoaster.


Here is a look at Giant Dipper from the sidewalk along the beach.


Here is the first drop from the model inside the museum.

Here is a view from the opposite side of the model.

The original cars look a lot more comfortable.

Also a lot less safe.

And here is the on-ride video from the front seat. I should have filmed my leg being squashed by the ride restraints.

After two rides on the Giant Dipper we still had enough tickets to ride the Speedway Bumper Cars. The Speedway Bumper Cars is my favorite of the two crash into people type rides offered at the park, and I destroyed Sarah while filming it.

After that we didn't have enough tickets to ride anything worth riding so we gave our last tickets away to a small family. We spent some time down at the beach and then headed over to Roberto's for some great Mexican Food.

I've been eating Roberto's for years (Usually at 2:00 A.M.), I and highly recommend it to those visit the park or area. It is located across the street from the final turn on the Giant Dipper.

How Could you say no to those Carne Asada Fries?

After Roberto's we left the area and went to the Fashion Valley (Mall) to due some boring shopping. Next weekend we should be at Six Flags Magic Mountain, so please come back for that, Thank you for reading, and have fun!

The Pacific Ocean.



"Maybe Next Time!" - Journey To Atlantis at SeaWorld San Diego