Best Places to Go Ice Skating Near Sacramento

Looking for a little winter fun? Well grab the kids or just grab a partner plus a coat, scarf, and mittens and head to the ice rink! Whether you're looking for a festive outdoor experience or an established rink, Sacramento and its surrounding areas offer plenty of options for getting your skate on that could also turn into a fun day trip.

Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink (Sponsored by Westfield Plaza)

7th and K Streets, St. Rose of Lima Park
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 442-5563
Season: Nov. 4, 2011 – Jan. 16, 2012 (Closed Christmas Day)
Hours: Daily, Mon. – Thurs. 2 p.m. – 8 p.m., Fri. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.,
New Year's Eve and Day 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Cost: $8 for 2-hour session, $2 skate rental
http://downtownsac.org/events/westfield-downtown-plaza-ice-rink/

This temporary holiday outdoor ice rink in the heart of downtown Sacramento is a fun way to get outside and enjoy the festive spirit of the season. At 7,000 square feet the rink is perfect for beginners or come out and have fun on one of their theme nights including Thursday's Family Night where kids get free skate rentals. Close to light rail and with validated parking at Westfield Plaza next door, you can also enjoy hot cocoa and other treats at their snack bar.

Skatetown Roseville
1009 Orlando Ave.
Roseville, CA 95661
(916) 783-8550
Hours: Every day general admission skating during Christmas break most days 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.,
(see website for details and times after Jan. 8)
Cost: general admission $7.50, youth admission (6-12) $7, children 5 & under $7 (includes skate
rental), skate rental $3.50, Family Night Wednesday $8 (includes skate rental)
http://www.skatetown-roseville.com/index.html

Indoor ice rink, Skatetown, is a fun place to skate year-round not just the holiday break when you're looking for something to do with the kids. With a NHL sized rink there's plenty of room for experienced and beginning skater alike, with a special section and buckets for young and new skaters. It's a high energy overall experience with a live DJ, games, laser light shows, snow to play in and a full service snack bar.

Squaw Valley Olympic Ice Pavilion

Squaw Valley
1960 Squaw Valley Rd.
Olympic Valley, CA 96146

(530) 452-4000
Season: Nov. - March
See Website for Prices and Hours
http://www.squaw.com/olympic-ice-pavilion-ice-skating

Take ice skating to a whole new level – 7,000 feet above sea level! The open air Olympic Ice Pavilion skating rink, perched at the crest of Squaw Valley's upper mountain and accessed via their aerial Cable Car, offers panoramic views of Lake Tahoe, Squaw Valley Meadow and the surrounding Sierra Nevada. It's a breathtaking way to enjoy ice skating only a few hours from Sacramento.

Heavenly Village Ice Skating Rink

1001 Heavenly Village Way
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
(775) 265-2087
Season: Winter
See Website for Prices and Hours
http://www.theshopsatheavenly.com/golf-skate.php

Want a true winter experience of ice skating in the mountains and snow? Nestled in Heavenly Village at South Lake Tahoe's state line, South Shore's only outdoor rink offers a winter wonderland ambiance with twinkle lights and music in the shadow of Heavenly Valley ski resort. Make a day of it from Sacramento to go ice skating, shop the Heavenly village shops or take the tram up Heavenly mountain for an amazing panoramic view of Lake Tahoe.

The Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center

4 Embarcadero Center
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 837-1931
Season: Nov. 10 – January
Hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., Fri-Sat 10 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Cost: Call for Details
http://www.embarcaderocenter.com/ec/holidays/

Want a fun way to ring in the New Year? How about joining an over twenty-year tradition of ice skating in an open air rink on the waterfront in San Francisco? Day or night it's a magical experience to skate in the city feeling like you just stepped into a Normal Rockwell painting.

Kelli Wheeler is the author of MOMSERVATIONS® The Fine Print of Parenting, a family columnist and mother of two living in Sacramento. You can read her humorous Momservations blog at www.momservations.com and follow her on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/Momservations .