Best Spots for Idyllic Ice Skating in Los Angeles

The magic of gliding on ice is a beloved activity shared across generations. It’s beautiful, fun and exciting with only minimal danger; tumbles are rarely harmful because one foot is always on the ground.

When I was a youngster and young mom, we couldn’t wait for winter when water in local ponds, lakes and, sometimes, even backyards, froze to become our ice rink. Then, we searched for skates or bought them for growing feet, and hunted for that long metal hook to tighten boot laces. Skating rinks were rare facilities and the few quintessential ones open to the public — such as the one at Rockefeller Center in New York, and the Redwood Empire Ice Arena (commonly known as Snoopy’s Home Ice) in Santa Rosa, California — were hard to access and famous destinations. Even ice hockey players routinely traveled to a seasonal rink, usually in a recreational park.

Synthetic ice changed that cold weather dynamic and expanded the winter-wonderland experience of ice-skating even to warm climates and to cities, such as Los Angeles. These four festive venues, though dependent on weather, are open in January 2020.

The Westfield Century City Skating Rink

With people in Dubai skiing in a shopping mall for years, it should be no surprise we can do the same. For the first season, the Westfield Century City Skating Rink made its debut on an elevated, 600-foot, synthetic skate loop on level two of the Century City shopping mall.  Children 4 years old and 36 inches tall qualify for entry. Boot rentals are available.

Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square

Pershing Square in Downtown Los Angeles is amidst extraordinary architectural destinations, including The Broad Museum, Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall and Los Angeles Central Library among others. It’s where families can sashay on ice at the Bai Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square, with views of an impressive city skyline. The outdoor ice rink is open until Jan. 20, and a portion of the ticket proceeds benefit the community through The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.

LA Kings Holiday Ice LA Live

The annual LA Kings Holiday Ice LA Live, presented by Coca-Cola, is an outdoor ice-skating venue at L.A. LIVE’s Xbox Plaza and is an activity people enjoy before or after a sports game or concert.

Ice Presented by Plaza at Santa Monica

Downtown Santa Monica may be best known for its beachfront Strand, but at holiday time, Ice presented by The Plaza at Santa Monica adds ice skating to a community where people flock to bike, run, roller blade and skateboard. In Santa Monica, the 8,000-square-foot ice-skating rink is open until Jan. 20. And, you can find skating lessons, celebrate a birthday party and, if you go on a Sunday, enjoy free musical performances.