The best memories in Napa Valley aren’t always made over a wine tasting. Sometimes they’re as simple as sharing a cone on a sunny afternoon, cooling off with homemade gelato after a hike, or grabbing a milkshake before the drive back to our Calistoga bed and breakfasts.
Whether you’re exploring downtown Calistoga, browsing the boutiques in St. Helena, spending the afternoon in Yountville, or wandering the streets of downtown Napa, you’ll never be far from a great place to satisfy your sweet tooth. From old-fashioned ice cream parlors and handcrafted gelato to creamy soft serve and even a frozen glass of frosé, Napa Valley offers far more than the typical scoop shop.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite ice cream spots throughout the valley, along with nearby attractions that make each one worth the stop. If you’re traveling with kids, planning a date night, or just looking for the perfect afternoon treat, these local favorites are sure to hit the spot.
Calistoga Creamery
1473 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga
Calistoga Creamery has been a downtown favorite for years, serving locally made ice cream crafted with organic ingredients. The flavor selection goes well beyond the basics, with everything from rich classics like their beloved Coffee ice cream to lighter, more unexpected seasonal flavors featuring ingredients like cardamom, saffron, and rose. Even their waffle cones are made in-house, and with gluten-free cones and dairy-free flavors, guests with dietary restrictions don’t have to miss out on any of the deliciousness.
Order your favorite flavor in a cone, treat yourself to an old-fashioned root beer float, or cool off with one of their thick, hand-spun milkshakes.
It’s one of our favorite ways to cool off after tackling trails like Oat Hill Mine, Table Rock, or Mount Saint Helena, and other hiking trails in Napa Valley. After ordering, stroll Lincoln Avenue, where you’ll find locally owned boutiques, wine tasting rooms, art galleries, and specialty food shops all within a few blocks. If you’re traveling with kids, continue a few minutes farther to Pioneer Park, where shady picnic tables and a playground make it a perfect place to finish your ice cream.
Mis Raices
1408 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga
A block away, Mis Raices is both a coffee shop and an ice cream parlor, making it a perfect stop no matter what everyone in your group is craving. They make more than a dozen ice cream flavors, along with milkshakes, fruit drinks, and espresso. If you can’t decide between coffee and dessert, get the best of both worlds with an affogato, a scoop of ice cream topped with fresh espresso.
Continue wandering downtown, or bring your dessert back to the inn. Between the porches, gardens, and outdoor seating areas at the Craftsman Inn and Wine Way Inn, you’ll have plenty of cozy spots to unwind with an affogato or a scoop of ice cream as the sun sets over Calistoga.
Gott’s Roadside
933 Main Street, St. Helena
Gott’s is famous for its burgers and other elevated roadside classics, but locals know to save room for dessert. Their creamy Straus Family Creamery soft serve, hand-spun milkshakes, and seasonal frozen treats have become just as popular as the food. If you’re visiting without the kids (or just want a grown-up treat), don’t miss the Frosé, a frosty blend of strawberry, citrus, and rosé wine that’s just the right balance of sweet, tart, and refreshing. The original St. Helena location earned a James Beard America’s Classics Award in 2006.
While you’re in town, walk or take the short drive over to Crane Park, a peaceful 12-acre park shaded by mature redwoods with plenty of space to relax. On Friday mornings from spring through fall, the St. Helena Farmers’ Market sets up here with local produce, baked goods, and artisan foods.
Erosion Tap House
1234 Main Street, St. Helena
Part craft beer taproom, part bottle shop, and part ice cream destination, Erosion Tap House is unlike anywhere else in Napa Valley. Their house-made ice cream rotates throughout the year with creative options like Campfire, featuring smoked ice cream and toasted marshmallow, or Apple Crisp, complete with a graham cracker crust. If you prefer the classics, they also scoop Straus Family Creamery favorites like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. If you have a hard time choosing just one, you can even order an ice cream flight and sample five of their delicious flavors at once.
Adults can take things a step further with one of Erosion’s signature beer or wine floats, pairing a scoop of ice cream with your choice of draft beer or a glass of wine for a surprisingly delicious combination.
After enjoying your dessert in the taproom, wander historic Main Street in St. Helena. You’ll find vintage shops, clothing boutiques, wine tasting rooms, and beautifully preserved historic buildings that make this one of the prettiest downtowns in Napa Valley.
Roman Holiday Gelato
1336 Oak Avenue Ste A, St. Helena
Roman Holiday Gelato brings a little taste of Italy to Napa Valley. Every batch is made fresh daily using traditional Italian methods, with seasonal fruit from Napa Valley often making its way into the rotating menu. Favorites include the Tiramisu Espresso Chip, Cookies & Cream, and rich pistachio, while the dairy-free sorbets are just as impressive.
Take your gelato just a few steps to Lyman Park, a community park with shady lawns, picnic tables, a historic gazebo, and a children’s play area. If you’re visiting on a Wednesday evening during the summer, stick around for St. Helena’s Summer Concert Series, one of our favorite free things to do in Napa Valley during the summer.
Honor Market
6795 Washington Street, Yountville
Housed inside a charming, converted vintage gas station, Honor Market is one of the area’s best-kept secrets, stocked with local wine, picnic supplies, fresh pastries, and delicious soft-serve made with organic Straus Family Creamery milk. The soft serve menu is refreshingly simple, but you can make it your own with an affogato, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, or even a gourmet bottled soda poured over the top for an old-fashioned ice cream float.
Continue down Washington Street with your cone or cup in hand and admire more than 35 outdoor sculptures along the Yountville Art Walk.
Theda’s Ice Creamery
3214 Jefferson St, Napa
Theda’s Ice Creamery has quickly become one of Napa’s favorite spots for a scoop. Every batch is made in-house using local ingredients whenever possible, with a menu that mixes nostalgic favorites with creative seasonal flavors. Depending on when you visit, you might find everything from Key Lime Cheesecake and Oatmeal Cookie Sandwich to vegan Fruit Salad Sherbet. If you’re feeling adventurous, order an ice cream flight so everyone in your group can sample a few different flavors before deciding on a favorite.
Just a few minutes away, Alston Park offers more than 150 acres of open space with walking trails and sweeping views of Napa Valley. It’s a great place to stretch your legs, enjoy your ice cream outdoors, and let kids (or dogs) burn off some energy before heading back to Calistoga.
Vintage Sweet Shoppe
530 Main St, Napa
Vintage Sweet Shoppe is the kind of old-fashioned candy store that brings out everyone’s inner kid. Alongside walls of nostalgic sweets and handmade chocolates, they serve generous scoops of creamy Double Rainbow Ice Cream, a beloved California brand made with high-quality ingredients.
Take your ice cream for a stroll along the Napa Riverfront or browse the locally owned shops and galleries that line First Street.
Fruits & Ice Cream La Michoacana
3095 Jefferson St, Napa
If you’re looking for something beyond the usual chocolate and vanilla, Fruits & Ice Cream La Michoacana has it. This neighborhood favorite specializes in authentic Mexican ice cream, handcrafted paletas, and fresh fruit treats. Choose from flavors like mango, guava, mamey, pistachio, or sweet corn, or cool off with a refreshing mangonada layered with fresh mango, chamoy, Tajín, and lime.
If you’d like to stretch your legs, head over to Westwood Hills Park. The easy walking trails wind through oak woodlands and offer beautiful views over Napa Valley, making it a great way to balance out your sweet treat.
Make Calistoga Your Home Base
Calistoga puts you at the perfect starting point for exploring Napa Valley one scoop at a time. Whether you’re craving a classic waffle cone, handcrafted gelato, Mexican paletas, or creamy soft serve, every stop in this guide is within an easy drive of the Craftsman Inn and Wine Way Inn.
When the day winds down, return to downtown Calistoga, where restaurants, tasting rooms, boutiques, and two of the area’s best ice cream shops are all within walking distance.
Book your stay today and discover why Calistoga is the perfect home base for exploring the sweetest stops in Napa Valley.