Move over Park Place and Board Walk, and make room for Balboa Park and the USS Midway Museum. San Diego has just joined other California cities like Palm Springs, Lake Tahoe and Santa Barbara with the launch of its own special edition Monopoly game.
The announcement of the new version was made on the museum’s hangar deck before dozens of local tourism leaders.
“This ship is a reminder of San Diego’s deep ties to our military community,” said Mayor Todd Gloria during the press conference launching the board game that now highlights America’s Finest City. “It’s also a pretty great venue when you want to make a big statement. Nothing says San Diego has arrived quite like unveiling our own Monopoly board on a giant aircraft carrier.”
This special edition Monopoly game is produced by Top Trumps USA, the American branch of the global games company based in the United Kingdom. A diverse array of Top Trump games are sold in more than 50 countries.
“San Diego is one of the most iconic, vibrant cities in the country,” said Jennifer Tripsea, a sales executive for Top Trumps USA who oversaw the San Diego version’s development. “This edition was created to celebrate everything that makes San Diego unforgettable. It has a perfect mix of culture, tourism and local pride, which makes it an ideal fit for any Monopoly city edition.”
Midway not only has its own space on the board, but its image graced both the center of the board and the game’s box.
“This new version of the game honors so many facets of our great city,” said Terry Kraft, Midway’s president and CEO. “Midway is a perfect fit as a symbol of all the great things here in San Diego.”
Joining Midway on the game board are other important local cultural and hospitality institutions ranging from SeaWorld San Diego and the San Diego Zoo to the Gaslamp Quarter and Old Town San Diego.
Also highly visible in the game is Broken Yolk, the regionally iconic restaurant chain that started in San Diego more than 45 years ago. Since its establishment in 1979, the go-to breakfast and lunch eatery now boasts 41 locations across California, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho and Texas.
“Forty years ago, when my kids were five and six years old, we were down on the floor playing this very game and now we are in the game,” said John Gelaspopoulos, owner of the Boken Yolk. “It’s a feeling I cannot describe. What a great honor.”
“Having a fancy new San Diego edition of Monopoly says something about our city’s place in the world,” said Mayor Gloria. “When you look at this board, you’ll see places on it that define who we are as a city — our parks, museums, small businesses, nonprofit organizations and world-renowned attractions. Each of these spots help tell our story.”
The new special edition is now for sale at retail outlets around San Diego, including Midway’s Jet Shop gift shop. The excitement among the museum’s staff and volunteers hit a fever pitch immediately after the game’s announcement.
Midway docent Bill O’Hara quickly bought four editions for himself and as gifts for family and friends.
“The game brings back warm memories of childhood,” said Bill, who also volunteers for the museum’s safety, curatorial and outreach teams. “The Midway has assumed a new life as a world-renowned visitor destination in San Diego over the past 21 years and adding value to all those folks that work, volunteer and visit this San Diego landmark. How appropriate to see the old monopoly game evolve into geographic specific sites adding local attractions and real estate to make it more realistic to those who call San Diego their home.”
The announcement of the San Diego version was made on the 90th anniversary of the original Monopoly game. The game is now licensed in 114 countries in nearly 50 languages, and has been played by more than 1 billion people. The 1.4 million San Diegans now have a Monopoly edition that they can call their own.
“San Diego isn’t just a destination it’s a lifestyle, and the board reflects the beauty, diversity and personality that make this city one of the best places to live and visit,” said Jennifer. “This edition was created to celebrate everything that makes San Diego unforgettable. Every space on this game reflects a piece of what we love about home. I hope this edition becomes something families, friends and visitors can enjoy for years, something that inspires memories, connection, and of course, a little friendly competition.”
“Only a select group of cities have earned their own version of this iconic game,” said Mayor Gloria. “It’s a fun moment, but it also speaks to the serious pride we have for San Diego, and the work so many people put in every single day to make sure we leave this city better than we found it. This is a game that families have gathered around for generations, and now San Diego gets to be part of that history.”
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