1999 Ralph's/Food4Less Bill Muncey Cup
The History of Mission Bay Park...
In 1960 city leaders decided to turn the marshlands north of Point Loma (which the early Spanish explorers had called "the false bay") into 4,600 acre aquatic playground.
Mission Bay Park is the largest facility of its kind in the world, created by dredging, filling and landscaping, it is a monument to the outdoor lifestyle. Powerboating, swimming, fishing and sailing all occupy separate designated areas. Sports enthusiasts play volleyball, softball and horseshoes on park and picnic areas, and use the 27 miles of bayfront and 17 miles of oceanfront beaches for bicycling, rollerblading, and jogging. Some people come to the park just to relax, but most actively use the facilities.
Mission Bay is also home to the Bill Muncey Memorial Race Course. When Mission Bay Park was created the course became the only one of its kind designed specifically for Unlimited Hydroplane racing. As a result the protected waters became the finest and fastest liquid oval in the world today. The City of San Diego Municipal Code provides for up to 10 days of unmuffled powerboat racing on the bay each year, and four additional days for Unlimiteds alone.
Spread throughout the park are resort hotels, camping areas and Sea World of California, the famous 150 acre marine park which features skillfully trained marine mammals.
Mission Bay offers a variety of recreational vehicle and tent camping facilities including some with beaches. At the other end of the accommodations scale are a variety of upscale resort and family hotels, complete with beaches, golf, tennis, boating, fine dining and tropical landscaping. The 18-hole Mission Bay Golf Course is open to the public.
The fun doesn't stop at the edge of the park. Located on Mission Boulevard, a busy strip with lots of nightlife just west of Mission Bay Park, are the lively beach communities of Pacific Beach and Mission Beach. In addition to dozens of interesting shops, sidewalk cafes and boardwalks, there are uninterrupted miles of sand, perfect for sunbathing, jogging or launching yourself into the surf on a rented boogie board.
One of the most exciting Mission Beach attractions for the young at heart is Belmont Park. This specialty shopping and entertainment center features two vintage landmarks: The Plunge, the largest indoor swimming pool in Southern California, first opened in 1925. And, the Giant Dipper, a fully restored wooden roller coaster which gives thrill-seekers the ride of their lives on over 2,000 feet of track.
(Republished from Hydros™)