wow the memories. I remember going there from about 1959 through the last time in 1970. Loved the fun house and the diving bell. the roller coaster though scared the daylights out of me. while I became a roller coaster nut, that one still gives me shivers. so much in the city has changed. I remember, living in Berkeley and as a kid taking the bus across the bridge then public transportation out to the beach. A big trip for a kid back then with just a few friends and no adults along.
This was when San Francisco was at it's best. At least the cost of living in the area was not so outrageous as it is now, plus SF has lost it's real diverse uniqueness. Now I can not afford to live out the rest of my life back home.
grew up at ocean beach. new the man that ran the diving bell in the 1950s. marlyin monroe went on and autographed his hat. the water was dirty, but the best part was comming up and bouncing in the water. spent every day there in the fun house, dodgers, limbo, skee ball, merry-go-round, roller coaster that was dangerous. I truly miss my friends and those days. never will see again. jim
wow talk about nostalgia...my parents and I would go on weekends...strange there are more things I do not remember than what I do remember...I do have vivid and not too pleasant memories of laughing Sally though...
No. This is great, that, I might see myself in a place that was so positive for me in it's day. That I wish I could see me there again at that time, then to be at a place like, Great America in shittycom valley, w/ all the B.S. and hassels of the Bay Area there with you.
I'm so glad I moved out of the Bayorea.
Let's see some kids spend the whole day( in this day in age), at the Fun House. I mean ALL DAY!
@MarsAttacksLeader : I still have my first necktie that my mom bought for me at the Emporium downtown. "4th Floor, men's and boy's clothing, shoes and housewares. Enjoy your day, folks, and thanks for shopping at the Emporium." ;])
The diving bell was awesome. My Uncle Will used to operate that attraction back in the day! The region needs to create a "Renaissance" for the vintage SFO. Gosh, I miss the Doggie Diner, too! Chili dogs were the "bee's knees".
I was actually a kid while Playland was still around and lived less than 2 miles away from it. I don't really remember any ot it though. Thanks for sharing!
It's too bad that it's been gone, I remember being there every sunday with my family so many years ago when we were very little.
Also I remember that area was so lively, when they tore it down, it was never the same again ever!
Somehow I wish that a new Playland was in the planning, I heard a story that the bluebprints still exist but no one or any mayor of the city of San Francisco made any attemps to rebuild a new one
I still think it can be done but no one seems to step foward, sad.
@nicart004 Have you ever heard of "Playland Not at the Beach"??? Because it's still pretty new and it's in El Cerrito Ca about 17 miles from SF about 25 minutes!!! They have an original Laughing Sal There!!! But it's not the one from Playland AT the beach!!!! It's at Santa Cruz.
The diving bell was my favorite. When I was even younger, I loved the kiddie roller coaster ride, even though it's pretty pedestrian compared with real coasters.
When I was older, the Fun House was a blast. I wanted the job of the operator who controlled the blasts of air coming out of small holes bored into the wooden floors. He would target girls wearing skirts (and they loved it!). The wooden slides were exciting to ride down on a burlap 'carpet'.
Absolutely fantastic footage.It hit me hard.
What happened ?
I can't walk in that Safeway still without being irritated.
The condos on La Playa are overrated and overpriced.
I miss Playland
Sal still gives me the creeps at The Musee de Mechanic's arcade section in Fisherman's wharf.She is bestowed such an honor.
ReeferTim 1 month ago
wow the memories. I remember going there from about 1959 through the last time in 1970. Loved the fun house and the diving bell. the roller coaster though scared the daylights out of me. while I became a roller coaster nut, that one still gives me shivers. so much in the city has changed. I remember, living in Berkeley and as a kid taking the bus across the bridge then public transportation out to the beach. A big trip for a kid back then with just a few friends and no adults along.
doggiedad8 2 months ago
I never got to go to Playland, but heard about it. I lived in redwood City, Cal in 1965-1980went to SF but did other things! I like the park!
ladycharsw 3 months ago
I wish the Playland was still there, although i live in fresno, Cal
ladycharsw 4 months ago
I grew up in San Francisco, the CITY in the 60's and we went to playland all the time. thanks for the video.
RandolphAgarn1 4 months ago
I am glad most of you have great memories of Playland. I uploaded a better
quality copy of this video. Playland At The Beach 1960 (Original Film)
RonB681 4 months ago
there's more than enough room to build a new playland on the beach! better yet make it a pier!
BerkeleyBuilt 6 months ago
I was there at Playland as a 12 year-old in 1960.I loved the rides,the Diving
Bell,the Fun House,and the pinball machines.What a fun place it was!
loungerenownrecords 9 months ago
That's me at 0:37,0:38,0:39 of this video! If you don't believe me,please
google "I Want Yo' Number" on YouTube music videos.You'll see me at
the beginning of the Patton Leatha video of our original song.
loungerenownrecords 9 months ago
@loungerenownrecords Are you the man who answers the rotary telephone? Kinda looks like you.
impulsw 7 months ago
@loungerenownrecords
Wow that's pretty cool man XD
Nesplayer 5 months ago
Comment removed
loungerenownrecords 9 months ago
Comment removed
loungerenownrecords 9 months ago
I shot this video on my Kodak 8mm camera when I was fifteen. I really enjoyed
going to Playland At The Beach. I also have a video of the short lived Sutro
Sky Tram ride at the Cliff House during the same time period.
RonB681 1 year ago
This was when San Francisco was at it's best. At least the cost of living in the area was not so outrageous as it is now, plus SF has lost it's real diverse uniqueness. Now I can not afford to live out the rest of my life back home.
bjcpc0337 1 year ago
This is before my time but I've heard my dad and aunts talk about coming here when they were kids...seems like good times
joshtj44 1 year ago
grew up at ocean beach. new the man that ran the diving bell in the 1950s. marlyin monroe went on and autographed his hat. the water was dirty, but the best part was comming up and bouncing in the water. spent every day there in the fun house, dodgers, limbo, skee ball, merry-go-round, roller coaster that was dangerous. I truly miss my friends and those days. never will see again. jim
jimmyd10100 1 year ago
Do you how many people DIDN'T bring cameras to Playland? This is a gem. Thanks for sharing it.
HistorySmithCom 1 year ago
WOW I Use to go there as a kid what a great time we use to have big fun thanks for that
suchansyn 1 year ago
wow talk about nostalgia...my parents and I would go on weekends...strange there are more things I do not remember than what I do remember...I do have vivid and not too pleasant memories of laughing Sally though...
dolcevitausa 1 year ago
This is scary--I'm afraid I'll see myself in there at the age of 5!
buzzclick500 1 year ago
@buzzclick500
No. This is great, that, I might see myself in a place that was so positive for me in it's day. That I wish I could see me there again at that time, then to be at a place like, Great America in shittycom valley, w/ all the B.S. and hassels of the Bay Area there with you.
I'm so glad I moved out of the Bayorea.
Let's see some kids spend the whole day( in this day in age), at the Fun House. I mean ALL DAY!
MarsAttacksLeader 1 year ago
@MarsAttacksLeader : I still have my first necktie that my mom bought for me at the Emporium downtown. "4th Floor, men's and boy's clothing, shoes and housewares. Enjoy your day, folks, and thanks for shopping at the Emporium." ;])
buzzclick500 1 year ago
@buzzclick500 My Mom worked at the Emporium. I miss the Christmas time Roof Rides. When you're on the Ferris Wheel, you could see all over the city.
MarsAttacksLeader 1 year ago
@MarsAttacksLeader : WOW. ;])
buzzclick500 1 year ago
The diving bell was awesome. My Uncle Will used to operate that attraction back in the day! The region needs to create a "Renaissance" for the vintage SFO. Gosh, I miss the Doggie Diner, too! Chili dogs were the "bee's knees".
vicdisney 1 year ago
I was actually a kid while Playland was still around and lived less than 2 miles away from it. I don't really remember any ot it though. Thanks for sharing!
MartyInLa 1 year ago
Been down in that Diving Bell many of times, dont remember it resurfacing back up so violently like that!!!! lol
TheShirlSquirrel 1 year ago
It's too bad that it's been gone, I remember being there every sunday with my family so many years ago when we were very little.
Also I remember that area was so lively, when they tore it down, it was never the same again ever!
Somehow I wish that a new Playland was in the planning, I heard a story that the bluebprints still exist but no one or any mayor of the city of San Francisco made any attemps to rebuild a new one
I still think it can be done but no one seems to step foward, sad.
nicart004 1 year ago
@nicart004 Have you ever heard of "Playland Not at the Beach"??? Because it's still pretty new and it's in El Cerrito Ca about 17 miles from SF about 25 minutes!!! They have an original Laughing Sal There!!! But it's not the one from Playland AT the beach!!!! It's at Santa Cruz.
impulsw 1 year ago
Dang, I did not know that the diving bell came back up so violently! Dont remember getting knocked on my azz !! lol
GR8 footage amd remarkable film quality for being so old
Thanks so much for bringing me back to my childhood clendenin10
TheShirlSquirrel 2 years ago
Aw, this brings back memories of when I was just a young flipper flapper (young boy)!!! I honestly love laffing sal!!!
impulsw 2 years ago
@impulsw ,well, get in line. I love her as well.
gittahfiend 1 year ago
The diving bell was my favorite. When I was even younger, I loved the kiddie roller coaster ride, even though it's pretty pedestrian compared with real coasters.
When I was older, the Fun House was a blast. I wanted the job of the operator who controlled the blasts of air coming out of small holes bored into the wooden floors. He would target girls wearing skirts (and they loved it!). The wooden slides were exciting to ride down on a burlap 'carpet'.
ButtercupsTrueLove 2 years ago 6
wow, i remember going here as a kid... great footage.. ty
qantonidas61 2 years ago 10
This is great footage of a place that just vanished.
My first time there was in 1967. I used to go right
up until the end. I could not believe that they would
take this away for a bunch of apartments. SF needed
a place like this. They should come up with a new version.
thetallentpool 2 years ago 13
I was only 2 in 1960. But, when I turned 5, my parents took me there all the time.
CoOlTy3000 2 years ago 7