Santa Barbara Family Guide: Best Ice Cream Shops for Kids
Welcome to our latest blog series, where we showcase the best things to do with kids in Santa Barbara! As locals with children, nieces, and nephews, we know that our coastal town is a haven for family-friendly activities. Whether you live here or are just visiting, Santa Barbara offers a plethora of attractions for kids of all ages.
This week, we're highlighting something every kid loves—ice cream! Below, we spotlight our favorite local ice cream shops that your kids are sure to adore.
All the ice cream shops we feature provide excellent dairy and vegan options, so kids with any dietary restrictions can enjoy a tasty treat!
Rori’s Artisanal Creamery
Though they now boast multiple locations in SoCal, Rori’s Artisanal Creamery got its start right here in Santa Barbara at the Montecito Country Mart. Rori’s offers an array of tasty flavors and toppings, all using fresh and local ingredients to ensure their ice cream is of the highest quality. They even provide a special Kid’s Menu, where kids can get a scoop of their favorite ice cream with any two toppings and sauces at a discount! You can find Rori's in Montecito, Santa Barbara, and Carpinteria.
McConnell's Fine Ice Creams
A Santa Barbara staple since 1949, McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams is renowned for its made-from-scratch ice cream crafted with the finest ingredients. They now have scoop shops in multiple locations throughout SoCal and even sell pints of ice cream in grocery stores across the country! Alongside their delicious ice cream, they offer house-baked cookies for a sweet alternative. Visit McConnell’s in Downtown Santa Barbara and the Funk Zone for a classic treat.
Creaminal at Your Choice Restaurant
Creaminal, operated within the local Thai restaurant Your Choice, offers a unique and delectable ice cream experience. They feature unique flavors like Thai Tea Orea, and classics such as their homemade Vanilla. We recommend stopping by No Sad Sundaes, Creaminal's weekly Saturday ice cream social, where you can enjoy specially crafted sundaes from a rotating menu. For more information, check out our interview with Creaminal owner and founder, Piti Sukavivatanachai.
Stay tuned for more family-friendly activities and recommendations in our blog series. Until then, happy ice cream hunting!
