Things to Do at Ice at Santa Monica (Seasonal Ice Rink)

Ice at Santa Monica is one of the famous seasonal ice rinks that allow people to experience a winter wonderland in Southern California every year. It is in the neighbourhood of Downtown Santa Monica on the corner of Arizona Avenue, which is a few blocks away from the Pacific Ocean and Third Street Promenade. The rink is not a new phenomenon and has operated for more than a decade as a popular holiday tradition. The centre has an 8,000-square-foot outdoor ice rink with festive lights, decorations, a smaller rink and the tot rink, reserved for young or new skaters. Tourists have the choice to participate in general public ice skating, participate in individual classes at the Randy Gardner School of Skating, or attend multiple special events that include themed skate nights with DJ music, holiday tree lightings, and menorah lightings. Other amenities provided by the Rink are skate rentals, party tents, rink-side fire pits, and a Chill Zone to watch Disney films, to enjoy an unforgettable winter break by the beach.

What Can You See & Do at Ice at Santa Monica?

Here are the five best things to see and do at Ice at Santa Monica:

1. Enjoy Outdoor Ice Skating Under the Winter Lights: Ice at Santa Monica is a well-lit open ice rink, and visitors glide on the ice enclosed by winter lights. It is a family-friendly and upbeat environment that is ideal for couples, friends, or a solitary skater seeking to experience a season at the centre of Santa Monica.
2. Join Seasonal Events & Themed Nights: The rink organises various special events during the season, including nights dedicated to different holidays, music and DJ evenings, and festivals, which make the atmosphere of the rink active and entertaining at any age. They are also characterised by thematic decorations, prizes, and holiday snacks.
3. Take Skating Lessons (When Offered): Ice at Santa Monica occasionally provides skating lessons with professional instructors to beginners or individuals who need to sharpen their skating skills. The lessons include the fundamentals, safety, and advice on gaining confidence on the ice.
4. Celebrate Parties or Group Outings: The rink is used by groups of people for birthday parties, corporate outings, or family get-togethers. Packages also include private skating, party area access, and the chance to personalise the experience by means of decorations or catering.
5. Explore Nearby Holiday Decorations & Shopping: Being close to the festive Santa Monica Pier and the local merchandising zones, visitors have an opportunity to enjoy skating and, at the same time, explore the holiday decorations, seasonal displays, and local shops. This visit to Ice at Santa Monica is a complete holiday adventure with entertainment and shopping experience.

What Facilities Are Available at Ice at Santa Monica?

Here are the seven best facilities at Ice at Santa Monica:

1. Skate rentals (all sizes): At Ice at Santa Monica is a large range of possible rental skates of all ages, starting with toddler skates to full-sized hockey-style or figure skates. Skates are well-maintained and installed by the staff to ensure safety. The beginners find it easy to enjoy their first glide, and the experienced skaters enjoy their time on the ice.
2. Locker storage: There are also secure lockers where visitors leave their personal items, backpacks, coats and valuables without worry about theft during their skating. This enables the skaters to have a good time in the rink without having to carry their things, hence convenient for families and groups spending a few hours in the establishment.
3. Restrooms nearby: There are clean and well-kept restrooms within close walking distance to the rink that are easily accessible to visitors of all ages. They are easy to access, making them have minimal interference with the skating lessons and are child-friendly with children’s facilities.
4. Seating areas: Its rink has plenty of seating that surrounds the ice, such as benches and covered seating where the spectators sit and relax between sessions or watch the skaters. The chairs are roomy enough to support families, groups, as well as individuals, giving them a secure place to unwind and still feel that they belong to the dynamic skating atmosphere.
5. Holiday decorations & photo spots: It has festive holiday lights, thematic ornaments, and decorations all over the rink that make a magical winter experience. Photo spots are strategically positioned to enable the visitor to get the best out of their friends and family members. This makes the location a great background for holiday photos or social media updates.
6. On-site staff & skate helpers: Experienced employees are available to assist with skate rentals, lace skates, and give suggestions on how to skate. Specialised skate assistants serve newcomers and children and guarantee the safety of the ice, and help everyone feel safe and enjoy the experience.
7. Accessible pathways around the rink: The rink is built with access in mind, there are smooth ramps, wide walkways and pathways that are friendly to wheelchairs, which makes the visitors with mobility issues to move around in the rink. The availability of open seating and viewing space makes the ice-skating experience enjoyable to all, regardless of the family with the baby in the stroller or guests who have mobility challenges.

What Are the Timings & Costs at Ice at Santa Monica?

Ice at Santa Monica operates throughout the day, 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and it provides skate rentals for 60-minute ice skating sessions for $22. Other services are locker rentals of $5, skate helpers of $6, and gloves or socks of $5 each. Special offers such as  33 33-day pass, which is applicable on specific days between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM or booking rink-side fire pits for $75 per session are also provided to the visitors.

How to Get to the Ice at Santa Monica?

Here are the six best ways to go to the Ice at Santa Monica:

1. By Car: The location of the ice at Santa Monica is easily accessible by all major Santa Monica roads and neighbourhoods. Parking at nearby street parking or public parking lots is used by the visitors, although during weekends, holidays, or special events, they are occupied too, and it is recommended to be early. GPS navigation or parking applications assist in the identification of the nearest spots.
2. By Metro: The Metro E Line (Expo Line) is a good link between downtown Los Angeles and the nearby regions. The closest one is the Downtown Santa Monica, which is a short walk of 10-15 minutes or a fast ride on a bus to the rink. The variant is particularly beneficial to the visitors who do not want to deal with traffic and parking issues.
3. By Bus: A number of Big Blue Bus routes serve around 4th Street and the Santa Monica Pier location, which is an affordable and convenient method to get to the rink. Routes are common and visitors easily arrange their trip without having a vehicle, and the stops are in a walkable distance to the entrance of the rink.
4. By Bike/Scooter: Biking is also a good alternative in Santa Monica, which has bike-friendly roads and bike-specific lanes. The visitors ride directly to the rink, and park at the bike racks, or take the public electric scooters in order to commute fast and environmentally friendly. This alternative is the best in terms of local tourists or people seeking an active and entertaining means of transport in the city.
5. By Rideshare / Taxi: Such rideshare services as Uber and Lyft, and traditional cabs deliver visitors right at the door. This is found to be particularly convenient during peak hours and evenings. It is best for family visitors who have children, because there is no need to go out and find parking, as well as enabling the visitors to come in comfortably and stress-free.
6. By Limo Service: A limousine service Los Angeles is a direct and comfortable ride to Ice at Santa Monica. This guarantees a hassle-free transportation, easy drop-off and collection, and infuses some classiness to the birthday parties or corporate outings and holiday meetings.

Where to Eat & Drink Near Ice at Santa Monica?

Here are the five best eating and drinking places at Ice at Santa Monica:

1. The Mistit Restaurant + Bar: The Misfit is home to the rink and has a vibrant, old-pub aesthetic, bare brick walls, intimate lighting, and antique bar decoration. They serve premium comfort food with their menu, such as crispy Brussels sprouts, fancy grilled cheese and sliders, as well as a comprehensive cocktail list, craft beers and a carefully selected wine list. It is an ideal place to get cosy up after skating, have a drink, and sit down to talk.
2. North Italia: The North Italia provides contemporary Italian food. Their menu comprises homemade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, seasonal salads and shareable appetisers. The interior is classy yet casual, so it is a good area to have a hearty meal with friends or family. North Italia is a good place to visit in case you need something substantial and warm to have after a session on the ice.
3. Blenz Café: A small cafe that is perfect for a quick meal. Blenz Cafe deals with speciality coffees, espresso drinks, tea and plain pastries or sandwiches. It is more of a peaceful spot where you sit, relax and rejuvenate, particularly after skating when you need a hot and casual bite.
4. True Food Kitchen: True Food Kitchen is a wellness-oriented restaurant that has a seasonal, healthy menu including antique-grain bowls, salads and sustainably-sourced proteins. They have wellness-based juices and teas on their drinks menu. The atmosphere is light and contemporary. It is a nice place to recharge after the rink, particularly when you are seeking something healthy yet light.
5. JINYA Ramen Bar: JINYA Ramen Bar is best for something rich and warm. They offer numerous traditional and tasty ramen broths, and other side dishes such as gyoza, karaage (fried chicken), and rice bowls. The place is relaxed and busy, and has a cosy and welcoming atmosphere that is ideal to sit down with a hot bowl of noodles after a cold skate.

Is Ice at Santa Monica Worth Visiting?

The ice at Santa Monica is certainly worth a visit, particularly to a person who needs to experience the festive and seasonal experience with a novel twist to the coastal experience. The rink is a real ice rink in the open air that is lit up, and it forms a magical experience only a few blocks off the beach. Themed nights, fire pits, and lounge areas are available for visitors to enjoy on a fun outing with their families, friends, or couples. The rentals of the skates are also included in the admission, and the rink accommodates both beginners as well as experienced skaters. It is a memorable and fun winter activity even in crowded seasons due to the joyful decorations, holiday mood, and picturesque view of palm trees.