During the winter season, temporary ice skating rinks are set up throughout the Bay Area, making ice skating more accessible than ever. Thanks to Walnut Creek Downtown and Walnut Creek's Chamber of Commerce and Visitor's Bureau for sponsoring this roundup of places to skate in the Bay Area this winter.
East Bay Ice Skating Rinks
Walnut Creek on Ice (Walnut Creek) is a temporary rink at 1375 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Tuesday nights offer a discount package for a family of four. This rink will be up Nov. 9 until Jan. 21, open until 8 pm Sunday through Thursday and 11 pm on Friday and Saturday for about $15/person which includes skate rental. Jumbo plastic helpers are available to assist developing skaters. Details about Walnut Creek on Ice >
Old Oakland Holiday Ice Rink will offer skating hours from December 14 to January 8 at a rink on 9th and Washington Street in downtown Oakland. Details >
Oakland Ice is our (510) permanent rink that offers the traditionally large cling-to-the wall experience. Last time I was there, I saw East Bay mom and ex-Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi coaching her daughter! Discounts on Tuesdays. Kids can use plastic buckets for support on the ice. Details >
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (Vallejo) has a temporary rink for visitors to the park. There is no additional charge to skate once you are inside.
Sharks Ice (Fremont) is the sister rink to Oakland Ice, a permanent fixture for recreational skating and competitive training. Also offers public skate sessions. Details >
Fremont on Ice (Fremont) is a temporary rink that is planned, but details are not yet available.
San Francisco and Marin Ice Rinks
Holiday Ice Rink (San Francisco). At Justin Herman Plaza, this Embarcadero temporary rink is the Bay Area’s largest outdoor ice rink. El Cerrito mom Sunny advises, “Bring a second pair of pants.” Wearing wet pants in The City is just a bit colder than wearing them in the East Bay! Open now through Jan 6, 2019. Details >
Cal Academy of Sciences (San Francisco). In the middle of Golden Gate Park, this seasonal rink opens daily, November 16 – January 6; $10-$15/person. ONLY available for museum guests or members. Details >
Union Square Ice Rink (San Francisco). Glorious under the tree experience is over-crowded and probably sold out. If you can manage to buy tickets in advance AND show up for your brief window, go for it! Through January 21. Details >
Yerba Buena's Ice Rink (San Francisco) is adjacent to a bowling alley and close to the Children's Creativity Museum and other SF treasures. It is open for public skating sessions daily, including the holidays. More details including schedule for public skate >
Find more to do in our East Bay Holiday Activities Guide.
Thanks to Walnut Creek's Chamber of Commerce and Visitor's Bureau and Walnut Creek on Ice for sponsoring this post. We are looking forward to their Frosty & Friends event on January 12, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. when a variety of fantasy characters including princesses
and furry friends will be at the ice rink to take pictures, skate, and visit with kids throughout the morning.
All photos courtesy Walnut Creek on Ice
There’s one at the new Veranda center in Concord as well