Mission Beach History

The history of Mission Beach dates back as early as 1760. Mission Beach was one of the last communities in San Diego that was developed due to financial hardship in the early 1900's. John Diedrich Spreckels was one of the developers who has a large stake in Mission Beach. After spending much time in Coronado and other San Diego communities, Spreckels wanted to develop his own resort. He started to think of ideas and bring together a plan. What he came up with was a rough sketch of what Mission Beach looks like today. His plan was the basis for other plans. He never did, however, get to see the final product of his vision. Other developers took over after his death and brought many other attractions to Mission Beach. Spreckels wasn't alone in his idea. George L. Barney also helped contribute to the development of the area. Together, a plan was filed with the city on June 1914.  The entire plan was so grand that it even won honors at the "Second Annual Exhibition of Landscape Architects" in Los Angeles in 1925. 
 

The Giant Dipper, also known as the Mission Beach Roller Coaster, is a wooden roller coaster, built in 1925. The Mission Beach Plunge in San Diego also opened in 1925 as the centerpiece of Belmont Park. The 60’ by 175’ pool, was at the time the largest salt-water pool in the world holding 400,000 gallons of water. The building encapsulating The Plunge was styled after the Spanish Renaissance style buildings that were erected in San Diego's Balboa Park between 1915 and 1916, and was originally opened as the “Natatorium”.

Another individual in the beginnings of Mission Beach was J. M. Asher. He is the one that brought the "Tent City" to the area in 1916. Not only that, he had strong influences in the building of a pier and bath houses. Because of all Asher's influence and construction in the area, he is known as the "Father of Mission Beach.

Today, Mission Beach Plunge and the Giant Dipper are the only remaining attractions left from Spreckels' original park.

Mission Beach Today

Mission Beach is a community built on a sandbar between the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay. It is part of the city of San Diego, California.

Mission Beach spans nearly two miles of ocean front.

The main attraction in this hip beach town is Belmont Park, located on the surf and sand in Mission Beach. Near the man-made islands of Mission Bay, this beach runs along Mission Boulevard and boasts a fabulous boardwalk. One of the best places in San Diego to soak up the city's beach lifestyle, this is an unsurpassed area for people watching or building sandcastles. A place for everyone. You can go shopping, take a swim in the ocean or the indoor swimming pool, rent a bike, go roller skating or go on one of the many thrill rides. Have lunch at any of the great eateries - North Shore Cafe, Wave House Bar & Grill, Canes Bar & Grill, Patio Grill, Wing Shack, or 5 Star Grill.

Places to stay in Mission Beach