Lace up your ice skates. Thanks to The Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink at City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon for sponsoring this roundup of places to skate in the Bay Area this winter.
Growing up in the Midwest, ice skating was an everyday winter activity. I could simply walk down the street and skate for hours at a makeshift rink in the neighborhood park. There is something so thrilling about gliding on ice. A variety of both temporary and permanent Bay Area rinks are located throughout the Bay Area, making ice skating more accessible than ever–and without the freezing Midwest temperatures! We’ll continue to update this list as we learn more about ice rinks for the 2022-2023 season.
⛸ East Bay Ice Skating Rinks
Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink (Bishop Ranch City Center, San Ramon)
November 11, 2022, through January 8, 2023. Families can reserve tickets for 90-minute sessions, or purchase tickets same day on a first-come, first-serve basis. Kids can use fun skate aids to gain confidence and improve their skating skills. Open rain or shine, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
Location: Bishop Ranch City Center, 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road San Ramon, CA
Buy tickets now >
November 11, 2022 at 6:30 pm. Grand Opening Event with Kristi Yamaguchi: The seasonal rink at Bishop Ranch City Center kicks off with a grand opening ceremony on November 11 at 6 pm with music, performances, and remarks from Kristi Yamaguchi herself. Special event tickets are available for $30 and include access to the ice rink deck to watch the opening ceremony live, plus the first skate session of the season from 7 pm – 9:30 pm (includes skate rental). Buy special tickets for the grand opening event >
Five Palms Ice* Rink at the Claremont (Berkeley)
November 18, 2022, to February 2023. The Berkeley Hills’ answer to outdoor skating, the glice rink at the Claremont has drinks, snacks, and pizza to warm you up. The rink is uncovered, and the adjacent dining area is tented. The rink is made of eco-friendly Glice, a synthetic ice made from plastic or wax with a lubricant on the surface. Families are welcome to use assistive whales as space permits.
Location: Claremont Hotel & Spa; a Fairmont Hotel, 41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley
Website for details >
Oakland Ice Center (Oakland)
Open year-round. Oakland Ice is our (510) permanent indoor rink that offers public skating with the classic cling-to-the-wall experience. Oakland residents can receive a 10% discount on general admission with proof of residence. Families can rent skate aids for tentative kids to gain balance on the ice.
Location: Oakland Ice Center, 519 18th Street, Oakland, CA
Details >
Ice at The Veranda (Concord)
November 5, 2022, through February 14, 2023. Strap on skates and take a spin on the ice this holiday season at The Veranda in Concord. Tickets and hour details are being finalized for the season; we’ll update this page with more details as we receive them.
Location: The Veranda, 2001-2003 Diamond Blvd., Concord, CA
Details >
Sharks Ice (Fremont)
Open year-round. Solar4America Ice at Fremont (colloquially still known as Sharks Ice) is the sister rink to Oakland Ice and is a permanent fixture for recreational skating and competitive training. The indoor rink also offers bucket aids for new skaters to feel comfortable on the ice.
Location: Solar4America Ice at Fremont, 44388 Old Warm Springs Blvd, Fremont, CA
Details >
Walnut Creek on Ice
December 9, 2022, through January 16, 2023. Walnut Creek on Ice, a partially enclosed ice rink in the heart of Downtown Walnut Creek at Civic Park, welcomes skaters of all ages and abilities to skate daily. Visit Tuesdays from 5 pm – 8 pm for Family Skate. Rent gliders for an additional fee to help your little one gain balance and confidence on the ice. The rink has a capacity limit; it’s recommended to reserve tickets in advance, though walk-ins are welcome, too.
Location: 1365 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek, CA at the corner of Civic Drive and Broadway
Ticket Purchase >
⛸ San Francisco Ice Rinks
Yerba Buena Ice Skating + Bowling Center (San Francisco)
Open year-round. Yerba Buena’s Ice Rink is adjacent to the bowling alley and close to the Children’s Creativity Museum and other SF treasures. Public skating is offered daily at this time.
Location: 750 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA
More details about available programs >
Safeway Holiday Ice Rink at Union Square (San Francisco)
November 2, 2022, until January 16, 2023. This glorious, temporary, under-the-tree experience is typically overcrowded and often sold out. Book early if you want to catch special events at the rink, including Learn to Skate Days, Let it Go Wednesdays (ideal for Frozen fans), Drag Queens on Ice, Silent Skate, and more.
Location: 333 Post St, San Francisco, CA
Buy tickets online only >
🛼 San FranDISCO Roller Skate Rink (San Francisco)
November 2, 2022, until January 16, 2023. For those who aren’t into ice, a pop-up roller skating rink will be set up at Fulton Plaza for the season. Open to all ages and skill levels, with music and fun lights. Families can reserve tickets for 90-minutes sessions.
Location: 150 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA
Reserve tickets >
Plan for skating with kids like a pro!
Tykes on ice can be hard, but being prepared doesn’t have to be.
- Purchase tickets in advance. Rinks may have limited capacity on the rink and strongly recommend purchasing in advance so your family is guaranteed time on the ice.
- Read the fine print. Make sure you learn the ice rink’s policy on rain and refunds before making plans.
- Keep age in mind. Some rinks have a minimum age for skaters, so check policies before booking.
- Cover little hands. Wearing a pair of knit or ski gloves can keep little hands warm and somewhat dry while also protecting from hard ice during any falls.
- Protect ankles. We wear longer athletic socks to protect our ankles in rental skates, footie socks would be uncomfortable.
- Layer up. We also dress in layers so it’s easy to discard if wet, or too warm. Ski pants are totally acceptable if you really want to get in the winter spirit.
- Change right away. We like to bring an extra pair of pants for post-skate change since my California child likes to play in the “snow” ie. ice sludge on the side of the rink.
- Consider a helmet. If your little one has never hit the ice, encourage them to wear a helmet while skating. It may bring you and your child peace of mind.
- Refuel. Many ice rinks are located near restaurants so you can grab a snack or warm drink after your family time on the ice.
Find more to do for the season in our East Bay Holiday Activities Guide.
Thanks again to The Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink at City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon for sponsoring this roundup of places to skate in the Bay Area this winter.
xxx
2 thoughts on “Where to Take Kids Ice Skating in the Bay Area”
There is Iceless Skating at the Bay Area Discovery Museum this winter. https://bayareadiscoverymuseum.org/visit/first-time-visit/events/winter-at-badm-2021.
Do not take your kids “glice” skating at the Claremont hotel. It is not real ice and was sooooo slippery all the parents were upset because no body including the adults could actually skate on it. I tried so hard but me and my kids last 5 min as most did. It was pointless. $50 down the drain. Not to mention high parking fees and we waited 35 min for our pizza.