The 9 Best Skate Parks in California to Visit Right Now

Grab your board, throw on some kicks, and buckle your helmet as we get ready to drop into the Golden State’s best skate parks. Complete with indoor spots to practice your tricks and beachside scenes to show them off, California has something for every skill level—and rightfully so, considering that skateboarding was born and raised right here. 

Skateboards first appeared as a fad in the 1950s and were initially manufactured by Southern California surfers who wanted something to do when the waves were flat. What started as a 2x4 wooden plank mounted on four wheels has evolved into so much more, becoming a worldwide phenomenon that will make its Olympic Games debut later this year. 

Today, skateboarding is embraced by millions of people around the globe who practice the sport and embrace the culture—but none of it would’ve been possible without SoCal’s innovators. Whether you’re looking to step on a board for the first time or are ready to go pro, check out these enviable California skate parks that will take you to the next level.

1. Venice beach Skate park, los angeles  

Venice Beach Skatepark, also known simply as Venice Skatepark, stands out as one of the premier skateboarding venues in California, with over 450 skateparks across the state. This unique 16,000-square-foot oasis for skaters is the only one in the world that graces a beachfront, offering an unparalleled skating experience. Not only is it celebrated for its prime location, but it also boasts the title of the most expensive skatepark in California, with a construction cost of $3.5 million, a project made possible by the dedication and contributions of local skate enthusiasts and professional skateboarders alike.

The park is equipped with a diverse set of features including a vast snake run, two deep bowls, and a multitude of boxes and rails, catering to the preferences of both street and vert skateboarding styles. Situated near the iconic Venice Beach Boardwalk, the skatepark has become a central gathering point for local skaters keen on showcasing their skills and performing daring tricks, as well as attracting spectators from all walks of life. For those eager to witness remarkable skateboarding talent or to skate in an iconic locale themselves, Venice Beach Skatepark is the go-to destination.

Skateboard Park Hours: Dawn to dusk

Park Rules:

• BMX, scooters, or bikes are not allowed in the Skate Plaza.
• Helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads are required at all times.
  

2. Linda Vista Skate Park, San Diego

Spanning an impressive 34,000 square feet, Linda Vista Skate Park holds the title of not only the largest skate park in San Diego County but also the second largest in the entire state of California. The park is fully equipped with an extensive array of skateboarding features including rails, stairs, ramps, banks, jumps, and bowls, as well as a bridge and a full pipe, making it a dream destination for skate enthusiasts.

Nestled within the Linda Vista Community Park, this skateboarding haven is among the newest additions to the scene, having opened its doors in 2018. It invites skateboarders to elevate their skills in a space designed specifically for them, moving beyond makeshift spots like grocery store parking lots to a dedicated and iconic skateboarding venue.

Skateboard Park Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Park Rules:

• Kids must wear safety gear
• All persons under age 12 must be accompanied by a guardian 
  
  

3. Vans off the wall Skatepark, Huntington Beach

Vans Skatepark opened in 2014 and, like Vans’ sneakers, the park was an instant classic. While primarily an indoor skate park, this Huntington Beach locale is notable for its outdoor section as well, allowing skaters to test their skills on a wide variety of terrain.

The park’s design is pretty remarkable, but there’s nothing quite like the 6-foot-tall Vans logo that riders can jump over. In addition to this mainstay, there are stylistic touches that you’ll only find here, including checkered floors and red and blue grind rails. If that’s not enough to catch your interest, the Vans Skatepark even features an exact replica of the world-famous Combi bowl. 

Built in the early 1980s, the legendary Combi bowl in Upland Pipeline Skatepark is still considered to be one of the best park designs in the world. The massive re-creation of the bowl at Vans Skatepark was made to scale—reaching an unheard of depth. The 12-foot-tall construction challenges even the most experienced skateboarders, making it one of the coolest skate parks in California. 

Skateboard Park Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Park Rules:

• Helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads are required at all times.
• All participants must sign a liability waiver.
• A supervisor must be on-site to use the facility.
• Participants under age 18 must be accompanied by a guardian.
  

4. Town Park, West Oakland

Day or night, you’ll always find people hanging out at West Oakland’s Town Park. Nestled east of the Bay Bridge, Town Park skate park is one of many attractions at DeFremery Park. The park is relatively small compared to the others on this list, but it’s well-known in the skateboarding community for its smooth flow and unique obstacles. 

Thanks to local activists, Town Park has become somewhat of a sanctuary for the skateboarding community; concerned for the wellbeing of the local youth, these activists worked with the city of Oakland to build its first skate park.

Along with the skate park, DeFremery Park has a swimming pool, tennis courts, and sports fields spread across its 9.5-acre property, but the locally painted murals are what truly make it one of a kind. 

Skateboard Park Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Park Rules:

• Helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads are required at all times.
• Camping, smoking, and dogs off-leash are prohibited.

5. SoMA West Skatepark, San Francisco

Located in the South of Market (SoMa) District, SoMa West Skatepark is one of San Francisco's newest skateparks. Since the park is tucked beneath a busy freeway, SoMa West offers a uniquely urban experience during rush hour when it’s surrounded by bumper-to-bumper traffic; the hectic sounds of cars combine with echoes from the bridge and keep the city ambience alive. 

To further enhance the vibe, the skating obstacles—including rails, bowls and manual pads—have been intentionally designed to recreate some of San Francisco's most prized street skating spots. The architects of SoMa West Skatepark pay homage to the historic skateboarding destination of Embarcadero Plaza with identical ledges and stairs. Because of this attention to detail, many people see the SoMa park as a work of art, preserving the history of skateboarding in S.F. while welcoming travelers from across the globe.

Skateboard Park Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Park Rules:

• Helmets are required at all times
• No animals, smoking, littering, or loud music
• BMX bikes or scooters are not allowed
  
  

6. Fremont Skate Park, Fremont

Spanning nearly an acre designed for skateboarding bliss and adjacent to a water park, Fremont Skate Park promises an exhilarating adventure. The park is dotted with towering palm trees and lush grassy areas, creating an ambiance reminiscent of a picturesque plaza.

Catering to a variety of skateboarding styles, the park boasts a mix of street and bowl features, ensuring that both novices and seasoned skaters find something to enjoy. It's also a preferred spot for the Braille Skateboarding team, known for their engaging skate videos and entertaining challenges. Dropping by might even give you the opportunity to catch Aaron Kyro and his crew in action, whether they're perfecting their skateboarding skills or filming their next viral video.

Skateboard Park Hours: Dawn to dusk (or until 8 p.m.)

Park Rules:

• No BMX, scooters, or bikes.
• Helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads are required at all times.
• All persons under age 14 must be accompanied by a guardian.
• No animals, glass bottles, or amplified music.  
  
  

7. Garvanza Skatepark, Los Angeles

If you’ve been searching for a gritty place to hang out away from the surfers in Los Angeles, Garvanza Skatepark is the place to be. Known for its gnarly, graffiti-filled bowl, this is not the spot for beginners, but is an ideal destination for seeing celebs—if you’re trying to see the rad pros competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, that is. 

Rumor has it that Rialto’s Tristan Rennie and Oceanside’s Nicole Hause travel to this L.A. hot spot just for the adrenaline-inducing bowl. If you’re not quite ready to tackle the bowl yourself, check out the rest of Garvanza’s chill terrain, which includes rails and ledges.

Skateboard Park Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Park Rules:

• All visitors must wear full safety gear, including a helmet, elbow, and knee pads
• All persons must sign a liability waiver and obtain a photo I.D. card from the park
• All participants under age 18 must be accompanied by a guardian
• Scooters, outside food and drink, smoking, contests, and disruptive behavior are not allowed.
  
  

8. Lake Cunningham Action Sports Park, San Jose

Lake Cunningham Action Sports Park is California’s largest skate park, spanning an impressive 68,000 square feet—making it one of the must–see destinations in the South Bay. The park is located along the shoreline of the scenic lake and is conveniently surrounded by a dirt-bike track. 

Built in 2008, Lake Cunningham holds several world records for its incredible structures and design. It’s home not only to the globe’s largest fullpipe—measuring in at 20 feet wide and 70 feet long—but also to the largest cradle and tallest vert wall, which only the most skilled skaters dare to conquer. 

But this skate park is not all about shattering expectations; it’s also full of mellow terrain spread across the spacious lot, making it a welcoming locale for newbies and experts alike. (Make sure to pack some cash before you head over so you can cover the $6 parking fee.)

Skateboard Park Hours: 8 a.m. to 30 minutes after sunset

Park Rules:

• Helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads are required at all times.
• Animals off-leash, smoking of any kind, and the use of glass bottles are prohibited.
• No graffiti, littering, or harming wildlife.
  
  

9. Potrero del Sol, San Francisco

Comprised of 16,000 square feet, Potrero del Sol (also known as La Raza) is San Francisco’s largest skate park. Situated about a mile east of the 24th Street Mission BART station, Potrero del Sol is a local skateboarding favorite. Due to its location in the Mission District and advanced terrain, this park is best left to serious skaters—so leave the kids at home. 

The Mission District is known for its elaborate murals, and La Raza is home to its own kind of mural, too. The graffiti can make the concrete slippery, so watch out and take it easy, but don’t miss out on your chance to bust a move in the bowl.

Skateboard Park Hours: Sunrise to sunset

Park Rules:

• All skateboarders must wear helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads
• Only skateboards are allowed—no skates, scooters, or bicycles
• No skateboarding when it is raining or wet