As the sizzling season continues with meltingly hot days and everlasting nights, thoughts turn to ice cream and its cousins — gelato and sorbet — to cool things down.
Don't miss out – visit these top ice cream shops before summer is over!
1. Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pie Bar, Santa Rosa and Healdsburg
This ice cream shop is worth a special trip. Unique flavors include passionfruit, Thai tea, salted caramel and Dutch cookie, each inspired by local produce and the seasons. The menu changes frequently. 539 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-978-3392; 116 Matheson St., Healdsburg, 707-395-4426, thenoblefolk.com
2. Nimble and Finn’s, Santa Rosa and Guerneville
Cheeky by-the-scoop flavors include Front Porch Mint Chip (the mint is from one of the owner’s front porch), Meyer Lemon, Lavender Honeycomb and Whiskey Butterscotch. Add booze and you’ve got a sassy little float. We love the Permanent Holiday with creamy Meyer lemon ice cream, Lo Fi sweet vermouth and Goat Rock rosé cider, or the summery Strawberry Letter with strawberry sorbet, vermouth, elderflower and Champagne. 16290 Main St., Guerneville, 707-666-9411; 123 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-666-9590, nimbleandfinns.com
3. Sweet Scoops, Sonoma
Sonomans are crazy for this housemade ice cream spot on the square, which always has 22 flavors, from simple vanilla to lemon custard and Mexican chocolate. Or this combo: pistachio and lavender fig. Yum. Ice cream flavors rotate regularly; check the website for current flavors. 408 First St. East, Sonoma, 707-721-1187, sweetscoopsicecream.com
4. Trader Jim’s, Various Locations
This little retro camper does only one thing: pineapple whips, a little aloha in a cup. It is non-dairy soft-serve that you can get with or without a float of fresh pineapple juice. Check farmers markets and other locations here. 707-681-1995, traderjimsfloats.com
5. Fosters Freeze, Santa Rosa
This old school burger and ice cream spot is all about the memories. Maybe because you’ve walked there, or your mom and dad took you in the family wagon, or it’s just Tuesday. 1400 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-576-7028; 855 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, 707-542-3212, fostersfreeze.com
6. Handline
A restaurant in Sebastopol was built on the site of an old Foster's Freeze and they continue to keep soft serve ice cream on the menu. 935 Gravenstein Ave. South, Sebastopol, 707-827-3744, handline.com
7. Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, Santa Rosa
The ultimate kid spot with half a dozen flavors like crème brûlée, mudslide pie, white chocolate raspberry and Dole Whip pineapple sorbet. 2188 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-545-9866, menchies.com
8. Dave's Gourmet Ice Cream, Santa Rosa
This local artisan producer uses premium organic milk, organic cream and liquid nitrogen (!) to make their ice cream. At a cool 321° below zero, the liquid nitrogen keeps fat and water molecules small, making for a creamier ice cream. 320 W. Third St. Suite A, Santa Rosa, 707-978-2635, dgicecream.com
9. Yogurt Farms, Santa Rosa
Classic frozen yogurt with more than 50 rotating toppings. Flavor favorites include the always lovable "simply tart" and decadent dulce de leche. Vegan yogurt and ice cream flavors are also available, including dark chocolate fudge and soy cherry chocolate chip. 1224 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-303-7118, yogurtfarms.com
10. Screamin' Mimi’s, Sebastopol
It’s no surprise that Food & Wine magazine has named this Sebastopol ice cream spot one of the best in America. There’s always a line, there are always kids with messy chocolate grins, and there’s always a new flavor to try. When it comes to rich dark chocolate, there’s always Mimi’s Mud or Deep Dark Secret. 6902 Sebastopol. Ave., Sebastopol, 707-823-5902, screaminmimisicecream.com
11. Two Dog Night Creamery, Sebastopol and Windsor
Formerly SubZero, this Sebastopol spot at the Barlow (and now in Windsor) calls itself "farm to cone," using organic local ingredients and natural flavors for soft, gelato-style ice cream. Seasonal flavors like Summer Yuzu are a treat, while classic scoops, including Bananas Foster Crunch and Coffee Heath Bar always satisfy. One of the few places you can still get a banana split! 6760 McKinley St., Suite 110, Sebastopol, 707-823-9376; 9240 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 100, Windsor, 707-837-5965, twodognightcreamery.com
12. Petaluma Creamery, Petaluma
This historic creamery still makes house-made ice cream along with Spring Hill cheese. Most popular is the lavender ice cream, but Meyer lemon is also a contender. 711 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-762-9038, springhillcheese.com
13. Angela’s Ice Cream, Petaluma
Formerly known as Lala’s Creamery, this spot looks like the soda fountains of old, with a marble-topped bar and brick walls, but in addition to the traditional confections and banana splits, it serves up unique flavors. 134 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, 707-774-6567; 1390 N. McDowell Blvd. East, Petaluma, 707-981-6910; 6671 Front St., Forestville, 707-820-1559; 109 Plaza St., Healdsburg, 707-473-8636. angelasicecream.com.
14. Cielito Coffee and Ice Cream, Sonoma
This coffee and ice cream shop in the Vailetti Plaza shopping center on Highway 12 serves a wide variety of coffee beverages, milkshakes and ice cream. 205 Nino Marco Square, Sonoma, 707-343-7330
15. Once Upon A Slush
Taking over the former Amy's Wicked Slush location in Petaluma's American Alley in 2022, Once Upon A Slush has won over slush fans with its assortment of shakes, slushys, floats and soft serve. There are childhood favorite flavors like the blue raspberry slush and chocolate vanilla swirl soft serve, as well as new summer flavors such as black cherry, sour watermelon and cotton candy. 122b American Alley, Petaluma, 707-763-9253, onceuponaslush.com
16. La Michoacana, Sonoma
You can’t miss this ice cream spot’s bright pink and orange exterior. It’s best known for fruit paletas, or frozen ice pops. Try their Mangonada: blended fresh mango with ice, swirled chamoy sauce, topped with mango chunks and tamarind candy, and a tamarind stick. 18495 Highway 12, Sonoma, 707-938-1773, michoacana.com
17. Fru-Ta, Santa Rosa and Petaluma
All natural flavors, both traditional and unconventional. Among the more unique are rose petal, guava, cheese, membrillo, chongo zamorano and mamey. Four locations in Santa Rosa and Petaluma, frutaicecream.com
18. Frozen Art, Santa Rosa
The Alcazars have been making Michoacana-style ice creams since 2011, originally as La Real Michoacana, and they continue to expand their lineup of 40 plus flavors. It now includes merlot chocolate chip, Kahlua, Mexican caramel, hibiscus flower, rum raisin and strawberry butter. The family comes from Tocumbo, Mexico’s ice cream-making capital. 500 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, 707-331-2899, frozenarticecream.com
19. Squatch's Ice Cream and Coffee, Rohnert Park
This nonprofit ice cream and coffee shop near Sonoma State funds a nearby student center and serves up Petaluma's-own Mariposa ice cream. 1451 Southwest Blvd., Suite 111, Rohnert Park, 707-992-0841, squatchscoffee.com
20. Swirl Time Frozen Yogurt Bar, Rohnert Park
Another locally-owned Sonoma State fave serving up great fro-yo with a smile. 1718 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, 707-795-7900, swirltime.com
21. Honeymoon Frozen Yogurt, Sebastopol
This local yogurt shop is a favorite because of its organic ingredients and commitment to local farms. Plus, it's open seven days a week. 7108 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol, 707-829-9866, honeymoonfrozenyogurt.com
22. Baskin Robbins, Various Locations
You can’t say 31 flavors without thinking of this classic ice cream spot. Daiquiri ice is among our favorite flavors. baskinrobbins.com
23. Cold Stone Creamery, Various Locations
A longtime chain favorite featuring simple base flavors from vanilla and chocolate to cake batter with dozens of mix-ins to make a truly unique scoop. Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park and Petaluma locations. coldstonecreamery.com
Plan your visit to Sonoma County today and indulge in a delightful ice cream adventure! With an array of unique and delectable flavors waiting to be discovered, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you're a local or a visitor, these top ice cream spots are a must-visit before summer slips away. Treat yourself and your loved ones to a sweet escape in beautiful Sonoma County – the perfect destination for creating unforgettable summer memories!
