In sunny California, it can be difficult to get into the holiday spirit. There aren't always snowflakes dusting the ground come December. But not far from Hillsdale Square, a little (or rather, sprawling) piece of holiday cheer was just constructed in Central Park: San Mateo on Ice.

This massive ice-skating rink encompasses 9,000 square feet of the park. The city ships in real ice and makes sure it stays perfectly chilly, so you can come and do figure eights any time the rink is open, day or night (including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day). Just buy a ticket for the day when you get there (it includes free rental skates) and get ready for some wintry fun in the sunshine. You can come back any time that same day for just a $5 re-entry fee. Have fun!

San Mateo on Ice
Central Park
Open daily through Jan. 2016
50 E. 5th Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94401
onicerinks.com/san-mateo-on-ice
www.cityofsanmateo.org/Calendar

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr Elvert Barnes