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Ice Cream Review: Halo Top Scoop Shop in Los Angeles, CA - Best soft serve!
Love ice cream? Hate dieting? Halo Top’s got you covered - a lower calorie treat yet creamy and full of surprises. They’ve permanently closed most Halo Top Scoop Shop locations but one is still open in the Grove, where you must try their fabulous soft serve ice cream! Read all about it in my review! #icecream #whatdiet #losangeles
Halo Top Scoop Shop
LA Location: The Grove, 189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036 - all other locations have been permanently closed! :(
Website: https://www.halotopscoopshop.com/
Pricing: Generous soft-serve portion for a great price - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 for their soft-serve but 3/5 for their ice cream)
Take-out: Take-out only - enjoy on the grass near the fountain!
Dietary Restrictions: Dairy Free Options Available and Guilt-Free Options!
Hot pink ice cream cone with Halo Top’s Peaches and Cream Soft Serve!
I love ice cream but I hate dieting! I was thrilled when I discovered Halo Top at my local Ralphs, finally, a low-calorie ice cream that is delicious! I love everything about this brand, their marketing, flavors, and was so excited to hear the news that an ice cream scoop shop was opening near me!
2020 UPDATE: A lot of the scoop shop locations have closed but The Grove is open with the same options as my visit to Century City! The Grove location is right in front of Nordstroms where Haagen Dazs used to be. It’s best to grab a soft serve cone and enjoy it near the fountain!
Don’t forget to check out our complete list of Best Ice Cream Scoop Shops in Los Angeles
Halo Top Scoop Shop - Century City - PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Halo Top Scoop Shop Menu Flavors
If I buy the pint, I’ll want to eat the whole thing! Here you can get not only your favorite pint flavors but also incredible soft serve options! Since I can get a pint anytime at my local Ralphs, I wanted to try something different so I went for the soft serve. I tried all three soft serve options - Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, and Peaches & Cream. All were tasty, but the peaches and cream flavor was perfect for the warm summer day!
There were so many different options from 4 different kinds of cones to ice cream sandwiches and ICE CREAM TACOS! Also, the cones came in the best colors - pink and a bluish turquoise!
Halo Top Scoop Shop Menu
Halo Top Ice Cream Scoop Shop
Halo Top Scoop Shop Menu
It was also chock full of topping options to add to your delectable treats.
Toppings bar at Halo Top
I was debating on what my base should be, and when I heard they had pink ice cream cones, I knew it was a must (and it matched my nails!).
YUM! If you get the chance, grab a cone or a taco and always add sprinkles on top!
Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.
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MORE LOS ANGELES POSTS:
Ice Cream Scoop Shop Review: Little Damage and the little black cone | Downtown Los Angeles
Little Damage is located in Downtown Los Angeles and is known for its iconic charcoal black waffle cone! Ice cream flavors are made in small batches with local ingredients from organic dairy farms. Vegan options are available. See our full review of this Instagrammable LA ice cream scoop shop! Grab this gothic cone in DTLA!
Ice Cream Scoop Shop Review: Little Damage
Location: Downtown LA - 700 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Website: littledamage.com
Pricing: Generous soft-serve portion for a great price (one free topping included -⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars for that)
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 creamy soft-serve)
Dietary Restrictions: Vegan option always available
Take-out: Local delivery service available
I had been wanting to visit Little Damage for a long time and always saw on social media how the line went out the door and wrapped around the corner. I waited until winter to finally check it out and it was definitely worth the hype!
Little Damage counter and menu with a list of their flavors!
ABOUT LITTLE DAMAGE
Little Damage is known for its devilish, black charcoal waffle cone. It gives a unique look against contrasting colorful soft serve or bright sprinkles. Flavors often rotate as they make their ice cream in small batches with local ingredients from organic dairy farms and zero preservatives.
Little Damage Ice Cream Quote - “I licked it, so it’s mine!”
LITTLE DAMAGE ICE CREAM QUOTES
The shop is small but has cute neon signs with fun sayings like:
“I licked it, so it’s mine”
“Cute but psycho, but cute”
“I like love you”
Are you singing the “Cute but Psycho” song too?
Little Damage neon sign quote - Cute but psycho, but cute
HOW IT TO ORDER AT LITTLE DAMAGE
I mean it’s not complicated but here we go: there are a handful of flavors listed on the wall, pick one of those plus a free topping from the selection of topping jars on the counter!
Kiki n Cream was blue! Tasty with crumbled Oreos on top!
LITTLE DAMAGE IS SOCIAL MEDIA FRIENDLY
This place is an Instagram dream! So many great spots for social media pics from neon signs to spots on the side walk out in front! They even have a FREE photo booth in the back to entice you to take pics with your ice cream and post to social media!
Cute outline for Instagram pictures of gothic ice cream in front of Little Damage
In conclusion (because that’s how you end a good blog post, right?) if I’m in DTLA, I’d stop here again for a gothic black ice cream cone!
Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.
If you liked this post please share it on your favorite social media site using the Share button below because we’d love to get the word out! Feel free to pin this to your favorite Pinterest board:
Ice Cream Review: Little Damage Ice Cream DTLA
More Ice Cream Related Posts:
20 Best Ice Cream Scoop Shops in Los Angeles - Ranked and Map Included!
Happy National Ice Cream Month! We’re starting off the celebration with the best ice cream scoop shops (ranked) in Los Angeles! Since LA is so big, I’ve even provided a Google map of Southern California from the SFV to Hollywood to Silver Lake to Beverly Hills to Santa Monica, so you can see what’s in your area! Looking for Vegan or Dairy-free ice cream options? They’re in there too!
20 Best Ice Cream Scoop Shops open and delivery options in LA (with map)!
It’s that time of year again! July is National Ice Cream Month and I’m here to celebrate despite the state of the world at the moment! Ice cream is my happy place and I think we all need a little happiness these days!
NATIONAL ICE CREAM DAY is JULY 19, 2020!
See our post on where to find FREE scoops and deals: National Ice Cream Day 2020
I’ve ranked my favorite shops (best to last), and have even included a map for you to access anytime, anywhere in LA! I’m also adding in where you can get pints to go, as it is still very important to wear masks and social distance. Find the “best ice cream places open near me” by using the map below!
Looking for vegan and dairy-free ice cream options? I have those too! Now let’s get scoopin’!
Strawberry Rhubarb and Blood Orange
GINGER’S DIVINE ICE CREAMS
Location: West LA - 12550 W. Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Website: gingersicecream.com
Pricing: Great value for amazing homemade ice cream
Dietary Restrictions: Vegan ice cream options available
Take-out: Homemade cookies, pops, brownies, and pints to go are also available here as well!
I discovered the best-kept secret on the Westside called Ginger's Divine Ice Creams! Ginger herself creates all ice creams and is often found at farmer’s markets in the area for the best local ingredients that are California homegrown. So many fresh flavors such as Strawberry Rhubarb, Chocolate Covered Crack, Oaxaca Habanero, "The Dude" White Russian, Unicorn Cotton Candy, it’s hard to choose and you’ll want to return again and again! Her flavors are inventive and different from other scoop shops, see her latest mashups here: Gingers Divine Ice Cream Flavors.
I’m gonna call it the Best Ice Cream in Los Angeles and my favorite ice cream in LA!
See the full review here: Ice Cream Review: Ginger’s Divine Ice Creams
Rainbow Buttermilk on top of Cream Puff
JENI’S ICE CREAMS
LA Locations: Santa Monica, Larchmont, Calabasas, Los Feliz (see more on their site)
Website: jenis.com
Pricing: Great value for artisan ice cream flavors ($6 for a split scoop)
Dietary Restrictions: Vegan and dairy-free ice cream options available
Take-out: Pints are available to go or you can order online! NEW: You can even find some flavors in select stores!
Jeni’s flavors are out of this world! A true artisan ice cream confectionary that started in Ohio and has made its way to California! So many flavors to choose from including Blackout Chocolate Cake, Boston Cream Pie, Cream Puff, Frozé, Coffee with Cream and Sugar, and Salted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Flecks… literally, try them all!
New flavors are featured each month (Jeni’s Ice Cream Flavors) and get this, you can even have an ice cream subscription and have ice cream delivered to your house monthly! Happy to help you eat them.
SALT AND STRAW
LA Locations: Downtown LA, Mid-city (Beverly near Fairfax), WeHo, Studio City, Venice
Website: saltandstraw.com
Pricing: On the higher side, but the ingredients are more complex
Dietary Restrictions: Vegan ice cream options available
Take-out: Pints are available to go or you can order online
I LOVE Salt and Straw! So many interesting Classic Los Angeles Flavors including Roasted Strawberry & Toasted White Chocolate, Honey Lavender, Almond Brittle with Salted Ganache, Black Olive Brittle & Goat Cheese, Freckled Mint TCHO-colate Chip, and Dandelion Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies & Cream).
They also offer about 6 new rotating flavors every month! Don’t forget to come back for their Thanksgiving series in November - try the mashed potatoes with gravy or the stuffing! Weird but good!
Sloan’s Ice Cream with snowcaps!
Sloan’s Ice Cream
LA Locations: Santa Monica and Woodland Hills
Website: sloansicecream.com
Pricing: Moderate price for a scoop and topping!
Dietary Restrictions: Vegan ice cream options available
Take-out: Try UberEats, Postmates, Doordash!
SLOAN’S IS GOALS! This place is pink, pretty, and has all the goodies! Not only do they have tons of different flavors of ice cream like Almond Joy, Mom’s Apple Pie, and Chocolate Cookie Cheesecake, but they have baked goods, chocolates, and candy too!
Bring some friends, and I dare you to eat TRACY’S KITCHEN SINK - ultimate sundae with everything including the kitchen sink – 18 scoops of ice cream, all of the deluxe toppings, 4 cookies, 4 brownies, gobs of whipped cream & cherries – all served in a real sink! Best ice cream in Santa Monica!
SWEET ROSE CREAMERY
Locations: Mid-city (Beverly near Fairfax), Brentwood, Palisades, Santa Monica
Pricing: The sundae is the best bang for your buck
Dietary Restrictions: Dairy-free ice cream options available
Take-out: Pints and ice cream cakes are available to go!
I’ve loved Sweet Rose Creamery for a long time! Not only do they make their own ice cream in house, they make all their cones and toppings as well! Favorites include: Peanut Butter Fudge, Fresh Mint Chip (so fresh and made from mint extract - also, it’s not green!), Toasted Coconut. Check out their current flavors here: Sweet Rose Creamery Flavors
Ice cream pints, homemade toppings, ice cream cakes, party packs and other frozen treats can be delivered straight to your door through Postmates, Uber Eats, Grubhub, Doordash and Caviar!
Frozen Rose
WANDERLUST CREAMERY
Locations: Tarzana, Atwater Village, Venice
Website: Wanderlust Creamery
Pricing: Great value for your ice cream!
Dietary Restrictions: Vegan ice cream options available
Take-out: Pints are available to go
Wanderlust Creamery is literally my dream ice cream shop, combining my favorite things, ice cream and travel! Their motto is A DESTINATION IN EVERY SCOOP and flavors are amazing concoctions using ingredients from around the world. To give you a taste, you can try flavors like Vegan Sticky Rice Mango inspired by Thailand, Abuelita Malted Crunch inspired by LA, Japanese Neapolitan, Violet Marshmallow inspired by France. Don’t miss out on their Ube cone (made from yams, another weird but good combo) and their monthly flavors: Wanderlust Creamery Monthly Flavors.
Don’t miss them at Smorgasburg LA over the weekends in Downtown LA (when they resume after social distance rules have lifted). Hopefully, they come back this summer in time for Ice Cream Alley!
MAGPIES
Locations: Silver Lake and Tarzana
Website: magpiessoftserve.com
Pricing: A cone with a topping is decently priced!
Dietary Restrictions: Vegan soft serve options available
Take-out: Soft serve in a cup or pints, pies and more! Use Postmates or UberEats!
The owners of Magpies went to a Dairy Queen one day and came up with the idea to make a chef-y soft serve. They hit the nail on the head! Instead of chocolate or vanilla, you can get exquisite flavors such as Malted Milk Chocolate, Sweet Cream, Corn Almond (Vegan - Almond Milk), Brown Sugar Vanilla (Vegan - Oat Milk), Blueberry Pie (Vegan - Oat Milk), or Apple Pie! They even make soft serve pies which were perfect for birthdays at work! All toppings are made in house, including Butterscotch Rice Krispies, Chocolate Covered Honeycomb (Vegan), Brownie Bites (Vegan), and Graham Cracker Streusel - to name a few!
Brown Sugar Vanilla Bean & Fresh Mint CHip
CARMELA ICE CREAM
Locations: Mid-city and Pasadena
Website: carmelaicecream.com
Pricing: Get a split scoop in a bowl for your best value. The cones are really good too.
Dietary Restrictions: Vegan ice cream options available
Take-out: Pints, Quarts, and ice cream sandwiches - Uber Eats and Doordash!
This shop is classy, pretty, and feels like an ice cream parlor. They make all their own flavors (favorites include Brown Sugar Vanilla Bean, Intelligentsia Espresso, Salted Caramel, White Peach Vanilla Bean), and you can smell the fresh waffle cones once you step in the door! See their seasonal flavors here: Carmela Flavors
Get a cone, an ice cream sandwich, or try their delicious coffee, something for everyone! You can even take an ice cream class and make your own ice cream!
Wild Berry Chocolate Crisp and Malted Milk English Toffee
RORI’S ARTISANAL CREAMERY
Locations: Santa Monica, Century City, Long Beach (and up the coast)
Website: rorisartisanalcreamery.com
Pricing: Get a split scoop in a bowl for your best value. The cones are really good too.
Dietary Restrictions: Vegan ice cream options available
Take-out: Pints are available and you can find them in select grocery stores. See their website for more!
Rori’s originates here in California, freshly scooped from Carpinteria! Owner, Rori Trovato, makes all the ice cream, cookies, cones, and candy recipes, and try some of her great flavors like Biscoff, Black Pepper Pistachio, Fresh Mint Patty, Malted Milk English Toffee, Nutella, Peanut Butter Candy Swirl - mix a unique flavor with a classic flavor for the best combo!
Get shakes, floats, homemade cookies, brownies, What the Fudge bars and pints to go here too! They even cater parties, but you have to invite me if you hire them! ;-)
Peppermint Stick
VAN LEEUWEN ICE CREAM
Locations: Hollywood, Silverlake, Downtown LA, Culver City, and a Food Truck!
Website: vanleeuwenicecream.com
Pricing: More on the expensive side but really creamy exquisite ice cream.
Dietary Restrictions: LOTS of Vegan ice cream options available
Take-out: Pints can be delivered nationwide with Goldbelly or locally by delivery service (Doordash, UberEats, etc.)
I first tried Van Leeuwen ice cream in New York many moons ago! I was so excited when they first had a food truck and then shops started to pop up! I love their fun flavors which are pretty classic but mighty tasty: Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Cookies & Cream, Honeycomb, PB Marshmallow Crunch, Pistachio, and Salted Carmel to name a few. There are a lot of vegan options here! Seasonal flavors are also offered here, I love the Peppermint Stick during Winter, right now, keep up with their seasonal flavors here: Van Leeuwen Flavors.
MILK SHOP
Locations: Beverly and Silverlake
Beverly - 7290 BEVERLY BLVD., LOS ANGELES, CA 90036
Silverlake - 1639 SILVER LAKE BLVD., LOS ANGELES, CA 90026
Website: themilkshop.com
Pricing: Get an ice cream sandwich!
Take-out: See their website for their delivery menu which includes cookies, cakes, pints, scoops of ice cream, and ice cream sandwiches
All ice creams and sorbets are made from scratch in their kitchen in LA from locally sourced products! You have to try their ice cream sandwiches! See all the best combinations here: Ice Cream Sandwich Flavors
Best ice cream sandwich combo: Fruity Pebbles, Grasshopper (mint), and California Strawberry - YUM!
Coffee caramel and red velvet cupcake with sprinkles on top
LITTLE DAMAGE
Location: Downtown LA - 700 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Website: littledamage.com
Pricing: Great price for soft serve. Take a free picture in the photo booth!
Dietary Restrictions: Dairy-free ice cream options available
Take-out: take-out is available
This family-owned soft-serve ice cream shop is located in the heart of DTLA, known for its signature charcoal cones with an impressive rotating list of unique flavors. My favorite combo: Coffee caramel and red velvet cupcake with sprinkles on top. The cookies and cream flavor is really good too!
Their trendy ice cream is prepared daily in small batches, using local ingredients supplied by organic dairy farmers. The signature black ice cream cones are naturally colored with activated charcoal, and hand-rolled minutes before you get one.
See our full review here: LITTLE DAMAGE ICE CREAM REVIEW
McConnell’s Ice Cream - Silver Lake
McCONNELLS FINE ICE CREAMS
Locations: Downtown LA, Silver Lake, Studio City
Website: mcconnells.com
Pricing: Fair pricing for good flavors! I’ll get a pint now and again!
Dietary Restrictions: Dairy-free Ice Cream Options Available
Take-out: Pints are available for take-out and delivery. You can also find them in select grocery stores! See their site for more info! Join their Pint of the Month Club! You can get 3 of their best-flavored pints 3 months a year delivered right to your door!
McConnell’s has been serving creative fun flavors to LA since 1949! To this day, it is still family-owned, as the third generation is still scooping divine ice cream. So many great options here: Chocolate Covered Strawberry, Double Peanut Butter Chip, Salted Caramel Chip, Sprinkle Cake, Sea Salt Cream and Cookies, and my absolute favorite: Whiskey Pralines and Cream!
Supercool Creamery - Entertaining and delicious!
SUPERCOOL CREAMERY
Location: 4469 Sunset Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027 - CURRENTLY CLOSED!!!!!!!!
Website: supercoolcreamery.com
Dietary Restrictions: Dairy-free Options Available
Take-out: Use a local delivery service or they deliver certain items nationwide!
With a name like SuperCool, I wasn’t sure what to expect! I was pleasantly surprised when we walked in and the ice cream artists were dressed like performers and put on quite a show! With the magic of liquid nitrogen, the cream I chose turned into ice cream. They have great flavor options such as Key lime with dark rum, Coconut Chocolate Chip, Coffee Toffee, and Berry Sorbet (dairy-free). I loved every moment of my visit here! They also cater events and spike their ice cream! Keep these cool scoops in mind for your next party!
See our full review here: SUPERCOOL CREAMERY REVIEW
MANHATTAN BEACH CREAMERY
Location: 1120 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Website: mbcreamery.com
Pricing: Their Sundae has the best value!
Dietary Restrictions: Gluten Free Options Available
Take-out: Use a local delivery service or they deliver certain items nationwide!
Ice cream and ocean views? What could be better during summer in LA?! Check out why Manhattan Beach Creamery is one of the best places for ice cream in Los Angeles! Home of the artisan ice cream sandwich, the Cream'wich ice cream sandwich is a combination of artisan cookies from Katella Bakery, and their signature ice cream. Try the Super Sonic ice cream, a sweet cream taste, filled with lots of sprinkles!
See the full review here: Manhattan Beach Creamery
Manhattan Beach Creamery - Super Sonic Ice Cream
Cookie Monster Ice Cream Sandwiches
THE BAKED BEAR
Locations: Hermosa, Burbank, La Canada, USC
Website: BakedBear.com
Price and Value: Great price for 2 cookies and a LARGE scoop of ice cream!
Take-out: Have your sweets delivered from a local delivery service, and make sure you get a dozen cookies!
Love cookies and ice cream? Get the best ice cream sandwiches at the Baked Bear, made fresh to your favorite combination! See my favorite concoction and where to pick up one of these bad boys!
Read the full review here: The Baked Bear
MOTHERMOO CREAMERY
Location: Sierra Madre - 17 Kersting Ct, Sierra Madre, CA 91024
Website: mothermoo.com
Value: Great value for a scoop!
Dietary Restrictions: Dairy Free Ice Cream Options Available
Take-out: Get pies, cookies, cakes, ice cream, and more, delivered to your door (through Postmates). Or you can do a contactless pickup in the alley behind them - it’s not as shady as it sounds!
MotherMoo’s ice cream is made in-store as small-batch, homemade ice cream using locally sourced ingredients, many grown within miles from the scoop shop. Favorite flavors include Salty Chocolate, Dutch Apple Pie Crumble, Pretzel and Caramel, Peppermint Stick, Fresh Coffee, House-made Peppermint Patty. Most interesting flavors: Roasted Fig Leaf, Organic Celery, Fresh Basil, Orange Peel & Szechuan Pepper. See all flavors here: Mothermoo Flavors
Not only do they have phenomenal ice cream, but they also have cookies, pies, and cakes!
AFTERS ICE CREAM
Locations: All over Southern California - find one near you!
Website: aftersicecream.com
Menu: Afters Flavors
Value: Ice cream is priced a little higher than most shops (2 scoops for $6.50) however handcrafted ice cream usually is! They also have very pretty colored sprinkles! Worth every penny to me!
Take-out: Postmates delivers!
Afters is very trendy ice cream scoop shop with relatable quotes. Afters offers many unique flavors including Cookie Butter and Cookie Monster (it’s blue), also home of the Milky bun, which is a warm glazed bun (donut like) stuffed with ice cream! As they say, “Less talk, more ice cream!” My favorite location is the Venice creamery - ice cream on the beach, how cool is that?
Read the full review here: Afters Ice Cream
Thanks Give Me a Cookie and Graham Central Station
HANDEL’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM
Locations: Northridge, Long Beach
Website: handelsicecream.com
Value: SO MANY SCOOPS IN ONE CONE!
Take-out: Handel’s delivers ice cream anywhere (limited for now), but use Postmates for now!
Great options here - cones, pops, ice cream sandwiches, smoothies, and pints! They even have a Hurricane which is similar to a McFlurry, ice cream blended with mix-in candies!
Lots of fun flavors that differ from store to store and many seasonal options. Huge fan of their Graham Central Station and Thanksgiving flavors! Thanks Give Me a Cookie is basically ice cream with a ton of different kinds of cookies!
Dark Chocolate and Cookies & Cream
SAFFRON AND ROSE
Location: West LA - 1387 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Website: saffronroseicecream.com
Value: Great, a small comes with 2 scoops
Dietary Restrictions: Vegan Ice Cream Options
Take-out: Take out and contactless delivery available!
Saffron and Rose serve up Persian style ice cream in Westwood! It’s lower on my list because it has all of those weird flavors like lavender and rose... things that smell amazing but not fragrances I prefer in my ice cream. See all the florals, nutty, and chocolate flavors here: Saffron and Rose flavors
You get 2 scoops even for their smallest size, so I played it safe and went for the dark chocolate (that had brownie bites and walnuts in it) and cookies n cream! The guy at the register judged me for taking my picture and said “Nice picture” in a move out of the way tone. Judge away, I’m doing it for the gram, dude! Oh well, the ice cream was good, though!
CREAMISTRY
Locations: Downtown, Hollywood, Woodland Hills, Glendale
There are many locations throughout California, Arizona, Louisiana, and Texas. Find one near you: Creamistry Locations
Website/Menu: Creamistry Menu
Price/Value: I thought it was a little pricy but you get a pretty good-sized serving!
Dietary Restrictions: Non-dairy ice cream and Gluten-Free items
Creamistry ice cream makes you smarter! Well, you learn a little science lesson about liquid Nitrogen and how to make ice cream with it! Super creamy dense ice cream will fill you up and last a while! They have so many options, everyone will walk away happy!
See our full review here: Creamisty Ice Cream Review
GO FORTH AND ENJOY NATIONAL ICE CREAM MONTH! TRY ALL THE ICE CREAMS!
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Disneyland food you can't miss - where to find the best food and sweet treats!
Attention Disneyland Foodies! In this post, we’ll tell you all the places you must go to try Disneyland Resort’s best food and dessert options! Want a Mickey-shaped milkshake or sundae? Check-out where to go! Did someone say ice cream?
See our top Disneyland dessert picks!
Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlour
Two of my favorite things in the world make a perfect combo: Disneyland & ice cream!!! I am such a Disney nerd and have been to Disneyland (literally) hundreds of times since I was little. Josh and I have even ventured to Hong Kong Disneyland and Paris Disneyland. We still have Tokyo and Shanghai to visit!
We averaged going to Disneyland almost once a month for the past few years, checking out the treats the Food and Wine Festival offered in Spring, Summer specials, Halloweentime in the Fall, and Holiday specials during winter. I present to you my findings of delicious treats around the resort that you can find throughout the year and the seasonal specialties offered.
Note: Most seasonal treats come back each year, but not guaranteed.
Mickey’s Cookies and Cream 90 Sprinkle Milkshake
Schmoozies!
Location: California Adventure - Hollywood Land
Let’s start with my favorite, the Mickey shakes at Schmoozies in California Adventure’s Hollywood Land are not only super cute to look at, but they taste DELICIOUS too! The shakes change with the seasons and are typically made cookies and cream style.
PRO-TIP: Order on the Disneyland mobile app. We’ve waited over 30 mins on a crowded day!
The Churro Shake (Brown Sugar-Cinnamon Ice Cream, Cinnamon Churro Cereal, Whipped Topping and Churro Toffee) can also be found here for you churro lovers!
If you don’t want a milkshake and want a more “healthy” option, there are also smoothies including our favorites Mango Madness and Strawberry Banana Sensation!
Minnie Witch Shake at Schmoozies Halloween
Sorcerer Mickey Shake at Schmoozies
Santa Mickey Shake at Christmas at Schmoozies
Tropical Hideaway - Pineapple Raspberry Swirl
Tropical Hideaway
Location: Disneyland - Adventureland
Located directly behind the Tiki Room, the NEW Tropical Hideaway is open for ice cream business. Orange, Pineapple, or Raspberry are your options here.
Pro-tip: You can even add bacon bits as a topping, which is part of their Secret Menu!
You can even sit and watch the Jungle Cruisers come back from their journey.
Dole Whip Soft Serve
Pineapple Dole Whip Soft Serve
Location: Adventureland Entrance - Disneyland Park
So creamy and fruity, pineapple Dole Whip is the best soft serve around! Lines can be long for this sweet treat, but it is worth it. Makes me want to sing “in the tiki tiki tiki room…”
Pro-Tip: You can order via the Disneyland Mobile app! GENIUS!
Funnel Cake Fries - Award Wieners
AWARD WIENERS
Location: California Adventure - Hollywood Land
Who doesn’t love a hot dog and fries? The key here is Funnel Cake Fries! From flavors like Apple Pie Fries (Coated with Cinnamon-Sugar, topped with Apple Pie Filling, Caramel Sauce, Whipped Cream, and Streusel) to standard funnel cake strips, the toppings are the game-changers.
Throughout the different seasons, toppings vary from Oogie Boogie themed with crushed Oreos and gummy worms at Halloween to cereal and condensed milk with whipped cream. No matter when you go, they’re always tasty!
The CrazyShake
Location: Black Tap Craft Burgers and Beers Restaurant - Downtown Disney
Black Tap is known for their amazing hamburgers and their CrazyShake milkshakes! Dine in or hop in their shake window line to grab one to go!
I would enlist help taking these shakes down because yes, that is an ice cream sandwich hanging off the side of the shake in the picture (in case you were wondering)!
Pictured - The Cookie Shake: Vanilla cookie shake on steroids - vanilla frosted rim with cookie crumbles topped with a ‘cookiewich,’ crumbled cookies, chocolate chips, whipped cream & chocolate drizzle
Black Tap CrazyShake - The Cookie Shake Milkshake
Blue Milk - Galaxy’s Edge
Blue Milk
Location: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland
Do you remember the scene from Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi when Luke squeezes gross milk from the udder of a female Thala-siren (basically an alien sea cow) and gulps it? Yeah, it was disgusting. Anyhoo, Galaxy’s Edge is now serving a Blue Milk and a Green Milk from a machine… not a creature.
Blue Milk: Plant-based Dairy blend of Coconut and Rice Milk with alluring fruity characteristics.
Green Milk: Plant-based Dairy blend of Coconut and Rice Milk with zippy citrus and tropical characteristics.
The consistency is strange, it’s like a smoothie, or somewhere between a slushie and a milkshake! We preferred the Blue Milk, which had a sweet, dessert-like taste. The Green Milk tasted almost floral like as if it were lavender ice cream. These drinks are also one of the hottest commodities right now, so make sure you use the mobile order with the Disneyland app. It’s not worth waiting in line!
Batuu-bon found in Galaxy’s Edge
Batuu-bon
Location: Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo
If you’re traveling to a Galaxy Far Far Away… Batuu is the last stop before entering Wild Space. You must try the Batuu-bon, a decadent chocolate cake with white chocolate mousse and coffee custard. The green sponge-like cake tasted fruity and the coin was a piece of chocolate! You’ll need nourishment before your trip into space, light speed ahead!
Ghiradelli - Lands End Salted Caramel Brownie Sundae with Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream
Ghirardelli's Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop
Location: California Adventure - Wharf
The Ghirardelli headquarters can be found in San Francisco, but I'm not opposed to having some chocolatey goodness in California Adventure. This scoop shop is next to cars land, just as you are entering the wharf (where the food court is).
Their menu will have you drooling. With 10+ sundaes to choose from and 10 of shakes or ice cream scoop combos, you can customize to your tastebuds content.
Our faves:
Lands End Salted Caramel Brownie Sundae - Vanilla Ice Cream, a full-size Ghirardelli® Chocolate Brownie, Caramel Sauce, Sea Salt and handmade Hot Fudge topped with Whipped Cream, Caramel Sauce, Ghirardelli® Chocolate Sauce and a Cherry
Nob Hill Chill - a sundae you can sip (vanilla ice cream, fudge and chocolate chips on top)!
Clockwise from left: Cookie Bits Sundae, Nob Hill Chill, Ice cream cone
Ghirardelli Chocolate, Rocky Road and Cookie Dough cone
This rich, creamy ice cream his the spot! But make sure you eat it quickly! Don't let this happen to you!
Huge Chocolate Chip Cookies
Location: Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums on Pixar Pier at California Adventure
If you want a chocolate chip as big as your face, this is your place! Jack-Jack’s cookies are as super as he is! Choose from chocolate chip, shortbread and jam-filled, gluten-friendly cookies.
Pro-tip: Grab one of these to share with your friends and family while waiting for the Incredicoaster!
Jack-Jack and Edna on the Incredicoaster
Pink Strawberry Ice cream!
Clarabelle's Ice Cream
Location: Near Entrance of California Adventure
As you enter the park, Clarabelle's can be found at the end of the Buena Vista Street on your right (next to Starbucks). It isn't homemade but a nice selection of Dreyer's ice cream!
You can always get a chocolate-covered ice cream bar but at Christmastime, you can get a refreshing Peppermint Ice Cream Bar with your ice cream of choice!
Peppermint Ice Cream Bar from Clarabelle’s at Christmastime
At Halloweentime, they serve up a mean raspberry bat sundae, and by mean, I mean YUMMY! See more: Halloween Time at Disneyland
Peppermint Soft Serve - Cozy Cone Motel
Cozy Cone Motel Ice Cream
Location: California Adventure - Cars Land
You can always get vanilla or chocolate soft serve at the Ice Cream Cozy Cone (HUGE PORTIONS) but at Christmas time, you can get also get the peppermint soft serve topped with holiday sprinkles and a star! It’s as pretty as a Christmas tree and VERY MINTY.
Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats - Soft Serve
Location: California Adventure Boardwalk (Pixar Pier)
Formally known as the Paradise Pier Ice Cream stand, Pixar Pier took over and Abominable is serving up some sweet treats! Soft serve lemon flavored ice cream is the ticket here. You may have been warned not to eat yellow snow, but here, it’s perfectly acceptable. See the before and after:
Señor Buzz Churros
Location: Pixar Pier and Carts
Buzz whips up some good churros over on Pixar Pier! Churros taste better while at the parks for whatever reason! Pick up some cinnamon sugary goodness with Buzz or any other cart in the parks.
Pro-Tip: Grab a churro while you wait in line for Midway Mania! It’s the BEST ride in the park!
Buzz’s Churros - Pixar Pier
Cookies, Candies, and Sweet Confections
Locations: Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen on Main Street in Disneyland or Trolley Treats on Buena Vista Street in California Adventure
AP discounts offered
Fresh cookies and confections treats are made daily at the bakeries! Sink your teeth into a Cheshire Cat marshmallow tail or Mickey shaped candy apple. From cake pops to rice krispies, your sweet tooth will be more than satisfied.
If you go on the right day, maybe you’ll find a cookie that matches your manicure.
Ice Cream Cones and Sundaes
Location: Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street USA in Disneyland
AP discounts offered
Cones are made fresh daily and seasonal sprinkles along with select flavors of Dreyer's ice cream!
Our favorite is the Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae with cookie dough ice cream! Comes in a Mickey shape, OF COURSE!
Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches
Location: Ice Cream Carts
Grab a Mickey-shaped ice cream sandwich to cool down at various ice cream carts and restaurants around the park.
A classic that I have loved since I was a kid! The ice cream sandwiches are so frozen at first, it is so hard to be patient to wait for it to soften!
Artisan Ice Cream
Location: Salt and Straw in Downtown Disney
I love Salt and Straw and I’m excited one has opened in Downtown Disney. Originally from Portland, Oregon, Salt and Straw has the best handmade ice cream made with local ingredients. Every month they feature a handful of unique original flavors.
Experience World of Color from premium seats in Paradise Gardens Park!
After a day at the park, take a load off and enjoy some dessert with VIP waterfront views during World of Color! For $84 per guest (make sure you make reservations ahead of time - up to 60 days prior), make it a party and enjoy the following:
A sweet and savory selection of desserts and appetizers
Beverages
Paradise Gardens Park reserved seating in the World of Color preferred viewing area.
Sounds like the perfect way to end your magical day doesn’t it?!
I’m dying to get back to Disneyland now and craving sweets! Let me know if you get to try any of these!
Don’t forget these guys on your magical day:
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Behind the Scenes at Disney: Inside a Private Walt Disney Office
Come tour Walt Disney’s office set up just as he had it when he worked on the Walt Disney Studios lot from 1940-1966. Read all about the fun stories, famous Walt Disney quotes, and experience where magic once happened.
Updated January 24, 2026
Team Disney Building with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Insider Tour of Walt Disney's Restored Office Suite at Walt Disney Studios - Los Angeles, CA
Most Disney fans will never step foot inside this space — and I didn’t even know it existed until I was there.
Tucked away from the parks and crowds is a private Walt Disney office in Burbank, California. It’s filled with history, creativity, and details that feel frozen in time. This is a rare behind-the-scenes Disney experience few people ever get to see — and one I’ll never forget.
As a kid, my Mom would take us to the Disney lot to see Snow White’s Seven Dwarfs (that were 19 feet tall) hold up the now Team Disney building. Years later, who knew I’d be working for the company?! As an employee, I was selected in a lottery to tour Walt Disney’s office suite. Unlike other lots like Warner Bros, Universal, or Paramount, Walt Disney Studios doesn’t offer lot tours often, only D23 Members receive offers now and again. Well friends, I’ll give you the tour for free!
Who Will Love This Experience
Disney history fans
Creative professionals & designers
Disney adults who love behind-the-scenes stories
Anyone obsessed with rare, invite-only experiences
Hyperion Bungalow
What It’s Like to Experience a Private Disney Space
I thought I’d give you a tour of Walt Disney’s office set up just as he had it when he worked on the Disney Studios lot from 1940-1966. Disney’s first office was over at Hyperion Studios in Silverlake. The original home of the Disney Publicity and Comic Strip Departments was moved from Hyperion Studios to the Burbank lot and is now known as Hyperion Bungalow.
Walt’s office was in the top left corner - Suite 3H
Unique Disney History
After the success of Snow White, Disney was able to purchase the land in Burbank to build a new campus. Disney moved into Suite 3H in the Animation building until his death in 1966. There were a few occupants in the office including Roy Disney, and even television producer, Marc Cherry. The office was restored in 2016 and now looks just as if Disney had walked away for the day thanks to Disney Legend and archivist, David Smith, who carefully catalogued and documented every inch of the suite after Walt had passed.
Walt Disney’s Office Desk
What It Felt Like to Step Inside a Private Disney Space
Trophy Cabinet and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Oscar
When you enter the lobby and secretary area of Suite 3H, there is a trophy case including a replica of the Oscar for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This special Oscar was presented by Shirley Temple to Walt Disney and was a special statue made with the 7 little Oscars behind the main one! Walt Disney won 32 Academy Awards between 1931 and 1968, and still holds the record for most individual Academy Awards won (per Google). This replica was used in Saving Mr. Banks, the real Oscar is up on display at The Walt Disney Family Museum near San Francisco.
Walt Disney’s Secretary Desk
Walt had two secretaries to maintain his busy schedule!
Hidden Disney History Inside the Formal Office of Walt Disney
Walt Disney’s Formal Office Desk
Walt’s suite essentially had 2 offices, a formal office, and a working office (pics to come). This desk is part of his formal office which initially was his only office in 1940.
Here are 5 fun facts about his formal desk area:
MINIATURES - Walt loved to collect miniatures and had a collection from his travels as well as gifts from family and friends.
NORMAN ROCKWELL - Pictures of his daughters, Sharon and Diane, hang on the wall to complete his corner. Oh, and the pencil drawings were originals, drawn by Norman Rockwell. Most Dad’s have that in their office, right? Walt had his daughter’s shoes bronzed and made them into bookends.
GIANT BELL - The giant bell on his desk was presented to Walt by the United States Coast Guard, in recognition of a film Walt produced showing how icebreakers make their way through heavy Arctic icepacks. One day in the office, Walt’s secretary rang the bell to get his attention to remind him about lunchtime. He loved it so much, he asked her to do it every day at 12:30, so he would remember that it was time to go to lunch.
FURNITURE - Most of the furniture in the office was designed in a Streamline Moderne style by industrial designer and architect, Kem Weber. Disney loved the style so much, he made Weber the supervising designer of the original animation building, along with several of the original studio lot buildings.
CURTAINS - Those are the original curtains and blinds in the windows! What stories they could tell.
Walt Disney’s Piano
Many songwriters auditioned songs and score for features on this piano. Famous singers would also audition for Walt, accompanied by this piano. Disney songwriter Richard Sherman frequently played Walt’s favorite song from Mary Poppins (1964), “Feed the Birds,” on this 1914 Knabe grand piano. The piano was customized just for Walt by Kem Weber in 1940 to match the other Weber designed furniture.
The books on the shelves behind the piano were meticulously returned as Walt had them. Disney archive historians looked through many photographs to replicate the shelves as Walt once had them.
Guest seating and treasured trinkets
The birds in the cage were found on one of Disney’s travels and inspiration for audio-animatronics in Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted House. Do they remind you of the Enchanted Tiki Room? There’s a reason for that. ;-) There is also a Lady plush in the cubby under the table.
Panoramic View of Walt’s Formal Office
Inside Walt Disney’s Working Office: A Space Frozen in Time
Walt Disney’s Working Office Desk
Here are 5 Fun Facts about Walt’s working desk:
SCRIPTS - On the right side, it looks ordinary stacks of paperwork. Those are actually original scripts that Walt read and would take home in his briefcase that you can see on the right behind his desk.
BAMBI - Up in the corner, below what looks like a figurine of a head, there is a little Bambi miniature figurine that Walt Disney made himself!
PLANES - There is a model of a Grumman Gulfstream which was the type of plane Walt would fly over Central Florida in to view the property that would become the Walt Disney World Resort!
SPACE - The desk here was lower and larger than the formal office as it was often used to layout large blueprints.
BROTHERLY LOVE - The window on the right looked across to Roy O. Disney’s office. He wanted to keep a close eye on his brother.
Aerial View of Disneyland
Walt had an aerial view of Disneyland in his office. The red markers represented completed projects and yellow markers were in progress. The in-progress markers included a New Tomorrowland and It’s a Small World!
There was even a full kitchenette! Meals were made here using famous products like V-8 and Spam. There are also engraved personalized glasses with WED - Walter Elias Disney.
Walt Disney’s Working Office
Original Disney Animators Desks
Disney Animator Desk
Here is another Kem Weber furniture design specific for animators so they would be comfortable while working long hours.
Disney Animator Desk Drawer
Walt Disney and the Olympic Games
There was even an Olympic torch in the office! Why? For the 1960 Squaw Valley Winter Olympics, Walt Disney served as the Chairman of the Pageantry Committee.
Here are fun facts from WaltDisney.org:
As Chairman, Walt’s duties included staging the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, scheduling nightly entertainment for the athletes, providing decorations to enliven the valley, and taking care of a number of logistical details including parking concerns, security, and ticketing systems. He enlisted the help of a number of seasoned employees of WED, design and development of Disneyland, (and forerunner to Walt Disney Imagineering).
Veteran Disney artist John Hench designed the 1960 Winter Olympic torch. Though the design was modeled after the torches for the 1948 and 1956 Olympiads, Hench decided on a slightly smaller version that would be easier for torchbearers to carry. The earlier, taller models proved to be difficult to manipulate as they were top-heavy when filled with fuel. Hench also added black tape to the top part of the shaft to enable runners to pass the torch easily and ensure a stable grip.
Walt Disney Studios
And that’s our tour! For more fun Disney history, check out The Imagineering Story on Disney+! If you’re a die-hard Disney fan, you’ve probably already seen it!
5 Great Walt Disney Quotes:
“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.”
“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”
“Why worry? If you’ve done the best you can, worrying won’t make it any better.”
“That’s the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up. They forget.”
“A man should never neglect his family for business.”
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The Best Christmas Sweets, Ice Cream and Treats at the Disneyland Resort 2019
Merry Christmas Eve! See where to find the best Ice Cream and Sweet Treats at the Disneyland Resort. See the best finds at the Festival of Holidays 2019, only a few more days left, don’t miss out!
Merry Christmas Eve! Christmas is my FAVORITE time of the year, especially at Disneyland! Although this post is a little late, I imagine there are still many people going to Disneyland the next few weeks! Here’s a rundown of my favorite desserts at Disneyland during Christmas time!
Peppermint Mickey Shake at Schmoozies
Peppermint Mickey Shake
Found at Schmoozies in California Adventure
This adorable Peppermint Mickey Shake is made with Peppermint Chocolate Crème Cookie Shake, Whipped Topping, Christmas Accents, Chocolate Crème-filled Cookie Ears for only $7.99 (AP and Cast member discount available).
Peppermint Ice Cream Bar
Chocolate Peppermint Bar
Found in Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream Shop
Peppermint and chocolate is my favorite combo, I’m glad there are multiple options this year! Find the seasonal chocolate peppermint ice cream bar at Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream shop in California Adventure!
The Chocolate Peppermint Bar includes your choice of Ice Cream Bar dipped in Chocolate, drizzled in Peppermint Icing, topped with Crushed Peppermint $5.69
Peppermint Soft Serve
Peppermint Soft Serve
Found at the Cozy Cone Motel in California Adventure
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, how lovely are your sprinkles!!! This Christmasy peppermint soft serve can be found at the Cozy Cone Motel in California Adventure! It’s almost too minty (and I LOVE peppermint ice cream) so be prepared. Can be served in a cup or cone for only $5.49!
Cran-Blackberry Mimosa and a Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Macaron
Festive Cran-Blackberry Mimosa and a Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Macaron
Festival of Holidays - Making Spirits Bright Booth At California Adventure
We always enjoy the Festival of Holidays booths, this year seems to offer the best treats yet! I double fisted with a Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Macaron and a Cran-Blackberry Mimosa from the Making Spirits Bright booth.
Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Macaron (Gluten-Friendly) for $5.50 - The macaron was better than is looks! So soft and chocolatey with a marshmallow fluff to it.
Cran-Blackberry Mimosa for $15 - both festive and delicious! There was a flight option along with Apple and Pomegranate for $17
See the full menu here: Festival of Holidays Menu
Trolley Treats
Find these wintery sweet treats including themed Cake Pops, Caramel Apples, and Rice Krispie Treats. Something for everyone!
MERRY CHRISTMAS from us to you and may all your Christmases be sweet!
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Ice Cream Review: Afters Ice Cream - Colorful and Witty!
Afters is very trendy ice cream scoop shop with relatable quotes. Afters offers many unique flavors including Cookie Butter and Cookie Monster (it’s blue), also home of the Milky bun, which is a warm glazed bun (donut like) stuffed with ice cream! As they say, “Less talk, more ice cream!”
Cookie monster and Frozen Hot Cocoa Ice Cream Cone
Afters Ice Cream
Locations: All over Southern California find one near you!
Website: https://www.aftersicecream.com/
Menu: Afters Flavors
Value: Ice cream is priced a little higher than most shops (2 scoops for $6.50) however handcrafted ice cream usually is! They also have very pretty colored sprinkles! Worth every penny to me!
Afters Woodland Hills
Afters is very trendy, more of a Millennial ice cream spot with relatable quotes. I love the unique flavors offered and their descriptions of each. Also, they have special collaborations like their Rick and Morty flavors.
Afters Flavors and Menu
Afters Ice Cream Flavors
I tried most of the flavors and I think the employee serving me was definitely annoyed, but the scoop shop was empty!
Afters Ice Cream Menu
Also, Afters is home of the Milky bun, which is a warm glazed bun (donut like) stuffed with ice cream and whatever you want in it. See their Instagram for inspiration!
Afters ice cream flavors
After trying so many different kinds such as Cookie Butter (tastes like trader Joes), Peanut Butter Smores, Mint Monster (very minty) and Milk and Cereal, I finally made my selection… Cookie Monster (love a good cookies and cream, especially when its BLUE) and Frozen Hot Cocoa (it even had marshmallows in it)!
Cookie monster and Frozen Hot Cocoa Ice Cream Cone
I love their mottos and strongly stand by them:
I’d come again since they switch out their flavors now and again! Adding the Milky Bun to my list. As they say, "Less talk, more ice cream!"
Less Talk More Ice Cream
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Ice Cream Review: The Baked Bear - Dreamy Ice Cream Sandwiches
Love cookies and ice cream? Get the best ice cream sandwiches at The Baked Bear, made fresh to your favorite combination! See my favorite concoction and where to pick up one of these bad boys!
The Baked Bear
Locations: California, Arizona, Maryland, Oklahoma - find a Baked Bear near you!
Location visited for this post: Pacific Beach - 4516 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109
Website: BakedBear.com
Price and Value: Great price for 2 cookies and a LARGE scoop of ice cream!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 Ice cream and cookie combo is to die for)
Dietary Restrictions: Vegan/Gluten-Free option available
Take-out: Local delivery service available
Ice Cream Sandwiches with blue cookie monster ice cream
Cookies, brownies, and blue ice cream are the core elements of this establishment! The Baked Bear has over a dozen original-recipe cookies and ice cream flavors, so you can customize your favorite combo. They’ll even roll the cookie in toppings for the picture perfect Instagram post!
Entrance to The Baked Bear
The Baked Bear Menu
After a long drive from LA, we were on the hunt for some good ice cream. Baskin Robbins was an option, but we wanted something more unique than that. We came across The Baked Bear seeing that they had homemade ice cream… and cookies!
The Baked Bear Menu
How to Order
The cookies are made from scratch daily to make a custom ice cream sandwich! You can even pick two different cookies for your top and bottom. We ended up getting The Baked Bear Combo – M&M cookie (Josh got the peanut butter cookie), brownie, and bear batter ice cream (tastes like cake batter).
Custom Ice Cream Sandwich at the Baked Bear
You can also order cookies by the dozen. Another option to try next time is a DONUT ice cream sandwich! That's right, I said it, ice cream in the middle of a donut!
Cookie Monsters only sign! So cute!
I also liked that they had a convenient lot to park in (right in front of Urban Outfitters).
Will come back! 🍩🍩🍩🍩🍦🍦🍦🍦
This sign is so cute! Love the colors!
More ice cream, please!
Ice Cream Review: Smitten Ice Cream
Smitten Ice Cream has AMAZING ice cream made from scratch with organic milk and cream, blended with liquid nitrogen in their Brrr Machine right in front of you ! The chocolate chip cookie dough with pretzels is to die for! #icecream #losangeles
SMITTEN ICE CREAM
Locations: Across California
Website: Smittenicecream.com
Menu: Smitten Ice Cream Menu
Pricing: It’s a little more expensive, but you are getting quality ingredients!
Smitten Ice Cream and Sprinkles
Smitten Ice Cream can be found all over California. I recently visited the El Segundo location after I went shopping and needed a snack! - UPDATE 2020: The El Segundo Location is permanently closed! :(
Smitten Ice Cream
SMITTEN ICE CREAM MENU
Smitten ice cream is made with organic milk and cream... so it’s technically good for you! 😋 The cows producing said milk are living the good life in pasture-based family farms along Sonoma and Marin counties. They don't use any preservatives or artificial anything!
Smitten Ice Cream Menu
The chocolate chip cookie dough with pretzels is to die for! That perfect salty sweet combo! 🍓There is also a Strawberry buttermilk that is pretty superb, using strawberries from local SoCal farms!
The BRRR Machine at Smitten Ice Cream
Brrr Machine at Smitten Ice Cream
Everything is made from scratch and made it right in front of you blending it with liquid nitrogen in their Brrr Machine! The Brrr machine is patented with double helical mixers and mega-smart software for the sweet smooth taste and texture.
Founder Robyn Sue Fisher
As I research all ice cream places, I'm so impressed by the founders stories and their ice cream passion.
Robyn Sue Fisher is my hero! Her ice cream dream literally started as she sold ice cream on the streets of San Francisco. She was disappointed in the artificial selections of ice cream and longed to create a smooth, creamy, fresh, natural solution. While attending Stanford, she took a 2 quarter Startup Garage class giving student the opportunity to pursue their entrepreneurial ideas. After a physics professor made ice cream in class, an idea sparked and to the drawing board she went! After several years, she perfected the Brrr Machine and took it to the streets of San Francisco in a red Radio Flyer wagon. She opened the doors to her first store in 2011 and her ninth store in 2017.
I have so much respect for Robyn and her efforts of pursuing her ice cream dreams!
Ice Cream Art at Smitten
Cones at Smitten Ice Cream
All cones are made in house too, wafting that irresistible smell around the radius of the shop!
Smitten Ice Cream Cones
Smitten Ice Cream
They also have the nicest people that work there! What a treat! I'm a fan and will definitely return. Let me know if you're going! I'll join you! :-)
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Need another scoop?
Disneyland: Pixar Pier Rides & Attractions (Before and After Photos)
Where can you get a cookie as big as your face? Check out the makeover in California Adventure to the Pixar Pier! Get the latest on your favorite Pixar themed attractions including #ToyStory, Incredibles, and Inside Out. See the pier before and after photos! #disneyland
Pixar Pier Now Open!
Although Pixar Fest officially ends on Sept 3rd, 2018, the new Pixar Pier rides and attractions will remain in California Adventure! Here are some before and after photos:
PARADISE PIER - BEFORE
PIxar Pier After
PIXAR PIER - AFTER
To be honest, not much has changed, Disney just gave everything a bit of a Pixar face-lift!
PARADISE PIER ENTRANCE - BEFORE
PIXAR PIER ENTRANCE - AFTER
RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS ON PIXAR PIER
Best ride, hands up (see what I did there), is the Incredicoaster! If you haven't seen Incredibles 2 yet, I highly encourage watching it before you ride! Jack Jack is on the loose and using all of his new powers throughout the ride causing the family to team up and try to catch this newly super-powered baby.
What's changed? Not much. Same track just moves to the Incredibles theme song and you see the characters in the tunnels. I must say though, adding the red tunnels to the outside of the coaster has kinda made it look like the ride is under construction. I miss the clean look of California Screamin'.
CALIFORNIA SCREAMIN' ENTRANCE - BEFORE
INCREDICOASTER ENTRANCE - AFTER
CALIFORNIA SCREAMCAM - BEFORE
INCREDICOASTER SCREAM CAM - AFTER
CALIFORNIA SCREAMIN' FRONT ROW - BEFORE
INCREDICOASTER FRONT ROW - AFTER
What has really changed is the wait time... We've waited over an hour for the Incredicoaster (twice). That never happened with California Screamin'! BUT while you wait, you have to get a giant warm chocolate chip cookie from Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums!
This cookie is as big as my face!
They heat them up right there!
Thanks for the cookie, Jack jack!
Of all the things to take off the pier, I thought King Triton's Carousel actually fit when it was Paradise Pier with The Little Mermaid Ride and Ariel's Grotto it was a mermaid theme! I feel like they could have made this a Finding Nemo ride and they could have kept some of the underwater elements. No one consulted with me! Jessie’s Critter Carousel is NOW OPEN! Looked like a regular carousel with some Toy Story umph to it! Also, Jessie has a very harsh light on her.
Jessie’s Critter Carousel
Toy Story Mania is still there with a slight adjustment to the front. Basically, Fast Passes were added and changed the entrance around. I still haven't beat Josh at this yet, but I'm still reigning champ at Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters!
The boardwalk games are now Pixar themed. Maybe I'll actually play them! :)
FOOD ON PIXAR PIER
What was on Pixar Pier before it was Pixar Pier? I don't remember either. Nothing stood out on Paradise Pier but now its crystal clear what each food vendor is now serving.
PARADISE ICE CREAM ON PARADISE PIER - BEFORE
ADORABLE SNOWMAN FROSTED TREATS ON PIXAR PIER - AFTER
The line was ALWAYS long for Paradise Ice Cream during the summer but now it's just ridiculous. People were waiting an hour for the new lemon treats! Also, don't try and get ice cream 30 mins prior to closing. They close early and have no mercy.
Everyone loves Disneyland Churros! Pick one up at Senior Buzz Churros! Ole!
HOT DOG! GET YOUR HOT ANGRY DOG!
Turkey Legs are still being served... I still won't get one. Only because I have issues with eating meat on a bone! Josh calls me weird!
How cute is this Zurg?!:
PIXAR FEST - Summer 2018
Summer of 2017 the theme was Hero Up with the release of The Guardians of the Galaxy ride. Last summer, Pixar was the theme applying to a parade, fireworks show, specialty food and decorations, and the launch of Pixar Pier.
Cars land had a few decorations including Buzz and Woody decked out cars with this random girl (check out her Sully popcorn holder):
These posters are my absolute favorite! They are always so clever and make me laugh out loud!
Toy Story can always be found in the Paint the Night parade!
It was a fun summer, Pixar Fest! I wonder what summer 2019 will bring (besides Star Wars!)!
See our related post: Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort
Don’t forget to pack these guys
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Malibu Wines and Beer Garden in West Hills - Los Angeles, CA
Malibu Wines is one of my favorite wineries in Los Angeles! They recently opened a location in the San Fernando Valley and it is perfect for wine tasting! Things to do in Los Angeles.
Malibu Wines and Beer Garden
Address: 23130 Sherman Way, West Hills, CA 91307
Hours: Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. most nights, with an extension to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday
Website: https://www.malibuwines.com/malibu-wines-beer-garden/
I was ecstatic when I heard Malibu Wines was opening a tasting room in West Hills of the San Fernando Valley! I've been to their tasting room in Malibu and on the Wine Safari so I knew I would automatically like their new wine and beer garden.
Check out our related post: Malibu Wine Safari
The venue is a historic 1930's mission-styled mansion initially owned by 1930s-era actor Francis Lederer, and was declared a historic cultural monument in 1978. For years it has been utilized as an event space but is now licensed to serve beer and wine to the public. No reservations required!
Walking in, I was excited to see their signature WINE sign just like the one in Malibu.
The garden is full of tables and chairs with areas also to put down a blanket on the grass. Near the tasting area there are barrels with tops so that you can enjoy flights or a glass of vino. I found it so enchanting with all the lights hanging from the willow trees.
A band was setup on stage, playing live music all afternoon.
We had trouble finding a table so we posted up around one of the planters.
WINE AND BEER SELECTION
The Semler family own the garden and serve their signature Saddlerock Ranch brand as well as the Selmer branded wine from their vineyard set in the Santa Monica Mountains. Wine and beer are served as flights, by the bottle or by the glass.
Ales from local breweries such as 14 Cannons, Modern Times, Cellador Ales, and Five Threads Brewing are served on tap.
FOOD
Two Doughs food truck is located just off the entrance providing pizza and charcuterie plates for guests. They even have salads! Note they only serve Friday nights as well as all day Saturday & Sunday.
Cheers! Will definitely be back soon!
Here are our some of our favorite things:
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Need more California Wine? Try these posts:
Christmas in Los Angeles - Lights in the Venice Canals 2022 Update
Discover some of the best Christmas light displays in Los Angeles! Don’t miss the boat parade in the Venice Canals and see their annual competition of beautiful houses decorated with gorgeous presentations. Check out the houses, bridges, and boats involved! #losangeles #venice #christmaslights #california
California Christmas - Celebrate the holidays at the beach!
Venice Canals Holiday Boat Parade (December 3, 2022)
Another great way to enjoy Venice Canals Christmas lights is to attend its long-running and popular boat parade. It usually runs on the first Saturday of December. The Annual Venice Canals Holiday Boat Parade has been held since 1983. It starts at 3:30 pm at the intersection of Eastern and Carroll Canals. Watch the brightly decorated boats from one of the bridges or bring your own festive vessel and join the parade!
KICK OFF THE HOLIDAYS AT THE 11TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY LIGHTING OF THE VENICE SIGN ON DEC. 3RD This year’s sign lighting is presented by Fat Sal’s!
Saturday, Dec 3, 2022
6:15 – 10:00 p.m.
For all Dec. 3rd event details: VeniceChamber.net
Related: Marina del Rey, CA - Marina Lights Boat Parade December 10, 2022
On the second Saturday of December, join the Marina del Rey community for their most festive celebration of the year. The fun begins at noon with the family-friendly Burton Chace Park. At 5:55, fireworks precede the parade, which begins at 6 PM and runs until 8 PM. More info here.
We discovered a new area filled with Christmas cheer, the Venice Canals! I start my hour long commute most mornings through the Venice Canals and love watching the ducks and boats float in the water as I drive by. I noticed last year that a few houses looked decorated during the day, but never really saw them in all their glory lit up at night. After dinner one night, we decided to walk through the canals to check out the Christmas spirit and we were pleasantly surprised to find there is a light competition among the houses for the best in show!
Venice Canals CHristmas Lights
History of the Venice Canals (per Wikipedia)
The Venice Canal Historic District is a district in the Venice section of Los Angeles, California. The district is noteworthy for its man-made canals built in 1905 by developer Abbot Kinney as part of his Venice of America plan. Kinney sought to recreate the appearance and feel of Venice, Italy, in Southern California.
The canals are roughly bounded by Eastern Court on the east, Court A on the south, Strongs Drive on the west, and Court E on the north. There are four east-west canals (Carroll Canal, Linnie Canal, Howland Canal, and Sherman Canal) and two north-south canals (Eastern Canal and Grand Canal). The lit canals with gondoliers and arched bridges drew widespread publicity and helped sell lots in the development.
Celebrities such as Lenny Kravitz have lived in the Venice Canals.
Location & Parking for the Venice Canals
There is a parking lot located at the end of Venice Blvd (just before Pacific Ave). If you walk southwest you can enter on the walking paths on the sides of the canals off of Canal Street.
Venice Canals Association - Best Dressed Homes Contest
Apparently there is an annual contest among the homes in the neighborhood for “Best Dressed.” All the homes are very different in design, color and shape, and so are their holiday decorations. This house was the first place winner of 2018, second year in a row!
Venice Canals Christmas Lights
Yup, that was all on one house! My personal favorite was the house with the flags that matched the bridge with the Eiffel Tower:
Venice Canals Holiday Lights
Venice Canals Paris Eiffel Tower
We found the third place winner around the corner with a lovely bright display!
Venice Canals Christmas Lights
We fell in love with so many of these charming homes!
Bridges in the Venice Canals
Most of the bridges had a specific theme to them, Peace, Wish, Flags, all relating to the overall theme of “It’s a Small World” and “Peace on Earth.”
Boats with Christmas Decorations
There were a couple of the paddle boats decorated but I like the big boats in Marina Del Rey better!
Even the ducks decorated the boat! How cute! I’ve see the neighborhood library book exchanges where you take a book/leave a book but I’ve never seen it on a boat with a bench to enjoy your book on:
Venice Canals Book Exchange
There is also an annual Venice Canals Boat Parade, which had a theme this year of “It’s a Small World” see more here.
Other great places to go see Christmas displays in Los Angeles:
Descanso Garden’s Enchanted Forest of Light
We first went to this beautiful display 2 years ago and it has definitely become more popular! Waltz through the one-mile garden and enjoy the fabulous lights! 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. Tickets $30. See more in our post: 5 Reasons to Visit Descanso Gardens: Forest of Light
El Segundo Candy Cane Lane
Candy Cane Lane lights up on the second Saturday in December and has been known to have the flashiest neighborhood displays in SoCal. El Segundo police have been known to block off the street during prime times to create a safe, pedestrian-only viewing experience, and you may even spot Santa posing for photos with kids. East Acacia Avenue and California Street, El Segundo
Woodland Hills Candy Cane Lane
Going strong since 1952, the home-owners of this Woodland Hills neighborhood are known for going crazy with Christmas decor! I used to go every night during the holidays as a kid. Nowadays there can be tons of traffic as visitors are encouraged to drive slowly and safely through the area. Lubao Street and Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills
Or there is ALWAYS Disneyland! :)
Disneyland Christmas Castle Lights
Here are some more posts about Los Angeles:
July is national ice cream month and National Ice Cream Day is Sunday, July 20th, 2025! See where you can celebrate with FREE ice cream and deals at a scoop shop near you or even free delivery! We’ll update this post all month, so keep coming back! Find deals for national ice cream day at your favorite places like Baskin-Robbins, Dairy Queen, Jeni’s, and Coldstone! Hooray for Ice cream deals on National Ice Cream Day!