Marianne's Ice Cream
A Santa Cruz classic since 1947, Marianne's boasts over 100 handcrafted ice cream flavors in a charming, retro diner setting.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Marianne's Ice Cream
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A Santa Cruz classic since 1947, Marianne's boasts over 100 handcrafted ice cream flavors in a charming, retro diner setting.
"Over 100 flavors of incredible ice cream to choose from, this place is a must-visit!"
Try Unique Flavors
Sample unusual flavors like Lavender or Green Tea, or stick to favorites like '10-20' before making your choice.
Beat the Crowds
Visit on weekdays or avoid peak weekend times for a more relaxed experience and shorter waits.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Ice Cream Shop
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Over 100 Hand-Crafted Flavors
Indulge in a dizzying array of over 100 unique and classic ice cream flavors, from Irish Coffee to Northern Oregon Blackberry.
Nostalgic Diner Atmosphere
Step back in time with charming, old-school diner vibes that complement the generous scoops of creamy, homemade ice cream.
Exceptional & Knowledgeable Staff
Experience friendly and helpful service where staff offer samples and recommendations to guide you to your perfect scoop.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Try Unique Flavors
Sample unusual flavors like Lavender or Green Tea, or stick to favorites like '10-20' before making your choice.
Beat the Crowds
Visit on weekdays or avoid peak weekend times for a more relaxed experience and shorter waits.
Use the Ticketing System
Grab a ticket at the door instead of waiting in line; listen for your number to be called.
Tips
from all over the internet
Try Unique Flavors
Sample unusual flavors like Lavender or Green Tea, or stick to favorites like '10-20' before making your choice.
Beat the Crowds
Visit on weekdays or avoid peak weekend times for a more relaxed experience and shorter waits.
Use the Ticketing System
Grab a ticket at the door instead of waiting in line; listen for your number to be called.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Marianne's Ice Cream is a beloved local institution praised for its extensive selection of over 100 unique and classic ice cream flavors, served in a charming, nostalgic setting. Diners rave about the quality and creaminess of the ice cream, with standout flavors like Irish Coffee & Chocolate Chip frequently mentioned. While the experience is generally positive, some reviews note that certain unique flavors can be too intense or lack distinctiveness, and parking can be challenging during busy periods.
"Stopped by here yesterday on my way back to San Jose after a day spent in Santa Cruz, just like I have so many times before. I’ve been coming here since I was a kid and I have so many good memories with friends and family stopping by here.
They have so many flavors of ice cream, there is sure to be something for everyone! Yesterday I got the Northern Oregon Blackberry flavor in a waffle cone and it was delicious. It was a little busy, but that’s expected almost every time I come here. It’s a popular spot for a reason.
They have a ticketing system so you can just grab a ticket at the door and then wait for your number to be called instead of having to wait in line.
The parking lot is pretty small and doesn’t hold more than 10 cars, but there is usually parking on the street."
Max Kirchgesner
"Had to try out this ice cream parlor, rated it as 4.8 over a couple thousand reviews, meant that it's probably a "top gun" ice cream parlor.
And, you know what? It is a "top gun" ice cream parlor!
I had my go to praline and cream to compare to others that I've had at different locations of various different ice cream parlors.
This penalizing all American dessert drop the bomb directly on target, fired a full load of ammo taking out all competitions, tasted fresh, creamy with all the nuggets crunching just so nicely.
After finishing my single, I had to go back and get another single scoop ,dang it!
in other words, I had to rinse and repeat, my pallet that is, lol.
Bon appétit and enjoy this ice cream parlor if you ever get the chance…
Edit:
It's the bomb! absolutely the best, I had to come back for seconds on the following day, yummy Yum Yum…
Second time around I had the cinnamon caramel along with the coffee crunch. Between the two flavors both excellent, the coffee crunch came out on top, how do you recommended."
MOPt
"What an experience! quick tip for first timers, the crowd out thr door is not a line! pull a ticket from thr machine near the front door and listen for your number! so many flavors and even on a busy Sunday evening they let me try 4 flavors! The ice cream was delicious! (the picture is of a junior size in a waffle cone)"
Stuti Desai
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Marianne's offers over 100 hand-crafted flavors of ice cream, with a constantly rotating selection.
Beyond classics, try unique options like Irish Coffee & Chocolate Chip, Lavender, Green Tea, or German Chocolate.
Yes, Marianne's uses a ticketing system. Grab a ticket at the door and wait for your number to be called.
The parking lot is small and can fill up quickly. Street parking is often available nearby.
Yes, staff are happy to let you sample flavors to help you decide on your perfect scoop.
Yes, they offer sherbets, sorbets, and no-sugar-added options, which may cater to some dietary needs.
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Best Ice Cream in Santa Cruz County
A local institution that has been satisfying cravings since 1947, Marianne’s rotates through more than 100 flavors of hand-crafted ice cream including German chocolate, Mexican chocolate, horchata, Northern Oregon blackberry, and signature 10-20 (named for the number of the Ocean Street address, it has caramel ice cream with fudge swirl and Oreos). They have a several varieties of sherbet, sorbet, and no-sugar-added options, plus novelties like frozen bananas and unusual offerings like Spumoni (rum ice cream with fruit compote swirl). The flagship location is in Santa Cruz on Ocean Street, but they also have a location in Aptos near Seacliff State Beach, and their newest addition on the Westside of Santa Cruz.
Marianne's Ice Cream | Santa Cruz in 105 Flavors
💛🍨We are beyond humbled and over-the-moon excited to share that Marianne’s Ice Cream has been named one of USA Today’s 10 Best Ice Cream Shops in the country!. 🇺🇸✨This recognition isn’t just ours—it’s YOURS.Every single vote, share, kind word, and scoop of support made this possible. 🙏For 77 years, you’ve welcomed us into your summer days, your family traditions, your first dates and late-night cravings.
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No visit to Santa Cruz is complete without trying Marianne's Ice Cream. Go classic with vanilla bean or chocolate, or branch out and try their lavender honey for a floral sweetness or their salted caramel for a decadent twist. With an ever-changing lineup of tempting options, Marianne's guarantees to satisfy your sweet cravings and provide an authentic taste of Santa Cruz in every lick.
What to Do in Santa Cruz with Kids
After a day of fun in the sun, make sure you stop at Marianne’s Ice Cream on Ocean Street for a round of two-scoopers. This family-owned favorite is a Shangri-La for anyone with a sweet tooth, and it’s every bit as much of an institution in Santa Cruz as the wharf or the bitchin’ breaks. It’s also the only place you can get flavors like Macapuno, Cardamom Pistachio, and 2 AM Truffle.
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It’s hard to imagine Ocean Street without these iconic fire engine red walls. The shop has been around for 70 years and not much has changed, except the owners. Flavors are listed on wood slats behind the counter and tourists and locals pour in for classic flavors like 1020 (caramel ice cream with chocolate swirl and chocolate sandwich cookies) or Macapuno (baby coconut).
The 4 Best Santa Cruz Ice Cream Shops for Sundaes, Sorbet & More
A local favorite for over 50 years, Marianne’s has both the history and the flavors to make it one of the best ice cream shops in all of Santa Cruz. Despite fierce competition from Penny’s and Mission Hill, Marianne’s continues to thrive and be a local and tourist favorite. This is at least partially due to its overwhelming quantity of excellent flavors.
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Cream is an ice cream sandwich shop in downtown San Jose that has become a go-to spot for anyone having a sweet craving. Cream stays open until 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays, serving up fresh-baked cookies and ice cream. Customers can choose from creative ice cream flavors like ube, matcha, and cinnamon toast crunch, sandwiched between warm cookies.
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A very old-school ice cream parlor, you’ll feel like you’ve returned to the 1990’s. Their menu is filled with approximately 100 flavors (I didn’t take the time to count them all). My favorite flavors are Mandarin Chocolate, Heath Bar, Ginger, Malt Ball and Lemon Custard.
Sweet Treats in Santa Cruz
Everyone has their favorite flavor at Marianne’s Ice Cream, a local institution established in 1947. Some swear by a scoop of coconut and macadamia nut. Others won’t eat anything but the 1020, an intense combination of caramel ice cream, fudge swirls and Oreo cookies.
Family Guide: Things To Do In Santa Cruz with Kids
You can’t miss this BIG red ice cream shop in the center of Santa Cruz. Opened in 1947, Marianne’s has been serving ice cream, sundaes, and milkshakes to generations of families. BONUS: Marianne’s offers 105 different flavors of ice cream.
Where to Eat in Santa Cruz: 15 Restaurants You'll Love
Before we wrap things up here, we have to share with you some of our picks for desserts. To start us off, we have chosen a Santa Cruz staple, Marianne’s Ice Cream. It has been around since 1947, a golden time in Santa Cruz’s history.
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Couldn't resist trying Marianne's famous 10-20 flavor (caramel ice cream with Oreos and fudge). With over 100 flavors, I'll need to come back!. No trip to Santa Cruz is complete without a scoop (or three) from Marianne's Ice Cream.
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Hand-crafted ice cream that’s made right here in Santa Cruz. Marianne’s has been innovating flavors and using time honored techniques to create rich, creamy, one-of-a-kind ice creams for over 75 years.
Highest-rated Ice Cream Shops in Santa Cruz by Diners
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2370 reviews)- Price level: $- Address: 1020 Ocean St. Santa Cruz, California - Categories: ice cream & frozen yogurt- Read more on Yelp
Places To Eat In Santa Cruz
They make all of the ice cream themselves, boasting 105 flavors. Truly, it’s a place you should not miss when visiting Santa Cruz.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit