This wooden roller coaster was built in 1924 by Arthur Looff, son of Charles I.D. Looff, who built the Carousel at the Boardwalk. In the early 1970s, the Giant Dipper became the last "classic roller coaster" between Vancouver, British Columbia and San Diego, California.[12] It is only one of three Church rides to still operate. The other two are Dragon Coaster at Playland Park and Giant Dipper at Belmont Park.[5] It is one of the only roller coasters that are still operating from what ACE calls the "golden age of roller coasters."[13] Other than being the oldest roller coaster in California, the ride is also one of the oldest roller coasters in the world. It also remains a thrilling, bone rattling ride!