On a hot summer day, there's nothing quite like digging into a cold scoop or two of ice cream to cool you off. Whether you like your frozen treat in a cup, a cone, or on a stick, there are tons of delightful ice cream shops in Southern California that have something delicious for everyone.
And even when it's not summer, here in Southern California we're lucky enough to have hot weather all year round. So, technically, it's an "ice cream day" any day of the year. Ready to see what ice cream shops are on our go-to list? Here are 10 spots in SoCal that we'll be heading to for sweet treats all summer long.
1. Mother Moo Creamery and Marketplace -- Sierra Madre
Experience small batch ice cream at its finest at Mother Moo Creamery. This sweet spot offers so much more than just ice cream. If you love to have a little cake or pie to go along with your frozen treat, then Mother Moo Creamery and Marketplace is the place to be. They offer the perfect combo of homemade baked goods that pair nicely with a scoop of homemade ice cream.
2. Sweet Lucie's Ice Cream and Treats -- Mar Vista/Los Angeles
If you want to devour some ice cream you can feel good about, Sweet Lucie's Scoop Shop is more than just delicious, it's also 100 % organic. Even better, this premium ice cream shop is the first of its kind in SoCal to offer USDA organic certified ice cream.
3. Carmella Ice Cream -- Pasadena and Los Angeles
Not only does this delightful ice cream shop serve up unbelievably good handcrafted ice cream, but they also offer classes on how to make the sweet treat so you can learn how to make it at home.
4. Sprinkles -- Throughout SoCal
Sprinkles may be best known for offering unique cupcakes, but they also offer some delicious ice cream concoctions. Try the Sprinkles Sundae -- a beautiful treat that brings cupcakes and ice cream together for pure dessert heaven.
5. Fosselman's Ice Cream -- Alhambra
This family-owned old fashioned soda fountain first opened in South Pasadena in 1937. Since then, Fosselman's Ice Cream has been a family favorite for handcrafted ice cream made from scratch.
6. Moosie's Ice Cream -- San Diego
Located in the quaint neighborhood of Kensington in San Diego, Moosie's Ice Cream is the perfect place to stop for a treat for the whole family. They serve ice cream made by the Fosselman family, so you know it's the real deal. With frozen delights like this sundae with homemade topping, your sweet tooth will be doing a happy dance after just one bite.
7. Cauldron Ice Cream -- Santa Ana
Head to Cauldron for flavorful ice cream and sorbet served in some of the coolest puffy cones you've ever seen or tasted. Pictured here: Sea Salt Caramel ice cream. The perfect flavor for your sweet and savory tooth!
8. Sweet Rose Creamery - Multiple SoCal locations
Sweet Rose Creamery is a 100% GMO free and kosher certified ice cream shop that makes handcrafted ice cream in small batches with fresh ingredients sourced from local farms and local dairies. SoCal locations include Santa Monica, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Mid City and Studio City. With so many Sweet Rose Creamery shops to choose from, you will always have a place to satisfy your ice cream cravings.
9. Eiswelt Gelato -- Westminster
If you're going to eat ice cream, you may as well eat something that looks like a work of art. Aren't these ice cream teddy bear scoops adorable?!
10. The Coolhaus Shop -- Culver City and other locations
Coolhaus serves up towering ice cream sandwiches that are so magnificent you may want to stare at them a while before taking your first bite. With some unique and wild flavors like Fried Chicken with Maple Waffle and Bourbon Pecan Pie, your tastebuds will never get bored at this cool ice cream shop.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! There are sooooo many more ice cream shops to choose from than just these 10, but this list will get you started. For the sake of research, I'll continue my ice cream taste test throughout SoCal. It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it!
Where are your favorite ice cream shops in Southern California that you simply can't resist?
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