Riding Concrete: Skateboarding in California exhibit opens July 2nd at the California Museum

Skate fans who love skate history may want to take the time this weekend to check out the opening of Z-Boy Nathan Pratt's exhibit, Riding Concrete: Skateboarding in California at The California Museum. Read on to learn what you need to know.

About the exhibit

The Riding Concrete: Skateboarding in California exhibit will be on display at The California Museum from July 2^nd, 2011 through March 25^th, 2012. With over four decades of skateboarding history assembled in one area, it is truly a must-see. Two of the things that make the exhibit most worthwhile are that many of the items on display come from the personal collection of iconic Z-Boy Nathan Pratt and are extremely rare, like the Willie Mays board.

Other highlights include the first Zephyr board, a 1963 Makaha board, the first board to use Frank Nasworth's Cadillac Wheels, a smorgasbord of collectable boards from the 1980s and one of Tony Hawk's personal boards autographed by the Birdman himself. Other noteworthy exhibit components include photos from the venerable Craig Stecyk and multimedia presentations on the history of skateboarding, including a close look at those who revolutionized the sport.

About the museum

The California Museum is located on 1020 O Street in Sacramento, California. The museum is open daily, year round with hours varying by the day. Monday through Saturday the museum is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Sundays it is open from noon until 5 p.m. Admission is $8.50 per adult and $6 per child between the ages of 6 through 13. Children 5 years of age and under are complimentary and there are discounts available for both seniors and groups as well.

Skate fans looking to save a buck may want to consider going to see the exhibit on the weekends or holidays when parking in the museum lot located across the street from the museum itself is free. If the museum lot is full you may also opt to take advantage of the free street parking on Sundays. Those that don't mind dropping a dime or two should note that there are for-fee parking garages and metered, street parking available near the museum as well.

My children are skateboarders and I have a history of following the sport.

More from this contributor:

A interview with skater Andy MacDonald

Interview with Bruce Pettit, President and CEO of Collective Licensing International

Craig Stecyk interview: My conversation with a skateboarding industry legend

Felipe Lima interview: My conversation with the skate film maker

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