Founded in 1987 by Jim Ruonala, Pacific Drive Skateboard Shop is a skater-owned board shop at 756 Thomas Ave in Pacific Beach, 92109. Few independent skate shops anywhere can match the roster of professionals who got their start under this roof — Danny Way, Jamie Thomas, Chad Muska, Peter Smolik, and Sean Sheffey all rode for Pacific Drive early in their careers. Thrasher Magazine profiled the shop in its Wreck Centers documentary series, and Skateboarding.com named it one of San Diego’s most iconic skateshops in both 2024 and 2025 features. Riders heading out to nearby breaks often gear up at South Coast Surf Shop Pacific Beach on the same stretch of coast. In 2025, etnies released the Sal 23 X Skate Shop Day colorway inspired directly by Pacific Drive, honoring pro skater Sal Barbier, who has called the shop his first sponsor since moving from Louisiana to San Diego in 1989. The BBB file under Ruonala’s name has been open since October 2000, and he remains the day-to-day operator alongside staff members Alex and Truman. Walk inside and look up — the ceiling is lined with signed decks from decades of pros who have passed through. Skate shoes, apparel, complete decks, trucks, wheels, and surf gear round out the inventory, and the Vans store around the corner on Garnet Avenue makes the area a one-stop destination for board-sport footwear. Customers regularly highlight Robin Prodanovich’s custom board work available through the shop. Pacific Drive is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.