Santa Cruz

Ice Cream Tour

The AFK Santa Cruz Ice Cream Tour is a small-group walking food tour that takes you through one of California’s most laid-back coastal towns — combining unique ice cream experiences with ocean views and beach-town energy.

Santa Cruz offers a totally different dessert scene than most cities. Instead of just traditional ice cream, you’ll experience a wide variety of frozen treats, including Italian ice, house-made ice cream, and classic cookie ice cream sandwiches.

The tour follows an easy walking route of under two miles and includes four curated dessert stops, all within a beautiful, walkable beachside area.

At each stop, you’ll choose your own favorite flavors, so every guest gets a personalized experience.

What to Expect

On the Santa Cruz Ice Cream Tour, you’ll:

• Visit four different dessert shops

• Experience multiple styles of frozen treats

• Try Italian ice, house-made ice cream, and ice cream sandwiches

• Choose your own flavors at each stop

• Walk an easy route through a scenic coastal town

• Enjoy views of the beach and surrounding neighborhoods

• Meet other food-loving travelers and locals

Our guides are fun, knowledgeable, and laid-back — more like a local friend showing you their favorite hidden gems than a traditional tour guide. They also share curated recommendations for beaches, coffee shops, restaurants, and things to do around Santa Cruz.

Why Santa Cruz Is a Perfect Ice Cream City

Santa Cruz is known for its relaxed surf culture, fresh air, and creative local businesses — which makes it a perfect place for unique, small-batch dessert spots.

Because of the coastal location and health-conscious community, the ice cream scene here goes far beyond the basics. You’ll find:

• Traditional frozen desserts

• Experimental flavors

• Plant-based and wellness-focused options

• Handmade treats you won’t see in most cities

This tour is designed to showcase that variety in a way that’s easy, fun, and constantly changing.

Tour Details

• Four dessert stops

• Sample multiple flavor

• Choose your own flavor scoop at every stop

• Under 2 miles of easy walking

• About 2 hours

• Small group experience

• Beachside route

• Daily departures

Vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free options are available on this tour.

A Coastal Dessert Walk

This is the perfect tour for anyone who wants a relaxed, feel-good experience that mixes great desserts with a beautiful beach town.

You’ll leave full, refreshed, and with a list of new favorite spots to revisit — all while getting to explore Santa Cruz the best way possible: on foot, by the ocean, with something cold and sweet in your hand.

Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or live nearby, the AFK Santa Cruz Ice Cream Tour is one of the most fun and easy ways to experience the city.

Come for the ice cream. Stay for the beach. Leave very happy.