Monterey, CA Public Conduct: Skateboarding Rules (2026)

City Code § 22-12 gives the City Council authority to designate any sidewalk, street, mall, wharf, parking lot, parking garage, park or trail as off-limits to bicycles, roller skates, skateboards or similar non-motorized vehicles, but only where signs are actually posted giving notice of the restriction; wheelchairs, baby carriages, strollers and delivery handcarts are excluded from any such ban. Section 22-14 imposes a specific, unconditional prohibition regardless of signage: no person may ride or propel a skateboard on the stretch of the Recreation Trail between the head of Municipal Wharf No.

1 and the city limit with Pacific Grove, one of the most heavily used tourist and commuter segments of the Trail. Separately, § 22-13 bans reckless operation of bicycles, skateboards, skates and in-line skates anywhere on the Recreation Trail, defining "reckless" to include riding faster than conditions allow given weather, visibility and pedestrian traffic; losing control of the vehicle; causing a collision; riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs as defined by California Vehicle Code § 23152; or otherwise endangering life, limb or property.

Because § 22-12's ban only applies where the City Council has designated an area and posted signs, a rider's obligation depends on which segment of sidewalk, wharf or park they are in, while §§ 22-13 and 22-14 apply automatically on the Recreation Trail without any need for posted signage. Skateboarders headed along Cannery Row toward Municipal Wharf No. 1 should expect the Trail closure to begin at the Wharf and run to the Pacific Grove line regardless of posted signs.