20+ Amazing & Festive Rinks For Ice Skating In California

Ice skating is a fun and festive winter sport that is perfect for the entire family. Nothing beats skating under the twinkling lights and drinking hot cocoa after a fun skate. Along the Pacific Coast Highway, you’ll find incredible ice skating rinks in California that are perfect for this wintertime fun.

Best Ice Skating in California

Here are our favorite rinks along the PCH, from north to south, that are worth visiting for incredible outdoor fun. Just make sure you pack your warm socks!

Ice Skating in Santa Rosa

Winter Lights in Downtown Santa Rosa: Skating on the Square

Address: Old Courthouse Sq, Santa Rosa, CA
Dates: Thanksgiving – December 31
Website

Winter Lights in downtown Santa Rosa is a must stop for holiday fun. You can shop, visit with Santa, and of course ice skate when you head down to this festival.

The rink is open Thursday and Friday from 4 pm to 8 pm and Saturday and Sundays from 12 pm to 8 pm. Tickets can be bought online for and it includes skate rentals.

Ice Skating in Palo Alto

Winter Lodge Public Skating

Address: Winter Lodge, 3009 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94306
Dates: last week of December through the first week of January
Website

Palo Alto offers an amazing skating opportunity for the whole family. Starting in December you can head out to the ice rink (skate rentals extra).

Younger skaters can snag a “little bear” skating aid, although parents- this is more of a hinderance than a help. Both of my boys learned how to skate and those aids only slowed them down.

The public skate sessions vary by day and sometimes close for younger groups, so head to their website for the best hours. All reservations need to be made online in advance.

Ice skating in Union Square in San Francisco — *credit San Francisco Travel Association*

Ice Skating in San Francisco

Union Square Ice Rink

Address: 333 Post St, San Francisco CA
Dates: November through mid-January, 10 am to 11 pm
Website

Can you imagine anything more magical than ice skating in Union Square this winter? The area screams Christmas, with a giant Christmas tree, lights all over the place, and great shopping feet away.

The Union Square ice rink offers 60-minute sessions that start every 90 minutes. General admission includes skates and tickets for kids under 8 are discounted.

You will need to rent a locker for $5 to store your things though, and they also offer gloves and socks for purchase in case you forgot yours.

Tickets need to be purchased online, and planning your trip in advance is recommended since the rink usually sells out.

Yerba Buena Ice Skating and Bowling Center

Address: 750 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
Dates: open daily
Website

The Yerba Buena Ice Skating rink is an indoor ice skating rink that is open almost everyday of the year. Tickets can be bought online with the option of renting skates and socks if needed.

After a good skate session, head to one of their vending machines for hot cocoa and snacks before exploring the rest of this bowling center.

Ice Skating in San Mateo

San Mateo on Ice

Address: 50 E 5th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401
Dates: mid-November through the first week in January
Website

Have you ever seen a baseball diamond turn into ice? Now’s your chance with San Mateo on Ice. This baseball field is turned into a winter dream where everyone can enjoy some time slipping and sliding on ice skates in California.

Tickets include skate rentals, and there is no time limit on your skate session, which is a plus for little ones who want to get their energy out.

Ice Skating in Santa Clara

California’s Great America Winterfest

Address: 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Dates: Thanksgiving through January 1
Website

Head to California’s Great America to experience Winterfest, a holiday spectacular that will make everyone feel in the festive mood. The ice rink will be in front of Great America’s iconic Carousel Columbia where you can skate under the festive lights.

Besides skating, enjoy more than 60 rides and holiday attractions, including sending letters to the North Pole and visiting Santa’s workshop. Ticket discounts apply when you buy four or more tickets for the same day (family of 4+), and remember you’re heading into a theme park, so parking fees apply and bag rules.

Dale City Ice Skating

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair Festival and Ice Rink

Address: 2600 Geneva Ave, Daly City CA
Dates: mid-November through mid-December, open Saturday and Sundays
Website

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair Festival added an ice skating rink near the Vauxhall Gardens in recent years. The rink is 2,800 square feet, perfect for a family skate session before you explore the rest of the festival.

Prices vary depending on age, and tickets must be purchased online and in advance before attending.

Ice Skating in Santa Cruz

Boardwalk Holiday Ice

Address: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St, Santa Cruz CA
Dates: Thanksgiving to January 1
Website

Head to the boardwalk for their holiday ice rink, which is 40 x 60 feet and made from natural ice. As you skate, holiday lights and holiday decorations surround you, giving you a festive feel.

Skate sessions are an hour long, which provides you with more than enough time to enjoy the rest of the boardwalk when you’re done.

Their indoor arcade is a great spot to warm up and play mini golf, if you have kids like mine who can never get enough of mini golf.

Ice Skating in Monterey

Ice Skating by the Bay

Address: Custom House Plaza, Monterey CA
Date: Thanksgiving to January 1, 11am- 10pm and Sundays 12pm- 8pm
Website

Custom House Plaza in Monterey is one of the best places to find holiday fun and cheer. Located behind the Portola Hotel and Spa, you can skate along the coastline and under festive lights.

Skate rentals are separate from session tickets, so feel free to bring your own. Check their website for special events that they will host throughout the month too.

Ice Skating in Santa Barbara

Ice in Paradise

Address: 6985 Santa Felicia Dr, Goleta CA
Dates: Monday, Wednesday-Saturday (9am- 10pm), Tuesday (9am-11pm) and Sunday (9am- 9 pm)
Website

This year-round ice skating rink on the outskirts of Santa Barbara in Goleta is a must visit when in town.

They offer public skate sessions that are open to all ages, skate rentals for the whole family, and aid walkers for kids under 10.

The rink also does special nights for teens, college-age kids, and adults. Check their website for their public skate sessions and events.

Ice Skating in Los Angeles

Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square

Address: downtown LA, 532 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Dates: Thanksgiving through the first weekend in January
Website

Located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles is the Pershing Square outdoor ice rink. Tickets are for an hour skate session and rentals are included in the price of your ticket.

They have lockers for $3 rentals and you can contact them about private parties on Mondays and Tuesdays.

LA Kings Holiday Ice Live

Address: L.A. LIVE on Xbox Plaza, 800 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Dates: Thanksgiving through the first weekend in January
Website

The L.A. Kings ice skating rink is open again for L.A. Live. You can skate around a giant Christmas tree in the middle of the rink.

Skating sessions are pricey, but last an hour and a half.

This rink is the largest ice skating rink in LA and one of the most popular, so make sure to get tickets in advance and check out their website for special events.

Ice Skating in Santa Monica

Ice at Santa Monica

Address: 1324 5th St, Santa Monica CA
Dates: mid-November through mid-January, 12 pm to 10 pm
Website

The corner of 5th Street and Arizona Ave is turned into a winter wonderland to bring festive cheer to all. Best of all, the City of Santa Monica usually have free parking up to three hours during the holiday season (triple check signage though!)

There are concessions on site, and you can head to one of the downtown restaurants when you’re done for a bite to eat.

Ice Skating in Rancho Palos Verdes

Skating in the Park

Address: Ken Dyda Civic Center, 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Dates: mid-December through the first week of January
Website

This ice rink is located above the ocean, sitting in the bluffs of Rancho Palos Verdes. The rink will offer themed skating nights and walk-up options, but reservations are recommended.

Tickets include skate rentals. Check their websites for hours as times do vary and it also depends on the weather.

Ice skating during Christmas in Santa Ana in California — *credit City of Santa Ana*

Ice Skating in Santa Ana

Santa Ana Winter Village

Address: Orange County Civic Center’s Plaza of the Flags, 700 W Civic Center Dr, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Dates: early December- early January
Website

Santa Ana’s Winter Village is perfect for a skating session with the whole family. They have live entertainment, a tree-lighting ceremony, and an ice rink. Tickets can be purchase online.

Ice skaters at the Surf City Winter Wonderland Ice Rink in Huntington Beach CA during Christmas — *credit Visit Huntington Beach*

Ice Skating in Huntington Beach

Winter wonderland ice skating Huntington Beach

Address: Pacific Coast-Main, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Dates: mid-November through the first weekend in January
Website

The Surf City Winter Wonderland is located near the Huntington Beach Pier and is open throughout the holidays. They have a themed skate, carolers, and more for an excellent time skating.

Tickets include skate rentals for sessions that last 90 minutes.

Find more things to do in Huntington Beach at Christmas.

Ice skater twirling at the Ice Rink at Pasea Hotel and Spa in Huntington Beach CA during Christmas — *credit Visit Huntington Beach*

Paséa Hotel & Spa Ice Skating Rink

Address: 21080 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach CA
Dates: Thanksgiving until New Year’s Eve
Website

Skate along the beach at the Paseo Hotel and Spa in Huntington Beach. Their hour-long skate sessions include skate rentals.

When you’re done skating, you can use the hotel’s amenities, including its fire pits and restaurants. There will be themed skate nights, and Santa appears on Wednesday nights.

Ice Skating in Irvine

Skating Under the Stars

Address: 670 Spectrum Center Dr. Irvine, CA 92618
Dates: Thanksgiving through January 1
Website

Over at the Irvine Spectrum Center, you can skate under the stars. Each skate session is 90 minutes before being closed for resurfacing for the next sessions.

While you wait, you can take a spin on the giant Ferris wheel. Skating tickets include rentals with the option of a helmet rental for an additional fee.

Ice Skating in Costa Mesa

Winterfest in OC

Address: 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Dates: Thanksgiving through January 1
Website

There is so much to do at Winterfest OC, and ice skating will be only the tip of the iceberg. WE do love to skate besides a 30-foot Christmas tree though.

Besides skating, there is a petting zoo, Santa fly-bys, meet and greet with Santa, parades, and even fireworks.

Tickets to Winterfest start at $50 and can be purchased online. Keep an eye out for half-price days, especially as you get closed to Christmas Day.

Ice Skating in San Diego

Skating by the Sea

Address: 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA
Dates: mid-November til January 1
Website

Beginning in mid-November, Hotel del Coronado offers a beachfront ice rink with stunning ocean views when you’re skating. Each skate session will benefit the Make-A-Wish San Diego location, making this ice rink a must-go-to site.

Each ticket includes 90-minute skating sessions, and rentals for an additional fee. Tickets must be bought online, but check out their special holiday hours before grabbing tickets.

You can enhance your skating experience by reserving a rink-side or ocean-side seat at the Frostbite Lounge. Your lounge experience will include plush seating, fire pits, and holiday-themed goodies.

Spending time with your family at a California ice skating rink is fun and will help create lasting memories. Ice skating might seem a bit scary, but trust us, once you get out there, you’ll have an incredible time skating under the festive lights.

Things to do in Newport Beach at Christmas in California

Looking for more Things to do at Christmas in California?

Pin it and Start Celebrating Christmas!

Where to find the best ice skating in California near me

CHRISTMAS TRAVEL TIPS FOR HOME AND ABROAD

Your guide to our favorite winter activity ice skating in California at indoor rinks and outdoor ice skating rinks across the state during the holidays and all winter long. READ OUR FULL GUIDE to the best ice skating in California