Mission Beach in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Mission Beach Roller Coaster
Giant Dipper
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 30, 2015
1. Mission Beach Roller Coaster Marker
Mission Beach Roller Coaster has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
This site possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America.
Erected 1987 by National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior. (Marker Number 1044.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.
Location. 32° 46.263′ N, 117° 15.108′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in Mission Beach. It can be reached from Mission Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3146 Mission Blvd, San Diego CA 92109, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Giant Dipper (a few steps from this marker); Belmont Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles W. Hardy (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Lifeguard (approx. 1½ miles away); Ocean Beach Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Ballad of P.B.
this page online
More about this marker. The marker was mounted on the fence at the entrance to the roller coaster (notice the holes between the two signs). The marker is now located in the roller coaster museum.
This is California Historical Landmark No. 1044 Giant Dipper Roller Coaster - The 1925 Giant Dipper Roller Coaster (or Earthquake) is a large wooden roller coaster, and its highest hills reach a height of 75 feet. It is one of only two large wooden scaffolded roller coasters remaining on the West Coast. The Giant Dipper was designed by noted coaster builders Prior and Church. It is the prime survivor and most visible symbol of the Mission Beach Amusement Center. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
Additional keywords. California Historical Landmark 1044, Giant Dipper Roller Coaster
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 30, 2015
2. Mission Beach Roller Coaster Marker
Marker was mounted on fence at entrance to roller coaster (notice the holes between the two signs).
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 30, 2015
3. Mission Beach Roller Coaster
Museum is the building at right.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 30, 2015
4. Mission Beach Roller Coaster Markers
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 30, 2015
5. Mission Beach Roller Coaster Markers
circa 1925
6. Mission Beach Roller Coaster
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 18, 2026
7. Mission Beach Roller Coaster Markers
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 18, 2026
8. Markers and Original Roller Coaster Car
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 18, 2026
9. Mission Beach Roller Coaster
Credits. This page was last revised on March 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 791 times since then and 62 times this year. Last updated on February 10, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 8, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 7, 8, 9. submitted on March 19, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
