Mission Beach Boardwalk

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About

Stretching along W Mission Bay Dr in the 92109 ZIP code, Mission Beach Boardwalk is a beachfront promenade, public beach, and tourist attraction that has anchored San Diego's coastal culture for more than a century. The Ocean Front Walk runs nearly two miles along the Pacific side of Mission Beach, connecting surfers, cyclists, joggers, and families on a paved path that extends north into Pacific Beach. On the bay side, a parallel boardwalk traces calmer waters suited to kayaking and paddleboarding. The boardwalk's most recognizable landmark is Belmont Park, the oceanfront amusement center opened on July 4, 1925, by sugar magnate John D. Spreckels. Its Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster, built by designers Frank Prior and Frederick Church, earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987. After the park fell into disrepair and closed in 1976, a citizen-led Save the Coaster Committee preserved the ride, and a $2 million restoration brought it back to life in 1990. The Plunge, originally the world's largest saltwater pool at 400,000 gallons, also dates to 1925 and remains part of the complex. Beach volleyball courts, a skate area, and cycling lanes line the boardwalk, and surf gear and board rentals are available at shops along Mission Boulevard, including South Coast Surf Shop Pacific Beach further north on the strand. Free parking lots and street parking serve the area year-round.