Etnies Skatepark

Etnies Skatepark (The Ultimate Guide)

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Etnies is one of the biggest names in skateboarding apparel and accessories. It should come as no surprise that the skatepark they plastered their name on is one of the best in the country. Located in Lake Forest, California, Etnies Skatepark is one of the most important hubs for extreme sports in the state.

Etnies Skatepark spans 62,000 square feet of concrete surfaces. Only skateboards, longboards, and rollerblades are welcome at Etnies Skatepark, and the park is free for locals. Residents of other cities have to pay a one-time $15 to skate at Etnies Skatepark, and the park is closely monitored by park staff.

Helmets and pads are required, and that’s a good thing considering how extreme some of the obstacles are. The park is most notable for its bowls and transition obstacles, but it also features an impressive street course. Follow along as we take a deep dive into Etnies Skatepark and highlight what makes it so special.

Quick Skatepark Details

Address 20028 Lake Forest Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Location Lake Forest, California
Park Hours Sat-Sun: 10:00 AM- 7:45 PM. Mon-Fri: 12:00 PM-7:45 PM
Park Lights Yes
Admission Fees Free (Residents) $15 (Non-Residents)
Park Supervised Yes
Phone (949) 916-5870
Park Opened December 13th, 2003
Helmets & Safety Gear Required
Riding Devices Allowed Skateboards, Longboards, Rollerblades
Riding Devices Not Allowed BMX, Scooters, Heelies, Motorized Devices
Skatepark Material Concrete, Metal Rails
Size 62,000 Square Feet
Skatepark Website Information https://www.etniesskatepark.com/

Where Is Etnies Skatepark?

Etnies Skatepark is in Lake Forest, California. The closest major city to Lake Forest is Irvine.

Etnies Skatepark Address: 20028 Lake Forest Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630

Do You Have To Pay To Get Into Etnies Skatepark?

You only have to pay to get into Etnies Skatepark if you aren’t a resident of Lake Forest or Foothill Ranch. Non-residents of the area have to pay a $15 admission fee to get into the park. However, you only have to pay this fee one time, and then you can skate at the park for life.

What Are The Hours at Etnies Skatepark?

Etnies Skatepark is open from 10:00 Am to 7:45 PM on the weekends, and 12:00 PM to 7:45 PM on weekdays. The park is open 7 days a week.

How Do You Get Into The Park?

Etnies Skatepark has a parking lot that makes it easy to enter the park. Once you park, you can simply enter the park. You will need to present proof of local residency to get into the park for free.

The only downside to parking at Etnies Skatepark is that the parking lot is small. There is no street parking nearby, so you won’t be able to get in if the parking lot is full unless someone drops you off.

Etnies Skatepark Rundown

 

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Etnies Skatepark is notable for its massive size and a wide variety of obstacles that suit every skating style. The park features several bowls that vary in depth. One of the bowls features a roll-in, and that’s the best one for beginners that haven’t dropped in before. The cradle and spine are among the most unique features the park has to offer.

There are several other transition skating elements, such as the London Gap, mini ramp, and corners. The rest of Etnies Skatepark consists of street course obstacles, such as rails, stairs, curbs, ledges, hubbas, and kickers.

What Material Is The Park Made of?

Etnies Skatepark is made entirely of smooth concrete. The only metal you will find at the park is the rails and bowl coping.

How Busy Does It Get?

Because of its location, Etnies Skatepark gets quite busy, especially on the weekends. Lake Forest, California only has 85,742 residents, but its proximity to other cities like Irvine, Laguna Hills, and Mission Viejo makes the park fill up quickly.

Is Etnies Skatepark Beginner Friendly?

Etnies Skatepark has many challenging obstacles, but there is still plenty to do if you are a beginner. The flat ground sections are perfect for beginners, and many of the street elements are also easy to shred. However, beginners should steer clear of the bowls as they are challenging to skate.

The mini-ramp is beginner-friendly, but I don’t recommend skating it when it’s crowded if you don’t have much experience. There are roll-ins for the bowls, and that’s easier for beginners than dropping into them.

Are Helmets Required?

Helmets are strictly required at Etnies Skatepark. You must also wear elbow pads and knee pads at Etnies Skatepark. Park staff will kick you out of the skatepark if you fail to wear protective gear.

Does Etnies Skatepark Have lights?

Etnies Skatepark has lights that stay on until the 7:45 PM closing time. The park doesn’t stay open long after it gets dark, but the lights help with visibility in the bowls.

Do They Have Rental Equipment?

Etnies Skatepark doesn’t currently offer rental equipment. However, there are several skate shops in and around Lake Forest, California that you can visit if you left something at home. The best skate shops in the area include Focus Boardshop, SoCal Skateshop, and True At Heart Board Shop.

Can You Ride BMX at Etnies Skatepark?

You cannot ride BMX bikes at Etnies Skatepark. They strictly enforce this rule, and you can be ejected from the park if you are caught on a bike.

Can You Ride Rollerblades at Etnies Skatepark?

Rollerblades are allowed at Etnies Skatepark. Any type of inline skate is welcome at Etnies Skatepark, and the park’s layout is perfect for them.

Can You Ride a Scooter at Etnies Skatepark?

You cannot ride a scooter at Etnies Skatepark. Many patrons are understandably upset about this, but it’s for the safety of the guests. The obstacles at Etnies Skatepark are too extreme for a scooter.

Can You Ride a Longboard at Etnies Skatepark?

Longboards are welcome at Etnies Skatepark, but they aren’t ideal. The main downside to riding a longboard at Etnies Skatepark is that you won’t have much to do. Etnies Skatepark’s layout is meant for street and transition skating tricks.

Longboards aren’t conducive to flip tricks, transitions, and grinding rails. However, you can have fun on a longboard if you cruise on the flat ground sections at the park.

Is There Wi-Fi at the Park?

Etnies Skatepark doesn’t offer Wi-Fi at the park. However, there are several local coffee shops and restaurants in the area, and many of them offer Wi-Fi to guests. Otherwise, you shouldn’t have trouble using cellular data as the area has great cellular service.

Is Etnies Skatepark Safe?

Etnies Skatepark is quite safe because of the strict safety gear requirements. This protects visitors from otherwise dangerous and challenging obstacles. It also helps that the skatepark is in a good area, and Lake Forest has a low crime rate.

Lake Forest, California is safer than 42% of all United States neighborhoods. The skatepark is also monitored by park staff, so you are always in good hands. There are several cameras on the property, and they even live stream the footage and put it online. This helps to deter crime.

The History of Etnies Skatepark

Etnies Skatepark opened on December 13th, 2003 after a short design and construction process. The construction was handled by SITE Design Group who also designed the park. While the initial incarnation of the skatepark was impressive, it wasn’t until 2009 that it became what it is today.

A massive $632,000 renovation added 25,000 square feet to Etnies Skatepark. Since then, the park has stayed the same. It eventually appeared in the video game Skate 4 in its current form.

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