Who would think you can skate at a warm Southern California beach? You can put yourself on the ice with the Pacific blue in view at one of the America's top rated beaches, next to Hotel del Coronado! Wow.
Ice rinks at the beach are one of the coolest experiences you'll ever try. But unfortunately they come with inherent challenges -- such as melting ice in the heat of a Southern California winter day hitting 85 degrees. These beloved winter venues also have expenses -- determining factors in whether a rink can come back for another season. If you're looking for the Best Seasonal Ice Skating in California, you've come to the right place. We've been tracking these events since 2012 and can point you to some really cool ice skating both at the beach and on the mountain high. Several of the companies bringing these experiences to cities that seldom see snow & ice outdoors include: IceAmerica (iceamerica.com), Special Ice (speicalice.net) and Willy Bietak Productions.
ALPINE:
Viejas Casino Resort
Ice Rink November 1, 2024-January 5, 2025, 3-10 p.m. daily
Viejas Casino & Resort invites the public to enjoy Southern California's
largest outdoor ice rink throughout the season!
ATWATER: Razzari Ice Skating Center November 15, 2024-January 5, 2025
Old Town Atwater. Seasonal ice skating rink offers affordable holiday fun.
BRENTWOOD: Brentwood on Ice November 22, 2024-January 5, 2025
CASTRO VALLEY: 3Crosses Christmas Village Ice Rink "Largest outdoor ice skating rink in Alameda County" open weekends November 29, 2024-January 5, 2025
CHICO: Ice Rink in the Plaza November 15, 2024-January 12, 2025
City Plaza in the heart of Chico's Downtown
CLEARLAKE: City of Clearlake, CA Ice Fantasy Synthetic Ice Skating
Rink November 22-December 1, 2024
Austin Park, 14077 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, CA
icefantasyskatingrink.tscheckout.com/
$16 includes 60 minute ice skating session and ice skate rental Bring your
company, friends or family
CONCORD: Rink at The Veranda November 9, 2024-February 2025
CORONADO:
Skating by the Sea November 21, 2024-January 5, 2025, hours vary
Hotel del
Coronado Overlooking the beautiful, blue Pacific
FOLSOM:
Historic District Ice Rink Folsom
Historic District Ice Rink November 8, 2024 -January 20, 2025
This real ice rink surface is ideal for both novice and pro skaters.
FRESNO: Downtown Fresno Ice
Rink December 10, 2024-January 12, 2025
It's back after nearly a decade of being gone!
HANFORD: Winter Wonderland Ice Rink November 23, 2024- January 12, 2025
IRVINE: Irvine Spectrum Holiday Ice Rink November 1, 2024-January 5, 2025
Located at a shopping & dining destination, the rink is in the heart of it all
where there's something for everyone!
LOS ANGELES:
LA
LIVE Ice Rink November 29, 2024-January 5, 2025
Entertainment complex features concerts, movies, shopping, dining, hotels and
this seasonal holiday delight.
LOS ANGELES:
Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square
November 21, 2024-January 12, 2025
While Willy Bietak & his Productions discontinued the San Jose Downtown Ice,
he's back at Pershing Square after its hiatus. He also operates Union Square Ice
Rink in San Francisco this year.
MAMMOTH LAKES:
Holiday Ice Rink November 11, 2024-March 2025 approx
Nothing says winter in the Sierra Nevada mountains better than an invigorating
ice skating session after a day on the ski slopes.
MONTEREY:
Ice
Skating by the Bay
November 22-December 31, 2024
There's no place more in the holiday spirit than Monterey Bay for this ice
skating adventure surrounded by shops, dining, and the ever-close Pacific
Ocean.
MOUNT SHASTA: Siskiyou Ice Rink
November 16, 2024-February 23, 2025
If you're a local, you know that this is one fun hangout for winter
entertainment.
NAPA: Ice
Skating at Vista Colina November 18, 2024-January 11, 2025, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Located at Meritage Resort, open to the public
OLYMPIC VALLEY: Ice Skating at Squaw Valley Everline Resort Winter Ice Skating Rink November 29, 2024-March 2025
PALO ALTO: Winter Lodge Seasonal Ice Rink October 19, 2024-April 13, 2025, is a beloved, 65-year tradition bringing outdoor ice skating to an area that rarely sees snow. $25, winterlodge.com
SACRAMENTO:
Downtown Holiday Ice November 6, 2024-January 20, 2025
The cool place to go, the Downtown Holiday Ice Rink combines a vibrant,
urban scene with old-fashioned fun.
SAN DIEGO:
Rady Children's Ice Rink at Liberty Station
November 21, 2024-January 5, 2025
A perfect San Diego setting combined with the glorious (mellow) winter weather
makes for comfort & joy this holiday season.
SAN FRANCISCO:
Union
Square Ice Rink
November 6, 2024-January 20, 2025, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
Union Square is an iconic San Francisco hub, a gathering spot with access to the
famous foods, drinks, shopping and transportation. There's no excuse not to
check out the Ice Rink.
SAN JOSE:
Downtown Ice November 15, 2024 - January 20, 2025
Downtown Ice is in the heart of it all and just a short walk to Christmas in the
Park, a delight for kids big & small. A season roller rink is being
installed instead.
SAN MATEO:
Holiday on Ice November 15, 2024-January 12, 2025
Placed in the city's beloved Central Park, there's no better spot for
ice skating to your heart's content.
SAN RAMON: Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice
Rink November 8, 2024-January 5, 2025
Open daily, including Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year's Day
City Center Bishop Ranch
SANTA CLARA:
California's
Great America Holiday Ice Rink November 29, 2024-January 5, 2025
Actual dates: November 29 & 30, 2024; December 1, 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 20,
21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29 & 31, 2024; January 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5, 2025
SANTA MONICA:
ICE November 8, 2024-January 20, 2025
Sun-Thurs 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE:
Heavenly
Village Ice Rink November 9, 2024-March 2025
The Shops at Heavenly Village at the base of the mountain next to Gondolas, if
you prefer skating or want to take in both ice skating and skiing, this location
is great!
TEMECULA: Peltzer Farms & Winery Ice Rink November 9, 2024-Janaury 20, 2025
TEMECULA:
Temecula on Ice December 12, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Draped in Grapes (lavender to purple at night for the Big Grape Drop New Year's
Celebration)
Hours: Sun-Thu 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-11
p.m.
Christmas Day December 25, 2024, 12-9:30 p.m.
New Year's Eve additional special skate December 31, 2024, 10:30
p.m.-12:30 a.m. (January 1, 2025)
TWAIN HARTE:
Long Barn Lodge Outdoor Rink
Long Barn Lodge Ice Skating at its finest!
UKIAH: Holiday on
Ice December 2, 2024-January 12, 2025, open daily
Next to Alex R. Thomas Plaza on School Street, this annual ice adventure is a
festival of fun.
VACAVILLE: Winter Wonderland Ice Rink Year - round rink with special public skate dates
WALNUT CREEK:
Walnut
Creek on Ice November 22, 2024-January 12, 2025
NOT CONFIRMED FOR 2024:
VISALIA: Ice
Skate Christmas at the Patch
Ice Skate Visalia at Vossler Farms
Let that winter sunshine and those 70-80 degree days blaze away this Christmas. Such warm weather doesn't stop outdoor ice rinks from being built. Los Angeles, Santa Monica and San Diego are among the cities that love ICE and have hosted these rinks for a decade or more. In colder climates (South Lake Tahoe, Mammoth, etc.) having an ice rink is really a matter of not "if" but when it's cold enough to sustain the annual rink.
Seasonal ice rinks in California are one of the trickiest attractions to feature because they are expensive to operate and unlike holiday tree lightings or parades, they often are introduced on a trial basis, never to return. They are wildly popular and sure, it's a little disappointing whey they don't come back for another season.
From San Francisco to San Jose, Los Angeles to San Diego's Coronado, the big 4 cities population-wise offer fantastic winter escapes providing old-fashioned ice skating in tourist destinations, minus the snow! NOTE: San Jose has dropped their ice skating rink in 2022-2023 in favor of an outdoor roller rink.
Past and hopefully future ice rinks!
MARTINEZ: DC Solar Downtown Holiday Ice no dates 2021-2022
SAN FRANCISCO:
Embarcadero Holiday Ice Rink
Come for the
Building Lighting at
Justin Herman Plaza
adjacent to Four Embarcadero Center, across from Ferry Building and stay
for the skating in one of California's most romantic cities.
SAN FRANCISCO:
Winter Park
at Civic Center
In addition to
Union Square Ice Rink, Willy Bietak Productions introduced this Civic Center
attraction last year. It bills itself as "The First Attraction of its Kind in
the United States."
SANTA CRUZ: Beach Boardwalk Holiday Ice
SUNNYVALE: Holiday Ice Rink closed
Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.