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It  has been pretty windy in Los Angeles lately, and if your allergies are acting up with all of the pollen and weed antigens blowing around, you might want to consider staying indoors this weekend. Of course, given the sunny climate of Los Angeles you might be wondering how you can still maximize weekend fun indoors. Aside from catching a movie or heading to a mall, why not take up a fun activity like ice skating?

The Toyota Sports Center has a terrific ice skating rink. It is located on Nash Street in El Segundo, and has been described as of the nicest skating rinks in Southern California. Not only is it a great place to celebrate a birthday for a little one, but they have ice skating classes for all skill sets. The same applies to hockey league participation—it does not matter if you are a novice or a professional, anyone can participate at the level they are comfortable with.

If you or your children have shown an interest in skating, the Toyota Sports Center also has a pretty terrific deal for first-time skaters—how does the price of free sound? The Toyota Sports Center offers a Kids First Ice Hockey series that allows children 8 and younger to learn to skate and become familiar with the sport of hockey free of charge!  However there is a deposit for equipment in case it is returned in poor condition.

The Sports Center is a pretty popular place to skate because they are affiliated with the Los Angeles Kings, who hold practices that are open to the public. Additionally, what separates this center from other ice skating rinks is that the Toyota Sports Center has two ice skating rinks, NHL and Olympic. Two rinks are better than one when it comes to familiarizing yourself with ice skating—there’s nothing like learning in a rink with people that are on the same level as you!

You can register online for their classes if you are interested, at www.toyotasportscenter.com.

 

References:

www.toyotasportscenter.com

 

 

 

While the chances of a pond in Santa Monica freezing over this time of year are slim, the buzzing beach city has opened up its annual ice skating rink on the corner of 5th and Arizona near the Third Street Promenade. What a great way to ring in the holiday season!

The annual return of Santa Monica’s ICE by the sea opened Friday, November 1st, and will be open to ice skaters until February 15th.  That means Valentine’s Day on ice! This year the 8000 square foot rink will also have flowers embellished underneath the ice by artist Ed Massey, who similarly adorned the lifeguard towers on West Side beaches earlier this summer. A 400 square foot rink will also be provided for beginners and little ones.

Festivities at the rink include an opening ceremony on November 10th with California Gold synchronized skaters and a guest appearance by the LA Kings hockey team, who will share the ice with guests.

Entrance to the rink is $10 with skates included. Additionally, the rink provides private cabanas for parties of anywhere from 15-300 people, and stays open from 10am-10pm during the week, and from 10am-12am on the weekends. They’re even open on Thanksgiving and Christmas!

So far, the weather this weekend is predicted to be in the mid 70’s. Where else but in Santa Monica can you wear beach clothes to an ice skating rink?

Address:

1324 5th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(Corner of 5th St. & Arizona Ave.)

References:

http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2010/October-2010/10_26_2010_Winterlit_Returns_to_Downtown_Santa_Monica.html

http://www.downtownsm.com/about/icerink.html