McGill’s Skate Shop

This is the best shopping experience I have ever had. The sales people were very patient. One of them spent over an hour with me. He let me try his own boards to see the difference in how they feel. He had ~30 years of experience and it showed. It was a fun environment and everyone paid attention to help you throughout your experience.

Took my kids here to make a special memory of building their first skateboards. When we walked in Scott was there to help out and explain all the differences in the scene since I was a kid. He went above and beyond to make our kids feel welcomed and enjoy the process of building a board and learning about all the parts. Great shop and staff that really cares about the scene and informing customers as well as having a massive selection of gear. Fast forward 5 days later… After having so much fun watching my kids on their boards I decided to get myself my first new setup in over 20 years. Went in and James helped me get a sweet setup to roll with my kids. Keep up the good work out there at McGill’s Skateshop!!!

The staff here is awesome: knowledgable, nice, and didn’t make me as a mom feel uncomfortable. Last week I came to buy a pair of shoes for my teen, who, like all avid skaters, goes through shoes at an alarming rate. James was so helpful, and informed my son and me to check back often because they are always getting in new shoes, and they put them on sale all the time. (For some reason, I assumed their shoes would be more than that chain store with the seasonal 20% coupons. Wrong. Even the full-​price shoes are cheaper here, the selection is great, and of course, we’re keeping it local.) Now I understand why my son hangs out here and buys everything here. Why go anywhere else?

I wish I could give this place 10 stars. EVERY employee is an avid skater with knowledge and experience. Their customer service is real!
I am a mom to a 7 year old that is a skateboard fanatic. After visiting 3 other, so called, skate shops… there was no comparison to McGills. The gentleman that helped today, guided me to the BEST option for my little guy. He listened and asked every question to put together the perfect set up my son.
I will ALWAYS shop only McGills for anything skateboard related! Thank you for such a wonderful experience!

Walked in, described my reentry into the wonderful world of skateboarding having been out of it for awhile. Staff knew immediately which direction for me to go on deck selection. I was in and out of there in ½ hour with a brand new complete skateboard! It was all kind of coming back to me as I walked the perimeter of this great skate shop and the staff helped me kick it into 2^nd gear with some solid direction on what to do. I can not wait to go shred. Thanks!

My son has been going to the Ecke YMCA skate camps for the past few years, and is really into skating at parks. I’ve gone to McGill’s twice now for new boards and they’ve been great at helping my little dude pick out stuff that works for him and his ability, and doesn’t break the bank. Thanks guys!

Awesome staff and great selection! I went in there to pick up up a board after not skating since in was 12 (I’m 30) and they answered all my questions about the differences between all of the setups. They even had demo boards to take out into their parking lot. I ended up with a really sweet bamboo longboard and they made sure I got the absolute best price on it.
I would recommend them to anyone and everyone. Thanks for the above and and beyond customer service, guys!

My daughter has been saving for her board and gear for awhile. Today I finally took her to McGill’s as promised so she could look to see if they’d have what she’s been wanting-​her buddy had told her about this place. James was so kind, attentive and helpful that I even felt at ease with the process. We walked out with her custom trick board, pads and a helmet and she was on cloud 9! He didn’t try to upsell and actually saved us money. I so impressed with this place and by the level of sincere service that James delivered that I am taking the time to write my first review ever! A+++++. Please go support this local business as it is so well deserved!

This place is legit! Stopped in here to pick up a deck that was signed by McGill himself.

Such a great local skate shop. I used to skate to the old one on 101 in Leucadia when I was a kid and get my stuff there… not to mention I only rode McGill boards! Now my kids skate and we always stop by when we are in town.

Great customer service, great selection.

Good prices, great staff, large selection. This place has been in encinitas for years, hoping it will stay for a long time. North county classic skate shop. Definitely worth stopping by!!! Kickflips out front.

All the five star reviews are spot on. Scott did a fantastic job putting new trucks and wheels on both my kids’ decks. Great customer service, very attentive!

It’s so sad what happens when I walk in to skate shops… What just because I’m not dressed like some young, thrashing skater you don’t serve me? it never ceases to amaze me how a sport that people love so much, can be so biased… yet that is what furthers the sport itself!
I have been looking for a sweet longboard, and as you know a nice longboard is a pretty-​penny usually. I found this place on Unilocal and drove up North to check out. (I live down in SD). Such positive reviews I was stoked! Boy was I wrong :(if you look at my reviews, I’m pretty even keel across the board… And rarely if ever do I slam someone because at the end of the day — it’s not that big of a deal. Emotions can run high, and if it isn’t warranted it can really affect a small business. And one thing I LOVE to do is support the Mom&Pop places :)
I went in on Sunday Sept 28^th and I had over $ 200 cash in my pocket. Like I said I AM buying a board, NOT just window shopping. Saw the board I wanted to get, but you aren’t getting my business!!! what a WOW experience… THIS review is deserved.
The young guy behind the counter didn’t even say hi, didn’t acknowledge me, didn’t ask if I needed help, and yet I was looking at boards that were surrounding his counter. Even moved the ladder to get something, and stuck it in my way right where I was shopping the longboards behind your counter. WOW. Could have just told me to leave hahaha, it would have been the same thing lol. I had to move the ladder out of the way 10 feet through the jam packed little isle just to be able to go back to the place I was looking at boards. That’s seriously just a little ridiculous… (Jerk!) You could’ve at least said hi.
Ya know I get how you could potentially not want to help me. You were busy servicing a board, and somebody with their kid was looking at shoes with another employee I believe?, and you closed in about 18 mins. But dang man — a hello goes a long way. And ignorance and an attitude goes even further… TO Unilocal! Lol
The saddest thing is that I find this happens often: It’s like there’s some sort of arrogance about «being a skater» and what that ‘should’ entail. More sad, as laid-​back & «no worries» SoCal is, about ½ the skate shops I go into just because I don’t look the part, I don’t even get a hello let alone service. In fact I usually get criticism if I am approached at all.
What just because I had on a nice outfit and would better fit in strolling the art galleries of La Jolla on a Sunday afternoon you don’t help me? You did see me standing on the boards, trying their flex and angles of the trucks, & even went nose up on a little cruiser with a kick tail (stationary and on the carpet of course ;) well geez I’d have thought that was cool!!! Some random guy not fitting «the part» shopping in my store checking out longboards!
Well guess what: I can board, I do cruise, can pop a few boards here and there and carve with the rest of them — and I love it! I’m no tony hawk or James Kelly or XGames pro… But I can hold my own.
Well bozo, some guy just walked out of your store with a pocket full of cash and now you are getting a bad review. Thanks for nothing but really it’s your loss because there are other places that will serve me. AND FOUND ONE I DID. AMAZING GUY WHO APPRECIATED ME FOR WHO I WAS — A CUSTOMER. even handed me over FIVE demo boards and said «go have fun out front and let me know what you think». WOW!!! Even came out and watched me for a hot second to see how I skated and offer tips on better boarding AND finding the right board. YOU JUST MADE A LIFETIME —
REPEAT L I F E T I M E customer! Sorry MGills, that was just such bad show, I’m shocked.
You know the even craziest ending to this saga? As I was leaving the store and walking around towards the door, I look directly at you and you just kept your head down. BUT — you glanced up for a second with your eyes, just long enough to make brief momentary eye contact, and right back down to what you were doing as if I wasn’t worth your time. Seriously? LOL. I think you need to go for a long skate sesh homie!!! Ha ha ha.
But who knows. Maybe this kid had a terrible day, maybe his dog ran away, his girlfriend dumped him, or someone close to him died. You jus never know and I try to keep an open perspective. You just really never know what is going on in someone’s life. Look at Robin Williams. Maybe this kid has something going on too. So I emotionally checked off the bad experience because it just isn’t worth my time and hey, you never know. Life is too short to waste on this malarky. (Btw to all you young bucks– I’m sorry but it’s true. I hated it and now I’m doing it. Once you hit your thirties and above, anyone under 30 is a kid lol).
Just try and keep this in mind: life is short. Things happen. And at the end of the day, all in all it’s really not that bad the fact that someone actually wants to buy something in your store ha ha Ha.
The end

I love this place… I’m not a skateboarder but I have a grommet who is. Every time we come in here the guy with the long hair treats us like we are going to spend a million bux… even tho most of the time we are just looking so my little guy can dream about all the the things he’d like to buy with his lemonade stand money. But seriously, it’s a great shop, great products and gear… an amazing selection of skate shoes, even for kids and the service is top notch. I love that this is a local business that truly has soul. Thanks for being so patient and sweet with my little kid… who knows one day it might be worth it! =)

Best skateshop in North County San Diego.
Skater owned.
Good selection for all types of skating.
Decent selection of bigger, pool/​vert boards for us old guys as well as tons of modern street skating set ups.
They always seem to have the Bones SPF wheels I need in stock, as well as my beloved Mob Grip and Bones Swiss bearings.
Everybody that works there has been cool to me and Mike McGill is a really nice guy.

I like supporting local — McGills has always supported our local school events and given the kids good advice. My son is all grown up and gone but I still come back here for gifts. Once a skater always a skater… or so I’m told!

Great skateboard selection! They carry a good variety of Penny boards; really cute color combinations (aside from all the other types of skateboards they have). Nice skateboard accessories selection; cool grip tapes, wheels, trucks, etc…
Not only was the staff really helpful and nice, but Mike McGill himself helped my kid pick out his board (how cool is that)!

Best skate shop in all of San Diego. This place has what you need, and will help you with any gear or skate supply questions. I’ve bought so many things from here over the years, and last week I bought a Protec helmet for a kid. If you’re in search of skateboard completes (deck + wheels + trucks + optional grip), retro completes, decks, wheels, hardware, hats, socks, shoes, helmets, pads, clothing, stickers, & practically anything else for skateboarding — go here first! They carry the best brands, and they have the best selection & nicest staff.

did a little after breakfast the other day. stopped by McGills and the man himself was behind the counter. Mike McGill opened this spot a loooong time ago. i didnt know it had been there that long!
its a cool little skate shop with a great shoe selection. for all of those that know me, you know how a i like me some shoes!
Mike was a pleasure to speak with and was a pretty humble guy.
i’ll make sure this is one of my stops when im back down that way.