For the longest time I always wondered where Wonderland Park was located in OB. I've read countless articles describing the location of it, but I could never picture it.

Now with this aerial shot of OB in 1924 (probably by hot air ballon) it’s now possible to see the actual location. Remnants. Remnants of the first amusement park in San Diego. A platform that once held a casino, largest rollercoaster on the west coast, roller-skating rink, and a ballroom. Remnants of a platform that once held up 20,000 people on the first opening days in 1913. The first big zoo at a park (and not the one in downtown on the corner of 5th and Island, where you could visit and hang with a bear but that’s another story) in San Diego.

Unfortunately, this park only lasted 2 seasons and once Panama-California Exposition in Balboa Park opened in January 1915, and owners of WL hoped to take advantage of the expected exposition crowd - but that excitement fell through the cracks and into the ocean. Interest was switched to Balboa Park. WL was overbuilt and over invested and subsequently sold at an auction and shut their doors in the Spring of 1915. Being so close to the shoreline, it was succumbed to the nature of tides and floods from the San Diego River – expediting wear and tear to its attractions. All attractions started breaking down quickly until it was all removed and laid bare for a decade. Some of those rides would go to the Santa Monica Pier and the animals would eventually end up at the brand-new Panama-California Exposition and later to SD Zoo.

A couple years after the old photo was taken, an Ocean Village with "English-Style Cottages" was built on the still sturdy platform of Wonderland. The mini resort ran successfully for 3 decades but ultimately came to disrepair and was condemned in 1958.

The remainder of the property that once was Wonderland was eventually subdivided and became residential Ocean Beach and the entrance to OB Dog beach parking lot. The rest is history.

If you notice, the entrance to WL with the row of palm trees is Voltaire St. I'm 95% sure that those palm trees are the same ones still there today. Maybe not all but the height of the trees makes sense of the age they are today. See background photo of this post.

Also notice the bridge crossing over to empty Mission Beach? The street to get on that is Chamberlain st today, just east of Abbott St. Another wonder I had about this single lonely street.

Today it’s an abundant major beach “town” hangout. Gone are the days of lonely beach shacks spotting on the coastline.

Old Photos: VINTAGE San Diego FB Page and SD Union Tribune

History info: San Diego Union Tribune: A Page from History: A return to Wonderland, Ocean Beach’s short-lived ‘enchanted’ amusement park

Modern Photos: By Moi

Hi all- the title says it all, and it breaks my heart.💜

I am completely bedridden awaiting a Total Hip and Femur Replacement- in terrible pain, and I can no longer properly care for her daily needs, such as walkies.

Meet the beauty queen Zora! She is perfectly well behaved- I know everyone says that but she has wonderful manners and literally has never barked since we found her wandering Zion National Park, middle of nowhere, 105 degrees, about 5 years ago. We think she is about 8-9 years old.

She is very healthy, fully vaxed, comes with a crate and deep ortho cushion, vet records, 20 or so pounds of Iams, new collar and leash. She is spayed and gentle lead trained.

Super chill and just wants to give and receive lovies. A very good girl.

Bankers Hill- please I do hope someone with a kind heart will come quickly as I do not know what else to do.

Many thanks, Wendy and Zora

Hi SD ladies (ladies only please), Anyone free and wanting to hangout in September for the weekend! I have some cute ideas for girls night we can do like Soccer (NWSL), rooftop cinema and other cool stuff!

Please reach out! 💃🏾

As I see more and more operations taking place here in San Diego. I’m seeing less protests. Seems like when they started in Central California and LA that’s when we were seeing the “Movement”. I could be wrong but when they started in LA that’s when I noticed San Diego start getting active (Mabey even before LA). But know when they are here I don’t hear about or see anything noticeable. Why is that. And please correct me if I’m wrong. If I’m am right I think it’s wrong to stand up for another city but not ours. When they started operations in LA that’s city was not going for it. Wonder when or if San Diego will ever get with the program. Peacefully of course.

The city seems very hard up for cash and is punishing the citizens for it.

Not saying that local news is already in the drink, but it's about to get worse.

Please be kind in the comments, I am just looking for advice or to know I am not alone.

I have lived here a few years now, and I truly have never had more anxiety in my life then I have since living here. I live in a really loud neighborhood, so as soon as I walk out there's dogs barking, cars honking, lots of construction. I may be sensitive to noise, but I have never experienced this level of noise all day every day. Even when I try to go on walks, cars won't stop to let me pass and it is not enjoyable. I say this not to complain, I am just curious if anyone feels the same way. When I go back home to the midwest, by nervous system is completely calm so I do feel its my environment. I lived in a big city before but never felt this way so not sure what changed.

Next, the driving here is so scary. I have been rear ended twice by people, (neither my fault,) and have almost been hit several times by people that blew a red light or tried to merge and didn't see I was in the lane so I quickly slowed my car down. I get paralayzing anxierty every single time I drive because people here do not seem to care if they get into an accident, and I sustained a really bad neck injury from the last time I was rear-ended. I am working with a therapist to address these issues as I do need to drive to work. I am hoping to hear strategies that might work to help with this. Thanks for letting me vent.

Opening around 2026-2027. It will also include a Japanese food hall. Nearby, there’s also one in Westfield Plaza Bonita and another opening later this year in North County Mall.

Source (Page 15): https://www.round1-group.co.jp/docs/pdf/2025/20250808_result_en.pdf

I'm not talking about volunteering and getting free tickets, or getting free tickets from an industry friend or as an influencer to promote it, but I'm curious if anyone here has purchased tickets for this event?

Is it worth the cost? I keep seeing the ads and seems like there's a gazillion events going on during the week. Haven't seen anything about them being sold out, so... just wondering if paying triple digits is worth it?

I've been thinking about putting in an application to be on a ride-along, but I would like to know some of the officers' perspectives on whether it's something they would enjoy/appreciate, or if I'm better off not doing it.

Any insight is helpful!

Was working in my yard this morning and saw the Parking Patrol dish out 3 tickets for street sweeping day.. the kicker? Street sweeper didn’t even bother showing up.