The Palo Alto area has a surprisingly good cluster of skate parks — from the historic Greer bowl complex that's been drawing Peninsula skaters since 1990 to the newer Burgess Park facility in Menlo Park that competes with anything in the Bay Area. Add in a couple of strong options in the surrounding cities and families near Palo Alto have real choices for introducing kids to skating or leveling up their skills. Every pick here is free except one.
1. Greer Skatepark (Palo Alto)
Location: 1098 Amarillo Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Palo Alto👶 Best for all ages💲 Free🚗 2.3 mi
Three concrete bowls that flow naturally: Greer Skatepark in Palo Alto has been part of Greer Park since 1990 — three interconnected concrete bowls (4, 6, and 8 feet deep) that feel less like isolated features and more like one long flowing experience through hips and transitions. The 22-acre surrounding park means plenty of space to cool off or let non-skating siblings play. Open dawn to 10:30pm.
Good to know: tri-bowl complex (4, 6, 8 ft), concrete bowls, hips, central island.
Parent tip: Start in the 4-foot shallow bowl before progressing to deeper sections. Evening sessions after 7pm in summer are cool, quiet, and the light makes the concrete look great. Open until 10:30pm.
For current hours and seasonal closures, see the official Greer Skatepark page.
2. Burgess Skate Park (Menlo Park)
Location: 580 Alma St, Menlo Park, CA 94025
The best-designed free skate park on the Peninsula: Burgess Skate Park in Menlo Park is newer construction with a thoughtful layout — accessible banks and boxes near the entrance that progress toward deeper flow bowls and a vert section for advanced skaters. The 15,000-square-foot concrete surface is smooth and well-maintained. Children under 14 must be with an adult; helmets, elbow and knee pads are required. The park is adjacent to the Arrillaga Family Gym at Burgess Park, which has a playground and restrooms nearby.
Good to know: banks, boxes, hubbas, rail, flow bowls (progressively deeper), vert section.
Parent tip: The bank features at the park entrance are the most beginner-friendly — kids learning to drop in and carve should start there. Helmets and pads are enforced; bring them or expect to be turned away.
Hours and amenities shift with the season — confirm today's on the Burgess Skate Park city page.
3. Fremont Skate Park (Fremont)
Starting in Palo Alto, the drive takes about 19 min without traffic — the round trip fits inside a morning.
Location: 40500 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont, CA 94538
A free skate park inside one of the Bay Area's best family park complexes: Fremont Skate Park is set inside Central Park next to the Aqua Adventure Waterpark — a combination that makes the trip work for the whole family whether or not everyone skates. The park covers about an acre with a bowl and street section that serves intermediate skaters well. It's open 6am to 8pm and completely free. Fremont Central Park adds a lake, nature area, and playgrounds for non-skating siblings.
Good to know: bowls, street course, rails, ledges.
Parent tip: Combine with Aqua Adventure next door for a full day outing — skate in the morning, water park in the afternoon. Fremont Central Park has solid picnic facilities for lunch in between.
Planning a specific day? Check the Fremont Skate Park status page for closures first.
4. Milpitas Skate Park (Milpitas)
From Palo Alto, budget about 23 min each way — but Milpitas has enough to fill a full morning out.
Location: 206 N Park Victoria Dr, Milpitas, CA 95035
One of the largest free parks in the South Bay at 20,000 square feet: Milpitas Skate Park combines bowl and transition terrain with street skating elements across a well-organized layout. The mix of shallow ramps for beginners and more serious bowl sections for intermediates means the park doesn't feel overwhelmingly advanced even for kids just starting out. Bathrooms and water fountains on-site are a practical bonus on longer sessions. The 7am to 9pm hours give you the flexibility of an early morning session before it gets crowded.
Good to know: transition terrain, street terrain, 20,000 sq ft, rails, shallow ramps, skate bowls, water fountains, bathrooms.
Parent tip: The shallow ramp sections are the most beginner-accessible features — start there before heading into the deeper bowl terrain. Open 7am to 9pm; early morning sessions are quiet and cool.
Before you load up the car, review the Milpitas Skate Park page for maintenance or event closures.
5. Campbell Community Skate Park (Campbell)
about 24 min from Palo Alto each way — Campbell rewards the drive if you plan a few hours.
Location: 1 W Campbell Ave, Campbell, CA 95008
Free skating with actual park design: Campbell spent real money rebuilding this downtown space, and it shows — 10 functional elements that feel good to skate, from shallow ramps for learners to bowls for intermediate flow sessions. Dining and caffeine are in walking distance. Hours shift: dawn to dusk September through May, noon to dusk June through August.
Good to know: ramps, bowls, rails, 10 skate elements.
Parent tip: The proximity to downtown Campbell makes this an easy combination with lunch or coffee — the Campbell Farmer's Market runs Sunday mornings nearby. Gear up before you arrive; the park requires helmets and pads.
Save yourself a wasted trip — the Campbell Community Skate Park page lists current hours and closures.
How we picked these
We picked these based on beginner accessibility, terrain variety, safety, free-to-use vs. paid, and how the surrounding park supports the whole family. Research draws on local skate community feedback, city parks pages, and parent reviews. No paid placements.Planning your visit
Most South Bay outdoor skate parks are open year-round — Bay Area winters rarely close them. Helmets and pads are required at most municipal parks and genuinely necessary on any terrain with transitions. Lake Cunningham charges admission; all other picks here are free. Morning sessions (before 10am) are the least crowded at every location. For more family activities near Palo Alto this week, see the Palo Alto events page.For more kids' events near Palo Alto this week, see the Palo Alto events page.
Palo Alto Skate Parks — Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best skate parks for kids near Palo Alto, CA?
Our 2026 guide picks 5 standout skate parks within about 20 miles of Palo Alto. The top picks include Greer Skatepark, Burgess Skate Park and Fremont Skate Park — each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.
What is the closest skate park to Palo Alto?
Burgess Skate Park in Menlo Park is the closest pick at about 1.1 miles from Palo Alto. It's the easiest one to fit into a weekday afternoon — short drive, low commitment, easy to leave early if the kids melt down.