The Ultimate Guide to Skateboarding in Riverside, California

Welcome to a world where ramps, rails, and tricks paint the streets. Where locals gather in their droves to parks in search of the next skate king. Riverside’s skateparks are not just concrete structures; they’re hubs of creativity and camaraderie.

This sprawling 25,000 sqft park is a favourite among local skaters, who flock here to make the most of its wide concrete bowl, as well as a series of ramps, rails, ledges and stairs. It’s a wide and open space that can cater to large groups of people, making it perfect for beginners who don’t want to get in the way. The variety of obstacles also caters to every skill level, whether you’re a seasoned rider or taking your first steps. The park is free to use and open from dawn until dusk. If you’re looking to skateboard in Riverside, then Hunt Park is the beating heart of this city’s skate culture, and the perfect place to start.

Another spacious skatepark with a large street section is Jurupa, loved by locals for its versatility. There’s a wide selection of obstacles to test yourself on, including a funbox, kink rail and quater pipe. It’s openness makes it ideal for those who prefer street skating and transition tricks in one spot, but there is also a decent sized bowl here. The park is free to use and hours vary from 8am-10pm on weekends to 11am-10pm on weekdays.

This metal prefabricated park is a little smaller and doesn’t have a bowl, but it’s a particularly good spot for beginner and intermediate skaters to really build up their technique. There floor has plenty of slick and slide but is generally forgiving, while a series of flatrails, boxes, manual pads, mini ramps, funboxes and a staircase make for ample trick and skill-based practice. Like the others, it’s free to use and open all day, usually from 5am to 10pm.

As a city with a healthy skate culture, there are naturally a number of shops catering to local skaters. These tend to be run by supe passionate, friendly boarders who love to help skaters find their dream board. Whether you’re looking for your first skin or upgrading your old gear, you shouldn’t have too much trouble in Riverside.

Plenty of the shops also offer rental services, which are particularly useful for tourists or beginners. We recommend visiting LeRoy’s Boardshop, Crooks Skateboard Shop and Board Shops of America for all your skating needs. Remember, when in Riverside you’re also on the outskirts of LA, one of the the great skateboarding cities, with its own collection of iconic board shops.

Early mornings or late afternoons are the best times if you want to skate with less of a crowd.
Remember to invest in good safety equipment. Bumps and bruises are inevitable with skateboarding but do yourself a favor and wear a helmet, pads and wrist guards to help avoid serious injury.
Riverside’s skate community is welcoming. Don’t be shy; ask for advice or simply share a session with local skaters.
Explore Riverside’s various skate spots beyond skate parks. The city is full of hidden gems, from plazas to quiet alleys.
Enjoy the charm of this city without a board, too. There are lots of greenspaces, nearby hiking spots and cultural centres across town.

While larger cities like LA, San Diego and San Francisco might dominate the skate scene in California, it’s often the outside spots and hidden gems on the outskirts that offer the most authentic skate communities. That’s certainly the place with Riverside, a place with a laid-back vibe and a welcoming spirit, which punches above its wait in terms of the quality of its skateparks and skate shops. So if you’re in California and you’ve got a hankering for an ollie or two, head over to Riverside and immerse yourself in the warm welcome of this city’s skate scene.

This is an AI assisted article produced by Gethin Morgan.