San Diego rarely sees frost, but every winter a few outdoor rinks go up, and one of them sits on the sand in front of the Hotel del Coronado. Two indoor arenas run public sessions all year, so you can skate in July too.
Each holiday rink has its own season, prices and quirks. Book ahead for weekends, because the holiday rinks sell out.
In this guide
For more seasonal plans, see our guide to Christmas lights in San Diego and the San Diego events calendar.
San Diego ice rinks at a glance
| Rink | Season | Adult price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skating by the Sea, Hotel del Coronado | Nov. 20, 2026 to Jan. 3, 2027 | $40 to $45 ($35 value sessions) | Ocean views and a special night out |
| Rady Children’s Ice Rink, Liberty Station | Nov. 19, 2026 to Jan. 3, 2027 | $25 ($15 kids 12 and under) | Families and a lower price |
| Viejas outdoor rink, Alpine | Holiday season, dates not yet posted | Last posted at $22 | A big outdoor rink with lights and a water show |
| UTC Ice, Westfield UTC | Year-round | $30 | Indoor skating with a mall food court |
| San Diego Ice Arena, Mira Mesa | Year-round | Check with rink | Themed sessions and lessons |
Prices and hours come from each rink’s own site, checked in October 2026.
Skating by the Sea at Hotel del Coronado
The rink at the Hotel del Coronado sits on the Windsor Lawn, between the 1888 hotel and the beach. It is the most famous rink in town and the most expensive.
For 2026, it is open daily from November 20 to January 3, 2027. Hours are:
- November 20: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- November 21 to 29: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- November 30: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- December 1 to 17: Monday to Thursday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- December 18 to January 3: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
General admission runs $40 to $45 from November 20 to December 17, depending on the date and time, and $45 from December 18 on. Value sessions cost $35: those are the sessions before noon on November 21 to 25 and 29, December 5 and 6 and December 12 to 14, plus every session on December 1 and 8. Resort guests, members, military and first responders get $5 off with ID, though not on value sessions.
Tickets give you 90 minutes on the ice, starting at check-in, and include skate rental. Buy online in advance. You can also buy on site with your phone, but the hotel limits those tickets and popular times sell out. Every skater needs a signed waiver.
A few rules to know:
- Skates run from toddler size 8 to adult size 15, with double-runner skates for toddlers.
- Anyone under 12 needs a skating adult with them, and parents may not carry children on the ice.
- Strollers are not allowed on the ice. Wheelchairs are, and the rink is ADA compliant.
- The hotel recommends helmets but does not rent them.
- Light rain does not stop skating. Heavy rain or storms can close the rink, and the hotel reschedules or refunds those tickets.
Parking is not included. Standard hotel rates apply, and day visitors who shop or dine at the resort get $10 off self-parking. The hotel donates $5,000 from the rink each year to Make-A-Wish San Diego.
Details are on the hotel’s Skating by the Sea page.
Rady Children’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station
This outdoor rink in Point Loma raises money for kids with cancer, and it costs a lot less than the Hotel del. It is in its 30th season in 2026. The organizers say it had more than 30,000 skaters in 2025 and has raised more than $2 million for the Thriving After Cancer program at Rady Children’s Hospital.
The rink sits on Legacy Plaza at Liberty Station, near 2875 Dewey Road. It runs from November 19, 2026, to January 3, 2027, open every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in three sessions:
- Session 1: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Session 2: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Session 3: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The ice closes from 5 to 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 to 8 p.m. for resurfacing. Holiday hours change: Thanksgiving is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Christmas Eve and Christmas Day each have two shorter sessions, and New Year’s Eve closes at 5 p.m.
Admission is $25 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under and for military. Groups of 20 or more pay $15 each if they book through the rink. Skate rental and helmets are included. Everyone signs a waiver each season, and skaters under 17 need an adult’s signature.
Children under 6 need a skating adult on the ice. Storage bins cost $5 at the ticket window, and there are shoe racks in the skate area. Even with an online ticket you still check in at the trailer window to get a hand stamp.
Weekends from Friday night through Sunday are the busiest, and the rink warns that waits can top an hour. Weeknights are much calmer. Check the Rady Children’s Ice Rink site for updates.
Liberty Station has plenty of places to eat within a few minutes’ walk of the rink, which makes it an easy evening out with kids.
Viejas outdoor rink in Alpine
Viejas Casino and Resort in Alpine, about 35 miles east of downtown off Interstate 8, puts up what it calls Southern California’s largest outdoor ice rink every holiday season. The grounds get holiday lights, entertainment and a water show.
When we checked in October 2026, Viejas had not posted its dates or prices for this season. Its last posted season ran daily from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., at $22 for adults and teens and $20 for kids 12 and under, for a 90-minute session with skates included. Check the Viejas skating rink page before you drive out.
UTC Ice Sports Center
UTC Ice is inside Westfield UTC in University City and has been open since 1977. It runs public sessions all year, so it is the place to go when the holiday rinks are closed.
A single public session costs $30, with skates and a helmet included. Parking is free with validation, and the food court looks down on the rink, so non-skaters can watch with a snack. Extras include:
- Punch passes: $40 to $90
- Annual pass for unlimited public sessions: $349
- Locker rental: $5
- Skate helper for balance support: $15 an hour
- Skate sharpening: $15
Session times change every two weeks, so check the UTC Ice public skating page and sign the waiver online before you go. UTC Ice also runs a free Learn to Skate intro class for kids 4 to 14.
San Diego Ice Arena in Mira Mesa
San Diego Ice Arena at 11048 Ice Skate Place in Mira Mesa has daily public skating, lessons, hockey and a pro shop. It also partners with the Liberty Station holiday rink. Some of its regular themed sessions:
- Family fun session, Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., aimed at kids 5 to 12, with a DJ, games and the rink’s mascot
- Teen Meltdown, Fridays from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., with disco lights and a DJ for ages 12 to 19, though all ages can skate
- Adult night, Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., for skaters 16 and up
Call 858-530-1825 or check the public skating page for current prices and times.
Tips for skating in San Diego
Buy tickets online for the outdoor rinks, especially for Friday nights, weekends and the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Weekday mornings and afternoons are the quietest times at both holiday rinks.
Wear real socks; the Hotel del requires them. Thin gloves help on the outdoor rinks, both for warmth and for falls. December evenings near the coast often drop into the 40s or 50s, so bring a layer. Our San Diego weather by month guide has averages.
The Hotel del warns that wind and strong sun can affect the ice, so a late-afternoon or evening session can be a better bet on a hot day.
If you have little ones, Liberty Station is the easier choice: it is cheaper, and helmets come with the ticket. The Hotel del is better for a date; see our San Diego date ideas and things to do for couples for more.
Make a holiday day of it
Skating pairs well with other December events. December Nights fills Balboa Park on December 4 and 5, and the San Diego Botanic Garden runs its Lightscape trail through the season.
For more ideas, see our guides to things to do in San Diego with kids and the San Diego family vacation hub. To plan around crowds and prices, read our best time to visit San Diego guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I go ice skating in San Diego?
The holiday outdoor rinks are at the Hotel del Coronado, Liberty Station and Viejas in Alpine. For year-round skating, go to UTC Ice at Westfield UTC or San Diego Ice Arena in Mira Mesa.
How much is ice skating at the Hotel del Coronado?
In 2026, general admission is $40 to $45 from November 20 to December 17 and $45 from December 18 to January 3. Value sessions cost $35. Tickets include 90 minutes and skate rental.
When does the Liberty Station ice rink open?
The Rady Children’s Ice Rink opens on November 19, 2026, and runs through January 3, 2027, daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Is there an ice rink open year-round in San Diego?
Yes. UTC Ice in University City and San Diego Ice Arena in Mira Mesa both have public skating all year.
Are skates included in the ticket price?
At the Hotel del, Liberty Station and UTC Ice, yes. Liberty Station and UTC Ice include helmets too.
Do outdoor rinks close for rain?
They stay open in light rain. Heavy rain or storms can close the ice, and the Hotel del reschedules or refunds affected tickets.
Photo credits
Featured image: MarkValen / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
