Best Skate Parks in the Bay Area

With skateboarding now an Olympic sport, it’s more popular than ever. If your kids can’t enough of skating bowls, ramps, pipes and ledges, the Bay Area offers some of the best skateboard parks in California. Make sure you wear safety equipment!
City View Skate Park – Located in Alameda’s far west end near the old navel base, this park features a concrete bowl, steel ramps, quarter pipes and ledges. Visitors say morning is a better time for younger, less experienced skaters. The park also includes picnic tables. It’s open from dawn to dusk. 1177 W. Redline Ave. 510-747-7550. 
Fremont Skate Park – Approximately an acre in size, this park includes street course and bowl features and much more. It’s suitable for both advanced and beginning skaters. It’s also one of Braille skate team’s favorite locations to shoot videos. Rules include no BMX, scooters or bikes; helmets, elbow and knee pads are required; and skaters under 14 must be with an adult. Open from dawn to dusk. 40500 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont. 
Lake Cunningham Action Sports Park – This is said to be the largest skate park in California, spanning 68,000 square feet. It has the world’s largest full pipe, cradle and the world’s tallest vert wall. It’s surrounded by a dirt bike track and located along the shoreline of the lake. The Pro Shop is currently closed so bring your own safety gear and refreshments. Prior to coming to the park, you must fill out a waiver form online: SJRegistration.com. Open Wed.-Fri. 3-7 p.m. and Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Day passes are $10. 2305 S. White Road, San Jose. 408-794-7574. 
Potrero del Sol Skate Park – This 16,000-square-foot skate park is the largest in San Francisco and a local favorite. Visitors say the graffiti on the bowl can make it slippery, so be careful. The area also includes grassy lawns, a playground and community garden. Helmet, elbow and knee pads required. No skates, scooters or bicycles. Open sunrise to sunset. Potrero Avenue and 25th Street. 
SoMa West Skate Park – Tucked beneath the Central Freeway in San Francisco, this skate park offers a very urban experience. The skating obstacles, including rails, bowls and manual pads, were inspired by local skating spots such as Justin Herman Plaza and Channel Street. Helmets required. Open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Under Central Freeway between Valencia and Otis streets. 
Town Park – Located within DeFremery Park in West Oakland, Town Park is known for its smooth flow and unique obstacles. The park also has a swimming pool, sports fields, basketball courts, tennis courts and picnic areas. Helmet and pads are required. Open from dawn to dusk. 1651 Adeline St., Oakland. 510-238-7275.