Marianne's Ice Cream has been a Santa Cruz fixture since 1947, starting as a way for the founders to fund their kids’ education and turning into something the whole town relies on for their ice cream fix. They rotate through 105 flavors, so you’ll find everything from the classics like vanilla and chocolate to stranger combinations that change with the seasons. Some days it’s salted caramel pretzel, other times it’s something you’ve never heard of before.

The parlor sits right in the heart of Santa Cruz, and if you’re walking around downtown with your dog, the outdoor seating area is genuinely dog-friendly. You can grab a cone and sit outside while your dog relaxes beside you—it’s one of those low-key spots where nobody bats an eye at dogs hanging out. The place has the casual, worn-in feeling of somewhere that’s been doing the same thing well for over 75 years. The ice cream itself is thick and rich, not the super-creamy overrun stuff, so a single scoop actually feels substantial.

Going in the late afternoon or early evening is smarter than midday when the line gets pretty backed up. The staff moves people along quickly, but summer weekends can still mean waiting twenty minutes or more. Parking can be tight depending on what else is happening downtown, so consider grabbing a spot on one of the nearby side streets if the main areas are full. If you’re thirsty rather than hungry, they also serve drinks, though people really come here for the ice cream itself. The outdoor tables get busy, especially on warm days, but there’s usually room to squeeze in somewhere with your dog nearby.