Cool Off at These Locally Owned Ice Cream, Yogurt & Shave Ice Spots

Summer may be winding down, but warm temperatures are here to stay for a while. Everyone has their favorite way of staying cool, whether it’s heading to a local waterpark, hitting a swimming hole, or just hiding out in the air conditioning. Many people also like to cool off by indulging in a frozen treat, whether ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, shave ice, or freezes. Luckily, the greater Sacramento area offers all of the above, and you can find locally owned shops across the region, from Davis to Auburn, Woodland to Placerville. If you’re looking for a sweet treat to help keep you cool during the dog days of summer, the following is a round-up of some of the best locally owned spots.

Gunther’s | Curtis Park

Photo Courtesy of Gunther’s Ice Cream | IG: @gunthersicecream

In operation since 1940, this locally owned ice cream shop still uses its original recipe, which means a richer, creamier product. They have more than 40 flavors on the menu at any given time, including butter brickle, lemon custard, and Swiss orange chip. You can also get indulgent novelties like chocolate-covered bananas and mud pie on a stick. And, if you’re looking for something refreshing, they also offer fruit freezes in flavors like orange, lemon, and mango.

Water & Salt | West Sacramento

It may seem strange to indulge in sweet treats at a store that primarily sells purified water and health products, but we’re not complaining! Their shave ice is made from alkaline water, and all syrups are made in-house using real sugar, not corn syrup. The all-natural flavors include peach, strawberry, and yuzu. They also sell Gunther’s ice cream and organic cold-brew iced coffee.

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The Frozone | Roseville

Get in the zone at this froyo shop in Roseville — The FroZone! They have flavors such as cookies and cream and Dole whip, plus every imaginable topping, from Nerds to Captain Crunch. They also have a solid lineup of delectable sauces, including marshmallow and Nutella.

Shorty’s Gelato & Bakery | Placerville

Photo Courtesy of Shorty’s Gelato and Bakery | IG: @shortysgelatoandbakery

No matter the sweet treat you’re craving, you’ll find it at Shorty’s: gelato, cookies, chocolates, even donuts and cupcakes. Gelato flavors include all the classics as well as spumoni, lemon pie, maple pecan, and banana caramel. They also have sorbet such as mango and passionfruit.

The Parlor | Arden Arcade

Over-the-top ice cream desserts is the name of the game at this shop in the Arden Arcade area. They serve up donut ice cream sandwiches with flavors like Earl Grey, coffee, Nutella, and taro coconut. You can also indulge in a milkshake crowned with a donut or churro, or a sundae stacked with playful toppings like potato chips, cinnamon toast cereal, or pretzels.

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Tango Frozen Yogurt | Auburn

This Auburn froyo shop has a variety of rotating flavors, from your basic vanilla and chocolate to espresso, macadamia nut, and matcha, plus dairy-free sorbet like black cherry and chili lime mango. Plus, you can add all the toppings you want — hot fudge, whipped cream, mochi, candy, and much more.

Woodland Sno Shack | Woodland

Photo Courtesy of Woodland Sno Shack | IG: @woodlandsnoshack

If you’re in the Woodland area and need a frozen dessert to cool off, head to this food truck, which can be found in the parking lot of Cracchiolo’s Market. They sell shave ice in all flavors, from cotton candy to cola, bubble gum to tamarind. They also serve Gunther’s ice cream, which you can have made into a shake, a sundae, or atop a fresh-made donut.

Hagen’s Orange Freeze | Carmichael

The new iteration of the beloved Merlino’s Orange Freeze, Hagen’s offers the same refreshing delicacies with flavors like blackberry, watermelon, and strawberry guava. You can also get a dairy-based freeze, milkshake, or float.

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Yolo Berry Yogurt | Davis

If you’re on the hunt for a healthier dessert in the Davis area, head to this froyo shop. They have a rotating selection of flavors, which includes original tart and Dole whip, and dozens of toppings, from fresh fruit and mochi to candy bars, gummies, cereal, and cookies.

Babes Ice Cream & Donuts | Midtown

Photo Courtesy of Babes Ice Cream & Donuts | IG: @babes_vegan

Love ice cream but hate dairy? This midtown shop is for you. They have every flavor imaginable in plant-based form, from blueberry cobbler to salted caramel pecan, plus donuts, apple fritters, and churros. Best of all, everything is 100 percent vegan and gluten-free.

Mirabella Gelato | Roseville

If you’re searching for authentic Italian gelato, you’ll find it at this cute little shop in Roseville. They have all the classic Italian flavors, such as tiramisu, amaretto, and panna cotta, as well as American favorites like peanut butter cup and s’mores. They also have seasonal flavors and daily sorbet specials.

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Urban Yogurt | Shingle Springs

Georgia peach, mango tango sorbet, and tiger’s blood Italian ice are just a few of the flavors you’ll find at this frozen yogurt shop in Shingle Springs. They even have a sauce bar where you can douse your dessert with hot fudge, sea salt caramel, or peanut butter. And of course, they have a variety of dry toppings too.

Hele on to Hawaii | Elk Grove

Photo Courtesy of Hele on to Hawaii Shave Ice and Ice Cream | IG: @heleshavedice

With a permanent location in Elk Grove, you can get a taste of the islands any time the craving strikes! Just like Hawaii, you can order flavors like tiger’s blood, passion fruit, and coconut, complete with condensed milk or li hing mui on top. They also serve ice cream with flavors like macadamia nut and coconut pineapple.

Osaka-Ya | Sacramento

This no-frills spot in Downtown Sacramento has been turning out Japanese confections since 1963. In the summer, they open their take-out window for shave ice, with homemade flavors including cherry, root beer, watermelon, lime, and more. You can even add green tea powder or sweet red beans.

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Sweet & Shavery | Davis

Italian ice is the hallmark of this dessert shop in Davis. The smooth, sorbet-like treat is made fresh in-house with flavors like mango, strawberry, berry, and chocolate. They also make frozen custard, a rich soft serve that you can eat on its own or atop an ice for the ultimate frozen parfait.

Kobing Dessert Studio | Citrus Heights

Photo Courtesy of Kobing Dessert Studio | IG: @kobingdessertstudio

This Citrus Heights spot serves up Korean-inspired desserts like bingsu, shaved ice piled high with fresh fruit, mochi, and condensed milk. They also have soft serve in flavors like green tea and ube as well as creative concoctions like a sweet corn latte and a Dubai chocolate croffle, which is a cross between a croissant and a waffle.

Crazy for Yogurt | Various Locations

This local yogurt chain has locations in El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Rocklin, Roseville, and Carmichael. Despite their name, they actually have much more than yogurt — shave ice, gelato, and floats are also on the menu! They have dozens of rotating flavors, such as strawberry shortcake, banana, and sorbets, including wild berry açai and Dole whip.

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Flores Munchies | Rocklin

This dessert shop in Rocklin is known for its bold, enormous milkshakes served in plastic mason jars and topped with … well, just about anything. Popular choices include the Reese’s Lover, peanut butter ice cream blended with chocolate syrup and topped with Reese’s pieces, an entire peanut butter cup, and a brownie; and the Dulce de Leche, vanilla ice cream blended with dulce de leche and topped with a slice of dulce de leche cheesecake and a wafer cookie. They also offer fruit freezes, mangonada, and churros.

Davis Creamery | Davis

Photo Courtesy of Davis Creamery | IG: @daviscreamery

This family-owned and operated ice cream shop in Davis is all about handmade, small-batch ice cream. Flavors are made daily in-house, and include such delicacies as salted caramel, coffee Oreo, horchata, and honey lavender. There are also vegan offerings.

Burger & Cream | Auburn

Burger & Cream is one of the few spots left in the greater Sacramento area that offers true soft-serve ice cream. You can have it on its own or order a twisty, in which candy or cookies (or a combination of them both) is twisted right in. They also have the classic chocolate-dipped soft-serve cone.

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Salt & Straw | Roseville & Sacramento

Yes, Salt & Straw is a chain, but we’d be remiss not to include it in our list due to its selection of innovative, one-of-a-kind flavors. Here, you’ll find best sellers like coconut mint chocolate chip and salted malted cookie dough, as well as seasonal concoctions like tomato with olive brittle and pickled cucumber sorbet. They also have dairy-free and gluten-free options.

NuYo | Folsom, Granite Bay, Roseville

Photo Courtesy of NuYo Frozen Yogurt | IG: @nuyo_granitebay

With locations in Folsom, Granite Bay, and Roseville, there’s bound to be a NuYo near you. They have a wide variety of flavors available at any given time, ranging from avocado and cake batter to PB&J and caramel corn. They even have tart, nonfat, no sugar-added, and non-dairy options available. Plus, you can choose toppings like nuts, crushed cookies, fruit, candy, and sweetened cereal.