Best Of

Best Skate Parks In Orange County

June 12, 2015 / 5:00 AM PDT / KCAL News

With hundreds of sunny days each year, California's Orange County is an ideal place for skateboarders. Skate parks are on a new level, often being sponsored by some of the sports biggest names like Vans, Etnies, Volcom and others. Whether they are in sprawling complexes or smaller facilities operated by local parks and recreation departments, in all cases, the parks are on another level in this Southern California skating hot spot.

Volcom Skate Park Of Costa Mesa
900 Arlington Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 754-5326
www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us

Skateboard enthusiasts and inline skaters are welcome in Costa Mesa at the Volcom Skate Park. Covering 15,000 square feet, this collaborative effort between Volcom Entertainment and the city of Costa Mesa blends street riding facilities with a bowl and pool for sick tricks. All riders must wear helmets and pads on their knees and elbows. Remember to keep it clean in Costa Mesa by throwing away trash and watching your language. The Volcom Skate Park is open 9am to 9pm seven days a week, with a weekly maintenance period on Tuesdays.

Laguna Niguel Skateboard & Soccer Park
27745 Alicia Parkway
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 916-7766
www.cityoflagunaniguel.org

You don't have to be an expert rider to visit this skate park. Laguna Niguel offers a 20,000 square foot concrete facility supporting beginning riders as well as advanced boarders. The city does, however, require a completed liability waiver from every rider. Open year-round, the park also offers BMX and dirt jump bike sessions during the week. Residents may purchase a $40 annual pass; non-residents pay $80 for the year.

Etnies Skatepark Of Lake Forest
20028 Lake Forest Drive
Lake Forest, CA 92630
(949) 916-5870
www.etniesskatepark.com

Safety comes first at Etnies Skatepark as all riders are required to wear a helmet with a strap and commercially produced knee and elbow pads. BMX bikes and Razor scooters are prohibited, but inline and roller skaters are welcome to use the facilities. Free for all Lake Forest residents, access for non-residents costs $15 during the calendar year. All riders need a liability waiver, and if you want to film within the park, a permit is required.

Vans Skatepark Of Orange
20 City Blvd. W. A2
Orange, CA 92868
(714) 769-3800
www.vans.com/skateparks-orange.html

Vans, makers of athletic clothing and shoes, operates this facility in the OC. The park features a Main St. course complete with stairs, ledges and rails. An outdoor course and a warm-up course are available as well. Annual membership to the facility costs $25, which is open 10am to 10pm, daily. BMX riders are welcome during specific sessions during the week.

San Clemente Ralphs Skate Court
241 Avenida La Pata
San Clemente, CA 92672
(949) 361-8264
www.san-clemente.org

Covering 14,000 square feet, the San Clemente facility is quite old school. The unsupervised course is open from dawn to dusk daily, with a scheduled maintenance period every Friday morning. As always, skaters are required to wear helmets, knee and elbow pads. The city of San Clemente also offers skateboarding classes, making this a good spot for beginners.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Steven Bryan calls Irvine, California his home. A freelance writer for more than 20 years, he has interviewed a wide range of notable celebrities, including a variety of up-and-coming musicians and artists as well. Passionate about movies and comic books, he also makes an annual pilgrimage to the San Diego Comic-Con.