San Diego History Center in Balboa Park I Wed to Sun, 10am to 4pm | Open on Memorial Day Monday 30, 10am to 4pm
The Junípero Serra Museum in Presidio Park I Fri to Sun, 10am to 4pm
San Diego History Center in Balboa Park I Wed to Sun, 10am to 4pm | Open on Memorial Day Monday 30, 10am to 4pm
The Junípero Serra Museum in Presidio Park I Fri to Sun, 10am to 4pm
San Diego History Center | San Diego, CA | Our City, Our Story
San Diego History Center | San Diego, CA | Our City, Our Story

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Early San Diego Amusement Parks

Belmont Park roller coaster ~ 1925

Unknown Location

  • Early San Diego carousel

 

Coronado’s Tent City, about 1915

  • multi-wheel ride
  • burros for hire

 

Wonderland – Ocean Beach Amusement Park

  • Abbott Street park entrance
  • roller coaster & waterslide
  • mother & two children, Monkeyland sign

 

The Isthmus, Panama-California Exposition, Balboa Park 1915-1916

  • Ferris Wheel, Thompson’s roller coaster in background
  • Thompson’s Scenic Railway entrance
  • Palais de Dance
  • Toadstool ride
  • The Yelps (an early Matterhorn without the bobsled ride)

 

Belmont Park – Mission Beach Amusement Park

  • Giant Dipper roller coaster on opening day – July 4 1925
  • Giant Dipper line, ticket booth detail of above
  • Giant Dipper ticket booth and train
  • Carousel and Fun House
  • Fun House entrance
  • Bath House, c. 1925
  • Mission Beach, c. 1925
  • Aerial view of Mission Beach, 1926
  • Aerial view of Mission Beach, c. 1927
  • Sailors and bathers at food stands, c. 1942

 

The Midway, California Pacific Exposition, Balboa Park 1935-1936

  • Crime Never Pays, Ripley’s Believe-It-or-Not, Monsters Alive
  • Bailout, parachute jump – detail

 

Del Mar Fairgrounds

  • Ferris wheels on “Gay Way”, 1948

San Diego History Center

Located in the heart of Balboa Park
1649 El Prado, Suite #3
San Diego, CA 92101

For general inquiries:
info@sandiegohistory.org
619-232-6203

For media inquiries:
media@sandiegohistory.org

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Research Archives

Lower level of the San Diego History Center
1649 El Prado, Suite #3 San Diego, CA 92101

For research questions:
collections@sandiegohistory.org
619-232-6203

Junípero Serra Museum

Located in Presidio Park
2727 Presidio Drive, San Diego, CA 92103

As of December 20, 2021: Temporarily closed for refurbishment.

For general inquiries:
info@sandiegohistory.org
619-232-6203

The San Diego History Center a Smithsonian Affiliate and member to the San Diego Museum Council and Balboa Park Cultural Partnership.

The San Diego History Center is funded in part by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture and by the County of San Diego.

Copyright © 2022

Virtual access to digital collections available 24/7

collections.sandiegohistory.org

info@sandiegohistory.org

619-232-6203

San Diego History Center

Located in the heart of Balboa Park
1649 El Prado, Suite #3
San Diego, CA 92101

info@sandiegohistory.org

619-232-6203

Junípero Serra Museum

Located in Presidio Park
2727 Presidio Drive
San Diego, CA 920103

info@sandiegohistory.org

619-232-6203

About
  • The San Diego History Center
  • Research Services
  • The Junípero Serra Museum
  • Board of Trustees
  • Accessibility
  • History Hub
  • Opportunities
Learn
  • Learn At Home
  • School Programs
  • Adult Programs
Exhibitions
  • Current Exhibitions
  • Virtual Exhibitions
  • Past Exhibitions
Events
  • Featured Events
  • Calendar Of Events & Programs
Join
  • Become A Member
  • Renew Or Upgrade
  • Membership FAQs
Support
  • Donate
  • Annual Giving
  • Planned Giving
  • Volunteer
Rent
  • Private Events – Serra Museum
  • Private Events – History Center
  • Meetings, Lectures & Workshops – History Center
Buy
  • Historic Photos
  • Program And Event Tickets
  • Become A Member
Research
  • Research Services
  • Special Collections
  • Journal Of San Diego History
  • Online Catalog
  • Donate An Artifact

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