The Bay Area may not get a proper snow-covered winter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t slide and glide your way through the holidays. Whether you’re looking for a romantic date spot or somewhere to practice the lutz, ’tis the season for hitting theice skating rinks. Here are the best places to lace up:
Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square
Next to Rockefeller Center in New York, this Union Square landmark may be the most famous outdoor holiday ice skating destination in North America. Located in the heart of San Francisco’s glittering shopping district, just under the iconic 83-foot-tall Christmas tree, the tiny rink is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. It also hosts a number of special events, including drag queens on ice and polar bear parties.
Union Square, S.F. 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m. daily. Through Jan. 20. $13-$30; skate rentals included with admission.unionsquareicerink.com
囚禁cadero Center Holiday Ice Rink
Located across from the Ferry Building in Justin Herman Plaza, below the illuminated high-rises, you can almost feel the eyes of the weary office workers above peering down at the Bay Area’s largest outdoor rink. Because of its prominent location, it tends to draw as many ice skating exhibitionists in sleek jumpsuits as amateurs clinging to the boards to stay upright, which makes for great people-watching from any level. Its proximity to the culinary delights across the street is a bonus.
囚禁cadero Plaza, across from the Ferry Building, S.F. 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Through Jan. 5. $7-$12; skate rentals $5.embarcaderocenter.com/experience/holiday-ice-rink
The Winter Park at Civic Center
As part of the city’s ongoing effort to rehabilitate the Civic Center Plaza neighborhood, a huge swath of the park outside City Hall was turned into一个滑冰场in 2018. Modeled on a winter wonderland in front of City Hall in Vienna,there is a 400-foot ice track that gives skaters a panoramic tour of the Main Library, Asian Art Museum and Bill Graham Civic.
Civic Center, S.F. Noon-6 p.m. daily. Through Jan. 5. $13-$20; skate rentals included.winterparkicerinksf.com
Snoopy’s Home Ice
This skating rink housed in a reproduction of a Swiss chalet in Charles M. Schulz’s hometown of Santa Rosa not only offers a roomy 15,000-square-foot surface to glide on and do the hokey-pokey, but there’s a 20-foot Christmas tree sitting in the middle of the rink and genuine tinsel from 1969 hanging from every available surface.
For first-time skaters, there’s a Puppy Practice session where children and their parents can get a quick skating lesson and use chairs to stay propped up as they wobble their way around the arena.
Then there’s the Warm Puppy Cafe — the real reason to go — which offers a spot to defrost with towering hot chocolates, as well as nachos, hot dogs and French fries served in a dog bowl, a la Snoopy.
Skating around here almost feels like the living embodiment of “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
1667 W.Steele Lane, Santa Rosa. Open year-round. Schedule varies, check website for hours. General admission $10; children (11 and younger) $8; skate rentals $2-$4.www.snoopyshomeice.com
North Bay
NorCal Ice
5800 Northgate Drive, San Rafael. Through Jan. 19. $13-$17; skate rentals included.www.officialnorcalice.com
Napa on Ice
Napa Expo, Third Street between Soscol Avenue and Silverado Trail. Through Jan. 12. $14.onicerinks.com/napa-on-ice
East Bay
Oakland Ice Center
Indoor skating on and off throughout each month. $13.50-$17.50. 519 18th St., Oakland. 510-268-9000oaklandice.com
Iceland Family Night
Times vary, open year-round.$7 per person, includes skate rental. For a schedule of special events, pickup hockey ($10-$15) and freestyle sessions ($7), check website. Dublin Iceland, 7212 San Ramon Road, Dublin. 925-829-4445.dubliniceland.com
Walnut Creek on Ice
Through Jan. 20. General admission $13-$15. Civic Park, corner of Civic Drive and Broadway, Walnut Creek.walnutcreekonice.com
Peninsula
San Mateo on Ice
Central Park, 50 E. Fifth Ave., San Mateo. Through Jan. 12. $15-$20; skate rentals included with admission.onicerinks.com/san-mateo-on-ice
Nazareth Ice Oasis
Open year-round. 3140 Bay Road, Redwood City. 650-364-8090.iceoasis.com
Nazareth Ice Oasis San Mateo
Open year-round. 2202 Bridgepoint Parkway, San Mateo. 650-574-6033.nazarethice.com
South Bay
Winter Lodge
3009 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Through April 11. $15.winterlodge.com
Downtown Ice San Jose
120 S. Market St., San Jose. Through Jan. 12. $15-$18.
www.downtownicesj.com
Snow Flake Lake at WinterFest
Outdoor skating select days through Dec. 31. $15. California’s Great America, 4701 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara. 408-988-1776.cagreatamerica.com
Solar4America Ice at San Jose
Year-round indoor skating at the official facility of the San Jose Sharks hockey team. $8:50-$12:50, plus $5 skate rental. 1500 S.10th St., San Jose. 408-279-6000.sharksiceatsanjose.com
Gilroy Gardens Holiday at Night
Various times, through Dec. 31. $35-42. Gilroy Gardens, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway. 408-840-7100.gilroygardens.org
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Holiday Ice
400 Beach St., Santa Cruz. Through Jan. 5. General admission $14.95-$29.95; skate rentals included with admission.beachboardwalk.com/Boardwalk-Holiday-Ice
