Hermosa Beach Skatepark 25th Anniversary Celebration: Skate on the 8th Event

The City of Hermosa Beach is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Hermosa Beach Skate Park! Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 8, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and come skate on the 8th for a day filled with interactive activities, giveaways, a DJ, refreshments, and more.

Event Highlights

Open Skate: Enjoy free skate time at the park.

Interactive Activities: Participate in various skateboarding challenges and games.

Giveaways: Don’t miss out on exclusive anniversary merchandise and prizes.

DJ and Refreshments: Groove to the music and enjoy tasty treats.

A Bit of History

Skateboarding has become a quintessential element of Southern California culture, with deep roots in Hermosa Beach. While the Hermosa Beach Skate Park, located at the corner of Pier Avenue and Valley Drive, was built 12 years ago, skateboarding’s presence in Hermosa Beach dates back to the 1960s.

In 1963, "sidewalk surfing" made its official debut at the "First Skateboard Contest" held at the old Pier Avenue Junior High School. This historic event, witnessed by about 100 audience members, marked the beginning of skateboarding's influence on South Bay beach culture. By 1965, skateboarding in Southern California was featured on the cover of Life magazine.

By the 1970s, surf shops like Unity Surf Shop began retailing skateboards, blending surf and skate cultures. Unity Surf Shop, initially located at 422 PCH, motivated Eddie Talbot to develop his own skateboard and establish a new surf and skate store. Skate parks started being built to keep skaters off the streets, and in 1999, Hermosa Beach's first and only skate park was constructed next to the building that hosted the first skateboard contest.