‘Tis the season for sun-drenched days and indulging in (all the) ice cream. From creamy classics served in a cup to innovative flavors piled high on homemade cones, here are the sweetest spots to beat the heat. 

Snook’s Chocolate Factory

Snook’s Chocolate Factory
731 Sutter Street, Folsom, 916-985-0620, snookscandies.com

This Folsom favorite has been a go-to since opening in 1963, when John and Jeannine Snook cooked their beloved peanut brittle on-site at the California State Fair. Today, the family-friendly business is known for serving handmade truffles, chocolate, and toffee with a smile, but come summertime, it’s their ice cream (courtesy of local favorite Gunther’s) that reigns supreme. From sundaes slathered in homemade hot fudge to real fruit freezes, there’s a cool treat for all. 

MUST-TRY: Grab a handmade waffle cone dipped in their signature couverture chocolate with a triple scoop of your favorite flavors (cherry on top not optional!) as you mosey around Historic Folsom.

Cia di Gelateria

Cia di Gelateria
2784 East Bidwell Street, Suite 100, Folsom, 916-817-1430, ciagelato.com

Enjoy a taste of Italy over at Cia, where all their gelato is made in-house with both locally sourced and real Italian ingredients. The beloved, family-owned shop sits in the heart of Folsom’s Broadstone Plaza and also serves scoops of refreshing sorbet and gelato popsicles in a rainbow of flavors, from midnight chocolate and cookie caramel to bacio and banana. 

MUST-TRY: For a taste of Thailand, order a two-scoop piccolo with sticky rice and mango gelato; the combo is uniquely summer and decidedly delicious.

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
1011 East Bidwell Street, Suite 123, Folsom, 916-597-2947; 1164 Galleria Boulevard, Suite 100, Roseville, 916-755-4256 handelsicecream.com

With over 130 flavors, Handel’s freshly made ice cream is the region’s hottest spot to cool down. Created in 1945 by Alice Handel using her garden-grown fruits, Handel’s continues to make batches of the sweet stuff every day using Alice’s original recipes. Aside from seasonally rotating flavors, they offer other fun menu items, too, like milkshakes, waffle bowls, ice cream sandwiches, Hurricanes, and Handel Pops.

MUST-TRY: All aboard the graham central station, a sweet, cinnamon-y graham ice cream swirled with graham cracker ripple and chocolate-covered crunchies.

Miabella Gelato

Miabella Gelato
1198 Roseville Parkway, Suite 140, Roseville, 916-415-7075, miabellagelato.com

Take a trip to Italy this summer—or just visit Miabella Gelato in Roseville, a family-owned and operated establishment that began when brother-sister duo Alan Vail and Brianna Vail-Smith wanted to preserve and celebrate their Italian heritage. After training and studying under “frozen dessert technologist” Luciano Ferrari, they mastered the craft and have sinced amassed much support and adoration from the community.

MUST-TRY: Indulge in a rich, creamy Italian favorite: salted caramel gelato.

T.W. Bonkers Toy & Candy Emporium

T.W. Bonkers Toy & Candy Emporium
398 Main Street, Placerville, 530-642-2671, bonkerstoystore.com

You’ll feel like a kid in a candy store as soon as you step foot into T.W. Bonkers. Part confectionary (serving classic candy, saltwater taffy, and locally made treats from Annabelle’s Chocolate Lounge and Le Grand Confectionary), part toy store (selling educational, entertaining, and contemporary toys and games), the nostalgic, hands-on shop also offers generous scoops of ice cream in every flavor under the sun. 

MUST-TRY: The light and aesthetically pleasing combo of green tea and strawberry ice cream is sure to bring a smile to kids’ and adults’ faces alike. 

Leatherby’s

Leatherby’s
2455 Iron Point Road, Folsom, 916-510-2373; 610 Twelve Bridges Drive, Lincoln, 916-209-3757, leatherbys.net

Leatherby’s was built on the premise that ice cream makes everyone happy. And they’re right! The family-owned business blossomed after its creation in the ’80s, thanks to Dave “Daddy Dave” Leatherby, and his wife Sally. With five successful restaurants in the region, the family creamery is beloved for their homemade, high-quality ice cream and commitment to serving the community.

MUST-TRY: After indulging in a delicious burger, order the famous, bigger-than-your face Rich’s Banana Split: freshly sliced banana piled high with creamy vanilla, rich chocolate, and strawberry ice cream, then smothered in chocolate fudge, strawberry, and pineapple sauces. 

by Bella Nolen 
Snooks photo by James Snooks. Handel’s photo courtesy of Handel’s. Miabella Gelato phtoo by Michael Cozzitorto. Leatherby’s and T.W. Bonkers photos by Jyo Bhamidipati ©stylereadersmedia.