13 Incredible Places for Roller Skating in California

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For outdoor roller skating fans, all of California can be your rink; and for indoor fans, the arenas are plenty, so it’s time to find your spot and your crew, and enjoy the Golden State on four wheels. 

The roller skating and rollerblading phase of the 1970s and 1980s, never really faded away, not in California at least. The movement might’ve slowed down a little, but never really died. And with the emergence of a whole new generation of skaters, including TikTok skaters, the scene doesn’t seem to be dying anytime soon. At every turn, you can find a group of people enjoying the hobby they all love. It’s not just about the spot anymore, it's more about the crew, and we tell you, there are welcoming skaters all over the place. For outdoor roller skating fans, all of California can be your rink; and for indoor fans, the arenas are plenty, so it’s time to find your spot and your crew, and enjoy the Golden State on four wheels. 

Best Outdoor Spaces for Rollerblading in California

1. Mission Beach Boardwalk 

It’s no secret that the Mission Beach Boardwalk in San Diego is one of the coolest California boardwalks, and it’s one of the places the San Diego roller skating community calls home. The three-mile long boardwalk connects Mission Beach and Pacific Beach, so you get to see them both in one outing. Better yet, as you glide across the boardwalk, you’ll be surrounded by the best taco stands, cafes, restaurants, and the most beautiful beach houses - and suddenly it feels like they’re all there for your entertainment.

2. Venice Beach Roller Skate Dance Plaza

 Venice Beach, California’s coastal paradise, is home to the Venice Beach Roller Skate Dance Plaza, where the biggest and baddest roller dance community in the Golden State thrives. Here, the 80’s iconic roller dance scene is still alive, thanks to street skating heroes, past and present. Joining the crowd for an outdoor roller skating session here is one of the most fun and underrated things to do in Venice Beach.

3. Huntington Beach Oceanfront Paved Path

Are you looking for an exciting thing to do in Huntington Beach? Then it’s time to bring your roller skates outdoors and go exploring the gorgeous beach town’s shoreline. The Huntington Beach oceanfront paved pathway runs the length of the shoreline and takes you places you really want to go. Whether you choose to glide south toward Newport Beach or north toward Sunset Beach is up to you, but the fun is pretty much the same. 

4. Santa Barbara City College Parking Lot

Santa Barbara is known to be one of the best college towns in California, and one of its colleges, namely, Santa Barbara City College (SBCC), has a parking lot that makes the town even better. Every Sunday afternoon, between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., the parking lot is bustling with the biggest outdoor roller skating community coming together to enjoy fun times. If you ever happen to be in the area, join this awesome community, and skate, dance, and make new friends, all in one place. 

5. 6th Avenue Skate Park at Golden Gate Park

If you happen to be in San Francisco, and choose to spend a day in Golden Gate Park, remember to have your roller skates with you. Right between Fulton Street and John F. Kennedy Drive you can find the 6th Avenue Skate Park, one of the best places to roller skate in the area. Even though every day is fun and games here, Sundays are extra special because the whole Bay Area skating community comes together to skate, dance, and enjoy the glide. Some exciting events take place here as well, like roller dance championships and some homely barbeque parties, so keep an eye out. 

6 High Camp Roller Rink Tahoe

Have you ever gone rollerblading with a view? Next time you’re in Tahoe, make sure to bring your skates along, because you’re about to go roller skating outdoors with a glorious view to match. Accessed through the Palisades Tahoe Aerial Tram, the arena offers panoramic views of Lake Tahoe, the Olympic Valley meadow, and the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range. Just keep in mind that the rink is only open during the summer months, so winters are for skiing and snowshoeing. 

The Golden State’s Top Indoor Roller Skating Rinks

7. Skateworld San Diego

Location: 6907 Linda Vista Road, San Diego
Admission fee: $15 including roller skate rental 

San Diego might have the best outdoor spots for rollerblading, but it has the best indoor spots as well. Skateworld San Diego is a family-run business, which provides families and friends with a safe environment to enjoy their hobby. If you’re a beginner, you can join a class, and if you’re an intermediate or advanced adult, you can join adult nights every Saturday for some weekend fun. A visit to this skating rink in San Diego is easily one of the top things to do in San Diego.

8. Fountain Valley Skating Center

Location: 9105 Recreation Circle, Fountain Valley
Admission fee: $18 excluding roller skate rental which costs $7

Orange County’s Fountain Valley is home to one of the most awesome skating rinks in all of California - Fountain Valley Skating Center. For over 40 years, the Fountain Valley community has been building memories inside the walls of this center, whether it be during skating classes, birthday parties, or community events. The fun doesn’t stop at the rink too — the facility has an arcade with all of your favorite games, including ice hockey, slam a winner, and duck catcher. 

9. Moonlight Rollerway 

Location: 5110 San Fernando Road, Glendale
Admission fee: $9 excluding roller skate rental which costs $4.75

Out of all the fun things to do in Glendale, enjoying a roller night at Moonlight Rollerway is a can’t-miss. The rink opened its doors to the greater Los Angeles community in 1956 and has been entertaining people of all ages ever since, with not many changes done to its interior, making for an ultra retro vibe. Multiple TV shows, movies, and commercials have been filmed in this popular location - maybe you’ll be lucky and catch a celebrity sighting during your excursion. Bring your friends along to this roller skating place, and have the time of your life in Glendale.  

10. Epic Rollertainment

Location: 39809 Avenida Acacias, Murrieta
Admission fee: $10 excluding roller skate rental which costs $5

Epic Rollertainment is the most epic roller skating venue in California. The beach-themed roller skating arena in Murrieta is where the best parties take place. Besides the pristine rink floor, the venue offers a state of the art sound system, a large video screen, arcade games, picnic tables, and mouthwatering dishes. Need we say more or are you already on your way to Epic Rollertainment?

11. The Rink 

Location: Riverwood Shopping Center, 2900 Bradshaw Road, Sacramento
Admission fee: $10 including roller skate rental

Sacramentans know how to have a good time, and that's why they take advantage of the fact that their city is home to one of the best roller rinks in the state, The Rink. Newbies come here to learn the techniques, the pros come here to showcase their talent, and those who know how to throw an awesome party come here to make a statement. Still looking for a fun thing to do in Sacramento? You now know that The Rink is your answer. 

12. Church of 8 Wheels

Location: 554 Fillmore Street, San Francisco
Admission fee: $15 excluding roller skate rental which costs $5

When San Franciscans find an abandoned church, they turn it into a roller skating rink. Church of 8 Wheels is exactly that, and trust us when we say that you need to be there to feel the ambiance. Glide under disco balls, LED lights, and the stares of Jesus and Mother Mary from the stained-glass windows. Looking for a unique thing to do in San Francisco? Join the crowds for weekend sessions, and dance to the beats of disco, funk, and pop music. 

13. Santa Cruz Roller Palladium

Location: 1606 Seabright Avenue, Santa Cruz
Admission fee: $9 including roller skate rental (inline skates cost an extra $3)

Your roller skates will always find the perfect place to get rolling in Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz Roller Palladium has been serving fun to the Santa Cruz community for over 70 years now, and will do it for you too. If you’re in Santa Cruz and looking for a family-friendly activity to enjoy with your little ones, the Santa Cruz Roller Palladium is the place to go. Let Santa Cruz be the place where your little ones learn to enjoy your favorite hobby. 

With so many outdoor and indoor rollerblading sports to choose from in the Golden State, it might be time to pick up a new hobby. We’re telling you, you’ll be greeted with a community so welcoming that you’ll never look back.