Bored of spending a relaxing day at the beach, basking in the bright sun, frolicking in the waves? If so, we think you’re crazy… but we’ve got an idea for you if you need a little change. There are so many fun things to do on the sand in San Diego, you just have to try to ignore that alluring ocean.

We suggest visiting Belmont Park, just seconds from the coast, so you can get a taste of both worlds, land and sea. Belmont Park is an oceanfront amusement park on the boardwalk, located on Mission Beach. Perfect for all ages, this park offers a wide variety of attractions that will guarantee you a great day. The main attraction is the historic Giant Dipper roller coaster, which has entertained children and adults alike since it opened in 1925.

Visitors can enjoy traditional and contemporary attractions like The Liberty Carousel, The Vertical Plunge, Tilt-a-Whirl, Thunder Boats, Krazy Kars, and Speedway Bumper Cars. Ride the artificial waves at the Wave House, play miniature golf on a glow-in-the-dark course, take a dip in the pool, get lost in the mirror or laser maze, climb a mountain and win big in the arcade Center or game stations. You can even shop and enjoy a wide variety of cuisine throughout the park, including beachfront restaurants as well as food court-style dining.

If you just did a double take on “riding the artificial waves,” then yes, you read correctly. While wave machines, wave pools, and surf machines date back to the 1920s, it wasn’t until the late 1980s that anything came close to recreating the thrill and challenge of the ocean. It was then that Wave Loch founder Tom Lochtefeld developed “sheet wave” technology, which he later used to create the FlowRider® and FlowBarrel® wave rides, two of Belmont Park’s most popular rides. .

The FlowRider® is a low profile foil wave that resembles the thrill of an ocean wave that is perfect for beginners and intermediate riders. Its large open face allows riders to express themselves creatively with a variety of movements. The FlowBarrel® incorporates a hollow tube, reef or barrel, along with a nice steep face, resembling the kind of strong waves surfers look for all over the world. Flowboarding (surfing on FlowRider® and FlowBarrel®) is 1/3 surfing, 1/3 snowboarding, with a mix of skateboarding and wakeboarding for fun! You may fall, but the cushioned surface of the FlowBarrel® and FlowRiders® will leave you jumping and itching to try again. Come and enjoy the endless sun and waves, no experience required!

Parking and admission to Belmont Park are FREE! You can also check it out, even if you just want to come for a walk on the boardwalk and have a look. If you decide to try out some rides, wave rides, or other attractions, you can purchase tickets when you arrive. Remember, Belmont Park is right on Mission Beach, so you always have that boring old option to lie down…