Giant Dipper — San Diego
Giant Dipper
Frank Prior and Frederick A. Church · Wooden roller coaster · 1925 · Belmont Park, Mission Beach, San Diego
Photo: Rsamples / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0), taken 28 October 2024. Full photograph shown.
The Giant Dipper opened on 4 July 1925 as part of John D. Spreckels’ Mission Beach Amusement Center. It closed in 1976, was saved by volunteers and has run again since 11 August 1990. American Coaster Enthusiasts Checked
More photos
4 things to know
- Four weeks to buildACE says Frederick Church, helped by his partner Thomas Prior, finished the 2,600-foot ride in four weeks for $50,000. American Coaster Enthusiasts Reported
- Saved by a committeeAfter it closed in 1976, the grass-roots Save the Coaster Committee fought for it; ACE says volunteers saved it from demolition in 1982. American Coaster Enthusiasts · American Coaster Enthusiasts Checked
- Builders on the recordThe National Historic Landmark nomination names (Thomas) Frank Prior and Frederick A. Church as builders. National Park Service Checked
- A 2026 renovationAfter five weeks of work, reportedly costing $1.6 million, it quietly reopened on 14 March 2026. American Coaster Enthusiasts Reported
Check-in guide
- 📍
- Belmont Park, Mission Beach, San Diego. National Park Service · American Coaster Enthusiasts Checked
- 📏
- ACE gives 2,600 feet of track. American Coaster Enthusiasts Reported
Sightings
- 192523 Jun
Builders pose before opening · City of San Diego
- 19254 Jul
Opened at Mission Beach
- 1987
Named a National Historic Landmark
- 199011 Aug
Reopened after restoration
- 201420 Feb
Photographed at Belmont Park
- 202428 Oct
Photographed on the drop
- 20253 Jul
Turns 100 · KPBS
- 202614 Mar
Reopened after renovation · ACE
Green stamps are dated photographs and official records; amber stamps are news reports and visitor guides. The status stamp follows the newest dated source, 14 March 2026.
On the record
An update on ACE’s first Centennial award winner, Giant Dipper
“The ride quietly reopened on March 14, 2026, at 2:35 p.m.”
The facts
- Builders
- (Thomas) Frank Prior and Frederick A. Church. National Park Service Checked
- Opened
- 4 July 1925. American Coaster Enthusiasts · City of San Diego Checked
- Place
- Belmont Park, Mission Beach, San Diego. National Park Service Checked
- Fire
- 1955 according to ACE; 1957 according to the National Park Service. American Coaster Enthusiasts · National Park Service Conflicting
- Reopened
- 11 August 1990. American Coaster Enthusiasts · American Coaster Enthusiasts Checked
- Landmark
- National Register 1978; National Historic Landmark 1987. National Park Service Checked
Related
- I Can’t Believe You Can Still Ride These (9 Photos): the World Art Utopia collection that includes this coaster.
- Giant Dipper, Santa Cruz: Arthur Looff’s 1924 Giant Dipper, built with a Prior and Church license.
All sources (8)
Records, parks and news
- American Coaster Enthusiasts: http://www.ridewithace.com
- American Coaster Enthusiasts: http://www.ridewithace.com
- National Park Service: npgallery.nps.gov
- National Park Service: http://www.nps.gov
- City of San Diego: http://www.sandiego.gov
- KPBS: http://www.kpbs.org
Photos
Artwork File · Last checked 9 November 2026 · Certainty labels follow How We Verify Art · All Artwork Files