THE MOST NOTABLE BACKYARD SKATE RAMPS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Posted on 19 April 2025
By George Stix
Posted in BACKYARDRAMPS
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The Most Notable Backyard Skate Ramps in Southern California: A Deep Dive

Backyard ramps have long been the beating heart of Southern California skateboarding. Before there were mega parks and polished plazas, there were warped sheets of plywood in someone’s yard, rickety transitions under tarps, and coping ground down by decades of dedication. These ramps didn’t just birth tricks—they created communities, legends, and lifelong bonds.

This is a deep, chronological dive into the most iconic backyard ramps in SoCal—who built them, who skated them, and why they matter.

1. The Strople Ramp (Monrovia, SGV)

Owned by Chris Strople, this ramp helped shape the San Gabriel Valley’s transition scene. Located in Monrovia and surrounded by local trees and shop talk, Strople’s ramp was a proving ground for SGV locals. With perfect transitions and a legacy tied to the second-ever Thrasher cover (1981), it still stands as a temple for bowl-style skating.

“Chris didn’t just build a ramp—he built a time machine. Skating there felt like being dropped into the golden era of vert.” — Eric Nash

2. Lance Mountain’s Backyard Ramp (Altadena/La Cañada)

Few ramps are as influential as the one in Lance Mountain’s backyard. Constantly rebuilt and reconfigured, it’s been featured in Bones Brigade videos, Powell-Peralta ads, and remains a sacred training ground. Over the decades, everyone from Tony Hawk to Riley Hawk has ridden it.

“Lance’s ramp is a vortex—one session there and you level up.” — Mike Vallely

3. The Lucero Bowl (Fullerton)

John Lucero’s backyard setup is infamous. With punk rock blaring and beer in the bushes, the Lucero Bowl was chaos and creativity rolled into one. It was less about polished tricks and more about raw expression.

“That bowl was gnarly. You’d slam, bleed, and laugh—it was perfect.” — Jason Adams

4. The Blockhead Ramp (Roseville originally, but SoCal versions existed)

When Dave Bergthold brought Blockhead to Southern California, he recreated versions of the original ramp for team riders like Omar Hassan and Rick Howard. These ramps blended street and vert influence and were key to the rise of hybrid skaters.

5. The Grosso Ramp (Huntington Beach)

Jeff Grosso’s backyard wasn’t just a ramp—it was an archive. Friends, filmers, and photographers came through regularly. Grosso used the ramp not only to skate, but to host conversations and reflections that became episodes of Loveletters to Skateboarding.

“Jeff’s ramp was church. You showed up, took your licks, and walked away knowing more than when you arrived.” — Chris Gregson

6. The Schulties Ramp (Encinitas)

Built and curated by Dennis Schulties, this vert ramp was a magnet for the best from SD to LA. Tom Groholski, Lester Kasai, and Christian Hosoi all sessioned here in the mid-'80s.

“That ramp had soul. You didn’t ride it unless you had yours dialed.” — Christian Hosoi

7. The H-Street House Ramp (Vista)

When Tony Magnusson and the H-Street team set up camp in Vista, the house ramp became a tech vert training zone. Matt Hensley, Danny Way, and others developed many of their now-iconic tricks on that ramp.

8. The Alva House Ramp (Santa Monica/Venice)

Tony Alva’s legendary Venice homes were always surrounded by transitions. From above-ground metal ramps to handmade wood beasts, Alva’s backyard terrain was gritty, loud, and iconic.

9. The Alec Schroeder Ramp (SGV)

Alec Schroeder’s private ramp, nestled under tarps and trees, was more than a setup—it was a school. With perfectly maintained transitions and a vibe that blended punk DIY with zen patience, it became one of the most respected underground ramps in SoCal.

“Alec’s ramp will teach you more in one hour than a year in a park. It’s sacred.” — Local SGV skater

10. The Cranny Ramp (Orange County)

Owned by filmer Michael Crum, the Cranny Ramp hosted sessions with Grant Taylor, Milton Martinez, and others. Featured in countless Thrasher clips and indie parts, it helped keep backyard vert alive through the 2010s.

What Makes a Backyard Ramp Legendary?

It’s not just size or footage—it’s culture. A legendary ramp is one that holds history, breeds progression, and fosters brotherhood. They’re the opposite of corporate parks. They don’t ask for attention—they demand respect.

Whether it was a sanctuary in Monrovia or a battlefield in Huntington, these ramps are where true skaters cut their teeth. They’re where tricks were invented, friendships formed, and skateboarding kept pure.

Long live backyard ramps.

Stix SGV has proudly served the San Gabriel Valley skateboarding community since the late ‘90s. With three locations across Los Angeles County, we’ve been deeply rooted in the local scene. Our Monrovia shop has been a staple since 1997, followed by our Claremont location in 2014, and our South Pasadena shop opening its doors in 2022. Our mission has always been simple: to uphold skateboarding culture and stay true to our community.