Touring * Beginner * Scene *

From Interstate 405 (the San Diego Freeway) in West Los Angeles, exit onto Interstate 10 (the Santa Monica Freeway) and head west. Follow the signs to the Highway 1 junction and turn right, heading toward Malibu and Oxnard. Turn left into the first beach parking lot just north of the pier (you can expect to pay $6, but the skating here is well worth it). Skate north on the sidewalk that runs along the sand at the west edge of the lot.

Map: Los Angeles County Bike Map, available for free by calling

(213) 244-6539.

Skate Great USA School of Skating (www.skategreat.com) 888-866-6121 or 310-821-5489; email: debbie@skategreat.com Instructor Debbie Merrill, above, is showing off her favorite part of The Strand.

Start your day at the Santa Monica Pier, one of the most popular skating sites in Southern California. Not only is it a great skate destination in and of itself, it is the second city along the northern section of the nearly 20-mile-long Strand bikeway. A gigantic parking lot at the shore end of the pier usually has a few parking spaces open at the far corner. During peak summer months, this is also a regular location for the popular Blade School clinics. More parking lots farther south are famous for attracting hockey enthusiasts looking for fast-paced pickup games. The bike path south of here runs through Ocean Park and then enters the wild and woolly domain of Venice Beach, a scene every visiting skater has got to be a part of at least once in a lifetime (see page 326.)

Skate under the pier and cross the rough bridge (watch out for the raised patches) to access the smooth 20-foot-wide concrete bike path that has made the Strand such a famous destination. To add to the luxury, there's a separate asphalt path that keeps pedestrians off the trail. Palm trees, street lamps, and a lawn border the trail through South Beach Park, where a concrete plaza inspires show-offs to perform a few tricks before moving on. A short asphalt stretch connects to a 12-foot-wide concrete path that runs right out on the beach. To the left are the parking lots that lure pickup roller hockey enthusiasts of the highest caliber. Ocean Front Walk--a shop-lined pedestrian promenade that is also a fun skating route--begins here but will likely be jammed with tourists. On the promenade route, you might get a glimpse of the oiled muscles of the bodybuilders who work out in the gym on the sand.

In the heart of Venice Beach, the bike path passes through the Pavilion, where another grassy park sports a ramp that is popular with skaters and skateboarders who dare to air. Wide walks that lead up to the boardwalk attract performers of all persuasions, in-line and otherwise. You'll recognize this de facto stage by the large crowd gathered around to watch.

Continuing south from the Pavilion, pass behind one of the most impressive displays of graffiti in the state, a defunct snack bar that has been taken over by equally colorful characters. The beach down here is still sandy and the water is blue, but the parking lots and old apartment buildings to your left are none too pretty. A rough quarter-mile-long stretch of asphalt doesn't enhance the experience. Continuing south, the trail and scenery improve on a route that ends at the entrance channel of Marina del Rey.

To continue skating south down the Strand, go back up to Washington Street at the end of the Venice Pier and follow it inland on its very nice bike lane (after you suffer through the first block on sidewalks). Watch out for the downslope, which is fun for experienced street skaters but highly dangerous for folks who don't have the skills or experience to skate safely next to fast-moving cars. Turn right on Palawan Way and then left on Admiralty Way, which leads to a bike path along a greenbelt that circles around the marina. After it takes you through a parking lot you will find yourself on Fiji Way, which curves around and dead-ends in a loop at Fisherman's Village. The bike path resumes at the south of the loop and takes you to the channel. Turn right onto the levee and cross the bridge a short way down. A bike path resumes at Playa del Rey's Dockweiler Beach (see South Bay Trail: Manhattan Beach to Playa del Rey, page 328). Follow the levee inland to skate the Ballona Creek Trail (see page 327).