By Matthew Becerra, Feb. 11, 2025
Skateboarding culture thrives on campus, with both professional and amateur skaters gathering at key locations to practice, film and push their limits. These are the top five skate spots that offer different levels of difficulty, according to skaters on campus.
- Building 24 (Music Building)
The Music Building provides a diverse mix of obstacles for skaters of all levels and is widely considered the best skate spot on campus.
“You got a six stair, a three stair for those just trying to learn, an out ledge, and a bigger out ledge on the six stair,” said Skate Club member and finance, real estate & law student Aaron Pangilinan. “There’s also a gap ledge you can ollie over.”
Six stairs and three stairs are sets of stairs described by how many steps are in a set. The more steps there are, the difficulty of completing the trick increases.
Ben Robles, computer engineering student and campus skater, highlighted the accessibility of the spot.
“Everybody from every skill level can pull up,” Robles said. “There’s flat ground for warm-ups, smaller stairs for beginners and bigger ledges for advanced skaters.”
Many skaters have filmed tricks here, including Pangilinan, who landed a 50-50 front shove out for “The Club Tapes, Volume One.” With its variety and accessibility, the Music Building remains the go-to meetup spot before heading to other skating areas on campus.
- Parking Structure 1 (Building 106)
Parking Structure 1 is a favorite for skaters looking for a reliable, weatherproof spot.
“Parking structure is good,” Pangilinan said. “If you go in on the bottom floor, there’s a sick manual pad, and all those curbs are waxed so you can hit them.”
Alongside the manual pad, Parking Structure 1 offers a big rail in the motorcycle parking area, making it a prime location for grinds and technical tricks, such as a smith grind. Unlike other locations that face restrictions, Parking Structure 1 remains relatively untouched by campus security. Even pro skaters have noticed the spot — Ishod Wair skated the stairs outside Parking Structure 1 in his 2022 video part, “REAL presents Ishod.”
- Student Services Building (Building 121)
The Student Services Building offers some of the most creative and challenging skating obstacles on campus.
The Grass Gap, a large drop-over-grass setup according to Robles, is a defining feature.
“It’s pretty fat, like the height of a seven stair,” Robles said.
Beyond the Grass Gap, skaters enjoy a wall ride area, a manual pad stage and an intimidating steep wall drop-in.
Business FRL student Christian Cordova said that riding down the Grass Gap was scary.
The mix of technical and high-risk obstacles makes this a must-visit spot for advanced skaters.
- Bronco Recreation and Intramural Complex (BRIC)
The BRIC serves as both an event space and an informal skatepark. During competitions such as Battle at the BRIC, the open area transforms into a custom setup with rails, ramps and ledges.
Even outside of organized events, skaters turn the space into a DIY by bringing their own obstacles. While not a permanent skate destination, it remains a flexible and creative spot.
- University Office Building (Building 94)
For those who love ledge-to-stair combinations, this three-flat-two stair set near the University Office Building is ideal.
“It’s like a five stair, but the length of maybe a seven,” Robles said.
With a long run-up, it’s best suited for experienced skaters looking to challenge themselves.
These five spots showcase the vibrant skateboarding culture on campus, offering challenges for every level.
Feature image courtesy of Matthew Becerra
