When SoCal’s sunshine turns up the heat, there’s no sweeter way to cool down than with a scoop of handcrafted ice cream. National Ice Cream Day is celebrated the third Sunday of July (7/19/26), and presents a perfect excuse to explore Los Angeles one cone, cup, or sundae at a time – from nostalgic neighborhood parlors and artisan creameries, to globally inspired dessert destinations pushing the boundaries of flavor. Whether you’re craving classic vanilla, small-batch seasonal creations, or Instagram-worthy frozen treats, LA’s vibrant ice cream scene serves up something for every palate. Grab a spoon and hit the road – these must-visit spots prove that celebrating National Ice Cream Day is as much about the journey as it is the dessert.
Fun Facts: Instacart Trends Analyst Alex Orellana found that nationally, Americans love Vanilla. The ice cream flavor accounted for 21% of all ice cream orders and was the most-ordered flavor in every state. Chocolate (7.9%) and Cookie Dough (6.9%) rounded out the national top three.
Smorgasburg LA’s Ice Cream Alley
This annual ice cream alley summer tradition returns for its 10th year, taking place every Sunday from July 5th through September 6th at ROW DTLA from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. The celebration includes LA’s independent ice cream makers – with a lineup of local favorites serving up everything from classic scoops to creative frozen treats.
This year’s participating vendors include:
- SadGirl Creamery
- Moom Maam
- Bernie’s
- Churros El Bochito
- Boutcha Gelatea
- Sweet Lady Jane – featuring an exclusive look at their new gelato offerings
- Swrlies
- Innamorata Gelato
- Bestie’s Vegan Paradise
On Sunday, July 19th, Smorgasburg will host The Great Ice Cream Fair – a special celebration as part of Ice Cream Alley featuring exclusive treats, activities, DJs, and more.
Kith Treats launches Matcha Swirls in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Malibu
Kith Treats – the cereal-infused ice cream bar – is tucked into three swanky retail destinations, like an alluring garden patio in central Malibu. Stop in the new bougie Cross Creek Ranch plaza to delight in Kith Treats’ new seasonal Matcha moment, bringing the ritual of Japanese tea culture to its latest seasonal menu.
On July 13th, Kith Treats launched 3 limited-edition Matcha Swirls, each inspired by the distinctive character and flavor profile of its namesake tea. The specials are available through August 2nd, so don’t sleep on these rare flavors.
Try the Matcha Swirl, with a white chocolate crunch; the Genmaicha Swirl, with Japanese green tea and roasted popped brown rice, bits of mochi, and rice crackers; or the Hojicha Swirl, with a dark earthy Hojicha flavor with roasted marshmallows.
The Matcha Swirl
Vanilla ice cream infused with matcha, Rice Krispies, and Oreo, finished with matcha and white chocolate pearls.
The Genmaicha Swirl
Vanilla ice cream infused with genmaicha, Rice Krispies, and mochi, finished with genmaicha, kuromitsu, and sakura arare.
The Hojicha Swirl
Vanilla ice cream infused with hojicha, Cocoa Pebbles, and toffee, finished with hojicha and roasted marshmallows.
To accompany the menu launch, Kith Treats released a Matcha apparel capsule – featuring four signature graphic tees inspired by Japanese tea culture – available in both men’s and kids’ sizing. The Kith Treats Matcha collection launched worldwide in Kith Treats shops, online, and via the Kith App on Monday, July 13th.
Guests can also customize their own frozen swirls or craft a specialty collaboration at Kith Treats.
Malibu Means Summer Ice Cream
After your surf session, beach day, or drive up the coast, satiate your cold cravings with gourmet ice cream in Malibu:
In the Malibu Colony Plaza (near Ralph’s), Malibu Yogurt & Ice Cream is a beloved PCH mainstay – serving shakes, floats, froyo, and their signature Malibu Chocolate and House Blend Coffee flavors. Try the Birthday Cake Ice Cream or a Cotton Candy Sundae.
Find a hidden gem in the new Cross Creek Ranch shopping destination: Pantry café at California fashion brand Madhappy Malibu. The in-store café serves acai bowls, burritos, Matcha, and premium soft serve ice cream – in partnership with the New York brand Softside. They offer classic swirls (Chocolate, Vanilla, or Twist); and apparently also serve up specialty sundaes like the Vanilla, Olive Oil, Honey, and Sea Salt; and The Bruce (vanilla, hot fudge, hazelnuts, brownies, and whipped cream).
Soft serve can also be found at Scott’s Malibu Market located at the Malibu Country Mart.
Malibu Seafood Fresh Fish Market and Patio Café sells ice cream sandwiches like their famous rich molasses cookie and ginger ice cream sandwich.
In the Trancas Country Mart, Le Cafe De La Plage offers hand-crafted artisanal scoops and even provides a mobile Ice Cream Cart Rental for local events. Check out their Santa Monica location too.
Salt & Straw – from Portland to LA
Salt & Straw may have come from Portland, Oregon, but their beloved status manifests in LA as lines outside their many locations. During National Ice Cream Week from Friday 7/17 through Thursday 7/23, guests nationwide will have the opportunity to craft their own bespoke, Build Your Own Pint Sundae ($15) – featuring three scoops of their choice – served in a personalized pint and topped with fudge, whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles and a cherry – and further customized with limited-edition, themed stickers.
Each sundae is served in a blank pint cup, with the guest’s name handwritten by the shop team where the flavor name is typically noted, and is designed to be a unique opportunity for ice cream lovers to express their identity through their own custom build.
Additionally, members of the new Salt & Straw Rewards program can garner double loyalty points on National Ice Cream Day (7/19) itself.
During National Ice Cream Week – and all throughout peak summertime – Beat the heat with Salt & Straw’s suite of classic flavors: like Salted Malted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough; Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper; viral Tacolate; the nostalgic and highly sought-after ice cream taco, made in partnership with Taco Bell; and rotating flavor series, such as July’s Berries Series.
Carmela Ice Cream – Pasadena and Palm Springs
Famous for its farm-to-table approach, sourcing organic local produce, fresh herbs, and botanicals to craft small-batch flavors, Carmela’s bases use all-natural ingredients completely free of stabilizers, seed oils, emulsifiers, or artificial flavorings. You can taste the difference.
Handmade and seasonal flavors, choose sorbet or ice cream in unique flavors such as white peach/vanilla bean, raspberry rose sorbet, candied pecan, and strawberry buttermilk.
Clementine’s Delivered
Clementine’s Ice Cream may not be made in LA, but delivery is available for some of the creamiest and original bites we’ve ever devoured. , this Midwest-based brand is one of our favorite best new ice cream discoveries. Female led, try the beloved “Naughty” and “Nice” boozy flavors, vegan flavors, and adventurous chef-driven ice cream concepts.
Standout flavors include Salted Cracker Caramel, Espresso Royale (great for an at-home affagatto) , Gooey Butter Cake, and Italian Butter Cookie, non-dairy favorites like Billie’s Tahini Chip Cookie or Lemon Poppyseed, and the boozy Maple Bourbon with Candied Pecans. Beyond their beautiful parlors, Clementine’s has expanded access through national shipping on Goldbelly.
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