Here are the best places to go ice skating in and around L.A.
Yes, it may be an unlikely pastime in sunny SoCal, but ice skating is definitely one of the best things you can do over the holiday season. It’s the one time of year and one part of the world that you get to swirl (or hobble) around on the ice with a t-shirt on. Although you won’t find snow-capped trees in the city, you can still experience the magic of the season as you would in colder climates at these enchanting ice rinks in and around Los Angeles.
1. Ice At Santa Monica
L.A. doesn’t have all that many ice rinks open within the city, but luckily, the corner of Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue has been turned into a winter wonderland for the holiday. Gather your friends and skate around the ice rink surrounded by festive decorations and lighting for a two-hour session and then stop to enjoy artisan pizzas, gelato, specialty hot chocolates, and more delicious offerings. It’s the perfect break from your Downtown Santa Monica Christmas shopping.
When: November 17, 2022 – January 16, 2023, from 12 p.m to 10 p.m. daily
Where: 1324 5th Street, Downtown Santa Monica
2. LA Kings Holiday Ice
Gliding around the gigantic Christmas with a dazzling light show, located right in front of the Crypto.com arena (formerly known as The Staples Center) is an essential L.A. holiday experience. You’ll rub shoulders with LA Kings mascots and soak up all the big game energy without even being in the stadium.
When: November 26, 2022 – January 8, 2023
Where: 800 W. Olympic Blvd.
3. Pershing Square Holiday Ice Rink
Go ice skating in the heart of Downtown, at this 7,200-square-foot ice rink. The rink is draped with colorful lights and framed by DTLA’s skyscrapers which feels like the ultimate LA holiday experience. Most years you can catch fun celebrations like the Icebreaker Opening ceremony with choreographed performances and a literal “ice-breaking” ritual where a large ice sculpture is shattered.
When: Now – January 8, 2023
Where: 532 South Olive Street, CA 90013
4. Skating by the Sea At Palos Verdes Civic Center
The cliffside ice rink in Palos Verdes returns with a big opening ceremony on December 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Your unique wintertime activity happens to be on synthetic ice (which means it’s made up of solid polymer sheets) and the rink comes with breathtaking views of the ocean. On the opening night, you can expect a tree-lighting ceremony, food trucks, festive inflatables, crafts and more. Each session is $7 for residents and $10 for non-residents which gets you 30 minutes and includes skates.
When: December 16 – 18; December 26 – 31; January 1 – 8
Where: 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Ranch Palos Verdes, CA 90275
5. Paséa Hotel’s Oceanfront Ice Rink
At Paséa Hotel & Spa’s oceanfront ice rink, you’ll have sweeping views of one of the best surf beaches in SoCal. While it’s not quite in Los Angeles, you can make a day out of it by watching a sunset over the ocean and gathering around a firepit at night for a post-skate hot chocolate or any of the other festive treats on offer.
When: November 25 – December 31
Location: 21080 CA-1, Huntington Beach, CA
6. Skate By The Sea At Hotel del Coronado
This legendary beachfront rink is an absolutely essential SoCal winter activity. The unique experience where sand meets snow gives you the best of both worlds with dreamy orange sunsets and twinkling fairy lights illuminating the cool ice rink. There are also rink-side igloos and a cozy lounge with firepits and cocktails to warm up at after your session. While it may be a little drive from L.A. it’s worth the trip and could even be the perfect weekend getaway over the holidays with tons of seasonal activities happening throughout the month.
When: November 17, 2022 – January 1, 2023
Location: 1277 R.H. Dana Place, Coronado, CA 92118
7. SkyPark At Santa’s Village
This alpine haven is a true Christmas dream all year long and over the holiday season, it becomes even more magical when real snow fills the park. Once the temperature at SkyPark at Santa’s Village drop, the arena is transformed into a frozen p0nd where you’ll likely find Santa himself gliding across the ice. You can twirl around the rink, surrounded by towering pine trees dusted with snow and draped during the day, or make it nighttime ice skating amongst twinkling lights dropped across the rink.
When: November 17, 2022 – January 8, 2023
Where: 28950 California 18, Skyforest, CA