When you live in a cold weather part of the country, December is usually the start of winter sports and outdoor activities. One of the most memorable and enjoyable is ice skating. 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 for ice skating fun for Monterey Bay 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 the Bay.
Hours Open Monday through Saturday from 11:00am to 10:00pm and Sunday from 12:00pm to 8:00pm, including holidays.
- Admission Adults: $13, children 12 & under: $11, skate rental fee: $3
- Season Pass: $75 for the entire season. (Skate rental not included)
- Military Mondays: Buy one, get one free admission with valid military ID. Limit of 6 people per ID. Skate rental is not included.
BOARDWALK HOLIDAY ICE
- 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, 95060
- (831) 423-5590
- beachboardwalk.com
Enjoy ice skating by the beach—on real ice at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The new 32’ x 90’ covered ice skating rink located in the Boardwalk’s Main Entrance Plaza in front of the Pirate Ship ride is open rain or shine. You can make reservations via the website for one-hour skating sessions.
A variety of special extras are available during the holiday season including holiday crafts and Santa visits. Several of the Boardwalk concessions are open for refreshments.
- Hours The rink is open 4 to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday and noon to 9 p.m. Friday to Sunday. The rink will be open noon to 9 p.m. on Dec. 25.
- Admission $14.95 + tax includes ice skate rental.
GILROY GARDENS
- 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy, 95020
- (408) 840-7100
- www.gilroygardens.org
Ice skating is free with admission to Gardens@Night Holiday if you have your own ice skates. If not, skate rental is available on site for an additional fee.
- Hours Dec 1-2, 7-9, 14-23, & 26-30 4 pm-9 pm plus Dec 31 from 4pm to midnight
- Admission Tickets purchased online start at $31.00 for adults. See coupon on page 2 of this issue for a discount coupon)
SOLAR4AMERICA ICE
- 1500 S. Tenth St., San Jose, 95112 (at Alma, next to Municipal Stadium)
- (408) 279-6000
- www.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 schedule.
- Admission General Admission 13 & Over: $12.00; Children (12 & under): $11.00; Senior (55 & Over): $8.00; Skate Rental: $5.00
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 schedule.
- Admission Admission/Skate rental combo: $14.00
KRISTI YAMAGUCHI DOWNTOWN ICE
- 120 S. Market St., San Jose, 95113
- Located between the San Jose Museum of Art and the Fairmont Hotel
- (408) 610-4055
- www.downtownicesj.com
Kristi Yamaguchi is one of the Bay Area’s best-known athletes. She grew up in Fremont and skated in San Jose and beyond before taking Olympics gold in figure skating in 1992. Kristi Yamaguchi has been part of Downtown Ice for nine seasons.
Downtown Ice offers the only rink that offers skating in and around a circle of 32 palm trees. which are lit with thousands of color-changing LED lights. The rink is open through January 27.
Hours During November, early December and after the holidays in January, Downtown Ice is open 5-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5 p.m.-midnight on Friday; noon-midnight on Saturday; and noon-9 p.m. on Sunday. During the winter break, the rink is open 11 a.m.-midnight daily. Special hours apply to the holidays and may change around the big events.
Admission $17 Adults; $15 10-under, seniors & military. Walk-up only. Season passes are available.
WINTER LODGE
- 3009 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, 94306
- (650) 493-4566
- http://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 $12; Skate rental is $5
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