Icy Hot: Holiday Ice Skating in San Diego

The fact that we don’t experience much 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, Westfield Horton Plaza, SeaWorld and Viejas Outlet Center. 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 inside Horton Plaza, this rink allows visitors a chance to skate the great outdoors. Strictly seasonal, this rink will be open from Nov. 17th until Jan. 18th. 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. A Figure Skating Show is set to take place at 5pm on Nov. 17th and a Tree Lighting Ceremony is to commence at 7:30 on Nov. 30th.

General Admission: $14

Children under 12: $12

225 Broadway Circle

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 dreams come true. The Windsor Lawn, with a direct view of the Pacific, is set to be transformed into a magnificent ice rink. Skating sessions will begin the day before Thanksgiving 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 3 hours

Children 10 and under: $20 for 3 hours

1500 Orange Ave.

Please visit hoteldel.com for further information

Ice Town 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. In addition, an entertaining Halloween event is happening there on Oct. 28th from 8:30 to 11pm.

General Admission: $14

Children 5 and under: $6

Military, Student, Senior: $12

4545 La Jolla Village Dr.

 Call 858.452.9110 or visit icetown.com/utc 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. A Halloween Spooktacular Competition is going down on Oct. 29th, along with a Broadway-inspired Ice and Lights Holiday Show from 1 to 5pm on Dec. 11th. This rink also offers a special skater program for the developmentally and physically disabled.

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 34 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

Call 858.530.1825 or visit sdice.com  for additional information

The Salvation Army Kroc Center: This year-round 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. A family-friendly Halloween Boo Bash is scheduled to take place on Oct. 29th from 3 to 6pm, with plenty of games, costumes and ice skating.

General Admission: $10

Group rate: $7

6737 University Ave.

For more information, visit kroccenter.org/ice-arena

Insider Tip: Viejas Outlet Center offers a seasonal ice skating rink, and details are coming soon.

Discover more holiday events, holiday date ideas and holiday cooking classes