Icy Hot: Holiday Ice Skating in San Diego

The reality that we’re far from the snow and sleet here in San Diego isn’t enough to stop us from enjoying all the fun activities that come with the cold weather. In fact, there are several enchanting rinks and arenas in our beautiful city that allow us to have an incredible skating experience on ice. Grab your loved ones, bundle up and get ready to have some winter fun.

A few of our favorite seasonal ice skating rinks pop up during the holidays at the Hotel Del Coronado and Westfield Horton Plaza. More year-round fun on the ice can be found at Westfield UTC La Jolla, Iceoplex in Escondido, Salvation Army Kroc Center and the San Diego Ice Arena. Who says you can’t have the best of both worlds? In San Diego, you can experience winter wonderland on a warm and sunny afternoon.

Discover the best ice skating rinks in San Diego

Sycuan’s Fantasy on Ice: Located at Horton Plaza, this rink allows visitors a chance to skate the great outdoors. Strictly seasonal, this rink will be open from Nov. 15 until Jan. 6. During the day, expect to see families and children playing. During the evenings, this rink is more adult-oriented, with faster paced skating and fun music. Skating here also benefits the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego.

General Admission: $14

Children under 12: $12

225 Broadway Circle at Horton Plaza

Visit sdice.com/horton  for additional information

Skating by the Sea: For those dreaming of ice skating right next to the ocean, the Hotel Del Coronado is here to make your holiday hopes come true. The Windsor Lawn, with a direct view of the Pacific, gets transformed into a magnificent ice rink around this time of year.  Skating sessions will begin Nov. 21 and continue through New Year’s Day. This is also a way to help charity during the holidays, as a portion of all ticket sales will directly benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s San Diego chapter. (pictured)

General Admission: $25 for three hours

Children 10 and under: $20 for three hours

1500 Orange Ave. in Coronado

Visit hoteldel.com for further information

UTC Ice at UTC La Jolla: This lovely location allows us all to take a break from all that Christmas shopping and have some good clean fun, seeing as how it’s conveniently located within one of our favorite malls. This indoor location offers several skating and sports options: hockey lessons and leagues, ice-skating lessons, broomball and camps.

General Admission: $12

Children 5 and under: $10

4545 La Jolla Village Dr. in UTC La Jolla

Visit utcice.com for further information

Iceoplex in Escondido: Public skate sessions are in full swing at the Iceoplex. Figure skating and hockey are also happening at this awesome arena. This year, the 5th annual Winter Wonderland brings skating around the beautifully lit Christmas tree with holiday music and festive lights setting the scene. The special skating sessions run from Dec. 17 to Jan. 1 (closed on Dec. 25 in observance of Christmas).

Winter Wonderland Admission: $10

555 N. Tulip in Escondido

Visit iceoplexescondido.com for more information

San Diego Ice Arena: People can’t seem to get enough of this incredible ice arena located in Mira Mesa. Having been open for 35 years, the arena specializes in figure skating, skating school, hockey, birthday parties and public sessions. The largest sports shop of its sort in San Diego is also found at this location, with loads of accessories, apparel and equipment sold by a knowledgeable staff.

General Admission: $12

Children 12 and under: $10

Group rate: $8 with RSVP

11048 Ice Skate Place in Mira Mesa

Visit sdice.com  for additional information

The Salvation Army Kroc Center: This ice arena offers an unbelievable NHL regulation sized ice surface, hockey and skating lessons and adult and youth hockey leagues. On Wednesdays, everyone is invited to partake in $5 skating from 7:15 to 8:15pm. For a festive show, head to the Jingle Bell Kroc Toy Drive and Ice Show on December 12. Enjoy the ice skating show from 5:45pm-7pm and public ice skating session from 7pm-8:30pm for free with donation of an unwrapped toy.

General Admission: $10

Group rate: $7 per skater

6737 University Ave.

Visit kroccenter.org for more information

Discover more  holiday events in our DiscoverSD Holiday Guide