Touring * Beginner *

From Interstate 880 in Fremont, take the Stevenson Boulevard exit and head east for four miles. Turn right at the intersection with Paseo Padre Parkway. Drive alongside Fremont Central Park and past the first left into the park. Turn left after you see the sign for the Community Center and park next to the sandlot, where a wide sidewalk awaits.

Lake Elizabeth is the best bet for beginning skaters who live in Fremont and the neighboring communities of Newark and Union City. The west side of the park has eight-foot wide concrete sidewalks bordered by dense lawn. There are also some very slight slopes where novices can get the feel for using their heel brake without gaining too much speed. Once they've got the hang of starting, turning, and stopping, most first timers will feel confident enough to embark on the Lake Elizabeth Loop, where more experienced skaters can get a good workout doing laps. On the south side of the lake, there's an arching wooden bridge to cross that most beginners can negotiate successfully. Just after the bridge, a branch of the concrete sidewalk leads off to the right toward a children's sandlot, but it gets pretty sandy, making for slippery skating. Sticking to the trail, proceed around to the lake's southern tip, where the surface becomes asphalt. It's not as nice as the concrete, but still quite serviceable. The east side of the lake is exposed and sunny, but Fremont gets enough bay breeze to remain cool on most summer days. After you round the north tip of Lake Elizabeth and start heading down the west shore, you'll suddenly encounter an unexplained section of terrible, narrow asphalt that is barely navigable. It's a very short stretch, so if the lawn is dry, walk on the grass. Otherwise, keep up your speed and good luck. After this nasty patch, go right to cross the parking lot to the sidewalk on the edge of the lawn. You'll pass the concession stand and return by the gazebo to the parking lot where you started.