When you live in a cold weather part of the country, December is usually the start of winter sports and outdoor activities. Here in California with its moderate weather, ice skating can be a little harder to find.
While it’s not quite the same to lace up your skates when it’s 65 degrees outside and sunny, skating without the bone-chilling cold is a pretty cool way to spend an afternoon!
Luckily for us, there are several options within a short drive of Monterey for ice skating fun for families.
ICE SKATING BY THE BAY | 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey, 93940 | (831) 233-8057 | www.iceskatingbythebay.com
Ice Skating by the Bay’s seasonal ice skating rink is located in Custom House Plaza behind Portola Hotel & Spa. Set among historic adobes and Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Skating by the Bay offers skaters a day of holiday fun in a winter wonderland right by Monterey Bay. This year Ice Skating by the Bay offers special events, holiday parties, and birthday parties on select days.
Hours: Open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, including holidays. There are some exceptions, check the website for specifics.
Admission: Adults: $15, children 12 & under: $13, skate rental fee: $3; Season Pass: $225 for the entire season. (Skate rental not included)
GILROY GARDENS | 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy, 95020 | (408) 840-7100 | gilroygardens.org
Bring the whole family out to enjoy magical light displays, ice skating under the stars, and visiting with Santa. Open select dates through December 31.
Hours: Check the website for opening hours and dates.
Admission: Adults $16, $14 for children and seniors. $8 if you brink your own skates.
SOLAR4AMERICA ICE | 1500 S. Tenth St., San Jose, 95112 (at Alma, next to Municipal Stadium) | (408) 279-6000 | solar4americaiceatsanjose.com
Solar4America Ice is the largest rink facility west of the Mississippi. The facility is the home of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks. New skaters can use specially designed “buckets” that allow them to skate safely during specific bucket sessions as well as on some areas of the ice during general sessions.
Because of the other activities at the arena, there are limited open skate hours. The current schedule has sessions daily in the morning, mid-day, and evening most days of the week.
Hours: Several skating sessions are held on most days. Check website for specific days and hours and holiday skating schedules.
Admission: General Admission 13 & Over: $14.00; Children (12 & under): $13.00; Senior (55 & Over): $9.50; Skate Rental: $6.00
ICE CENTER CUPERTINO | 10123 N. Wolfe Road, Cupertino, 95014 | (408) 446-2906
The Ice Center offers many sessions of public skating during prime time hours, including weekends and weeknights. Skate rentals are also available.
Hours: Several skating sessions are held on most days. Check website for specific days and hours and holiday skating schedules.
Admission/Skate rental combo: $18.00
KRISTI YAMAGUCHI HOLIDAY ICE RINK | City Center Bishop Ranch | 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road | San Ramon, 94583 | citycenterbishopranch.com
Open through January 8th, 2023. Tickets are purchased per 90-minute session which starts every even hour. Birthday party packages are available.
Hours: Daily from either 10:00 am or 12:00 pm through 9:30 pm, rain or shine including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
Admission/Skate rental combo: $21.00, children 3-8 are $15.
UNION SQUARE HOLIDAY ICE RINK | 10123 N. Wolfe Road, Cupertino, 95014 | unionsquareicerink.com
Skate through the holidays at The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square. San Francisco’s favorite outdoor rink is back with daily ice skating for all ages and special events scheduled throughout the holiday season.
Hours: Ice rink hours are from 10 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., daily. 60-minute sessions start every 90 minutes:
Admission/Skate rental combo: $20.00, children under 8: $15. Admission includes skate rental. Purchase tickets online.
WINTER FEST AT CA GREAT AMERICA | 4701 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara | greatamerica.com/events/winterfest
Skate in front of the Columbia carousel and enjoy holiday cheer as Great America is magically transformed into a winter wonderland and holiday festival. Park ticket purchase required. Select nights through Jan. 9, 2022; California’s Great America, 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara.
Hours: Several skating sessions are held on most days. Check the website for specific days and hours and holiday skating schedules.
Admission $17; includes skate rental. All guests under 10 must be accompanied by someone 14 or older. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
WINTER LODGE | 3009 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, 94306 | (650) 493-4566 | winterlodge.com/public-skating
Winter Lodge is a permanent ice rink in Palo Alto offering public skate sessions and lessons. Opened in 1956, the rink is open every day except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The rink remains open through April.
Skate aids are available for little ones during non-peak times only. You’re welcome to bring your own refreshments (no alcohol) and enjoy the festive seasonal decorations and the indoor and outdoor fireplaces.
One special extra: foam “snow” will fall at the end of each skating session.
Hours: Several skating sessions are held on most days. Check website for specific days and hours and holiday skating schedule.
Admission $17; Skate rental is $5. Tickets must be purchased in advance.