Dropping In at a Few of LA's Best Skate Parks.

Los Angeles is the birthplace of skateboarding, home to Dog Town and the Z boys and part of the lifestyle that makes Southern California living so charming. Admittedly when my son, Oliver, first got into it, I wasn't so sure how I felt about it. Here I was with my 3 year old down at Venice Beach with the smell of cannabis and grime in the air. The vacant stares of some of the kids were slightly horrifying to me. Much to my relief, not long after, my son put his board in the garage, where it remained untouched until about 2 months ago.

Cut to 6 years later. Mama goes on a date and her date takes her skateboarding. Mama had no idea that skateboarding was so fun. After a great afternoon cruising the boardwalk, Mama decides she needs to get a skateboard and start skating with Oliver.  One night instead of walking to the local Omusubi joint (Sunny Blue...yum), Mama suggests skateboarding instead. The kids are delighted and off we go. On the way, there is a big parking lot and the kids end up spending about half an hour racing back and forth across the asphalt. Annnnnnnddddd Oliver hasn't stopped. No matter how much I beg him not to, he insists on skating in the house. We have spent countless afternoons at the Cove in Santa Monica where he races around, drops into the pools and carves the curves.

Last night we went down to the Venice Beach Skate Park. It was a gorgeous evening with the sky painted in yellow and orange as the sun was setting. It was a fantastic backdrop for watching the kids skate. Oliver did not have his board and was itching to join in. Again, the air smelled of weed, the kids looked a little scary but they were happy and Oliver was happy. It is a place where kids of all types can be together and just enjoy themselves. Ultimately, this is really what it comes down to. Whatever influences there are starts at home and I just need to chill the hell out about it and trust that my son has a good head on his shoulders. We met a kid who was an amazing skateboarder, he skated with such grace and ease in his black hoodie that covered his face that had clearly been sliced with a knife or something. He was kind to Oliver, shook his hand and offered to help him next time he came down. Really, what more can one ask for?

The Cove and the Venice Skate Park are two very different locales. The Cove is in Santa Monica and consists of mostly sunken pools.  One needs a membership and there is a pay per use fee of $3 that doesn’t seem all that enforced. It is fenced and all skaters must wear all the necessary pads and helmets. The yearly membership is $10 or $15, depending on whether or not you are a residen. Children under 6 years old are not allowed and there are some pretty great, but expensive instructors hanging out there.  

For more information-------->The Cove

The Venice Skate Park is an oceanfront skate park that features 16,000 sqft of various sunken pools as well as a street inspired area with stairs, ledges and rails. It is totally unmonitored and has no fees associated with it. There are

some pretty impressive skaters here and the atmosphere is decidedly laid back. It is definitely more urban than other places and there is that gang element about it. Despite that, it is super cool and doesn't feel dangerous.

For more information--------->Venice Skate Park

There is another skatepark at Stoner Park. I have not checked this one out yet, but it is supposed to be great with its 20,000 plus square feet of fun skating terrains. This one is located at 835 Stoner Ave in West LA and I am pretty sure there are less actual stoners there than there are at Venice. There is a main plaza with rails and ledges as well as features that are apparently not available or accessible at other parks. Oliver and I will check it out one of these days. 

For more information ----------> Stoner Skate Park

As for me...I am sticking to a long board. Perhaps if I get better in the future I might try dropping into a shallow pool. Funny how as one gets older, we feel less inclined to risk bone breakage. Will my dream of downhill boarding ever happen? Probably not, but for now, I am happy watching my son enjoy himself.