By Michele E. Buttelman
National Ice Cream Day is celebrated this year on July 17. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. In 2022, National Ice Cream Day falls on Sunday, July 17.
While any time of the year is perfect for ice cream, there is something about hot weather and the joy of holding an ice cream cone in your hand.
The race to finish your cone before it melts and drips down your arm is a fond childhood memory for many.
The Santa Clarita Valley is fortunate to have a wide variety of ice cream, frozen yogurt and gelato locations including one of the few Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard stores west of the Mississippi.
Many of the national “name” ice cream stores are franchises run as family businesses by SCV locals.
Others are true start-ups that boast unique artisanal ice creams.
For National Ice Cream month, get adventurous and try something new.
From vanilla to honey lavender, there’s an ice cream flavor for everyone.
One of the most unique ice cream stores in the SCV is Pops Artisanal Creamery. For years residents have dreamed about an ice cream store locating to Main Street in Old Town Newhall.
That dream became a reality when Pops opened last year adjacent to the Laemmle Theater.
“It’s one of the reasons we opened in Santa Clarita,” said Damon Pratt, operating general manager of Pops. “We saw the Laemmle and said, ice cream and movies go hand in hand.”
Pratt’s brother, Marthin Ken, founded the small chain in San Fernando. It has now expanded to three locations, which include Van Nuys and Newhall.
Ken is a sixth-generation ice cream maker. His roots go back to Belize where his family owned a bodega called the Rainbow Saloon. Their signature flavors such as Kriol Sweet Corn (sugar corn) and Soursop are still made and sold at Pops. Family members in Corozal, Belize, currently run an ice cream shop called Vamps Homemade Ice Cream and their grandfather still makes ice cream in San Francisco.
Pops ice cream uses recipes that go back generations. All the ice cream is made in house in small batches at the Van Nuys location.
Pratt said the company plans to make its ice cream in Newhall in the future.
“We combine our family recipes and the diverse Los Angeles culture to create a wide range of flavors,” said Pratt. “Our recipes feature exotic fruits, traditional favorites and local farm-fresh ingredients. We wanted to create something modern and we offer vegan and nondairy flavors. We use coconut crème and oat crème.”
Pratt said guava cheese, inspired by the Porto’s pastry, is one of the most popular flavors at the store.
Pops offers 30 flavors daily of premium homemade ice cream, vegan sorbets and vegan ice cream.
Pratt said he enjoys being a part of a business that creates happiness.
“It is great to be able to share the flavors we had growing up in Belize in Central America,” he said.
As befitting National Ice Cream Month, Pops will celebrate the one-year anniversary of its Newhall location at the end of July.
Baskin-Robbins
26582 Bouquet Canyon Road,
Saugus, CA 91350
In Bouquet Center Shopping Center
Colorful ice cream parlor chain known for its many flavors plus sorbet and yogurt.
Baskin-Robbins
16544 Soledad Canyon Road,
Canyon Country, CA 91387
Baskin-Robbins
19221 Golden Valley Road
Canyon Country, CA 91387
Baskin-Robbins
23432 Lyons Ave.,
Newhall, CA 91321
Ben & Jerry’s
23630-D Valencia Blvd.,
Valencia, CA 91355
In Creekside Plaza.
Locally owned and operated.
C&A Cafe and Creamery
19375 Plum Canyon Road Suite C,
Saugus, CA 91350
Desserts, ice cream, frozen yogurt. Family-owned and operated.
Cold Stone Creamery
27071 McBean Parkway Ste 3B
Ice cream chain offering design-your-own creations hand-mixed on a granite slab.
Cold Stone Creamery
18740-A Soledad Canyon Road,
Canyon Country, CA 91351·
Dairy Queen
26541 Bouquet Canyon Road,
Saugus, CA 91350
Known for soft serve ice cream and its famous Blizzard treat. Summer Blizzard flavors for 2022 include: Oreo Dirt Pie, Caramel Fudge Cheesecake, Girl Scout Thin Mints, Cotton Candy, Drumstick with Peanuts, Very Cherry Chip.
La Michoacana Newhall
23762 Newhall Ave.
Newhall, CA 91321
Fruit-based ice cream, frozen yogurt, smoothies and fruit bars. Hand crafted, artisanal ice cream in unique flavors.
La Michoacana Premium de Newhall
23254 Lyons Ave.,
Newhall, CA 91321
Unique flavors of ice cream.
In Lyons Village.
La Michoacana Plus Santa Clarita
19351 Soledad Canyon Road,
Canyon Country, CA 91351
La Michoacana
20655 Soledad Canyon Road No. 43,
Canyon Country, CA 91351
OhBella Gelato and Crepe Cafe
18585 Soledad Canyon Road,
Canyon Country, CA 91351
Paradis Ice Cream Valencia
Westfield Valencia Town Center
24201 Valencia Blvd. #3428,
Valencia, CA 91355
Hand crafted organic ice cream with non-dairy options. Paradis came from Denmark to California in the fall of 2009.
Pops Artisanal Creamery
24480 Main St. Suite 130
Old Town Newhall, CA 91321
Small-batch artisanal ice cream and sorbets. Unique flavors. Also offers vegan and dairy-free options.
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard
26773 Bouquet Canyon Road,
Saugus, CA 91350
In Bouquet Seco Plaza,
Italian ices and frozen custards are the “must haves” at this family-owned and operated franchise.
Wafflecomb
26240 Bouquet Canyon Road,
Saugus, CA 91350
In Crossroads Center.
Family owned and operated.
Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt
27748 McBean Parkway,
Valencia, CA 91354
Family owned and operated.
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
28273 Newhall Ranch Road,
Valencia, CA 91355
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
26865 Sierra Highway,
Newhall, CA 91321
In Riverview Plaza Shopping Center.
Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt
24244 Lyons Ave.,
Newhall, CA 91321
Dole Whip. Ice cream. Frozen yogurt. Sorbet. Gelato. Fruit toppings. Nuts and dry toppings.
Yogurtland Valencia
24266 Valencia Blvd.,
Valencia, CA 91355
Ice cream and frozen yogurt. Vegan and gluten-free friendly.
