Boardwalk Skate & Surf

The first problem was that I saw nothing outside this store but a bunch of single speed beach cruisers that looked rather worn. I went in anyway, however, considering I needed to redeem a Groupon I’d purchased for this spot two days prior to my trip home to L.A. I was seriously hoping that maybe they had road bikes or hybrids in the back. I’d picked this place due to its location and adequate reviews online. Neither turned out to be useful in the slightest. The lesson I was reminded of here: The advertised deal is not always the best one.
When I filled out the rental form and handed the rude guy at the counter my ID, he said he needed my credit card. I assumed he wanted to put a security hold on it, but no. He wanted to KEEP my credit card because I didn’t give him a drivers license. Instead I had offered him a valid state ID. I told him he wasn’t keeping my credit card. If I’d been going to the mall, I’d have had more cards. Since I was cycling, I only had on me one credit card with which to buy my son and me lunch or drinks if we needed refreshments over the next few hours, which of course we would. And he wasn’t getting that card.
The jerk at the counter said he wasn’t renting to me unless he kept my credit card, saying, «It states on the form that we require a driver’s license.» I informed him it did not, then I re-​read all the fine print and told him again that there was nothing on there about requiring a driver’s license period, much less that a state ID card would not be accepted. He replied, «well, it’s common sense.»
Uh, no, common sense is knowing what your form says and what it does not. Common sense does not entail making up BS on the spot. Common sense is bringing legal and valid identification and a credit card that they might use in case they want a security hold – NOT so they can hold someone’s credit card hostage all day. Get real. If I let him keep my credit card, we’d be forced to starve or die of thirst at some point before we made it back. I told him «all you need to know is who I am and where I live and my ID clearly states that.»
I canceled that Groupon and ended up renting from a place in downtown Santa Monica with fantastic bikes — Santa Monica Beach Bicycle Rentals @ 1428 4^th Street. They had really NICE road bikes that were in top-​notch condition and a large selection of hybrids, mountain bikes, cruisers – you name it. Not to mention better prices. I paid the same price at Santa Monica Beach Bicycle shop for 2 awesome road bikes that I’d paid via Groupon for the piece of crap bikes at this place and the service was exceptional. The Santa Monica guy was extremely personable, welcoming, and genuinely interested in making a new customer. He didn’t ask to keep my credit card nor did he care in the least that I’d given him an ID versus a license.
Boy, was I so glad this Boardwalk place was such a huge fail that they encouraged me to look elsewhere! #Winning!
From now on, anytime I visit this part of L.A. and need to rent a bike, I’ll be going to Santa Monica Beach bike shop.

Solid enterprise. Rented two pairs of rollerblades for eight dollars a piece (one hour rental time). I believe the hourly rate is less if one wishes to blade for longer than an hour. Speaking as someone who needed only the bare necessities, the blades fit well and functioned as they should; zero complaints there.
The location of the business works as it allows one to choose their own adventure. They’re not quite equal distance between Santa Monica Pier and all the Venice action on the other end, but they’re close enough to both to allow a fun and easy skate in either direction.
They also offer rental surf gear and bikes, as well as a selection of sunglasses (bought a $ 9 pair) and an extensive collection of sandals & more.

The initial guy we talked to at this place was nice and helpful. But then a second employee came and helped us, he was extremely rude and incredibly unprofessional. He asked us a question and because we didn’t answer right away, he responded with «what you no speak English?» Rude. We only had the bikes for about fifteen minutes because one of the girls could not ride with her injured foot, he made her feel bad about not being able to ride and we were still charged $ 7 each for the full hour. He made the whole experience quite horrible and made me never want to rent a bike here ever again. I do not know his name, but he is the person in the photo I will post under tips.

First time renting bikes great experience with the gentlemen running the shop super friendly. They have an ATM machine but bring cash to avoid the fees to withdraw money. We filled out the paperwork and left my DL behind. You pay once you bring the bikes back.
I had not been on a bicycle since being a lil girl so it was a bit getting used to I almost ate it a couple times. We rode our bikes from Venice all the way to Malibu and back yes my legs were on fire. We actually returned the bikes early. We originally had planed to rent then for two hours which was going to be $ 12 but the guy have us the credit for the early drop off and we only ended up paying $ 10 for the time we had the bikes.
Will definitely come back and rent bikes. Memo to self skip the cruiser and grab the one that you can change the speed. I was actually peddling more then my friend was so my legs got more of a workout.

Great pricing. Free basket rental. A great way to spend some time seeing the sights at Venice Beach!

the handle bars on my bike were off. wrists were in pain for a few days after biking. $ 20 for all day rental.
pros: bathroom! baskets.
cons: handle bars

Great location, close to the beach. Go down Rose and turn right, and you’ll see their shop.
Friendly service, and there are enough staff to help out each customer with zero wait.
Rented inline skates, and they have a good selection of sizes. They also sell the latest skates. Plenty of bikes rentals too.
You can take the bike path south or north, and there are restrooms nearby past the parking lot out front.
Will come back to try out the tandem bikes next time!

Splendid Service extraordinary selection of rentals Bikes skates and all your fun under the sun needs, I hate when I just want to have a quiet Beach day and all the rentals are out and I end up with a 6 seat family wagon kind of bike and all I wanted was a damn cruiser … NOT FUN and never happens here they are stocked and all the merchandise is in GOOD condition (very important factor when renting bikes skates boards& etc.) Boardwalk SK8 also carries a large selection of Sanuk and Reef footwear as well as awesome sunglasses and all your other beach needs. For the Frugal Foreigner or even your local beach bunny bum prices are cheap 7 $ per hour or 20 $ per day for the rentals. I highly recommend this place as all the staff is helpful and FRIENDLY :) summer is almost here folks. don’t forget to wear your SPF !

Anytime I go to Venice Beach area
Nice to stop for a Roller blade or Bike down the Bike path with my dog
They have Good service and good rental rates,
if you need a Bike or skate rental they will take care of you
Also they have great deals on sandals and Glasses
Great day at Beach :-) is better than a bad day at work !!

Excellent service! The guy who helped me was super friendly. Let me pick out a color I liked & even brought a basket and hooked it up to my beach cruiser. They are chill about payment, you can pay them before or after, just need to leave an i.d. with them.
I’ll be back!

This place used to be all right, but they aren’t what they once were. Skate selection is lousy and employees are indifferent.

Rented surfboards and wetsuits for the day.
Reasonably priced:
Surfboards: $ 20 for 2 hours, $ 30 for day
Wetsuits: $ 10 for 1+ hours
The surfboards (being beginners, we used foam ones) were alright, not many dings in them. The wetsuits were torn pretty badly; my friend’s wet suit had a huge hole on the side of her leg.
Location-​wise, this is the closest board rental shop that I know of next to the Rose Avenue parking lot, and Venice beach. While the boards aren’t particularly heavy, your arms will still thank you after surfing for choosing a nearby store.

Staff is very friendly and helpful… prices are extremely reasonable. My girlfriend and I happen to pick up a pair of flipflops (east coast, people), which they had a HUGE assortment of… and I’m completely happy with my selection… and they are now my favourite pair of all-​time. Shout out to the brand, which they apparently are the largest selection of Sanuk sandles in SoCal. I knew nothing of the brand til them! Anyhow, everything is pretty much reasonably priced from their rentals (bikes, skates, surfboards, etc.) 7/​hr, but I did 20 for the day!!! Retail selection for such a small shop is phenomenal… I picked up a cute pair of sunglasses, which I still have, for under 10 bucks, and cute hat!!! Love this place. Definitely won’t be my last time there whenever I’m in Venice. A plus for location, especially b/​c it’s right on the boardwalk.

$ 7/​hour or $ 20/​day bike rentals.
This was maybe the highlight of my beach day, just getting to ride (weave through the crowds of) the Santa Monica bike path.
I also found a most fabulous, wider-​than-​wide brim hat for $ 20. LOVE!
I’m coming back again for sure!

Right off of the main walking strip, filled with all kinds of beach needs. Good selection of flip flops and hats. Prices are reasonable.