Entrance to the Plunge and
Bath House. Circa 1925
Diving in the Plunge. circa 1926
The fountain. Currently, only
the island exists in the shallow area.
The old iron work revealed
in the 1987 renovation
Why are there swastika tiles around the The Mission Beach Plunge swimming pool?
History of The Mission Beach Plunge
Southern California's Largest Indoor Heated Pool Built in 1925
The Mission Beach Plunge in San Diego opened in May, 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”.
Other than the Giant Dipper roller coaster, also located at the Belmont Park, The Mission Beach Plunge is the only remaining structure to survive from the original Belmont Park. It's had over 1 million people learn to swim in its pool, with swimming celebrities such as Esther Williams and Johnny Weissmuller once having
performed there.
Eventually in 1940, when the salt-water began to damage the filter system in the pool, 400,000 gallons of salt-water was replaced with an equal amount of fresh water, reducing the pools the bragging rights, to now only “The largest indoor heated pool in Southern California”.
The pool continued smooth operation until eventually in 1970’s problems began to take their toll. The Plunge eventually was closed in April of 1987 because the pool itself and the building housing the pool, failed to meet city earthquake and fire requirements.
This closure applied to the entire park, including The Big Dipper, the roller coaster featured in Park, as well as all retail centers located throughout the remainder of the property. The Plunge, as well as the remainder of Belmont Park under went some major renovation and eventually the 12,000 square foot Plunge reopened in the summer of 1988 with a whole new look.
Though The Plunge endured many modifications, certain features historic to the pool were rescued and allowed to stay, such as the steps into the pool and the pedestal, located at the bottom of the steps.
Today The Plunge is once again facing another face lift, though not as drastic as the previous construction. Although the pool and large structure is owned by the City of San Diego, Wave House San Diego, LLC operates it and is currently transforming it into an health and fitness athletic club geared toward the board sport lifestyle.
"Orcas off Point Loma" painted by world-renowned
environmental marine artist Wyland. 140'x40' 1989