Skating by the Sea — Local services in Coronado

Awful experience. Overly crowded like Disneyland but think on "ice"! 3 people got severely hurt within the first 15 minutes on the rink. One guy fell and knocked his tooth backwards and had bloody lip. 2nd person fell back and hit his head and had concussion. I slipped and hurt my hip. Too many people, not enough seats to put skates on, the ice-skates were the most uncomfortable skates I have ever put on my feet.. they dug into your ankles. I even asked for a different pair that were larger... same problem, still unbearable pain. My daughter said the same. No lockers to store your personal belongings such as purses or shoes. Everyone was tripping on shoes. The line to get into parking was horrific, the line getting inside the rink was super long. The sand man's on the beach were nice to see. The hot chocolate was good. No kids food at the hotel. The light show at the front of the hotel was super beautiful! I will never come to hotel del coronado. I would recommend the Pasea in Huntington Beach. We went last year and had a wonderful experience! Less people, you get the view of the ocean. Nice, comfortable ice-skates, not everly crowded. The managed it very nice and we didn't see anyone get hurt. Yes, you are signing a waiver for a reason but for $40 a person and stuffing a ton of people at one time is a horrible situation. I felt like I was watching "America's Funniest Home Video's" except for it was sad to see people get hurt :0( My body aches from my fall still. I can barely sit down without saying "ouch".. I can barely lift my left arm. My left collar bone hurts. It was such a bad idea going there. I thought it would have been magical but instead it was an over packed crowded money-making ice -skate full of tons of tourists. They should have blocked off the times for a certain amount of people. They need to manage this...

Pricey. Check in and skate rental process was pretty easy and straightforward. Limited places to sit down and change into skates was a problem. On top of that, there was no (at least not obvious to us) safe space to leave your coat, bag, shoes, and what not. So unless you carry it with you while you were skating, you had to constantly check on it, or hope there were no dishonest people about.

The rink was pretty small given the vast number of people who were skating at the time, and we went on a Tuesday later in the evening. If you are learning to skate, you'll find that people who are not skating will crowd around the railing of the rink, making it hard for you to grab a hold for support if needed. You'll feel like you're on display.

Also, when we went there were a handful of young kids - who while gifted skaters - zoomed around the rink, cutting, dodging, and spinning through the massive amounts of normal skaters. Several times, I saw novice skaters fall because they were startled by these kids cutting through. The staff didn't seem to notice or care because there wasn't anyone asking them to be more courteous or safe on the ice. The employees just checked for wristbands, and every hour would ask everyone to leave the ice so they could smooth it out.

It was nice that they had a drink and snack stand right at the rink for your convenience.

All-in-all, I'd say that if you know how to skate and don't mind crowds, then you'd still have fun. But if crowds and/or learning in front of other people causes you anxiety, then you'll...

Every year, the Skating by the Sea event at the Hotel del Coronado exceeds our expectations, and it has officially become a cherished tradition for our family. The experience blends the magical charm of ice skating with the unique beauty of Coronado Beach, making it truly one-of-a-kind.

This year, the organizers made thoughtful improvements by relocating registration and the bar to more convenient and accessible locations, ensuring a seamless check-in process and easy access to refreshments. Additionally, they’ve limited the number of participants per time slot, creating a more enjoyable and uncrowded skating experience. The attention to detail in preserving the quality of the ice and overall atmosphere is impressive.

The setting itself is pure magic—skating on an outdoor rink surrounded by the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean and the hotel’s iconic Victorian architecture is a memory-maker. The decor is nothing short of spectacular, with twinkling lights and festive touches that add to the holiday spirit. Dining at the Del is a highlight as well, with its internationally acclaimed restaurants offering everything from casual bites to fine dining, all with impeccable service. The people—both staff and fellow guests—are warm, friendly, and bring a lively energy that enhances the experience.

Whether you’re a local or visiting from afar, this event captures the essence of holiday joy in Southern California. I can’t recommend it enough—it’s a bucket-list experience that will leave...