Ice Skating Rinks Near California's Bay Area

The first ice skaters traveled on frozen ponds, lakes or rivers. Indoor ice rinks were first built in the late 19th century. After World War II, ice skating rinks began springing up throughout the U.S., along with the development of suburbs. Consequently, the sport can be enjoyed year-round in various climates. The Bay Area has rinks in San Francisco, Oakland, and San Mateo.

  1. Oakland Ice Rink

    • Your youngster can participate in lessons and clinics at Oakland Ice Center.

      The Oakland Ice Center was built in 1995 by the City of Oakland. Also known as Sharks Ice at Oakland, it is operated by an organization called Silicon Valley Sports and Entertainment (an affiliate of the National Hockey League's San Jose Sharks), which also operates two other facilities in the Bay Area. Oakland Ice Center boasts one hockey-sized rink and one Olympic-sized rink. This well-equipped facility offers something for everyone, including figure skating classes and individual training, hockey lessons and amateur team activities. There are open skate hours for the general public, speed skating and even curling. Moreover, the center offers summer camp programs for children and teens, including group instruction. In addition, a full-scale hockey and figure skating equipment pro shop is available, along with a snack bar---open from 10 am to 10 pm---and a "state-of-the-art sound system," according to the center's site. That sound system will come in handy if you decide to rent either one of the rinks for an event or birthday party.

      Oakland Ice Center

      519 - 18th Street

      Oakland, CA 94612

      510-268-9000

      oaklandice.com

    Yerba Buena Ice Skating Center

    • Rent figure or hockey skates at Yerba Buena Ice Skating Center.

      Yerba Buena Ice Skating Center is, according to its website, "San Francisco 's only year-round ice skating center." Located "on the roof of the Moscone Convention Center" near the Yerba Buena arts complex, it is within walking distance of public parking, public transportation, popular hotels and museums and the Powell Street and Union Square shopping areas. The Skating Center, open seven days per week, has a hockey-size rink, as well as a bowling facility. Programming includes figure and hockey skating lessons and classes, public and competitive-level free skate sessions, both adult and youth hockey leagues and team synchronized skating. Both figure and hockey skates for children and adults are available to rent. The snack bar is operated by a respected San Francisco restaurant; for a finer dining experience, visit the restaurant itself, located just one floor above the bowling area.

      Yerba Buena Ice Skating Center

      750 Folsom Street,

      San Francisco, CA 94103

      415-820-3532

      skatebowl.com

    Ice Center San Mateo

    • The San Mateo Ice Center offers classes for skaters of every skill level.

      Ice Center San Mateo, open seven days a week, has a sister facility in Cupertino. The two facilities combined "have the largest...skating school in the Bay Area," according to the Center website. Both Peninsula locations offer figure skating and hockey classes, hockey leagues, public skating, and broomball, as well as birthday party and event rental opportunities. The rinks both reserve great expanses of time on their respective schedules for public free skating. For groups of 25 or more, the Ice Center will offer a discount, though a deposit is required at the time of booking. Novelty offerings include "a state of the art laser light show to the beats of a live DJ," on selected Saturday nights.

      Ice Center San Mateo

      2202 Bridgepoint Pkwy.

      San Mateo, CA 94404

      650-574-1616

      icecenter.net/sanmateo/index.html