I’m loving this holiday season and it would not be complete without a post about outdoor ice skating rinks in Southern California. All are open and running through January. Here is a list along with admission prices. Happy ice skating!!!

Los Angeles County
Downtown On Ice– Downtown LA- Nov 20,2008-Jan 19,2009
Admission price $6.00- skate rental $2.00
ICE at Santa Monica-1324 Fifth Street-Nov 7,2008-Jan 19,2009
Admission price $10.00 (includes skate rental)
Seaside Ice– Redondo Beach-Seaside Lagoon, 200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach. -Nov 18,2008-Jan 11,2009
Admission price $14.00, children $12.00

Orange County
Irvine Spectrum-Nov 1,2008-Nov 19,200
Admission price $11.00-skate rental $4.50

Riverside County
Festival of Lights Ice Skating -Mainstreet Pedestrian Mall- Riverside -Nov 28,2008-Jan 04
Admission price $10.00- skate rental $3.00

Ventura County
The Lakes Ice Rink– Lakes Mall- Thousand Oaks Dec 8,2008- Jan 4,2009
Admission price $8.00- Skate rentals $3.00

San Diego County
Skating By The Sea-Hotel Del Coronado-San Diego-Nov 22,2008-Jan 3,2008
Admission prices- Adults $15(2hr) $20(3hr)- Children $15(3hr), $10(2hr)- Skate rental $5.00
Fantasy on Ice-Horton Square-San Diego -Nov 20,2008-Jan 4,2009
Admission prices-Adults $12.00-children $10.00(includes skate rental)

This past weekend we had the pleasure of daytripping in San Pedro and we discovered a little gem of a museum. It’s the Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and your little ones are going to love it. There are actually two fire department museums – one in Hollywood and the other in San Pedro.

The San Pedro museums is located across the street from the Los Angeles Maritime museum and is only open on Saturday from 10am to 3pm. The Hollywood museum is also only open on Saturdays from 10 am to 4pm. The Hollywood museum is located near the Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Bowl.

The Hollywood museum (Old Fire Station 27) is housed in what was once the largest fire station west of the Mississippi. With more than 20,000 square feet of space, a number of famous pieces of firefighting apparatus, and hundreds of artifacts on display, there’s something for the entire family.

If you’re interested in local L.A. history then you must visit the San Pedro Harbor Museum (Old Fire Station 36). There is no better place to get the genuine feeling of what it was like to work in a small community fire station. Much of the interior is just as it was 75 years ago. Not only that, but inside, you’ll find a perfectly restored 1923 Seagrave Fire Engine that actually served at 36s in the early 1900s. The museums have a group of dedicated, friendly retired firefighter docents who can show you around, tell you a story or two.

It’s a great little place and all the little ones will leave with their very own fire fighter hat which they will love!! If you visit the one in San Pedro hop on the red car and make a day of it by visiting the maritime museum and the water show. Trust me your kiddos will love it.

San Pedro Museum
638 Beacon Street
San Pedro, CA 90731
323-464-2727
Open
Saturday 10am to 3pm

Hollywood Museum
1355 N Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323-464-2727
Open
Saturday 10am to 4pm