California is a paradise for skateboarders, with an abundance of world-renowned California Skateparks spread throughout the state. From the bustling streets of Los Angeles to the picturesque beaches of San Diego, California has something to offer skaters of all skill levels. The state is known for its impressive skatepark design and construction, which has led to the creation of some of the best parks in the world. Here are six of our favorites in our home state of California (and scroll on for a link to the Google Map):
Encinitas YMCA Skatepark:
Encinitas YMCA Skatepark is one of the most popular outdoor Skateparks in California, and it is a great place to skate year-round. The park features a variety of obstacles including a bowl, street course, mini ramp, and more. It is also home to the Encinitas YMCA Skate Camp, which is a summer camp for kids that focuses on skateboarding. It is open 7 days a week and is free to enter.
Address: 700 Leucadia Blvd, Encinitas, CA 92024
Venice Beach Skatepark, Venice Beach:
No list would be complete without (possibly) the most iconic park in the world. Built in 2009, the skatepark is set into the beach, just off of the Venice Boardwalk. It features a picturesque bowl, street section, mini ramp, and more. The park is open 7 days a week and is completely free, so you can skate as much or as little as you want. It's best to get there early though as it gets pretty crowded by lunchtime with some of the best skaters from around the world.
Address: 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
Lincoln Park Skatepark, Long Beach:
Lincoln Park Skatepark in LB is one of the most popular skateparks in the city, located in the Lincoln Park area. It is an outdoor park that offers a wide range of obstacles for skaters of all skill levels, including a bowl, street course, mini ramp, and more. The park is open daily and is free to enter, making it a great spot for a casual skate session or a full day of shredding. The park also host various events and competitions throughout the year.
Address: 103 Pacific Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802
Lake Cunningham Action Sports Park, San Jose:
The $4.7 million Lake Cunningham Regional Skatepark in San Jose is one of the largest Skateparks in California, and it is a great destination for skaters of all skill levels. The park features a variety of obstacles including a full pipe, tallest vert wall in the world, a massive bowl, street course, mini ramp, and more. It is also home to the Lake Cunningham Skate Plaza, which is a street-style Skatepark with a variety of rails, stair sets, and manual pads.
Lake Cunningham Regional Skate Park is located at the southeast corner inside of Lake Cunningham Regional Park in east San José. The park is open daily and is free to enter, making it a great spot for a casual skate session or a full day of shredding.
Address: 2305 S White Rd, San Jose, CA 95148
Stoner Skate Plaza, Los Angeles:
Stoner Skate Plaza in Los Angeles is one of the most popular street-style Skateparks in California, and it is a great destination for skaters who enjoy street obstacles. The park features a variety of rails, stair sets, and manual pads, as well as a bowl and a mini ramp. The park is open daily and is free to enter, making it a great spot for a casual skate session or a full day of shredding.
Address: 1835 Stoner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Vans Skatepark, Orange County:
Vans Skatepark in Orange County is one of the largest indoor Skateparks in the world, and it is a must-visit destination for skaters of all levels. The park features a massive bowl, street course, mini ramp, and more. The park is open 7 days a week and offers a variety of session prices, so you can skate as much or as little as you want. It is also home to the Vans Skatepark Series, which is a competition that brings together some of the best skaters from around the world.
Address: 7471 Center Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
We created a Google Map of the best California Skateparks.
While these seven Skateparks are some of our favorites in California, they are by no means the only options available to skaters.
Skatepark Design
When it comes to Skatepark design, California has a rich history of innovation and creativity. Many of the state's Skateparks were designed by local skaters and built with input from the community, resulting in facilities that truly cater to the needs and wants of the local skating population. Additionally, the construction of many of California's Skateparks has been done in-house, meaning that the design and construction teams have a deep understanding of what skaters need and want. This has resulted in some of the best skateparks in the world that are not only fun to skate but also safe and well-maintained.
If you're interested in learning more about the history of skateboarding and Skatepark design in California, there are several resources available. Many cities and counties have their own Skatepark design guidelines and information about the history of Skateboarding in the area. Additionally, organizations like the California Skatepark Association and the Tony Hawk Foundation work to promote and support the construction and maintenance of Skateparks throughout the state.
