Ten important skateboard spots in Palmdale, California
1. Palmdale Oasis Park (Marie Kerr Park Skatepark)
Located at 39700 30th St W, the Marie Kerr Skatepark is one of the most popular skateboarding destinations in Palmdale. This park is known for its expansive layout, catering to both beginners and experienced skaters. It features a variety of bowls, ledges, rails, and quarter pipes, allowing skaters to practice a wide range of tricks.
The smooth concrete and well-maintained ramps make it a haven for those who enjoy transitions, while street skaters can find plenty of ledges and rails to grind. The park also fosters a strong sense of community. You’ll often see groups of skaters teaching each other new tricks or cheering on those pushing their limits. With its mix of terrain and welcoming atmosphere, Marie Kerr Park Skatepark easily earns its spot as Palmdale’s top skateboarding location.
2. Domenic Massari Park Skatepark
Another popular destination for skaters in Palmdale is Domenic Massari Park, located at 37716 55th St E. This park’s skateboarding area is slightly smaller than Marie Kerr’s but still offers a fun experience for skaters. The park’s primary features include flat ramps, grind rails, and fun boxes, catering more to street-style skating.
The open layout provides ample room for skaters to maneuver and practice without feeling too crowded. The park is well-maintained and regularly patrolled, making it a safe and family-friendly spot. Additionally, the park’s surrounding grassy areas and picnic spots allow for comfortable breaks between skate sessions. Whether you're a local or just passing through Palmdale, Domenic Massari Park is a great place to spend a sunny afternoon.
3. Skate Plaza at Courson Park
Courson Park, located at 38226 10th St E, recently upgraded its facilities to include a small skate plaza, making it one of the most convenient spots for skateboarding in central Palmdale. The Skate Plaza offers a modern, street-skate-oriented design with various ledges, manual pads, and stairs with rails.
Though it’s not as expansive as some of the other skateparks in the area, it’s ideal for skaters looking to practice their technical tricks. The park also features plenty of open flat ground, which is perfect for beginners learning the basics or practicing their ollies and flip tricks. Because it’s located near other recreational facilities, skaters have easy access to water fountains, restrooms, and shaded seating areas.
4. Arnie Quinones Skatepark (AV Skatepark)
Named in memory of a local firefighter, Arnie Quinones Skatepark, also known as AV Skatepark, is located at 4300 E Avenue S within the larger Domenic Massari Regional Park. This skatepark offers some of the best bowl skating in Palmdale. Its deep, smooth, and fast-flowing bowls are perfect for skaters who love speed and carving.
In addition to the bowls, the park offers a variety of street elements, such as rails, stairs, and flat ramps. The diverse layout allows skaters to flow from one area of the park to another without much difficulty, making it a perfect spot for line skating. The park is well-lit in the evenings, allowing skaters to continue practicing well into the night, making it a go-to spot for local skaters.
5. The Streets of Palmdale
While Palmdale has a few designated skateparks, the streets themselves offer countless opportunities for street skating. The urban design, with smooth sidewalks, stair sets, and ledges, makes Palmdale’s downtown and shopping centers a natural playground for street skaters. Locations like the Palmdale Transportation Center and areas around Antelope Valley Mall are popular for their clean surfaces and skatable architecture.
While skateboarding in public spaces may require caution, particularly regarding local regulations, many skaters enjoy the creative freedom that street skating offers. It allows skaters to push their limits in an environment that mimics real-world street obstacles, contributing to the unique appeal of this style of skating.
6. Joshua Hills Park
Located at 3030 Fairfield Ave, Joshua Hills Park is a lesser-known but highly recommended skate spot in Palmdale. While it’s not a dedicated skatepark, its smooth pathways and quiet atmosphere make it a favorite for skaters who enjoy cruising. The park features long, winding paths with slight inclines and declines, making it perfect for downhill cruising or just practicing basic tricks.
Skaters who want a more relaxed session, free from the crowds of larger skateparks, will appreciate Joshua Hills Park’s peaceful setting. The park’s large, open grassy areas also provide plenty of space to rest or hang out with friends after skating.
7. Pelona Vista Park
Pelona Vista Park, at 37800 Tierra Subida Ave, is another recreational hub in Palmdale. While the park is more famous for its soccer fields and other sports facilities, the smooth walkways and paved areas around the park are ideal for skaters who prefer open, flat ground.
It’s a popular spot for beginners who are still learning balance, and the park’s low-traffic areas make it safe and beginner-friendly. Many local skaters come here to practice flatground tricks, as the walkways are generally well-maintained. With stunning views of the surrounding hills, it’s a great place for a low-key skate session.
8. Barrel Springs Trail
If you’re an adventurous skater who enjoys an off-the-beaten-path experience, Barrel Springs Trail offers a unique skateboarding experience. Located on the southeastern edge of Palmdale, this trail offers a combination of smooth asphalt pathways and more challenging terrains.
Skaters who enjoy longboard cruising or downhill skating will find the sloping hills and open stretches of the trail exciting. The surrounding nature and scenic views make Barrel Springs a peaceful spot to skate, especially during sunrise or sunset. While it's not a typical skate spot with ramps and rails, it offers a different kind of thrill for those who enjoy skating through nature.
9. Skate Spots Around Highland High School
Highland High School, located at 39055 25th St W, has become a favorite spot for local street skaters when school is out. The school’s architecture offers a variety of stair sets, handrails, and ledges that are perfect for street-style tricks.
While skating on school property may require discretion and respect for the premises, the smooth concrete and accessible layout have made this a go-to spot for advanced skaters looking to practice more technical tricks. The school is also located near several residential streets with smooth sidewalks, offering additional spots for cruising and casual skating.
10. Dry Town Water Park (Off-season)
While this might sound unconventional, Dry Town Water Park at 3850-B E Ave S has gained a bit of a reputation among local skaters when the water park is closed for the season. The large concrete areas around the park, combined with sloping pathways and smooth surfaces, create an ideal playground for skateboarding.
While skaters should be cautious of skating in off-limit areas and always ensure they are respectful of park rules, many find the unique layout of the water park to be perfect for creating lines and testing out tricks. The off-season, when the park is quiet, provides an opportunity for creative and unrestricted skating, though it's important to avoid trespassing or causing damage.
Skateboarding is tribal and most locals are welcoming, but if you're new to a spot, or just passing through, have respect for the locals. Listen. Be smart. Have fun.
A human being
Art can change the world – and everybody is an artist. Those who scribble stickmen. Those who paint chapel ceilings. Those who tattoo biceps. Those who are careful with pigment on canvas. Those who create fantasy characters. Those who paint pet portraits. Those who yarn bomb. Those who write poems on crappy old cardboard.
My art lives on the bottom of skateboard decks. It's designed for you to destroy. For you, the rider, my art may come second to the deck’s ability to perform – and that’s awesome. To me, art comes first. Always.
It’s how I think. It’s who I am. It’s what I am.
A machine
This article has been created with the help of artificial intelligence platforms ChatGPT and Bard. If there are inaccuracies or there are opportunities for improvement, please let me know.
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