Cal Skate of Milpitas

What a sad day to hear that Cal Skate Milpitas has closed.
I was fortunate to be able to at least experience it once and bring the love of my life here, even though we spent most of the time on our butts!
Current generations just don’t appreciate these type of places anymore.
I remember having such a fun time TRYING to skate. Great upbeat vibe and family atmosphere for all ages. It wasn’t high tech or modern in amenities and style, but had a classic vintage feel to it– and that is what it should be.
Cheap prices for admission and rental for hours of fun.
I just feel bad for those who did not get to experience going here at least once.
RIP Cal Skate!

The last time I was here, I was in elementary school. This year I am 29 years old, so a million years later. I decided to come back after hearing from relatives that this place is going to close down forever. Though this place does not hold much memory for me however, it’s been there every time I get my car wash at that Shell right there, every time I am on 680 and need to get off at Caleveras Blvd., it’s there. I admit, I will miss seeing it.
I was always the daredevil as a kid. I was a tomboy. I played all sorts of sports and I remember that one scene in the movie: Problem Child where that problematic girl was on roller skates, down on her knees, literally on one skate, holding out her leg before that damn main kid popped her red balloon. I knew I had to copy that move and you know what? I succeeded. I not only mastered rollerskating but I enjoyed rollerblading that I played field hockey in junior high.
Anyway. My Daughter who is 7 never really expressed any interests in skating. She barely rides her bike and very hesitant to learn how to ride it w/​o her training wheels. I know that everyone does not like to fall and it freaking hurts but how else are you supposed to learn?! I talked to her and explained my past passion about skating and how I fell so many times before skating confidently. I also mentioned to her that it was her last chance to skate at Cal Skate since doors will be closed today. BTW– a farewell skate is going to be held from 6 – 8 or from 6 – 10, I forget which one.
Not sure if it’s because the local community wants to support the place until the very end or it’s because it’s always packed but parking (although) plentiful was pretty filled up. Roller skates (quads) are $ 6 for rental, I wanted Rollerblades (inline) for $ 9. A «Mickey Mouse» stamp is then marked on your left hand. w/​your receipt, you walk in and get your skates.
I did not purchase any food or beverages but it was nice that it was available. I think that holding a party here would be fun and nostalgic. My Daughter fell oh so many times. at the end she got the hang of it but still. there was this sweet little girl (about Tess’ age, I think) that held onto Tess’ hand and helped her throughout the hour long skate. The music was on. current and old school hip/​hop and R&B songs filled the rink and lights. disco lights. reminded me of being in a club. I kind of miss going clubbing.
At the end I got a chance to skate (I haven’t done so in over 10 years), I got a chance to introduce my Daughter to skating, supported Cal Skate (proceeds go to Milpitas High, I believe), I remembered all my elementary friends and crushes, and I had fun watching my Daughter fall and learned how to not fall.
Goodbye, Cal Skate. «Thanks for the last skate.»

This place brings me back… back in time! I remember going here for family fun nights when I was in elementary. I just recently went here with my hubby and my son for our son’s field trip. It was pretty fun!!! They do the usual stuff they have been doing for years. Skating in circles with some up beat music.
This place is a great place to get away if your in the mood to skate. Too bad they are shutting it down though.
I believe the last day is this SATURDAY 07/​31/​2011.
Get your skate on while you can!

According to their website:
They will be closing their doors for business by the end of summer. Date has not been determined, but they will give 60 days notice prior to closing.
BUMMER CITY.
Why are they closing? A quick investigation on Google lead me to a bunch of skate forums telling the readers that basically the owners are ready to retire and were offered a bunch of money. This rink has been open for about 40 years, and I guess it’s about time. It’s a drag that nobody else wants to buy the property and continue the fun. Who needs another expensive housing development that most of us can’t afford? Oh that’s right, Milpitas does.
Of course, the summer I decide to take the plunge and invest in some roller skates, mind you, not roller blades, is when they decide to close. Those pretty babies were not cheap, so excuse me for the bitter taste in my opening.
I’ve been here a bunch of times. I didn’t take advantage of it as much as I should, since I live pretty close by. When I was in middle school, the rink did promotions with us and I think they still do with other local schools. They keep it clean here and don’t allow booty shorts or anything not G rated inside. Don’t wear any outfits Dov Charney would encourage, Cal Skate does not care if you want to host an American Apparel shoot here. Outside food and drink are not allowed, but they’ve got some burgers, dogs, pizzas, etc they can sell you. They even sell some roller gear they can sell you if you decide you want to keep on rolling on your way home. I can’t remember if the use of a locker is included in the admission…
Pricing is actually really good. Even the pricing on lessons are quite low, and include the cost of a skate rental. For example, a 30 minute adult session on Sundays (from 7 – 7:30PM) costs only $ 5. They offer a variety of classes for any level for children and adults. They hold quite a bunch of events and promotions. The ones that stand out to me are Retro Nights on Wednesdays (7:30PM-10PM) and Family Night on Thursdays (7:30PM-9:30PM). For a place that’s been around for quite a few decades, the joint is in pretty good condition. They’ve done some upgrades, but you still get that old school vibe here.
If you’re looking for a cute place to take a date to, host a birthday party for your child, or a gathering for your friends, this place is ideal. Kind of cheesy and kitschy, but definitely fun and original.

First time rollerskater here and honestly came to Cal Skate with a lot of trepidation. After mooching off of my gf’s sister’s groupon, I realized just how good of a deal it was for the quality of fun that was had.
For $ 6 – 7, I was able to get admission, rental rollerskates, a soda, and unlimited time to skate. Overall, the place was as I expected where it’s like walking into a blast from the past (albeit with modern songs). The menus have old school lettering, the cleanliness is comparable to that of an old bowling alley, and the lights are kind of tacky. All that aside though, it didn’t deny the fact that it’s basic, simple unadulterated fun.
Besides the songs, there wasn’t much for variety of things to do here, unless you’re a 12 year old birthday boy. In the hour and half or so that we were there, they changed directions once and played 1 game, which was a tiny bit disappointing, but probably too overwhelming for me to handle had there been more things to do besides turn left. I’m not sure if Sundays are more or less popular, but there was a decent crowd; mostly that of children around 14 and under. For the more seasoned skater, I can imagine Cal Skate being a bit of a bore, or even a rip off if you’re paying full price, but for nubs like me with deals like that, it was a great time!

Bought a Groupon and came here with the hubby on a Sat. night. Glad we tried it, but if we had to pay regular prices ($ 11 for admission, and $¾ skate rental), we wouldn’t have come. On Sat nights, there’s a long line… I felt like I was waiting to pay cover and get into a club, and I *hate* waiting.
Hubby and I were clearly out of our element. Other skaters zoomed past us, and we enjoyed ourselves more people watching than we actually did skating. Skating is really good exercise though =P Check this place out, but maybe on a less busy weeknight or something. The songs they play Sat. night are not exactly family friendly but saw lots of families and little kids there.

Fun experience at $ 25 and up night on Sunday.
$ 7 admission
$ 3 roller skate rental
$ 4 inline skate rental
Most people knew what they were doing on the dance floor. Grovin’ to the music, skating backwards, tricks, and skating fast. Don’t necessary recommend this night for beginners. People are still friendly and try to help u out. Snack bar not open. Fun times… but kinda sore. They don’t have half sizes so my skate were tight.

I went here with my dude’s sister and her cousin on Sunday 2/​13, which is over 25 night. Ladies night out!
Not even 5 seconds on the rink and I fell on my butt. Mind you, I haven’t skated since I was 10. Thank God there were supportive people who encouraged me to keep going, and I did. I made it around the rink four times and got better. Yay!
Overall I had a good time, even with (I assume) the resident a**holes zipping and zooming by people and showing off their moves. Kind of intimidating, but fun to watch. I’ll definitely have to make it back again, even if just for over 25 night (I can’t handle the kiddies. ha ha).

I have not been here in sometime personally, but my kids have been with their school functions. They have enjoy this place with all the staking, food and video games. Personally I think it is the video games that keep them coming back until last night. My 8 year old had a school function for his school, when I seen him staking and having a good time with his classmates, that was a fun time for me.
I could not give this place a higher rating due to some issues that I had discovered while there. The carpet is the exact same carpet when I used to come here back in Middle School, and let me tell you that has been sometime ago. The restrooms were not clean, now trust me I do understand having so many young boys and them not hitting the target, as we have 5 boys of our own, but somebody needed to get in there from time to time and give it a quick cleaning.
Now the employees were friendly and knowledgeable, this is why I did not give it a lower score than three stars.
I am sure there are other places to take the family, but I will have to say if you want to see your kids smiling and enjoying themselves this is a good place to bring them, and the cost a low enough to bring the whole family.

Ahh memories… In the 80’s and early 90’s I spent a fair amount of time at Cal Skate for birthday parties, end of the soccer season parties, school fundraisers and the like, and let me tell you, nothing has changed. The skates are probably still the same skates from who knows when, the carpeted walls haven’t been updated, same arcades, same nachos, same everything. It’s awesome.
Grab your bestest buddies and head on over for some goofy fun and exercise!

Groupon, you just gave me a really fun date with the boyfriend tonight.
For $ 6 coupon worth $ 16.75, this was so worth it! For $ 6, it covered our $ 11 admission fee, $ 4 quad skate rentals, and a soda! I loved the retro feel to this place with the lights. They may need renovations but its still good!
Saturdays are the most packed days and the front lady was definitely right! I am not sure if certain nights are a certain ethnicity, but tonight was definitely African American night. But you know what it was AWESOME!!! Everyone was so friendly and everyone was so into the music. The music was better than a club! Everyone was singing and dancing. I especially enjoyed watching the little kids rock the floor. They got swag let me tell you!!! Make sure to get there before 9pm on Saturdays because they close in the front. The place closes at 11pm on Saturdays. The place is very hidden and looks unsafe since its so dark. Just make sure to be careful! :)
There was this one girl that worked there and she was freaking GOOD! My boyfriend couldn’t stop looking at her. She was bouncing, dancing, rocking the floor.
This definitely gave me a workout. I will feel it tomorrow.
Highlight of the night: Me falling face flat over a little boy… BOY IT HURT!!! Other times, I almost fell but the bf saved me and fell on his back instead.

I broke my elbow here the first time I went because I was minding my own business trying to learn how to skate on the side rails when some 12 year old kid clipped me which made me fall backwards. It was an unforgettable experience going to the doctor, getting an arm sling with two hairline fractures.
I WENT BACK and tried to learn how to skate again. I still don’t know how and I would come back again and again. LOL
I just love this place. I keep on watching the skaters and tell myself, «Why can’t I do what they do?» I’m just mesmerized. HAHAHA
Seriously, this is a fun place. Gotta love the music they play and the disco lights they use.
Ah, I just wish I know how to skate! I’m going back with my group again soon!

I grew up in the ice rink, which helped me develop impressive center balance that enabled me to rule the roller rink, whether in quads or inlines. Although the last time I had rollerskated/​bladed was about ten years ago, I entered Cal Skate with great confidence that I would be a star on wheels again.
However, after lacing up my rental quads, I was hit with a shocking revelation:
I’m old. :(
Someone hand me a helmet along with wrist, elbow, knee and butt pads please!
Did I mention it feels like Soul Train in here?

I was never allowed to go to Milpitas growing up so I went to Saratoga Lanes… or Vallco Ice Skating Rink… boy was I missing out.
Clean establishment. helpful staff… they are soldiers doing 7 – 8 kid birthday parties on a a given Saturday or Sunday… very well organized… good food… good music…
highlights
fanta white cherry slushies
nacho hot dog
junk food (and good combo deals)
lots of space to skate, teeter or fall on your ass
you cannot really tell there are fifty million kiddies
i prefer to keep it old school and go quad (og skates) this also prevents me from having soar ankles from improperly skating (like when I ice skate)

And we all wonder why Skating Rinks, like Drive-In’s, have gone extinct…
It’s no wonder…
with
joints
like
this…
Seriously.
We have all seen Strike in Cupertino, and wish some of the other bowling joints could undergo some Extreme Makeovers/​Interventions and look like that as well. Is it not profitable? Why not revamp some of these old classics? It beats having kids tag up my neighborhood!
Do people really not like skating anymore? Really?
I love it, and I am the first to admit it… while jumping for joy. Skating is a great low impact work out that will have you grooving while you exercise.
Cal Skate in Milpitas had the following going for itself:
Decent music
A clean 2 stall bathroom-​eek!
Ample area for parties
Cheap food
Lockers
Manageable price
Allows YOU to bring your own skate if you prefer
The reason why this place SO NEEDS A MAKEOVER:
It’s hotter than an armpit
red, shaggy, porn carpet everywhere in the lobby
the staff needs a new place to work, so they can have motivation, happiness, and enjoy their work. I mean…“pick up your shirt, or you will get a ticket.” Seriously. Is it a crime to be sexy… in Mara T’s case… yes!
It just needs the staff from TLC to make it over. I mean. it’s not like a pig requesting lipstick. It has potential. Let’s give it some credit.
Maybe it’s nostalgia that keeps it old school… maybe…I guess…
Either way… it still can be old school with a revamp… and for goodness sake… PLEASE LET OUTDOOR FOOD IN… CUPCAKES ARE NOT A CRIME!

I think this location is nicer on the inside than the San Jose location, however, it is a bugger trying to find the entrance to this place! I was driving in circles for awhile until we got a clue from our party people.
Well, this was a great spot to rekindle my childhood days and realize how much more flexible, agile, and spry I was as a kid. Not so much a dare devil as I used to be, but it was fun trying to avoid crashing into speed bumps (aka small children). Maybe next time I will pad myself with some Charmin and try some tricks.
The best part was that I felt like I was in high school/​junior high and part of the «COOL» crowd, skating with a group of people dressed in 80’s gear. Props to all the guys at the party that skated with us!
If you ever go here with friends, kids or family, you gotta check out some of the veteran skaters (older cats) rockin out on the floor with their quad skates. They are actually really good, but maybe take themselves too seriously. Someone made the appropriate analogy that the skaters reminded them of Will Farell’s movie, Blades of Glory. Yea, it looked like that with skates instead (minus the outfits).

Straight up skate nazis. No gum, no hats, no cupcakes! WTF?
Those are all true, but my overall experience was positive. It was abut $ 9 to skate with rentals and the food was cheap. I got a hot dog and drink for $ 3 which in SF is unheard of.
The place is definitely dated, but a good spot to have fun old-​school style.
It’s a bit hidden so be careful trying to find it.
I would recommend it for an outing with the family or kids.

Time Travel.
It’s quite the concept to wrap your mind around, I’m sure. Neutrino acceleration. Collapsing space. Fourth dimensional tangibility. Quantum Physics. Delorians. Michael J. Fox.
But still, walk through the doors at Cal-​Skate and you will be whisked away to 1980-​something Milpitas. Almost everything is how I remember it… (well, the beats have gotten better… +1) Literally, NOTHING has changed… walls, snackbar, carpet. Even the skates look like prohibition-​era shoes with wheels bolted on.
Despite being in spectator mode for fear of injury (…putting wheels on clumsy ol’ me is comically bad math, I’m sure I’d bruise more than my ego), I had a great time. And so I relived my wallflowery youth, standing at the sidelines, as others played to their CUTE pigtailed, off-the-shoulder’d, bangle-​accessorized, legwarmer’d, giddy heart’s content!
Ah, nostalgia… now, like so many years ago, there I was. Hanging out at the wall, watching longingly as all the pretty girls go gliding by…
_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​
Hmph. Nostalgia’s kind of an @-hole sometimes.

I am SO tempted to copy and paste reviews written by Mara T, Eve K, Vivian J and Colleen H… but here I go.
We were fashionably dressed for our private 80’s theme birthday party (see photos), and this venue could not have been more suitable for such a theme as it’s still STUCK in that decade. Seriously… the place totally reminded me of those birthday parties we had back in grade school — same ambiance, same décor, same arcade games, same food, same lockers, same smell even! The ONLY thing modern was the music, featuring songs by Timbaland, Britney Spears, Leona Lewis and others who were probably just learning to talk in the 80’s.
It also reminded me of the fact that I’m no longer an 8-​year old who could skate without running out of breath, feeling sore in random parts of my body AND being fearless of falling… I skated with much caution and had to take mini-​breaks to cool down.
Anyway, we were there for the SUPER SUNDAY Afternoon session (12pm to 4pm) — reasonably priced at $ 6.50 for admission, plus $ 3.00 for skate/​blade rental. The skates also looked and felt like they’ve been around for a few decades. The crowd was an interesting mix of beginner adults (ME), super-​skilled lyrical dancers and little children.
Given the opportunity, I’d love to go back for the Sunday ADULT NIGHT (8pm to 10pm) for 25 years and up. While skating among children was fun, I was more scared of bumping into them. Unlike the adults, they’re brave. They are clearly not afraid of falling or running into you!
OR how about the Wednesday RETRO NIGHT (7:30pm to 10pm) featuring 70’s and 80’s music? It’d be a 80’s theme party by default!
SUMMARY:
— 1 star for not allowing outside food. Though they were kind enough to store them inside their office, imagine being deprived of Mara’s cupcakes for hours!
— 1 star for poor ventilation. It gets really hot and stuffy, so dress light.
+4 for the MASSIVE FUN we had. I mean, when’s the last time you did the HOKEY POKEY with a SIDE ponytail???
Hmm, the stars don’t add up right… but you get the idea.

Wow I get there and first impression is how old is this place? They still have carpeted walls! I guess they don’t feel the need to update the place a bit. OMG I immediately flashed back to elementary school and skating for birthday parties. I remember screaming girls and really ugly clothes ;)) I walk in and they have some good grooving music playing and with tons of folks skating kids and adults! I’m here for an 80’s bday party.
You can rent regular skates or rollerblades for $ 8.00. For food they had gross nachos, hot dogs, slurpees, pizza and prezels. Everything is pretty overpriced but what do you expect! Also you can’t bring in any of your own cupcakes or cakes unless you buy from them! So don’t do it! SO LAME!!! So we had to wait for cupcakes and eat them after the placed closed! AGAIN LAME!
I had a great time skating and I was surprised it all came back to me and I did not run anyone over at all. Shocked I’m not sore at all today! Overall a great time for Flor’s bday party!