Cal Skate Skateboards

Really helpful, not pushy or judgmental. We felt totally welcome in here — even though my partner is a beginner.
But the owner clearly know his stuff.

I went into fix my board because a screw came off a couple weeks ago. I just found that the guy didn’t use a washer when securing the bolt to the screw and completely destroyed the wood and dug out a hole in my longboard. He completely ruined my expensive loaded deck, making it unsafe to ride. How can someone be so incompetent working at a skate shop and not know how to connect trucks to the board properly?
These people have no respect for your skates. Customers beware! Take your business elsewhere because they will cost you more money at the end of the day.

Excellent service & advice. My son and I decided to get longboards. I had not rode a board in 37 years. Some things you don’t forget. They showed me all the options and let me take my time. They filled me in on the latest stuff and made solid recommendations. I bought a Sector Nine board with Gulwing sidewinder trucks. Beautiful board and a great ride. Perfect choice for me. I have done two 3 mile rides. My son’s board was perfect for him. I can’t recommend a better shop.

My local shop, guys who run it are great people, always helpful and not trying to shove the most expensive product down your throat. No Nike or Adidas, some local skater owned companies.

Cal Skate Skateboards is a cool shop that my Son and I stopped in recently. We both went in, but I was kind of along for the ride, as the Kid engaged in shredding conversations about his occasional obsession. We both agreed that cousin Devin would love this place, including the selection, as well as staff knowledge and street cred.

Great selection. This staff was really cool and very knowledgeable. With so many choices I felt a bit over whelmed but I didn’t feel rushed at all. They put my trucks together and the grip tape on my board with a racing stripe! They acknowledged everyone that was in the store with more than just a hi. These guys could run any shop and have it be succesful. Thanks guys!

Great selection. Prices are around the msrp. The owner and staff are very knowledgable. This is a true skate shop. They sell skateboard stuff only.

Super sweet shop, really nice and knowledgable guys. Helped me find a great cruiser. Come here if you want the best!

This place kicks ass. I’ve only skated on longboards before and I’ve been eye-f#%king the park lately and wanted to get a new skateboard. Had a very general idea what I wanted — went in and told them my vague specs and budget and within half an hour we’d created a custom setup just for me! Aaaaand no one made me feel like a kook in any way for asking really basic questions. Rad. Great selection o’ stuff, awesome service. Not the dirt cheapest you can find, but pretty damn competitive prices, everything’s warrantied and I’d always rather shop local and support kickass indie PDX businesses like this one!

The best shop you’ll find in the greater Portland area.
Great selection, both quality and quantity. They offer a large selection of local brands, including their own shop decks which are very nice. The selection of bomber boards and old school decks is radical, and they are one of the few shops, if not the last, that still sell tailbones.
Support local because this is a shop that’s been a huge factor in the Portland skate scene!

I have been going here for YEARS. They always have a huge and quality for decks for those who know what good boards are. They also carry local brands wich is quite commendable. If your in old town or close just got here and get you a board. Oh if you like old school boards this is your shop.

Just moved into PDX and was looking for a low key skate shop to frequent. I first tried Cal’s Pharmacy (not to be confused with Cal’s Skate) and was a little put off. The staff were young skate rats who were more engaged in their conversation than to help the people standing around with questions. I then googled Cal’s Skate on 6^th and felt much more at home. The two guys working were super cool. I appreciated that the shop was modern, yet obviously been down since back in the day. All the new brands, as well as OG Santa Cruz and Power products. If they don’t have what you looking for (which is unlikely) they will probably order it for you. I am definitely making this my local go to for gear. RIDE INDYS!

I’d decided that I was going to buy a skateboard. I have never skateboarded before, have no idea about boards or riding, I don’t think I’ve ever even fallen off a board once — just wistfully watched kids rolling down sidewalks and wishing that was me. But this weekend, I decided that it was time. I was so nervous. So I took my Klonipin, gathered my friend for moral support, and then headed downtown to Cal’s.
Truth be told, I never really needed the anti-​anxiety booster. The minute I walked into the shop, I was greeted by Paul, who was warm and enthusiastic about helping me find what I needed. When I admitted that I was a complete beginner, I thought he would laugh at me; instead, he nodded, and then ran with it, handing me all sorts of boards, having me test them out, talking to me about the pros and cons. He made me feel so comfortable and I never felt like he was judging me for my inexperience.
He also walked me through the different parts of the board, then, once I’d decided on all the different components for the type of skating I wanted to do, he put the board together for me in less than five minutes, grip tape and all. He told me to come back if I had any issues — any problems at all with the board — that it had an extremely long warranty but they’d be more than happy to check anything out.
I left completely satisfied and with an amazing skateboard that was exactly what I wanted. Thanks, Paul, and thanks, Cal’s, for being so great to a newbie like me!

Cal Skate rules! Awesome staff, amazing selection, absolute best prices!
It is by far the best possible place to buy a skateboard in Portland

First off, I haven’t really skated since probably 94 but I have fond memories of this place as a little kid. I recently was in the neighborhood and stopped in just to see the changes… it was pretty cool to see they have remained true to their roots as a core shop (instead of turning into a glorified streetwear shop like some places).
Add to that all the community involvement projects they have been a part of over the years — this is the type of place that makes you glad there are some small/​local businesses still surviving.