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8 0 Midway is a group of tiny islands in the middle of the Pacific, roughly halfway between North America and Asia, where the United States had an airbase. It was there, six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, that the United States sank four Japanese aircraft carriers over the course of a three- day battle. Although less famous than the events of December 7, 1941, the Battle of Midway was even more decisive, and 80 years ago, in 1945, eight days after the end of World War II, the U.S. Navy commissioned the aircraft carrier USS Midway, which would be the largest warship in existence until 1955. e retired warship, which last saw action as flagship of American forces during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, was decommissioned in 1992 after 47 years. e Midway celebrated her 20th anniversary as one of San Diego's most popular destinations as the USS Midway Museum in 2024, and this year is celebrating 80 years since commissioning. e Midway literally changed naval war tactics when she took to the seas in that she was the first U.S. carrier too large to travel through the Panama Canal. At the same time, when first launched, Midway's flight deck was ringed with antiaircraft machine guns to guard against kamikaze pilots, the greatest threat imagined at the time. e machine guns were removed when the original flight deck, designed for propeller planes, was refitted in 1955 with a larger, angled flight deck to accommodate the new jet- powered aircraft. Now captained by retired Admiral Terry Kraft, a Navy pilot who served three deployments aboard Midway including more than 40 combat missions during Desert Storm, the Midway passed the million-visitor mark in 2012 and has welcomed more than 20 million visitors overall. Ironically, one of the hardest parts about bringing the decommissioned ship to San Diego was convincing the city council it could be viable as a museum. Many on the council feared she would turn into a rusting hulk that the city would have to pay to tow away. Instead, with its history and four-acre flight deck offering some of the finest views anywhere in San Diego, the Midway, in addition to being a living museum, now hosts more than seven hundred events a year, including weddings, Navy retirements, reenlistments, and changes of command. midway.org BILL ABRAMS 1 0 0 Celebrating its 100th anniversary, Belmont Park remains an iconic San Diego destination, blending historic charm with modern-day attractions. e beachfront amusement park at Mission Beach delights locals and visitors with rides, games, dining, bike rentals, a full-service athletic club, and endless entertainment. Central to its legacy is the historic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, one of the country's oldest, and Plunge San Diego, Southern California's largest heated pool — both carefully preserved and still beloved today. Guests can ride the coaster, zipline, climb rock walls, play carnival games, or enjoy beachside dining while taking in stunning ocean views. Belmont Park's vibrant event calendar, from concerts to trivia nights, ensures there's always something new to experience. belmontpark.com MIA PARK @ranchandcoast RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2025 45 USS Midway USS MIDWAY: PHOTO COURTESY OF USS MIDWAY MUSEUM BELMONT PARK: PHOTO COURTESY OF BELMONT PARK Belmont Park