Skateboard Heaven - Spring Valley CA

Date Park Opened: August 20, 1977

Summer:

Open Daily - 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Winter:

Sunday through Thursday - 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Friday - 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Saturday - 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

HOLIDAYS CLOSED: Christmas

Skateboard Heaven has seven runs that feature a variety of surface textures, from super smooth to a roughed-up finish, to accommodate each skateboard er's personal style and taste. This aspect has brought rave reviews from many skaters of all levels of proficiency.

The runs include the 240' "Bobsled Run” with overhanging lips giving it a beyond vertical wall. This concludes in a run through a 25' tunnel. Next is a 60' by 60', four-bowl cloverleaf with depths from 8' to 91/2'. The bowls are designed to make it possible to carve all four in succession. A few brave souls out there fly out of one bowl and into the 30' by 90' reservoir right next to it. The freestyle area is 50' by 50'. There's a downhill run that empties into a 16' by 8' bowl, an 8' beginners' pool, and an 8' deep "Massage Bowl" type swimming pool.

Ah, but then there is the "Soul Bowl No. 2." For you history buffs, the original Soul Bowl near State College was reputed to be the most perfect pool around. Local residents, however, used jackhammers and oil to make it a virtual wasteland. The "Soul Bowl No. 2" was designed after the original, and is the center of activity here. A few notable skaters, such as Bobby Piercy, Mike Williams, Tony Alva, and Dennis Martinez, have made a habit out of this one. The tile at the top is a special ridged type to get those wheels really singing on tile runs. A special coping, which was searched for statewide, was also used to give a barely overhanging lip, but still provide that degree of functionality. This was the first swimming pool constructed specially for a skatepark, and it is sure to retain its status for a long time.

The park, overall, has lots of vertical that provides a real challenge to the most advanced skaters while giving the beginners space to work around and shoot for ever higher goals.

Membership is not a requirement at Skateboard Heaven. The cost of a two-hour session is $2.50, and sessions begin every 30 minutes. All necessary safety gear may be rented in the pro shop for 25 cents per item.

Skateboard Heaven features its own discount pro shop carrying a full line of skateboarding equipment, including the Gordon & Smith line of products. Free lessons are given each Wednesday morning for beginners.

The game arcade has ten pinball and video machines, and the patio/rest area has vending machines for snacks and soft drinks.

As one of California's most versatile skateboard parks, the experience should be well worth a trip to Skateboard Heaven.