Los Angeles
Ask a resident of Los Angeles County where you should skate, and you will most likely be directed to the Strand or one of its beach boardwalks. No wonder it's so crowded on the beaches that some areas have flashing yellow caution signals! On the other hand, in the sweltering days of summer--and temperatures regularly hit three-digit readings in the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys--why skate in the heat and smog when the cool scene (literally and figuratively) is on the coast?
Combine the length of the boardwalk trails between Pacific Palisades and Manhattan Beach, the Strand, and the Long Beach Shoreline, and the result is nearly 30 miles of coast with delicious ocean breezes, bright sun, and wide, sandy beaches. Throw in a diverse mix of cultures--an array of nationalities and skating styles--and you begin to get a picture of Los Angeles skating.
Venice Beach rules the heart of the skate scene, as it has since the roller skating craze took off in the 1970s. The locales along the South Bay Trail vary in character, ranging from upscale Marina del Rey, Manhattan Beach, and Hermosa Beach to laid-back Redondo and Torrance Beaches, where you'll find relaxing rolls and terrific views. If hockey is your preference, Santa Monica is billed as the ultimate in-line hockey pickup scene.
There are plenty of great places to skate inland, and they are rarely crowded. If you love skating fast, look at some of the river trails listed in this chapter and consider taking an early morning excursion to get the need for speed out of your system before you head to the beach.
