Ten important skateboard spots in Pomona, California
1. Palomares Park Skatepark
Location: 499 E Arrow Hwy, Pomona, CA 91767
Palomares Park Skatepark is one of the premier spots in Pomona. It features a wide variety of obstacles suited for skaters of all skill levels. With quarter pipes, ledges, rails, and a smooth concrete surface, this park is ideal for those looking to practice their tricks in a controlled environment. The park is well-maintained and offers a community-friendly vibe, making it popular among skaters from all over the region.
What sets Palomares apart is the diversity of its features. There's something for everyone, whether you're a beginner practicing ollies or a seasoned pro perfecting your technical lines. The smooth transitions from ramps to flat ground create a seamless skating experience. Plus, the layout encourages creativity, as skaters can easily combine different obstacles into unique trick combinations.
2. Tony Cerda Park
Location: 450 W Grand Ave, Pomona, CA 91766
Tony Cerda Park offers a smaller but equally fun skateboarding experience. The park itself is not a designated skatepark, but the many ledges, stairs, and manual pads around the area make it an ideal street skating spot. Skaters enjoy the freedom of being able to create their own lines, and the park’s variety of flat ground and stair sets provides plenty of opportunities to learn and master tricks.
One of the standout features at Tony Cerda Park is the seven-stair set with a rail. Skaters who are into more technical tricks, such as flips into grinds or advanced handrail tricks, often make this spot a must-visit. Its location in a quiet, shaded area also makes it perfect for those who want a more relaxed, low-key skate session.
3. Downtown Pomona Arts Colony
Location: 2nd St & Garey Ave, Pomona, CA 91766
The Downtown Pomona Arts Colony is a favorite among street skaters due to its urban landscape. This area offers an authentic street-skating experience with various ledges, curbs, and stairs scattered around the vibrant district. The colony is also surrounded by beautiful murals and public art, which adds a unique aesthetic to your skateboarding experience.
One of the standout features of the Arts Colony is its variety. Skaters can find everything from mellow curbs to intimidating stair sets. The smooth concrete surfaces are also perfect for cruising. It's a popular spot for filmers, as the backdrop of Pomona's historical and artistic architecture makes for great skate footage. The only caveat is that skaters should be mindful of pedestrians and local businesses, as this is a public space.
4. Ganesha Park
Location: 1575 N White Ave, Pomona, CA 91768
Ganesha Park is another spot that offers a combination of natural beauty and excellent skating terrain. The park itself is spacious, with plenty of flat ground for practicing technical tricks or just cruising around. The basketball courts and tennis areas also have smooth surfaces that are perfect for skating. The park’s handrails and stairs are often used by street skaters who prefer more challenging obstacles.
What makes Ganesha Park stand out is the relaxed atmosphere. It's a great place for skaters who want to avoid the crowds typical at more popular skateparks. The open space and scenic surroundings also provide a pleasant environment for a day of skating. Plus, with nearby amenities such as restrooms and picnic areas, skaters can easily spend an entire day at Ganesha Park.
5. Pomona Fairplex
Location: 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768
While not an official skatepark, the Pomona Fairplex is a well-known skate spot due to its vast open spaces and unique architecture. The Fairplex hosts various events throughout the year, but during downtime, it becomes a playground for skaters. The area around the Fairplex features long manual pads, ledges, and stairs, making it an excellent spot for street skating.
The standout feature at the Fairplex is the versatility of the space. Skaters can explore the different areas and find obstacles that suit their style, whether it's ledge tricks, gap jumps, or manual lines. The expansive layout also allows skaters to practice lines uninterrupted by traffic or large crowds. Since it's not a designated skatepark, be aware of security and avoid skating during major events.
6. Claremont Colleges
Location: Claremont, CA (adjacent to Pomona)
Just a short skate from Pomona is the Claremont Colleges campus, which has long been a favorite for street skaters. The campus is packed with smooth concrete, ledges, and stairs, making it a perfect urban playground for skaters. The architecture of the colleges provides a variety of obstacles that can be skated creatively, from long ledges for grinds to stair sets perfect for flips and slides.
What makes this spot appealing is the low traffic and peaceful surroundings. The campus is often quiet, particularly on weekends or during school breaks, allowing skaters to explore without much interference. The mix of natural beauty and modern architecture creates an inspiring backdrop for skaters looking to hone their skills.
7. Diamond Plaza
Location: 309 W Mission Blvd, Pomona, CA 91766
Diamond Plaza may seem like an unconventional choice, but for street skaters, it's a hidden gem. The plaza features smooth ground, manual pads, and ledges that make for perfect skating obstacles. While it's technically a commercial area, it remains a popular spot for skaters after hours or when businesses are closed. The clean, polished surfaces make it ideal for technical tricks.
Skaters often appreciate Diamond Plaza for its simplicity. It's not as crowded or chaotic as larger skateparks, allowing skaters to focus on perfecting their lines. The layout encourages creativity, as you can move fluidly between different ledges and manual pads. Just be sure to keep an eye on security or business owners during peak hours.
8. Pomona City Hall
Location: 505 S Garey Ave, Pomona, CA 91766
Pomona City Hall is another iconic street skating spot. The steps, handrails, and open plaza areas provide ample opportunities for technical tricks and grinds. This spot is a must-visit for skaters who love stair sets, as the City Hall’s iconic five-stair is a favorite for many skaters looking to land a perfect flip or slide down the rail.
The spacious surroundings and smooth concrete make it a great spot for practicing various street skating techniques. However, being a government building, skaters should be mindful of security and possible restrictions. Skating at Pomona City Hall is best done during quieter hours to avoid interruptions.
9. Lincoln Park
Location: 400 Lincoln Ave, Pomona, CA 91767
Lincoln Park is a more traditional park with open areas that skaters have repurposed for skating. The park’s wide paths and curbs are great for beginners and intermediate skaters looking for a more relaxed environment. The area is relatively quiet, and the spacious layout allows skaters to practice flat ground tricks or cruise without interruption.
What makes Lincoln Park appealing is its community vibe. It’s a spot where skaters of all ages can come together and enjoy the outdoors while skating. It doesn’t offer the same intensity or features as some of the other spots on this list, but it’s perfect for a casual skate session, especially for those looking to avoid crowded skateparks.
10. Pomona High School
Location: 475 Bangor St, Pomona, CA 91767
Like many high schools across California, Pomona High School has become a local favorite for street skaters. The school’s stair sets, ledges, and railings provide the perfect setting for technical skating. Skaters often flock to the school after hours or on weekends to take advantage of its urban architecture, which offers a variety of obstacles for grinding, sliding, and flipping.
Pomona High’s eight-stair set is particularly popular among advanced skaters looking to push their limits. The wide-open space around the school also allows for uninterrupted lines and plenty of room to build up speed. Just like with other non-designated skate spots, be mindful of security or potential trespassing rules when skating here.
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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