As the winter months continue and the new year begins, there are certain things you can count on…..the newest and "greatest" diet plan to lose 15 pounds, traffic jams on highway 50 to the local ski resorts and the kids going back to school after a long holiday break. While making your winter plans and looking for fun activities for the family, I want to encourage you to include a trip to the Westfield Downtown Plaza Ice Rink, located at 7th & K Street, across from the downtown plaza.
I recently ventured down there on a Friday night with my two youngest daughters. After living in Sacramento since I was 7, I had never been to the ice skating rink. I am the one who loves to sit inside, by the fire, enjoying a hot cup of cocoa, rarely taking part in outside activities that require four layers of clothing. However, times change and people do too.
As we began our travels we were told that the best place to park is the Downtown Plaza garage. Being familiar with the area I was able to get there with no problems and found a close parking spot near the escalators. When you go, keep your parking ticket as the skating rink does validate those tickets, making the parking free. Oddly enough, as we sauntered the Downtown Plaza, with my youngest (she is 8), feeling the excitement of KB Toy Store pulling at her jacket, we soon realized we were heading in the opposite direction of the ice skating rink. With the assistance of the friendly people working about the mall kiosks (and really wanting me to stop and spend some time with them so they could sell me their product), we soon were redirected.
The ice skating rink, as mentioned above, is located at the end of the mall across from the Hardrock Café. Once you get down that way you can’t miss it. The cost for a two hour session is $6.00 and skate rental is $2.00. My girls were very excited and couldn’t wait to get on their skates and hit the ice. I, on the other hand, was not quite as excited about the "ice" part. Don’t get me wrong, this whole experience was a blast, and I had a great time with my girls. It was for this reason that I tightened my skates and proceeded onto the ice. Soon after we got started the girls were off and running (skating), me however, couldn’t have been happier to have the railings along the outside of the rink to allow me the pleasure of not circling the ice on my behind.
After making the journey around the rink one time, I decided it was a good time to enjoy a yummy cup of hot chocolate and of course who would be better to get those then "moi". Just outside the skating rink is a Starbuck’s stand. They are there to hand out samples of their peppermint hot chocolate and peppermint mochas to all who would like. You can enjoy as many as you would like, as a matter of fact the nice gentlemen that was handing them out took one look at me and noticed that I could definitely use a "double shot" of that peppermint mocha if I were to attempt another feat around the ice (and he was right).
One more time around was about all I could do, this time letting go of the wall on a couple of occasions just to see if ice skating would be my new "hobby", I soon found out it was not. My girls on the other hand took to the ice exceptionally well and just had an absolute blast. By the time we were done they both wanted to show me how they could twirl, go backwards and all that fun stuff, things that I could have done as well if only I had let go of the wall long enough (and then it would not have been because I was trying to).
The skating rink is open through January 21, 2008. The hours are Sunday through Thursday, noon to 8:00 PM and Friday & Saturday, from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Remember, it is an "outdoor" ice rink, so if the weather isn’t looking so good you may want to check their website, www.downtownsac.org/icerink, they provide updates as to the possibility of the ice rink being closed.
One helpful tip: if possible leave your purse and other personal belongings in the car (or at home). There are no lockers or anyplace to lock up your stuff. You actually leave your shoes sitting under the chairs and benches. Of course, if you invite me to come along, I will be happy hold your belongings as my days of actually going on the ice are done!
Our overall experience was AWESOME! I would recommend it for every family. We had a great time, and it really is a great opportunity to spend time with your kids. The cost is very reasonable, especially since the parking is covered and your hot mocha’s and cocoa’s are free. Take advantage of this awesome opportunity we have right here in our area.