(Contributed photo)
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Ice skating isn’t an activity that one would usually associate with beach towns, but the cities of Capitola and Santa Cruz have set out to change that.
This coming week, two separate pop-up skating rinks will open to Santa Cruz County residents and visitors for the first time.
Capitola Village’s “iSkate Capitola” begins Nov. 15 and runs through Jan. 7. Further north, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk will open its “Boardwalk Holiday Ice” attraction Saturday. It will run through Jan. 1.
According to a press release, iSkate Capitola’s rink will be made of synthetic ice that is designed to give the same feeling as skating on real ice, without the water waste and energy costs of conventional rinks. The addition of the rink will be adding to the village’s lineup of holiday traditions, such as Surfin’ Santa and the Lighting of the Palm Tree.
Sponsored by the Dignity Health Medical Network, “Boardwalk Holiday Ice” will be open for daily skating in the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s Main Plaza. The 40-by-60-foot rink is the focal attraction of the amusement park’s new holiday festivities. Classic holiday movies will be screened at Neptune Kingdom’s outdoor stage after dark. Arcade attractions such as mini golf will be open to guests, as well as certain rides and games.
Boardwalk Holiday Ice is $12 an hour, rain or shine. For information and skating reservations, visit beachboardwalk.com.
iSkate Capitola is $10 for admission and $5 for skate rentals (guests may also bring their own). For information, visit capitolavillage.com.
