Ten important skateboard spots in Salinas, California
1. Closter Park
Located at 401 Towt St, Closter Park is one of Salinas' most popular recreational parks. It is well known for its community atmosphere and has long been a favorite for local skaters. The park doesn’t have a designated skatepark, but the paved walkways and open concrete areas offer ample room for cruising, tricks, and practicing. The surface is relatively smooth, making it a suitable spot for beginners working on their balance and board control. The park also features several curbs, ramps, and other natural elements that more experienced skaters can use creatively.
Aside from skating, Closter Park also has basketball courts, playgrounds, and picnic areas, making it a well-rounded spot for spending a whole day. Many skaters enjoy the relaxed vibe, allowing them to practice at their own pace without the pressure of a formal skatepark setting. While not the most challenging place for tricks, Closter Park offers a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for all.
2. Salinas Skatepark
The Salinas Skatepark, located at 324 N. Main St, is the crown jewel of skateboarding in Salinas. This park was specifically designed with skaters in mind and has everything a skater could dream of. It’s the go-to spot for locals and visitors alike due to its high-quality ramps, bowls, rails, and ledges. Skaters of all skill levels can find something to enjoy here, whether it's the deep bowls for carving or the wide-open flat spaces for practicing flips and tricks.
This concrete park also has a good mix of street and vert elements. The street section features stairs, rails, and boxes, while the vert area offers quarter pipes, banks, and bowls. The Salinas Skatepark attracts skaters from all over Monterey County and is often bustling with activity, creating an exciting and energetic atmosphere.
3. Sherwood Park
Sherwood Park, located at 940 N. Main St, is one of the larger parks in Salinas and provides multiple recreational opportunities, including skateboarding. Like Closter Park, Sherwood does not have a dedicated skatepark, but it offers open paved areas that are perfect for cruising and practicing tricks. Skaters often flock to this park for its smooth surfaces, manual pads, and makeshift ramps. It's also a great spot for practicing ollies and flips, especially for skaters who enjoy a relaxed environment with fewer crowds.
Sherwood Park is especially favored by those who prefer to skate in a quieter, more scenic setting. The park’s layout allows for creative skating, as skaters can make use of benches, curbs, and other park features in their sessions. Plus, it's surrounded by beautiful trees and greenery, providing a calm ambiance.
4. El Dorado Skatepark
El Dorado Skatepark is a lesser-known gem in Salinas that offers a peaceful yet challenging skating environment. This small park is located at 1655 El Dorado Dr and provides a more intimate skating experience compared to the bustling Salinas Skatepark. It features several mini ramps, a small bowl, and a few street-style elements like curbs and ledges. The park is ideal for beginners who want to practice without the pressure of large crowds but also caters to more experienced skaters who want to focus on technical tricks.
One of the best aspects of El Dorado Skatepark is that it’s rarely crowded, giving skaters the freedom to practice without interruptions. The park’s compact size means that everything is within reach, making it a great place for honing specific skills, particularly for those looking to master transitions and bowl skating.
5. Central Park
Central Park, located at 420 Central Ave, offers another casual spot for skateboarding in Salinas. It doesn't have a designated skatepark, but the walkways and large open areas are often used by skaters for cruising and practicing street tricks. The park has several small hills and slopes, making it an excellent location for practicing downhill skating and speed control.
While Central Park doesn’t provide the advanced features of a skatepark, it’s perfect for skaters who enjoy street skating in a more natural environment. The park is often quiet, allowing for uninterrupted sessions, and its central location makes it easy to access for many residents of Salinas. Additionally, the park has plenty of seating areas and shade, offering skaters a place to rest between sessions.
6. Steinbeck Commons
Steinbeck Commons, located downtown near the National Steinbeck Center, is a popular urban skating spot. The large concrete plazas, wide-open spaces, and smooth surfaces make it a prime location for street skaters. The commons feature ledges, manual pads, and a variety of natural obstacles that allow skaters to get creative with their tricks. The urban setting also adds an edgy vibe that appeals to skaters who prefer street-style skating.
Although Steinbeck Commons isn't a traditional skatepark, it's an essential part of Salinas' skate culture. Many skaters come here for the unique architecture and the challenge of using the urban environment to perform tricks. However, it's important to be mindful of pedestrians and the surrounding businesses when skating here, as it is a public space.
7. Laurel Heights Park
Laurel Heights Park, located at 1016 Laurel Dr, offers a relaxed environment for casual skaters. The park's long, winding paths are perfect for cruising, and the gentle slopes provide a bit of a challenge for downhill skating. Laurel Heights also has various small ramps, curbs, and ledges that skaters can use to practice tricks, making it a versatile spot for different skating styles.
What makes Laurel Heights Park stand out is its peaceful atmosphere. The park is typically quiet, making it a great place for skaters looking to practice without distractions. The large, open grassy areas also provide a soft landing spot for beginners who may still be working on their balance and control.
8. Natividad Creek Park
Located at 1395 Nogal Dr, Natividad Creek Park is one of the largest parks in Salinas and offers a wide range of recreational activities, including skateboarding. While it doesn’t have a dedicated skate area, the park’s long, paved trails are ideal for cruising and downhill skating. The park also features several curbs, stairs, and rails that skaters can use creatively for tricks.
Natividad Creek Park is popular among locals due to its beautiful scenery and spacious layout. The park’s design allows skaters to move freely, exploring different parts of the park while skating. Additionally, its proximity to nature makes it a unique spot for those who enjoy skating in a more tranquil environment.
9. Monte Bella Park
Monte Bella Park, located at 1510 E Laurel Dr, is another hidden gem in Salinas for skaters. The park’s large, smooth surfaces and gentle slopes make it an excellent spot for cruising and practicing basic tricks. It’s a family-friendly park, so it’s a good option for younger skaters or those just getting started with skateboarding.
Monte Bella Park’s open layout allows for creative skating, as there are plenty of obstacles, including benches, curbs, and small rails, that can be used for tricks. The park is also relatively quiet, offering skaters a peaceful place to practice without the distractions of larger, more crowded skateparks.
10. Twin Creeks Golf and Disc Course
While this might seem like an unconventional choice for a skate spot, the paved walkways at Twin Creeks Golf and Disc Course have become a favorite among local skaters. Located at 19 York St, this recreational area offers a unique setting for skateboarding. The long, winding paths are perfect for cruising, and the gentle inclines provide just enough challenge for skaters who enjoy speed and downhill skating.
The course is known for its scenic views, and skating here offers a unique experience, blending the calmness of a golf course with the thrill of skateboarding. While skaters should be mindful of other park users, this spot is a great alternative for those looking for a relaxing yet exciting place to skate.
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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