Belmont Park Unveils Upgrades Ahead of Summer

Historic San Diego amusement park invests $1.6M in iconic Giant Dipper roller coaster and adds new family attractions.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:48pm

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An impressionistic, out-of-focus scene of people enjoying the rides and attractions at Belmont Park, with blurred figures and vibrant, warm colors creating a dreamlike, nostalgic atmosphere.Belmont Park's revamped rides and attractions will bring a sense of nostalgic joy and family fun to San Diego's iconic beachfront amusement park this summer.San Diego Today

Belmont Park in San Diego's Mission Beach neighborhood is unveiling a multimillion-dollar revamp just in time for the busy summer season, featuring upgrades to its historic Giant Dipper roller coaster and new attractions for visitors. The nearly century-old amusement park expects around 150,000 visitors during peak summer months as families return to enjoy the updated rides, beachfront views, and classic attractions.

Why it matters

As one of San Diego's most iconic and beloved amusement parks, Belmont Park's investments in modernizing its facilities and adding new family-friendly features will help ensure it remains a top summer destination for locals and tourists alike. The upgrades to the Giant Dipper, a 100-year-old wooden roller coaster, demonstrate the park's commitment to preserving its historic charm while enhancing the rider experience.

The details

The $1.6 million rehabilitation project on the Giant Dipper focused on smoothing out the wooden track to improve comfort for riders while maintaining the coaster's historic character. In addition to the coaster upgrades, Belmont Park has introduced a new free-access play structure near Shipwreck Cove designed for younger visitors and families.

  • The Giant Dipper roller coaster just turned 100 years old in 2025.
  • The $1.6 million rehabilitation project on the Giant Dipper was completed in February 2026.
  • Belmont Park expects around 150,000 visitors during the peak summer months.

The players

Belmont Park

A nearly century-old amusement park located in San Diego's Mission Beach neighborhood, featuring classic rides, beachfront views, and family-friendly attractions.

Sarah Abelsohn

The marketing director for Belmont Park, who provided details about the recent upgrades to the Giant Dipper roller coaster.

Sofia Holt

A longtime visitor to Belmont Park who shared her favorite rides and attractions at the amusement park.

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What they’re saying

“So the Giant Dipper, which just turned 100 years old last year, it's going into a 101st birthday in July, just went under a six-week rehab this past February.”

— Sarah Abelsohn, Marketing Director, Belmont Park

“A little girl, coming here for the first time, especially being little like, very, very, very little.”

— Sofia Holt

“My favorite ride is either Mic Drop, which is over there, or it's either one of the newer ones back over there.”

— Sofia Holt

“A playground that you usually see, that you would see at the park, no, there's one at Belmont Park. You would usually think that you would have hot dog on a stick only at malls, no, we have hot dog on a stick here. You'd believe we only had ocean to swim at, no we have a plunge.”

— Sofia Holt

“I mean, it doesn't get more iconic than this, and it also doesn't get more Sandiego than this. Like, where else can you go Go out for a surf, hit up the beach, ride on the roller coaster, go into the arcade, and then eat like, some really great bites.”

— Sarah Abelsohn, Marketing Director, Belmont Park

What’s next

Belmont Park is expected to see a surge in visitors as families flock to the revamped amusement park for the summer season.

The takeaway

Belmont Park's investment in upgrading its iconic Giant Dipper roller coaster and adding new family-friendly attractions demonstrates the park's commitment to preserving its historic charm while modernizing the visitor experience. As one of San Diego's most beloved summer destinations, these upgrades will help ensure Belmont Park remains a top draw for locals and tourists alike.