Skating/Skateboarding Venice Beach

Venice in the 1970s nurtured the rise of modern skateboarding. Surf and skate legend Skip Engblom, played by the late Heath Ledger in the film Lords of Dogtown, along with partners Jeff Ho and Craig Stecyk, led the Zephyr skateboard team from Venice to international fame.

Borrowing moves from rogue surfers who weaved through the dangerous ruins of Pacific Ocean Park and molding them to fit the dynamics of skating, Engblom and his team injected the fading sport with a fresh style that incorporated the innovative vibe of Venice.

To see the legacy of Engblom and the Zephyr team, look no further than the Venice Skate Park, opened in 2009. Watch in awe as the deft skaters here execute gravity-defying moves with impeccable precision. If you want to try skateboarding somewhere less daunting, consider taking your board to the bicycle path for a calm ride through the beach. Love to skate? Then rent a pair of rollerblades at Boardwalk Skate & Surf off the boardwalk for $7/hour or a day rate of $20. When your stomach starts growling after some blading, grab a burger at Hinano Cafe on Washington Ave.

STARTING POINT
Begin at the end of Washington Blvd at Ocean Front Walk.

DIRECTIONS TO THE START
Transit: From the Temple and Spring St. stop in Downtown LA take the Commuter Express 437 towards Washington & Pacific. Disembark at Washington and Pacific.

Car: From the 10 Freeway West merge onto the 405 Freeway South toward LAX/Long Beach. After about 4 miles merge onto the 90 Freeway West. After 3 miles turn right onto Lincoln Blvd. Then after a 0.5 miles turn left onto Washiton Blvd. After about 1 miles you will reach the end of Washington Blvd.