The December holiday season means more Christmas shopping, more dinner parties, and more time off to visit Christmas ice skating rinks. Here are our top 5 best ice skating rinks in the San Francisco Bay Area listed in no particular order.

Ice Rink 1: Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center

Our first ice skating rink on the list starts off with the largest outdoor rink in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Embarcadero Center is family-run business that celebrated their 30th Anniversary this year. The Embarcadero Ice rink is open from until January 7th.

Hours:
Sunday – Thursday: 10 AM – 9:30 PM
Friday – Saturday: 10 AM – 11:30 PM

Ticket Prices:
General admission: $12
Children (8 and under): $7
Skate Rental: $5

Location:
4 Embarcadero Center. San Francisco, CA. 94111

Contact Info:
(415) 837-1931
http://embarcaderocenter.com/holiday-ice-rink/

Ice Rink 2: California Academy of Sciences Ice Rink

The California Academy of Sciences Ice Rink is the only ice skating rink in Golden Gate Park. Sessions are 55 Minutes and must be reserved online or at the museum on the day of the visit. The are features live performances, a Snowman theater, and dozens of exhibits to explore.

Ticket Prices:
General admission with skate rental: $12

Location:
55 Music Concourse St. San Francisco, CA. 94118

Contact Info:
(415) 933-6159
https://www.calacademy.org

Ice Rink 3: Holiday Ice Rink In Union Square

The iconic Holiday Ice Rink In Union Square San Francisco is back this year. The rink is in the center of Union Square where the streets are closed down for the holiday rush. Every Wednesday will featured a Disney Aladdin themed skate night with purple rink lighting and music from the original Broadway show.

Every Friday will featured the skate theme “Flashback Fridays” where iHeart80s at 103.7 will play 80s dance music hits.

Hours:
Everyday 10 AM – 11:30 PM

Ticket Prices:
Tickets and skate rentals range from $13 – $25 depending on the day

Location:
Union Square 333 Post St. San Francisco, CA. 94102

Contact Info:
(415) 781-2688
http://unionsquareicerink.com

Ice Rink 4: Winter Lodge

Visit this rink in Palo Alto this season! Ranked “Top 10 Outdoor Ice Skating Experiences in the U.S.” by Outside Magazine, and “Best of the Bay Area” by Bay Area Parent Magazine. Winter Lodge has been a Palo Alto staple since 1956.

Hours:
8:00 – 10:00 PM depending on the day

Ticket Prices:
General Admission $11
Skate Rental: $5

Location:
3009 Middlefield Road. Palo Alto, CA 9430

Contact Info:
(650) 493-4566
http://winterlodge.com

Ice Rink 5: Downtown Ice

Our last ice skating rink on our list is San Jose’s Downtown ice, located in the center of Downtown San Jose, The outdoor ice rink features a ring of palm trees. Right next door is San Jose’s Christmas in the Park with this year hosts the world record for most Christmas trees in one area.

Hours:
December 3 – 17
Sunday: Noon – 10 p.m.
Monday – Thursday: 5 – 10 p.m.
Friday: 5 p.m. – Midnight
Saturday: Noon – Midnight
December 18 – January 6 (Winter Break – note special holiday hours*)
Daily: 11 a.m. – Midnight
*Christmas: 2 p.m. – Midnight
*New Year’s Eve: 11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
*New Year’s Day: Noon – Midnight
January 7 – 13
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Monday – Thursday: 5 – 9 p.m.
Friday: 5 p.m. – Midnight
Saturday: Noon – Midnight
January 14 –15
Sunday: 11 a.m. – Midnight
MLK, Jr. Day: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Ticket Prices:
General Admission (17 and over): $17
10 and younger, Seniors, Military: $15
Bring your own skates: $10

Location:
120 S. Market St. San Jose, CA 95113

Contact Info:
(408) 610-4055

http://unionsquareicerink.com