At first glance, San Diego’s 200 valleys and canyons might not make it a topographic dream destination for roller skaters, but its obsession with outdoor fitness and a good evening activity might. Long coastal boardwalks, smooth open spaces and iconic roller rinks keep San Diego’s rollerskaters local. We compiled a list of the best places to get your wheels moving around town.
Skateworld
Linda Vista
You rarely meet a San Diego native who hasn’t attended a birthday party here, and for good reason. Opened in 1975, Skateworld has been the go-to indoor skating rink for decades. They have tons of hours for public skating, as well as private lessons, youth roller derby and family skate night. For $15 (plus $7 for skate rental), spend three hours gliding under a disco ball in circular motion, surrounded by retro patterns and an LED light show, and finish with some jalapeno poppers.
6907 Linda Vista Rd, Linda Vista
Ringers Roller Rink
Encanto
Ringer’s Roller Rink is an outdoor party on wheels in Encanto. Opened in 2023, this rink offers several three-hour public skating sessions, seven days a week, for $18 (including skates). Taking a modern twist on old-time retro rinks with art installations, selfie stations and ’90s nights, Ringer’s has brought new life to the San Diego roller-skating community. Beer and seltzers are also on offer for the 21+ crowd, as well as snacks and bites.
6060 Federal Blvd., Encanto
Robb Field Skate Park
Ocean Beach
For the advanced folk, or those interested in taking their roller-skating to new heights, Robb Field Skate Park in Ocean Beach is a hub for wheeled activity. Open from 10 a.m. until dusk every day of the year, it offers 40,000 square feet of concrete and a “street-style” course. It’s a great place to perfect tricks and drop into a bowl; however, beware of flying skateboards. Or, for those who seek a relaxing cruise, a smooth concrete walking path surrounds the park.
2525 Bacon St, Ocean Beach
Mission Beach Boardwalk
Mission Beach
It might be the picturesque 3.5-mile stretch of concrete alongside a white-sandy beach that has made Mission Beach Boardwalk the most iconic roller-skating destination in San Diego. Or, it could be the rows of beach bars and restaurants, and the best people-watching in San Diego that has made it so. Either way, if you’re an ocean lover or just someone who lives for chaos, this boardwalk will satisfy your roller-skating quirks. And, if you get lucky enough while dodging a swarm of tourists, you might catch a glimpse of Slo-Mo, SD’s local roller-skating legend.
W Mission Bay Dr, Mission Beach
Liberty Station
Point Loma
Amidst restaurants and storefronts, the roller-skating community has found a home for their mobile feel at Liberty Station across from the LOT movie theatre, in a concrete area where the Rady Children’s Ice Rink is located in the wintertime. This rink-shaped space attracts roller-skating meetups and groups who offer free lessons, and is a great place to practice tricks for free at any time of day. If it’s too crowded with pros, go grab a coffee and skate around Liberty Station’s paved mile-long waterfront path.
2875 Dewey Rd, Point Loma
The Embarcadero
Downtown
Give yourself a self-guided tour of downtown San Diego on skates as you ride along the Embarcadero waterfront, passing sights like the Midway and Star of India. Start at Seaport Village or The Rady Shell and glide along the bayfront, all the way to Harbor Island, where you can loop back around for an 8-mile roundtrip day. Be sure to take a selfie with the Unconditional Surrender statue, a 25-foot bronze piece of art depicting a wartime sailor kissing a nurse as you roll by.
200 Marina Park Way, Downtown
Sunset View Park
Chula Vista
San Diego may not have a crisp ice-covered lake to play hockey on, but it does have a roller-hockey rink that roller-skaters have taken over. This Chula Vista park is a local favorite for wheeled activities, where roller groups host meetups and events. Bring your skates and a picnic to watch the sunset after you ride. The park is open from 7-10 p.m. daily.
1390 S Greensview Dr., Chula Vista
PARTNER CONTENT
Coastal Rail Trail
Cardiff
Heading North, this trail follows the coastal train tracks from Chesterfield Drive in Cardiff to Santa Fe Drive in Encinitas for a 3-mile out-and-back path. New as of 2019, the fresh, flat concrete provides a scenic beach roller-skating route away from the hustle and bustle. It’s one of the first sections of the proposed 44-mile-long walking and biking trail that will run from Santa Fe Depot in downtown to Oceanside. So far, so good.
1298 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas
