Skate parks in Los Angeles became part of L.A. culture when surfing legend Hobie Alter founded Hobie Skateboards in the 1960s. Shortly thereafter, locales like Venice Beach became major skate destinations, appearing in a plethora of skate videos, films and shows. Fast-forward to present-day Los Angeles, where the city and surrounding areas boast impressive skate parks featuring ramps, bowls and rails, having become tourist attractions in their own right – they’ve even been given celebrity status courtesy of the professionals who have helped design them.

Likewise, if you’re looking to learn drops, jumps and advanced skills on a bike, there are a number of great bike parks in the Woodland Hills area where you can peddle up year-round, weather permitting. In general, California State Parks provide a variety of opportunities for bicyclists to experience the natural wonders of the state – even if it’s not about tricks or jumps – with more State Park trails becoming available each year; below, we have combined our picks for the best bike and skate parks in Woodland Hills to fulfill whatever wheeling aspirations you or a family member may have.

Lanark Skatepark, located at 21816 Lanark Street in Canoga Park, boasts 14,000 square feet of concrete with perfect ledges, rails, pads and quarters. It is situated in Lanark Park, with the Skatepark Project having helped fund its foundation in 2011. At the heart of this complex is the Lanark Recreation Center, bringing to the community a myriad of services, programs, amenities and more – from sports and fitness classes and cultural initiatives to facility features such as a lighted/unlighted baseball diamond, auditorium, lighted indoor and outdoor basketball courts, children’s play area, seasonal pool, lighted soccer field, lighted tennis courts, kitchen, stage, synthetic field and, of course, the skate park. Open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 9 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm; closed Sunday and holidays.

Pedlow Field Skate Park, located at 17328 Victory Boulevard in Lake Balboa, celebrated its dedication ceremony on February 17, 2001, and was the first skate park for the City of Los Angeles’ Department of Recreation and Parks. Hundreds of skaters enjoy this park daily and weekly, boasting a skate-at-your-own-risk policy that mandates protective equipment (helmets and pads are available at the office). Pedlow has no entry fee and allows skateboards and rollerblades alike, though no bicycles or scooters are welcome. The facility also features picnic tables, benches and a grass area, with unique skating structures encompassing a Fun Box, Half Pipe, Snake Run, Skate Bowl with Rails, Steps, Walls, Pyramid and Waterfall. Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to dusk and Saturday/Sunday from 8 am to dusk; closed holidays.

Four Oaks Park, located at 7449 Melba Avenue in West Hills, is nestled amidst the serene landscapes of the surrounding area and offers a tranquil retreat where nature enthusiasts and families alike can immerse themselves in the beauty of the outdoors. From lush greenery to recreational amenities, this picturesque park provides an array of activities and experiences for visitors of all ages, making it a cherished destination within the community. What’s more, sports enthusiasts have plenty of options for outdoor activities at Four Oaks Park, what with its multi-purpose sports courts for basketball and tennis, yielding opportunities for friendly games and recreational play. Additional open grassy areas are perfect for other activities like soccer, Frisbee and biking/skating.  

Serrania Park, located at 20726 Wells Drive, is best known as one of the most popular dog parks in Los Angeles, but it is indeed far more than that. This beautiful, serene oasis offers visitors a chance to connect with nature, with hiking and biking trails that meander through the park so you can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area while exercising. The park also features a playground for the little ones, making it a perfect destination for families seeking some outdoor fun – including cycling and skating.

Lake Balboa/Anthony C. Beilenson Park, located at 6300 Balboa Boulevard in Lake Balboa, has often been called a hidden enchantment in the heart of the Valley, with a massive lake just one part of the beautiful area. Experience plenty of folks walking around and cycling on the bike path, laughing kids frolicking in the playground, people fishing on the lake and groups swan paddle-boarding on the water. There are also rental bikes for the family (or if you want to just get around the area), plenty of food vendors for snacks and lots of parking.

Andres and Maria Cardenas Skate Park, located at 14740 Blythe Street in Panorama City, boasts a plaza that includes donated Street League elements from the 2010 Ontario stop, such as the colored ledge over a manual pad – a feature that was modified slightly from its original form to make it more skate-oriented for the youth. Additionally, the plaza exudes both a flat bank and grinding handrail, also culled from the Ontario event; in an effort to promote design uniformity, perimeter ledges are finished with burnished blocks to match the existing building and surrounding architecture.

Westlake Skatepark, located at 31107 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Westlake Village, features a large bowl and plaza for skating levels of all types, with only skateboards, inline skates, non-motorized scooters, bikes and wheelchairs permitted. The Skate Park is part of the Westlake Village Community Park and boasts additional features such as quarter pipes, hips, gaps, ledges, rails and metal coping, making the facility great for beginners and expert skaters alike – our advice is to bring skate wax, as the copings here aren’t grindable without it.

Orange Line Bike Path, with trail points at Leghorn Avenue and Chandler Boulevard in Los Angeles/Lassen Street by the railroad crossing in Chatsworth, enables you to enjoy a 17-mile trek across multiple Los Angeles neighborhoods on a former Southern Pacific Railroad corridor by combining the Orange Line Bike Path and the Browns Creek Bike Path. This path follows the G Line (formerly Orange Line) rapid bus route’s dedicated corridor, meaning L.A. traffic is not a concern here; further, this rail trail traverses dense neighborhoods, heavily trafficked roads and light industrial areas, but what it lacks in raw beauty it makes up for in functionality. Still, it’s not without its charms: native plants line the pathway as well as public art, while Anthony C. Beilenson Park, which includes Lake Balboa, runs adjacent to the trail, punctuated by a playground, picnic tables, a sports complex and other recreational amenities.

A few details before you head out: many skate and bike parks are free, while others cost a few dollars for the day, with most public parks requiring proper protective gear. Places that rent skateboard equipment are few and far between…otherwise, it’s a matter of just getting out there and enjoying.