Although he formally retired from competitors greater than 20 years in the past, skateboarding legend and entrepreneur Tony Hawk appears to be in every single place today.
For those who’re an avid online game participant, you possibly can watch him (or perhaps even assist him) defy gravity in a long-running collection. For those who watch TV, you would possibly catch him pitching Qunol turmeric gummies. For those who’re a fan of podcasts, maybe you’ve heard his weekly “Hawk v. Wolf” (with Jason Ellis). For those who reside in an underserved group, you would possibly see the Skatepark Undertaking (previously the Tony Hawk Basis) working to fund your neighborhood skate park. And, if you happen to tuned into the 2024 Paris Olympics over the summer season, you may need noticed the 56-year-old Snoop-adjacent throughout the skateboarding finals. (His skateboard firm, Birdhouse, is a sponsor of Crew USA’s Tom Schaar, who took house a silver medal.)
In Sunday Funday, L.A. individuals give us a play-by-play of their very best Sunday round city. Discover concepts and inspiration on the place to go, what to eat and find out how to get pleasure from life on the weekends.
And, despite the fact that he lives in San Diego (the place he was born and raised), you additionally would possibly nicely spot the Birdman in Los Angeles, the place he finds himself on a not-infrequent foundation. After I caught up with him lately, Hawk not solely had a jam-packed good SoCal Sunday to share however he additionally had recommendations of particular locations that boarders from past our borders would possibly take into account searching for out after they ultimately make their approach right here to compete within the 2028 Video games: the “iconic” handrail at Hollywood Excessive Faculty (“There are literally two, however one’s greater — and that’s a proving floor”) and Sundown Automobile Wash, which is now unskatable however “lives in infamy” after just a few daring skaters jumped from the awning on the high and rolled down the sloped embankment. “Just a few individuals received the prospect to do it,” Hawk stated. “The primary one was 20-plus years in the past, John Cardiel. After which Mark Gonzales, who’s a well-known skater, tried it proper behind him, and he crashed. And afterward Milton Martinez did a kickflip into it, which was form of remarkable.”
This interview has been flippantly edited and condensed for size and readability.
7 a.m.: Roll north from North County
I’d in all probability attempt to depart by 7 a.m. to rise up to the Venice/Santa Monica space by 8:30 as a result of that’s when the freeway is working the best way it ought to.
8:30 a.m.: Dive right into a doughnut
I’d in all probability begin at Holey Grail Donuts — there’s one in Santa Monica. My favourite is their traditional glaze, which is a staple, however all of their flavors are good. They’ve received actually good espresso too, so I’d get a doughnut and a cup of espresso.
9 a.m.: Pay a go to to the Venice Seaside Skate Park
The Venice [Beach] Skate Park is so iconic, so I’d begin with that early within the morning earlier than it will get crowded. I really say that for any skate park, particularly for freshmen. I inform mother and father that in the event that they need to get their child to the skate park, they need to present up within the early morning — dawn if you happen to can — as a result of that’s when the older skaters like me are there or the freshmen. And there’s rather more respect and rather more freedom. By mid-morning, the higher skaters begin exhibiting up, and also you’re simply in the best way. And the factor with Venice is that it may be intimidating as a result of it’s such a fishbowl. For those who’re there after 10 a.m., put together to be on show. However the entire Venice, Dogtown, Z-Boys factor, it’s all proper there, so I really feel a kinship to the world.
11 a.m. Pop over to the Santa Monica Pier
I’d go as much as the Santa Monica Pier and simply type of be a vacationer and trip the curler coaster. The pier is fairly iconic. We put it in a online game [“Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland”] about 20 years in the past. Comic story: My son Keegan [Hawk], who’s now 23, demanded that I take him to the Santa Monica Pier when he was about 7 as a result of it was within the sport. I bear in mind him stating all these totally different landmarks that had been within the sport however that I had by no means observed.
Midday: Snap right into a smash burger
For lunch, I’d go to Burger She Wrote, which simply opened on the Strand in Venice and get a double smash burger and fries. The menu is fairly primary however in addition they have an Oklahoma burger that’s form of smoky. A skater really opened the store, and I turned an investor late within the sport. They closed the Los Feliz location to open this one.
3 p.m.: Drop in on the departed
I like going to LACMA, for certain. They’ve nice exhibitions. There was one from perhaps 10 years in the past — the James Turrell retrospective — that was superior. Or I’d go over to the Hollywood Without end cemetery, which I feel is tremendous cool. To not go to any graves particularly. I’d simply wander and test it out. I simply assume it’s a good looking space, and I like that they do concert events and flicks there.
4:30 p.m.: Swing by Sapasi
One in all my sons, Miles Goodman, really has a skate store in West Hollywood known as Sapasi — on North Robertson Boulevard close to Melrose Avenue — so I’d cease by to see him if he’s there. (Editor’s word: Sapasi isn’t presently open on Sundays.) And we wander round that space rather a lot. There’s good procuring; Palace [Skateboards] is there, and there are some clothes shops too.
6 p.m.: Motor over to Matsuhisa
I’m outdated, so I eat early, and that is about after I’d in all probability go seize some dinner. My favourite is Matsuhisa on La Cienega Boulevard, so I’d go there and get the omakase. Both that or go to the Chateau Marmont and get their spaghetti Bolognese. It’s a type of two. If I went to Matsuhisa for the omakase, that’s in all probability and hour and a half or two hours, so if I left round 8, I’d get again house at round 9:30.
9:30 p.m.: Watch TV with a whiskey
On a Sunday, my spouse and I are catching up on no matter reveals we’re watching like “Final Week Tonight With John Oliver” or “Home of the Dragon.” And I like wonderful whiskey so I’d in all probability pour myself a glass of Hakusha 12 Years Outdated, which is my go-to proper now.
10 p.m.: Financial institution on an early bedtime
I’m up so early today — particularly on Mondays — so if it’s a real Sunday evening, I’m often in mattress by 10. My daughter simply received her driver’s license, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a process to get her out the door on time, so I do know my morning goes to start out early, with me yelling to her in her room.
