Remembering LA's Lost Skate Spots: The Legends We Left Behind

By Jesse "Kicks" Martinez – KickPush Chronicles

Skateboarding in L.A. has always been about chasing legends—not just legendary skaters, but legendary spots. Spots that were hidden gems, where skaters came together to build a community, push limits, and carve their stories into concrete and steel. As the city evolves, many of these legendary skate spots have been demolished, redeveloped, or shut down, leaving us only with memories. But these memories matter—preserving our culture, reminding us of our roots, and inspiring future generations to push forward.

Belmont Tunnel: More Than Just Concrete

There was once a time when Belmont Tunnel wasn't just a spot—it was a pilgrimage. Hidden near Downtown LA, it had a rugged charm. Picture an old, gritty tunnel covered in graffiti, a place skaters flocked to from across the globe. Belmont wasn't just a spot; it was skateboarding’s underground soul in LA.

Back in the day, you could roll up and find legends and locals sessioning side by side, pushing each other to land impossible tricks. I remember talking to OG skater Rob D., who told me about this epic afternoon when the sun was going down, shadows stretching long, everyone worn out but unwilling to call it quits. He said, “It was like the spot was alive, daring us to skate harder.”

But Belmont, like many spots, couldn’t survive the wave of gentrification. Urban renewal projects turned this skater’s paradise into condos and luxury apartments, erasing a critical chapter of skate culture overnight. The tunnel was sealed off, taking with it countless stories and the spirit of community it once fostered.

Another legendary spot that met a similar fate was the Hubba Hideout. Sure, it was up north in San Francisco, but every LA skater worth their salt had it on their bucket list. Those ledges defined an era, and skaters traveled far and wide just to get a chance at conquering the Hubba. Skating there meant risking everything—from broken boards to bones—but the triumph of landing your trick made you a legend.

And let's not forget Belmont's brother-in-arms: The Belmont Pool. Unlike many skate spots, Belmont Pool was a hidden treasure—a classic LA backyard pool skate spot. Skaters had to hop fences and dodge security just to get a chance to carve its smooth walls. It was DIY skateboarding at its purest—no permits, no rules, just raw skateboarding at its finest. Eventually, the property was demolished to make way for more luxury homes, another casualty to development.

Talking with other OG skaters who sessioned these iconic spots, there’s always a bittersweet feeling—nostalgia mixed with frustration. My buddy Mike, who used to skate Belmont every weekend, says it best: “Each spot lost is a chapter of skateboarding history erased. New spots pop up, but those legendary places hold something special.”

Preserving skate culture matters. It’s more than nostalgia—it’s about recognizing the roots of a sport that thrived against all odds. These legendary spots weren't just places we skated; they were where friendships were born, styles invented, and limits shattered. They symbolize the essence of skateboarding: creativity, resilience, and community.

Today, we have to keep skate culture alive by sharing these stories. Whether you were there or you’re just picking up a board now, the spirit of spots like Belmont Tunnel, Belmont Pool, and countless others should live on through the stories we tell.

At GravityFlux, that’s our mission: keeping skateboarding’s roots alive, one story at a time. So next time you're out skating, remember—you’re rolling on more than just wheels. You’re rolling through history.