The Penny Ice Creamery | Downtown Santa Cruz

Penny Ice Creamery isn’t your average ice cream joint; you won’t find Ben & Jerry’s-style over-indulgence, nor will you taste artificial flavors and colors (think: green mint chip). Gathering all of their ingredients from local organic farms, owners Kendra Baker and Zachary Davis are committed to bringing small-business practices back to basics. Their passion for local, organic food and sustainability is palpable.

For the required ice cream stop, you'll be hard-pressed to choose between The Penny Ice Creamery and Mission Hill Creamery, both of which make their own frozen treats with locally sourced cream. I always pay for meals with my Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, which pays 3 points per dollar on dining. There are many more (even more rewarding) dining card options for saving money or earning bonus points on meals.

If chocolate-covered bacon or deep-fried Oreos from the Boardwalk aren’t your thing — and even if they are your thing — make room for some Penny’s. With three locations only in Santa Cruz, you might be lucky enough to watch them make their ice cream from scratch through their open kitchen. Penny’s makes their ice cream using locally farmed, organic ingredients that change with the seasons.

For a grown-up delight, stop in at The Penny Ice Creamery for an affogato with dark chocolate sorbet. The rich, perfectly bitter sorbet (vegan, of course) is drowned in espresso from local coffee superstars Verve Coffee Roasters, creating a hot-meets-cold sensation that will perk you right up. Nearby The Penny Ice Creamery is Buttercup Cakes & Farmhouse Frosting, where vegan cupcakes in flavors such as the Fruit Basket (blood orange cake topped with strawberry frosting and fresh fruit) and Chocolate Almond-Maple are not to be missed.

The indulgent trifecta of freshly fried and still warm donut holes, natural ice cream churned in-house and house-made marshmallow fluff toasted with a blow torch is every dessert lover’s fantasy—one that’s made into a reality at The Penny Ice Creamery. Founded in 2010 by Kendra Baker, Manresa’s Executive Pastry Chef at the time, and Zachary Davis, The Penny Ice Creamery is a favorite among residents and visitors for its hyper-local, artisanal approach to ice cream and sorbets. Pictured: Kendra Baker via Facebook/thepennyicecreamery

Save a little room for a scoop or two of artisanal ice cream across the street at the Penny Ice Creamery, where inventive flavors like caramelized apple walnut and maple shortbread await. Afterwards, drive inland about 5 miles into the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains to explore the up-and-coming Corralitos Wine Trail. About a half dozen highly regarded winemakers who produce Pinot Noir, Gruner Veltliner, Chardonnay, and other cool-climate-varietal wines are situated within this pastoral area.

The Penny Ice Creamery is known for its unique, gourmet ice cream flavors and perfect atmosphere for snapping a quick pic of your cone before you devour it. You can taste ice cream until your heart’s content and finally decide on a flavor, but once you do, be sure to ask them to top it with their marshmallow fluff, which they then torch to toasty perfection — all reminiscent of childhood, summer, and camping.

For a handcrafted dessert, cross the street to Penny Ice Creamery (913 Cedar St.), where lines often are out the door. And, oh yes, there are blocks and blocks of shops: Artisans Gallery (1368 Pacific Ave.), O’Neill Surf Shop (110 Cooper St., at Pacific Avenue), Sockshop & Shoe Co. (amazing deals on outdoor sale days, 1515 Pacific Ave.) and Chefworks (1527 Pacific Ave.) are some of the most interesting.

Indeed, you’ll find everything here from O’Mei’s (2316 Mission St.) Cui Pi Orange Beef to Gabriella Cafe’s (910 Cedar St.) risotto with chanterelles to the kaleidoscope of Picnic Basket’s (125 Beach St.) sandwich options and Penny Ice Creamery’s (two locations downtown and a third in Pleasure Point) famous myriad of flavors. Here’s a sampling of the best spots to check out next time you’re in town.

913 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060820 41st Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 Penny Ice Creamery Website. “The Penny Ice Creamery is the only ice cream shop in Santa Cruz making delicious ice cream completely from scratch in house. Our flavors change with the seasons, and feature locally farmed and organic ingredients.” The Penny uses “100% organic dairy, organic unrefined cane sugar, organic egg yolks.

This is one of the few spots in the Bay Area that makes its ice cream completely from scratch using an on-site pasteurizer at its downtown shop. Lines on the weekends are often out the door to sample seasonal flavors like Earl Grey or Whiskey Custard topped with the creamery’s signature toasted marshmallow fluff. The chocolate sorbet has an international following, said owner Kendra Baker.

The Penny Ice Creamery is the only ice cream shop in Santa Cruz making small batches of unique flavors ice cream daily. There are 3 different locations around town but expect all of them to have a line at almost all hours of the day (on weekends especially). They have flavors like Brown Butter Spiced Pecan, Burnt Cinnamon, Blackberry Buttermilk, and our favorite, Honey Yogurt Nectarine.

This popular-from-day-one institution produces ice cream made completely from scratch. True-tasting flavors like Honey Ginger Apricot and Meyer Lemon Sorbet change with the season and feature the region's food producers. There are two locations, but we love the stylish bolt-hole in Pleasure Point, a neighborhood with a SoCal surf town vibe.

The Penny Ice Creamery is a must-visit destination for any ice cream lover. This local gem has been winning awards and raving reviews ever since it first opened back in 2009. With its innovative flavors, fresh ingredients, and fun atmosphere, it is no wonder that the Penny Ice Creamery has become such a hit with visitors and locals alike.

No visit to Santa Cruz would be complete without a stop at the creamery. They are open late and have a lot of crazy flavors like wine and cinnamon. The best part about it is the marshmallow fluff which is marshmallow creme that they take a torch to, and it creates a s’more like top to your ice cream, how can that be bad right??

I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you they make the best ice cream around and this is no small thing. The closest comparison would be Humphry Slocumbe in San Francisco but Penny Ice is my current choice for best ice cream in or near the Bay Area. It’s a good thing they are in Santa Cruz, not just down the street.

Using locally farmed and organic ingredients such as 100% organic dairy, unrefined cane sugar, and egg yolks, they make their ice cream from scratch. Enjoy delicious ice cream with flavors that change with the seasons. The ice cream has been described as being worth every penny and a must try when in Santa Cruz.

For some old-fashioned frozen fun, you’re not going to want to miss the best organic ice cream you’ll ever experience at The Penny Ice Creamery with two locations in Santa Cruz, one in the downtown area. They use Thomas Jefferson’s original recipe to make their vanilla ice cream. How’s that for old-fashioned?

Penny Ice Creamery uses locally sourced and organic ingredients and is the only ice cream shop in Santa Cruz that makes tasty ice cream in-house from scratch. They have exciting ice cream flavors that change depending on the season. The roasted marshmallow fluff topping is a favorite among their customers.

Outside the west side neighborhood, one more eatery–retail space that should be mentioned is the Penny Ice Creamery. It’s another all-star. Founder Kendra is a pastry chef from Bar Tartine and Manresa, which is a three-Michelin-star place — and she just happened to open an ice-creamery in Santa Cruz.

The Penny Ice Creamery is the best ice cream joint in Santa Cruz, California. If you wish to taste a yummy California ice cream, you should add a visit here to your list of places to visit in Santa Cruz. Penny Ice Creamery has two locations in Santa Cruz; one of them is in the downtown area.

A trip to Santa Cruz isn't complete without a visit to the Penny Ice Creamery. This locally loved ice cream shop stays open late, providing the perfect end to a day of sightseeing. All their ice creams are handmade from scratch, with fresh ingredients sourced from Santa Cruz County.

The Hangar: One of the newest additions to Scotts Valley, the Hangar is home to a Penny Ice Creamery, Faultline Brewing Company and Home by Zinnia’s boutique. There’s a proposal to open a gym in the space, too. The large retail space has the potential to be a local hangout.

Penny Ice Creamery is the go-to spot for ice cream in Santa Cruz. The ice cream is made from scratch, and the ingredients are sourced from local farms nearby. Penny’s has all the classic flavors and features new and exciting flavors each season.

The shop’s flavors change according to the seasons and the ingredients that are available locally, so you can expect unique offerings like Bourbon Persimmon, Gonzo Grape, Black Tea Plum, Apricot Shortbread, and Fresh Mint Chip.

Serving ice cream flavors like Verve Coffee with chocolate almond praline and spiced pumpkin, do I need to say more?. All ice cream is made from scratch in-house and folks love Instagramming their “marshmallow fluff” cones.

Indulge in the nostalgic charm of this beloved ice cream parlor. The Penny Ice Creamery has been serving up homemade scoops since 1948, using local ingredients and unique flavors that keep customers coming back for more.

Penny’s combines fresh organic ingredients into naturally delicious flavor specialties to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. Penny Ice Creamery is a local favorite. Be sure to top your cone or bowl with roasted marshmallow.

If you enjoy good quality ice cream, head to the Penny Ice Creamery. This is the only ice cream in Santa Cruz made completely from scratch using organic locally sourced ingredients. A true from-farm-to-table ice cream.

The Penny Ice Creamery – Situated at 913 Cedar Street, The Penny Ice Creamery features a hidden bar area with a speakeasy-inspired decor. It offers a range of unique cocktails and a relaxed, intimate setting.

The lady was very helpful with my Gluten Allergy and was great with helping keep me safe . Shoutout to her i really appreciated that. They didn’t have many flavors and the ones we did get weren’t delicious.

I’m sure you’re wondering why an ice cream parlor made the list of top things to do in Santa Cruz. Well, that’s because The Penny is something of a landmark and an institution, all rolled up in one.

Also check out: The inspiration for Verve’s whiskey latte, The Penny Ice Creamery, and their whiskey custard ice cream. We didn’t make it in to try the ice cream, but it’s on the list for next trip.

Started here in Santa Cruz on the hottest day of the year in 2010. All of their ice cream is still made here in town, from scratch using only organic ingredients grown by local farmers they know.

As we savor parsnip and nutmeg ice cream, we learn from co-owner Zachary Davis that the creamery makes all its ice cream from scratch, from the pasteurization process to the finished product.

Some folks might want to add in Penny but, they're much better at just actual ice cream, I'd found. Betty's has some fun combos and lets you add booze if you're interested in that too!

Marshmallow fluff is toasted by a blow torch at the Penny Ice Creamery. Laura Morton/Special to the Chronicle. The array of ce cream and sorbets at the Penny Ice Creamery.

**Multiple locationswww.thepennyicecreamery.comOkay, not Paleo!. But, the best ice cream I’ve ever had. It is not grass-fed, as far as I know, but it is organic.

And while you’re strolling downtown Santa Cruz, stop by for some homemade ice cream from Penny Ice Creamery. Try our kid’s favorite flavor, cookies n cream!

- Rating: 4.2/5 (353 reviews)- Price level: $- Address: 820 41st Ave. Santa Cruz, California - Categories: ice cream & frozen yogurt- Read more on Yelp

They also serve all the daily flavors of our favorite ice cream, from Penny Creamery!. (see more below, under Downtown)

For a handcrafted dessert, cross the street to Penny Ice Creamery (913 Cedar St.), where lines often are out the door.