Belmont Park050

One of the last surviving oceanfront amusement parks in California, Belmont Park has been around since the 1920s. It has been updated a few times since then, its carnival shows replaced with video arcades, retail stores, and eateries in an attempt to improve its image, but it's still a bit seedy. It's worth visiting, but not recommended for unaccompanied kids after dark. The centerpiece of the park is the Giant Dipper, the original 1925 wooden roller coaster which has been awarded National Historic Landmark status and is often ranked as one of the best wooden coasters in the country. Defunct for many years, it was completely restored and reopened in 1990 with some key safety upgrades. As for the "thrill factor" - it'll get your adrenaline going, but it is pretty tame by today's standards. Children must be at least 50" to ride. The Park's other attractions include bumper cars, a wonderful old Carousel, the Crazy Submarine (one of those sure-to-get-you-sick rotating rides), and a Bungee Jumper. Try to avoid the arcades, if possible. They're really depressing and you need hundreds of tickets (automatically awarded upon completing any game) to win any prizes. A food court has various fast food choices and plenty of sweet treats, like cotton candy. But for sweets, we recommend Zoe's Ice Cream located across the street on Ventura Place. It sells smoothies, SnoCones, frozen yogurt, shakes, and many delicious flavors of ice cream.