Summer is in full swing, and that means we’re all in search of the perfect ice cream spot to cool down! Whether you’re a waffle cone loyalist, a milkshake maven, or looking for some sweet flavors with an adult twist, Napa Valley has you covered.

Calistoga

Up north, at the tip of the valley, Calistoga has lots of great options for ice cream lovers. 

Calistoga Creamery offers an all-organic ice cream experience, with fresh waffle cones made homemade daily. They even have a gluten-free waffle cone option, just as delicious as the original, as well as several vegan options! If you find yourself up-valley, this iconic ice cream spot is a must. Stop by and pick up one of their ice cream selections, or try their frozen yogurt, a thick custom milkshake, or a root beer float.

For a midday pick-me-up, Cafe San Marco has everything you need. They offer great espresso and coffee options, as well as homemade pastries and an expansive ice cream selection.

St. Helena

Head a little further down the valley, and you’ll find Gott’s Roadside. It shares a menu with its Napa counterpart, but what really makes this location special (besides being the original) is its large, grassy yard in the back – perfect for kids to enjoy their ice cream cones, or for adults, too, to stroll in the shade and enjoy their frozen treats.

Caffe della Valle — This European-style café serves up what some call “the best gelato in Napa Valley.” You can decide for yourself after a perfect cup of espresso and a panini or flatbread pizza.

For a sweet, refreshing end to a wine tasting, look no further than V. Sattui Winery. Their house-made Gelato and Sorbetto is a delightfully luxurious dessert option. Offered daily in its own dedicated cooler inside the iconic winery Marketplace, featuring flavors of vanilla, pistachio, chocolate, strawberry, mango, melon, and Fior di Latte, which means “flavor of the milk.”

Gary’s Wine & Marketplace is a must-stop for those on the go. Check out their variety of smoothies, milkshakes, and gelato, for a sweet treat before you head out of St. Helena. They offer a plethora of fantastic flavors, including some dairy free options.

City of Napa

Oxbow Public Market is the perfect Downtown Napa spot to enjoy the sunshine and savor whatever sweet treats float your boat – like Live Fire Pizza’s root beer float! Live Fire serves ice cream from Lappert’s, perfect for ending a hot summer day.

Make the most of your Oxbow trip and check out Gott’s Roadside, too. They have three delightfully creamy and cool soft serve options: vanilla, Dutch chocolate, or for the indecisive type, a swirl of both. Their ice cream add-ons, for only $0.99 each, are all you need to take your cone to the next level, whether you’re a classic sprinkles kind of person, or after a butterscotch dip.

Lunch Box at Copia, located next door to Oxbow Public Market, is an ideal spot for a casual lunch. Pick up one of their conveniently portable bowls or sandwiches, and, of course, don’t forget dessert. They offer classic vanilla and chocolate soft serve, as well as some perfectly creamy floats: root beer, lemonade, and coffee. For espresso connoisseurs, try an affogato, which pairs their signature espresso with their handcrafted ice cream.

Anette's Chocolates in downtown Napa serves ice cream, artisan truffles, caramels, wine sauces, beer brittles and decadent specialties. Combine their toffee, marshmallow bits, caramel sauces, and mini chocolate chips for the best sundae ever.

And of course, for the classic ice cream experience, head over to Ben & Jerry’s in Downtown Napa. Locally owned, this shop gives you Ben & Jerry’s the way it was originally intended to be experienced – scooped fresh and enjoyed strolling a sunny downtown block.

Options are vast at Tarascas Paleteria, where they have everything from chocolate and vanilla to tequila and Mexican sponge cake. Yes, you heard us – tequila ice cream. All their flavors are made in-house and with love, so you don’t want to miss out on this hidden Napa Valley gem.

American Canyon

At the southern end of the valley, Cold Stone Creamery can be found. Known for mixing their ice cream with your choice of toppings on a granite stone (which is fun to watch), Cold Stone also has sorbets as well as almond milk ice cream options for those who prefer they’re ice cream dairy free.

Frosé All Day!

Ice cream isn’t just for kids! For the adults, these frozen treats with a boozy twist are the perfect refresher for a hot summer day in the valley.

Along with all their fantastic soft-serve and milkshake options, Gott’s Roadside serves frosé. The perfect blend of strawberry, citrus, and rose, your visit to Gott’s Roadside isn’t complete without one of these refreshing cocktails.

Right next door, Lunch Box at Copia is another fantastic option for frosé. Or, if frozen rosé isn’t your thing, try their spiked lemonade slush.

Oakville Grocery is a classic spot for picnic fare, lunch, breakfast, woodfired pizza, you name it. To round out a perfect picnic afternoon, there’s nothing better than a glass of their newly added frosé.