Best of 2001: Best Skate Park

Mission Valley YMCA, Krause Family Skate Park
3250 Camino del Rio North,
Mission Valley
619-281-7885

Krause Skate Park lies along the San Diego River next to Interstate 8. Fifty thousand square feet of cement and wood is plenty of room to show off your kick turns, fakies, backside and frontside airs, grinds, 50-50s, rock'n'rolls, board slides, and ollies. Its slickest features are the giant half-pipe and an 88-foot-wide vertical ramp. There's a bunny-slope area for beginners and an intermediate-advanced area for you and your brahs. Plus, up to ten bikers are allowed in the park during each three-hour session. The cost is $10 per session; better to pay the $22 yearly membership, which knocks the per-session fee down to $4. All safety gear -- helmet and elbow and knee pads -- is required. On weekends you can rent out the whole park for a couple of hours for birthday parties. Hours: Three-hour sessions at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m.