The Exciting Skatepark One

The East Bay is full of awesome skateparks! If boarding is your (or your child’s) thing, check out this list of the coolest places to catch some air and practice sick tricks. Grab your board and get ready to drop in and bomb a hill.

 

5th and Harrison Streets, Berkeley. This is a great skatepark for skaters who know what they’re doing, but they are also accommodating to newbies as long as they don’t get in the way too much. The bowl is extensive. It begins with a four foot section then rolls into a deeper eight foot section. There’s a street section and plenty of opportunities for carving and doing tricks.

 

1177 W. Redline Ave., Alameda. Set in the old Alameda Navy Base, City View Skate Park earns its name because there are gorgeous views of the San Francisco Bay and downtown skyline across the water. There are big bowls and carving rails, but no street area. The wide bowls make it a good spot for beginners, but there are still plenty of challenging sections for serious boarders. The wind whips off of the Bay, so be sure to bring a jacket.

 

Emery Street, Emeryville. This skatepark sports five shallow and seven deep bowls with pool coping and plenty of banks to wall. There are ledges, street obstacles and a rainbow rail for boarders who want a challenge.

 

898 Red Rock Road., Piedmont: Kennelly has a snake, a small freestyle area featuring pyramids and a steep, tight y-shaped set of half pipes. Classes are offered for those from newbies to full-fledged shredders for those who crave taking their skills to the next level. BMX bikes are allowed on Tuesdays and Thursdays during specified times. The hours can be limited, so check in before driving over.

 

At the corner of Saint Mary’s Road and Moraga Road in the Moraga Commons. This skateboard park is perfect for skateboarders of all levels. The bowls are a bit more shallow than some other parks, so it’s comfortable for kids, but there are plenty of steps and edges for more expert carving. The park also has frisbee golf, huge lawns and play structures for younger brothers and sisters in need of fun.

 

At the corner of Walnut Drive and Marchbanks Drive in Heather Farms Park. This is a great place if you like riding bowls and transitions. There is a small street section but no rails. It’s accessible for skateboarders of all abilities, but there are often kids riding scooters (although technically not allowed) who can sometimes interrupt the flow. There is a pool across the street to cool off on hot days and a large park with a huge play area for younger kids who are dragged along with their older brothers and sisters.

 

These skateparks are in the neighborhoods we cover, and we’re happy to talk to you further if you’re interested in living in any of these vibrant enclaves.