The Tastiest Ice Cream in the South Bay
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! It’s always a good time for a frozen treat and we are lucky to have so many great options for yummy desserts here in the South Bay! We recently asked our Facebook community where they like to go for the best ice cream in the South Bay. Then we curated this list of the best ice cream shops you find locally to satisfy your sweet tooth. Whether you enjoy the simple, but perfect vanilla or unique artisanal flavors, there is something for everyone.
For family-friendly events and things to do with kids, sign up for our newsletter and get it all delivered straight to your inbox.
Guide to the Best South Bay Ice Cream
From traditional ice cream to gelato and shave ice, we’ve got every sweet treat you could ask for. Plus vegan and non-diary options!
Want to check out some more delicious ice cream options? Check out our list of the best ice cream spots in Los Angeles.
Redondo Beach Ice Cream Shops
Wanna Chill? Shave Ice
The hardest part of visiting is deciding between the thousands of combinations you can get with Wanna Chill’s shaved ice, toppings and ice cream menu. They also offer frozen yogurt, smoothies, acai bowls, and the famous Dole Whip.
Address: 800 South Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream and Yogurt – Redondo Beach
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream is made fresh daily, one batch at a time, at each location, using products, equipment, methods and recipes exclusive only to Handel’s. THEY NEVER SKIMP! Fistfuls of nuts, creamy caramel, deep dark chocolate, fresh fruits and fluffy marshmallows are blended into each batch as it is drawn from specially designed machines. Our readers can’t get enough of Graham Central Station!
Address: 1882 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Manhattan Beach Ice Cream Shops
Salt & Straw
When it comes to unique flavors, no one does it quite like Salt & Straw. Their specialty concoctions offer delightful surprises of flavor combinations that you may not otherwise have thought of like Huckleberry Cornbread and Pear and Blue Cheese. Of course vanilla is always on the menu for more finicky eaters. With just a three-minute walk to the beach, this is the perfect stop on a sunny afternoon.
Address: 209 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Manhattan Beach Creamery
Are you a fan of ice cream cookie sandwiches? The Manhattan Beach Creamery is the home of the original artisan ice cream sandwich, the Cream’wich. Choose from an array of 28 different ice cream flavors that are regularly updated with both new and classic options to build the perfect cool concoction.
Address: 1120 Manhattan Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
photo: Manhattan Beach Creamery
Gelato and Angels
If you have been yearning for a creamy, but light gelato, then drop by Gelato and Angels for some genuine Italian ice cream; the perfect dessert on a hot day. They also offer vegan options.
Address: 308 Manhattan Beach Blvd, CA
Hermosa Beach Ice Cream Shops
Creamy Boys
Creamy Boys Ice Cream is on a mission to bring one of the best things about New Zealand to the United States: Real Fruit Ice Cream. This popular style of ice cream is a simple recipe made with a blend of frozen fruits and a dairy or non-dairy ice cream, which creates a creamy, refreshing, and delicious soft-serve ice cream.
Address: 1136 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA
The Baked Bear
At the Baked Bear use your imagination to create your very own sweet treat. Customize your own personalized ice cream cookie sandwich from their extensive menu of housemade ice creams and cookies. You have the option to pick your cookie (or brownie), ice cream flavor, and toppings.
Address: 49A Pier Way Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Torrance Ice Cream Shops
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream – Torrance
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream is crafted using traditional methods, involving a slow kettle process that is carefully tailored to achieve the signature Bruster’s flavor. This process begins with a unique homestyle mix that is freshly delivered from their dairy to every store. Our readers highly recommend the Black Raspberry Chocolate Chunk and Oatmeal ice cream flavors. They also offer sundaes, banana splits, and shakes.
Address: 2390 Crenshaw Blvd Unit F Unit F, Torrance, CA 90501
photo: Bruster’s
Creamistry – Torrance
In addition to their unique, liquid-nitrogen ice cream selection, they also offer a variety of vegan, dairy-free, and organic options. Give their non-dairy sorbets, vegan Coconut Base, or the new Oat Milk base a try – delicious substitutes for traditional ice cream. They prioritize your dietary requirements while still providing top-notch flavor and quality.
Address: 24329 Crenshaw Blvd G, Torrance, CA 90505
El Segundo Ice Cream Shops
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream at The Point
In their opinion, happiness is synonymous with health. What could be more delightful than the perfect blend of milk, cream, eggs, and cane sugar (or alternatives like coconuts, cashews, and oats for our vegan customers)? Yes, their ice cream contains fat. And that’s perfectly fine. It’s good for you in a positive way, not in a negative way.
Address: 850 CA-1 Store #1-F, El Segundo, CA 90245
photo: Van Leeuwen
Gelato-Go – El Segundo
Every day, they create their own Gelato base from scratch using fresh ingredients. Their key to success lies in carefully sourcing the ingredients for each recipe, with some imported from Italy and other parts of the world. For example, their Gelati feature pistachios from Bronte, Sicily, hazelnuts from Langhe, Piedmont, and top-quality Vairhona chocolate made from cocoa beans sourced from Venezuela. To provide you with a healthier option, they only use milk that is free from artificial hormones and antibiotics.
Address: 417 Main St, El Segundo, CA 90245
Gardena Ice Cream Shops
Kansha Creamery
For those seeking homemade ice cream, be sure to visit Kansha Creamery in Gardena. They offer a wide variety of flavors, but due to their small size, the flavors change daily with five options featured each day. It’s worth mentioning that a portion of your purchase goes towards charity when you make a purchase.
Address: 18515 S Western Ave, Gardena, CA 90248
Long Beach Ice Cream Shops
Van Leewen Ice Cream at 2nd & PCH
This location serves a full menu of our ice cream and vegan ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, cookie sandwiches, sundaes and milkshakes.
Address: 6420 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Suite 140, Long Beach, CA 90803
Stay in the know by subscribing, joining our Facebook group, and following us on Instagram.
RELATED STORIES:
Most Delicious BBQ in the South Bay
