MISSION BEACH – Few landmarks in San Diego can claim a history as deep as The Plunge. Originally called The Natatorium, it was constructed in 1925 as the centerpiece of Belmont Park, alongside the iconic Giant Dipper roller coaster.
Located in Mission Beach, this indoor swimming facility quickly became a focal point of recreation along the California coast. Known then as the world’s largest saltwater pool, it welcomed families, athletes and tourists for decades. Today, nearly 100 years later, The Plunge has been re-imagined for a new generation, without losing its historic charm.
Commissioned by developer John D. Spreckels, the original structure was part of the Mission Beach Entertainment Center. Designed in a Spanish Renaissance style reminiscent of nearby Balboa Park, the building featured massive archways and tiled details that mirrored the beauty of San Diego’s cultural landmarks. The pool measured 60 feet by 175 feet and held more than 400,000 gallons of ocean-fed saltwater…