Ten important skateboard spots in Santa Rosa, California
1. Sonomarin Skatepark
Location: 2060 W College Ave, Santa Rosa, CA
Sonomarin Skatepark, known locally as the Santa Rosa Skatepark, is the crown jewel of skateboarding in the city. Built in 2000 and spanning 35,000 square feet, this is one of the largest skateparks in Northern California. The park is designed to cater to skaters of all skill levels. It features a massive bowl section with various depths, including a deep end that mimics backyard pool skating, a favorite among experienced skaters. Transition skaters can enjoy smooth, flowing lines, while street skaters can take advantage of ledges, rails, stairs, and gaps.
The park’s smooth concrete surface, diverse range of obstacles, and spacious layout make it a premier spot not only in Santa Rosa but across the Bay Area. It’s a great place for practicing tricks, transitions, or just cruising around. Additionally, the park’s atmosphere is welcoming, and it’s not uncommon to see families, BMX riders, and inline skaters sharing the space. Sonomarin Skatepark is a must-visit spot for any skateboarder traveling through Santa Rosa.
2. Fremont Park
Location: 1350 Fremont Dr, Santa Rosa, CA
While Fremont Park may not be an official skate spot, its urban landscape offers a plethora of natural skating obstacles that make it an underground favorite among locals. The park's ledges, manual pads, and small drops provide plenty of opportunities for creative street skating. Fremont Park is especially popular among skaters who prefer exploring city structures rather than traditional skateparks.
The park is relatively quiet, giving skaters the freedom to practice their skills without the large crowds found at designated skate parks. Fremont Park represents the spirit of street skating, where creativity meets adaptability. Skaters can develop their unique style by utilizing the different obstacles that the park offers.
3. Howarth Park
Location: 630 Summerfield Rd, Santa Rosa, CA
Howarth Park is primarily known as a family-friendly recreational area, but for skateboarders, it holds a hidden gem. The parking lot and surrounding sidewalks have smooth surfaces with gradual slopes, perfect for downhill riders and cruisers. Although it doesn’t have traditional skatepark obstacles, the long, smooth paths are ideal for practicing pushing, carving, and downhill speed runs.
For skaters who enjoy longboarding or cruising through scenic areas, Howarth Park offers a tranquil environment. It’s a great spot for beginners to work on their balance and speed control, or for experienced skaters to enjoy a peaceful ride through nature. With its proximity to Spring Lake, you can also take a break and enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings.
4. Julliard Park
Location: 227 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa, CA
Julliard Park is an unassuming green space in downtown Santa Rosa, but it has become a favored skateboarding location due to its smooth, wide sidewalks and interesting terrain. The park features flat areas, gentle slopes, and natural obstacles like benches, stairs, and curbs. While it isn’t a formal skatepark, the urban landscape provides plenty of opportunities for street skaters to practice grinds, slides, and manuals.
This spot is perfect for skaters looking to practice in a laid-back environment without the crowds of more popular skateparks. The park’s downtown location also makes it accessible for those who want to combine a skate session with a visit to the nearby shops and restaurants. The atmosphere is calm, and skaters often have the space to themselves, allowing for creativity and experimentation.
5. Ragle Ranch Park
Location: 500 Ragle Rd, Sebastopol, CA (Just outside Santa Rosa)
Ragle Ranch Park, located just a short drive from Santa Rosa in Sebastopol, is a fantastic spot for skaters looking for a change of pace. The park features smooth paved paths that wind through the large open space, perfect for longboarding or cruising. While it doesn’t have traditional skate obstacles, the wide-open areas and paths are ideal for riders who enjoy skating at higher speeds.
The park is surrounded by natural beauty, offering a serene environment for skaters who want to escape the urban grind. The gentle slopes and long paths make it a popular spot for longboarders and casual skaters alike. Ragle Ranch provides a unique mix of outdoor recreation and skateboarding, where riders can enjoy nature and practice their skills.
6. Santa Rosa’s Courthouse Square
Location: 4th St & Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, CA
Santa Rosa’s Courthouse Square is a favorite spot for local skateboarders who enjoy street skating. The area offers an array of street obstacles such as ledges, stairs, planters, and gaps. The modern urban design of the square provides smooth surfaces, perfect for flatground tricks and cruising.
Skaters looking to test their street skills will find this spot particularly enjoyable. It’s common to see skaters practicing ollies, kickflips, and grinds on the planters and ledges that line the square. Although the square is in a busy area, it often clears out in the evenings, giving skateboarders a chance to claim the space.
7. Finley Park
Location: 2060 W College Ave, Santa Rosa, CA
Finley Park, located near the Santa Rosa Skatepark, is another excellent spot for skateboarders. Although it isn’t a designated skateboarding area, the park’s smooth pavement and flat surfaces make it ideal for practicing flatground tricks and cruising. The surrounding pathways and wide-open areas provide plenty of room to maneuver, making it a great spot for beginner skaters or those working on their basics.
One of the advantages of skating at Finley Park is its proximity to the skatepark, allowing skaters to transition between a traditional skatepark setting and a more relaxed environment. Finley Park also features plenty of shade and grassy areas, offering a peaceful spot to take a break between skate sessions.
8. Taylor Mountain Regional Park
Location: 3820 Petaluma Hill Rd, Santa Rosa, CA
Taylor Mountain Regional Park may not be the first place that comes to mind for skateboarding, but for those who enjoy a challenge, the hilly terrain offers a unique downhill experience. The park features steep roads and pathways that are ideal for downhill longboarding or for skaters looking to test their speed control and braking skills.
The park’s scenic views and rugged terrain provide a different kind of skate experience compared to the urban environment of most skate spots. Riders who enjoy carving and high-speed downhill runs will appreciate the long, winding roads of Taylor Mountain. The park is also a great place to combine skateboarding with other outdoor activities like hiking or mountain biking.
9. Luther Burbank Center
Location: 50 Mark West Springs Rd, Santa Rosa, CA
The Luther Burbank Center for the Arts might not be an official skate spot, but its modern architecture and expansive plaza areas have made it a popular location for street skaters. The smooth concrete surfaces, ledges, and stairs provide a perfect backdrop for practicing street tricks. The center’s quiet, open spaces allow skaters to focus on perfecting their technical skills.
Skating at the Luther Burbank Center is often a quiet experience, as the area isn’t crowded. It’s an excellent spot for skaters who want to escape the busier skateparks and focus on honing their street skills in a unique setting.
10. Prince Memorial Greenway
Location: Downtown Santa Rosa
The Prince Memorial Greenway is a beautiful path that runs along Santa Rosa Creek in the heart of downtown. While primarily used as a walking and biking trail, the smooth, flat pathways make it ideal for skateboarders looking to cruise through nature. The path is long and relatively straight, providing plenty of room for skaters to pick up speed and enjoy a scenic ride.
For skaters who want to enjoy a relaxed session while taking in the natural beauty of Santa Rosa, the Prince Memorial Greenway offers a peaceful retreat. It’s a great place for longboarders or cruisers who want to skate at a leisurely pace while enjoying the outdoors.
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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