With the Pacific Ocean on one side and the famed Venice Boardwalk on the other, the location of this popular skatepark doesn’t get much better. Ever since its grand opening in 2009, the $3.5-million-dollar project has drawn professionals, amateurs and onlookers alike for its pro-approved grounds, talent and prime location. It’s an epicenter for skateboard culture, and crowds will often form to witness the thrill of it all. Feel the ocean breeze as you glide through 16,000-square-feet of usable space, from a snake run to bowls and a street section (think stairs, railing and benches). Be sure to check out the calendar for major events like the annual Go Skateboarding Day in June.
What do surfing, sunshine and skateboarding have in common? It’s all quintessentially Southern California. But when it comes to skateboarding, the roots can be traced straight to Los Angeles. Thanks largely to a group of misfits from Santa Monica and Venice, also known as the Z-Boys, skateboarding transformed from a hobby to a global phenomenon back in the ’70s. The hyper-talented band of surfers turned their attention away from the waves to the streets, and thus began a skateboarding revolution. It has since paved the way for skateparks to pop up all over Los Angeles (now totaling over 20) and beyond. Whether you’re looking to kick it at an old-school concrete jungle or keep up with the pros at a popular plaza, the best skateparks in Los Angeles give you options aplenty—many of which were designed in part by skateboarding legends themselves.
