Hit the Ice! Holiday Ice Skating in the Bay Area

Even though it's an activity that you can do year-round, ice skating seems to be something that's especially appealing around the holidays, and, with the addition of several temporary outdoor ice rinks, more prevalent this time of year. Unfortunately, you're not going to be able to go ice skating in Marin (although those of us who grew up in the county surely remember Raydine's in Corte Madera, at the site of what is now Gold's Gym on Lucky Drive), but there are several locations close by in the Bay Area where you can hit the ice this holiday season.

Fairfax Parks & Recreation Holiday Ice Skating

The Fairfax Parks & Recreation Commission will sponsor their third annual ice skating event on a synthetic rink in the Pavilion on Saturday and Sunday, January 2 and 3 from noon–5 pm. There will be lots of family fun, so make sure you purchase your tickets early! Prices: $5 for adults and $3 for kids for a half hour of skating. Rental skates are included in the price of admission. Hot cocoa and baked goodies will be available for sale as well. Tickets will be sold at the door, beginning at 11:30 am on both days. For more info, call Maria Baird, Community Resources Coordinator, at (415) 456-5652 or at www.townoffairfax.org.

Snoopy's Home Ice

In Santa Rosa you can find Snoopy's Home Ice at the Redwood Empire Ice Arena. Opened by the late Santa Rosa resident and Peanuts cartoonist Charles M. Schulz in 1969, the Redwood Empire Ice Arena offers daily public skating hours (check their schedule for details), skating lessons, birthday parties, and special events. The entire place is decorated with a Swiss theme and offers an alpine ambience. The Redwood Empire Ice Arena is also home to Snoopy's Warm Puppy Cafe, where you can sit by the fire and eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner, or just have a hot chocolate and watch the action on the Snoopy's Home Ice.

Weekend session prices are $9 for adults 18 and over and juniors 12–17, and $7 for children 11 and under. Skate rental is $3. Weekdays are less expensive with adult s/juniors $7 and children $5.50; skate rental $2. They also offer Puppy Practice, a session for children under 12 and their parents that's perfect for beginners, since it includes a 20-minute group lesson for both adults and kids. Puppy Practice is $7 for adults and $5.50 for children.

Snoopy's Home Ice is located on West Steele Lane in Santa Rosa. To get there, take 101 north to the Guernville Road/Steele Lane exit; at the signal, turn left on Steele Lane and go under the freeway. Cross Cleveland Avenue and bear right onto West Steele Lane. The Redwood Empire Ice Arena, along with Snoopy's Gallery and Gift Shop, will be on your right after Range Avenue. For information and public skating schedule, visit snoopyshomeice.com or call (707) 546-7147.

Embarcadero Center Holiday Ice Rink

For the past 16 years San Francisco's Embarcadero Center has hosted an outdoor ice rink at Justin Herman Plaza. It's open through January 3, 2010 for 90-minute sessions Sunday through Thursday from 10 am to 10 pm, and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 11:30 pm. Admission is $9 for adults and $5.50 for children 10 and under and seniors on weekdays until 6 pm. After 6 pm and on weekends prices go up by $.50. They also host birthday parties and private rentals. Get more info and check for closure dates (due to private parties) at embarcaderocenter.com or (415) 837-1931.

It's located near Embarcadero Four right across from the Ferry Building. A handy way to get there from Marin is to take the Golden Gate Ferry.

Holiday Ice in Union Square

Union Square, San Francisco's main shopping district, gets into the ice skating spirit during the holiday season with an outdoor ice rink sponsored by Safeway. It's open through January 18, 2010 from 10 am to 10 pm Sunday through Thursday, and 10 am to 11:30 pm Friday through Saturday. Admission is $9 for adults, and $4.50 for children eight and under (Monday through Friday until 6 pm). There's an extra $.50 surcharge on weekends (6 pm Friday through closing on Sunday). Skate rental is $4; $5 if you want cool hockey skates. Information: (415) 781-2688 or www.unionsquareicerink.com.

Union Square is in downtown San Francisco between Post and Geary and Stockton and Powell Streets. We find park easiest at the Sutter-Stockton Garage, but there are plenty of options available. It's also convenient to public transportation, especially BART and Muni.

Yerba Buena Ice Skating and Bowling Center

Also in San Francisco is the indoor Yerba Buena Ice Skating rink at Yerba Buena Gardens, the only year-round ice skating venue in the city. You can check their regular schedule here; special extended public sessions are offered during December. Admission is $8 for adults (13–55), $5.50 for seniors (55 and over), and $6.25 for children up to age 12. Skate rentals are $3. Discount cards are available. They also offer year-round birthday party packages as well as skating lessons. As the name implies, there's also a bowling alley on site.

The Yerba Buena Ice Skating and Bowling Center is located in the South of Market district at 750 Folsom Street, between Third and Fourth Streets in San Francisco. The Ice and Bowling Centers are located at the Rooftop at Yerba Buena Gardens, which is built literally on the roof of Moscone Convention Center. Parking is probably easiest at the Fifth and Mission Garage a couple blocks away. Visit skatebowl.com for more info.

Oakland Ice

Across the Bay, Oakland Ice—also know as Sharks Ice, since it's run by the San Jose Sharks NHL team—offers a public skating, lessons, birthday parties, and more. Public skating prices are $8.00 for adults and $7.00 for youth 12 and under and seniors. Skate rental is $3. Special skating deals are also available. More information: (510) 268-9000 or www.oaklandice.com.