It’s like stepping back into the mid-2000s, these skate parks have that vintage vibe that goes way beyond just one decade. In fact, skating has never really gone out of style and will always be one of the most popular extreme sports in the world. Fun fact: its modern form was actually born here in SoCal. Whether you’re an experienced skater or you’re planning to start this activity and make it your new hobby, these skate parks around the city and beyond will take your training to the next level.
1. Venice Beach Skatepark
Modern skateboarding truly has its roots in Dogtown, which stretches across Venice Beach and Ocean Park. In the 1970s, the Zephyr Competition Team (aka Z-Boys) gained recognition for their unique skateboarding style. They revolutionized the sport by skating in empty residential pools during the Southern California drought, becoming the first to catch air. Their innovation paved the way for legendary skaters like Tony Hawk.
📍 Location: 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
2. The Cove Skatepark
As one of the birthplaces of modern skateboarding, The Cove Skatepark boasts 20,000 square feet of ramps, bowls, stairs, a pool with tile coping, an over-vert bowl, and the Douglas Park rail. This park was a favorite hangout for the legendary Dogtown crew, who spent countless hours turning surf moves into skateboarding tricks. During the skateboarding resurgence of the 1990s, The Cove became a prominent spot featured in numerous skateboarding videos.
📍 Location: 1401 Olympic Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404
3. Moorpark Skate Park
M.P., as locals call it, is located within Poindexter Park and offers several features that skaters love. One highlight is a designated area for beginners to work on the fundamentals of skateboarding. For more advanced skaters, there’s a pool-style bowl with a concrete M at its steepest point. The park also includes ledges, rails, and various street-style elements, making it a great spot for skaters of all skill levels.
📍 Location: 500 Poindexter Ave, Moorpark, CA 93021
4. Culver City Skatepark
Developed by the city in collaboration with local skaters, the Culver City Skatepark offers a variety of features, including ledges, rails, a flow area, and the iconic clover pool—considered one of the best skatepark pools in SoCal.
📍 Location: 9910 Jefferson Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230
5. Verdugo Skate Park
The 15,000 square-foot Verdugo Skate Park is a local favorite for skaters looking to master new tricks, offering street, vert, and pool sections. Opened in April 2004, it features a clover bowl with an over-vert section, a kidney pool, a street plaza with rails and ledges, and a snake run that leads into a bowl with a loveseat.
📍 Location: 1621 Canada Blvd, Glendale, CA 91208
6. Stoner Skate Plaza
Stoner Skate Plaza, named after the street it’s located on, was created thanks to persistent advocacy for community skateparks by local skaters in SoCal. Drawing inspiration from the West Los Angeles Courthouse, the plaza features a distinctive design that mimics urban structures, including rails, stairs, ledges, sidewalks, and more, offering a unique experience for skaters.
📍 Location: 1835 Stoner Ave #1801, Los Angeles, CA 90025
7. Westchester Skate Park
Designed by Upland’s California Skateparks, the 13,000 square-foot Westchester Skate Park offers a street plaza packed with rails, ledges, stairs, manual pads, and a smooth kicker. Keep an eye out for local pros perfecting their skills at this popular spot.
📍 Location: 7200 W Manchester Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90045
8. El Sereno Skatepark
Nestled in the scenic El Sereno neighborhood of Los Angeles, the El Sereno Skatepark is surrounded by lush greenery. The park features a variety of elements such as stairs, manual pads, hubbas, rails, hips, flat banks, and transition areas for skaters. In recent years, the park has undergone several upgrades, including the addition of new bathrooms, making it easier for visitors to skate for longer periods.
📍 Location: Klamath St, Los Angeles, CA 90032
9. Garvanza Skatepark
The Garvanza Skatepark, located in northeastern Los Angeles, offers a more intimate skateboarding experience. One of the few parks in L.A. with a vintage-style design, Garvanza’s standout feature is its classic pool-style bowl, deep and steep enough for advanced skaters to refine their skills.
📍 Location: 6240 Meridian St, Highland Park, CA 90042
10. Arthur Johnson Skatepark
Locals often call the Arthur Johnson Skatepark simply “Gardena,” as it’s located among a group of parks in the area. This 7,000-square-foot skatepark, which opened in 2012, is designed as a street plaza, offering skaters elements like rails, stairs, ledges, and banks, reminiscent of the city structures street skaters love. It also includes flat banks for more laid-back cruising.
📍 Location: 1200 W 170th St, Gardena, CA 90247