Santa Cruz County has plenty of ways to satisfy a sweet tooth, and some of its most beloved local businesses have spent decades perfecting the art. Whether it’s an ice cream cone after a day at the beach, a freshly baked doughnut to start the morning, or a box of handcrafted chocolates for a special occasion, these local favorites bring sweetness to the everyday lives of residents and visitors alike. Across the county, generations-old favorites and inventive local makers offer everything from old-fashioned classics to imaginative confections that are almost too beautiful to eat. In this guide, we’re exploring nine of Santa Cruz County’s sweetest spots, highlighting the signature treats, unexpected creations, and local traditions that make each one worth seeking out.
Sugar Bakery
At Sugar Bakery in Soquel, some of the most extraordinary desserts look remarkably like something you might find in a fruit bowl. This inventive local bakery has become a destination for its stunning trompe l’oeil pastries, intricately designed confections that resemble real fruits and nuts but conceal layers of mousse, ganache, and flavorful fillings beneath delicate chocolate shells. Crack into a bright red raspberry to discover a soft, creamy center bursting with fruit flavor, or try a miniature mango with a luscious tropical filling. The contrast between the crisp chocolate shell and airy interior makes these creations just as exciting to eat as they are to admire. Beyond its famous fruit-shaped desserts, Sugar Bakery offers delicate French macarons in an assortment of flavors, oversized stuffed cookies, and a rich Ukrainian honey cake that deserves attention of its own. With its imaginative creations and remarkable attention to detail, Sugar Bakery brings a playful sense of artistry to the traditional bakery experience. Arrive early if you’re hoping to sample the popular fruit pastries, which frequently sell out.
Marianne’s Ice Cream
A Santa Cruz institution since 1947, Marianne’s Ice Cream has been serving generations of locals and visitors from its original Ocean Street shop, where choosing a flavor is half the fun. With more than 100 flavors to explore, the colorful menu stretches well beyond familiar favorites like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, offering everything from classic sundaes to imaginative combinations that have become local legends. For a distinctly Santa Cruz scoop, try the signature 1020, named for the original shop’s Ocean Street address, which combines caramel ice cream with chocolate swirls and chocolate sandwich cookies. Another local favorite, Otter 841, pays tribute to Santa Cruz’s famous sea otter with a delicious combination of cinnamon caramel ice cream and snickerdoodle cookie pieces. If you’re feeling adventurous, explore flavors like Cardamom Pistachio, Horchata, or Heaven, each offering its own creative twist on the traditional scoop. With locations across Santa Cruz and Aptos, Marianne’s continues to deliver the nostalgic pleasure of an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, complete with generous scoops, towering sundaes, and plenty of reasons to return for another flavor.
Ashby Confections
At Ashby Confections in Scotts Valley, chocolate lovers can discover handcrafted sweets that combine artistic presentation with imaginative flavors and carefully selected ingredients. The shop’s colorful, hand-painted bonbons are miniature works of art, filled with combinations that draw inspiration from locally grown fruits, fragrant herbs, spices, and other regional ingredients. Beyond its beautiful chocolate assortments, Ashby creates an enticing selection of salted caramels, brittles, marshmallows, and fruit candies that showcase the possibilities of artisan confectionery. One standout is the signature Tortoise, a delicious combination of roasted pecans, creamy caramel, and rich chocolate, available in several varieties, including dark chocolate finished with Monterey Bay sea salt. For something beyond chocolate, try the Sourbys, a playful reinvention of classic sour candy made with real organic fruit for a satisfying balance of tartness and sweetness. From beautifully packaged boxes of chocolates to inventive treats you won’t find at an ordinary candy shop, Ashby Confections makes it easy to discover something special for yourself or someone you love.
Dunlap’s Donuts
A morning visit to Dunlap’s Donuts in Santa Cruz’s Pleasure Point neighborhood offers a delicious reminder that sometimes the best way to start the day is with a freshly made doughnut. This longtime neighborhood favorite has earned a devoted following for its generous selection of traditional pastries alongside playful creations that put a new spin on the classics. You’ll find familiar favorites like glazed old-fashioned doughnuts, oversized maple bars, apple fritters, and cinnamon rolls that practically fill an entire plate. But Dunlap’s also gets creative with its colorful mochi doughnuts, which combine the sweetness of a traditional doughnut with the delightfully chewy texture of mochi. Look for flavors like vibrant purple ube, matcha, and strawberry, often finished with colorful glazes and toppings. Another specialty worth seeking out is the cronut (croissant-doughnut hybrid), which layers the buttery, flaky texture of a croissant with the sweetness of a glazed doughnut. With so many tempting options, it’s worth arriving early for the widest selection before heading down to Pleasure Point to enjoy your treats with an ocean view.
The Penny Ice Creamery
At The Penny Ice Creamery, Santa Cruz County’s agricultural abundance provides endless inspiration for creative, small-batch ice cream. Since opening its original downtown Santa Cruz shop in 2010, this beloved local creamery has made its ice cream completely from scratch, using organic, seasonal ingredients sourced from nearby farms and producers. That commitment to local ingredients means the flavors change with the harvest, bringing new combinations to the menu throughout the year. Alongside favorites like bitter caramel, dark chocolate, and fresh mint chip, you might discover seasonal scoops featuring locally grown strawberries, fragrant herbs, or other unexpected ingredients like pink peppercorns. But the ice cream itself is only part of the experience. One of The Penny’s most beloved specialties is its house-made toasted marshmallow topping, which gets torched to a beautifully caramelized finish right atop your scoop. Add a freshly made waffle cone, and you have a treat that’s worth savoring down to the last bite. With locations throughout Santa Cruz County, The Penny makes it easy to return for an old favorite or discover something new with every season.
Bittersweet Bistro
Bittersweet Bistro in Aptos might be best known for its excellent dinner service and inviting outdoor patio, especially on warm summer evenings, but its impressive selection of house-made desserts and dessert martinis makes it a sweet destination all its own. This longtime neighborhood favorite brings the same attention to detail and creativity to its desserts as it does to the rest of its menu, offering everything from elegant French-inspired pastries to rich, comforting classics. Its signature Lemon Napoleon is a particularly memorable example, layering delicate, crisp filo pastry with bright lemon custard and raspberry coulis for a delicious balance of sweet and tart flavors. Chocolate lovers will find equally tempting options, including rich mousses, decadent cakes, and warm desserts that pair beautifully with a scoop of house-made ice cream. And for those who prefer to sip their sweets, Bittersweet’s selection of dessert martinis offers another way to indulge, with rich chocolate and coffee-inspired cocktails that feel like desserts in their own right. Whether you’re saving room after dinner or stopping by specifically for dessert and drinks, this Aptos favorite deserves a place on your sweet tooth itinerary.
Mission Hill Creamery
Located along Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz, Mission Hill Coffee & Creamery offers plenty of delicious ways to satisfy a sweet tooth, whether you’re craving an afternoon scoop, an indulgent sundae, or a specialty coffee. All of the ice creams and sorbets are made in-house, with a rotating selection of classic and seasonal flavors available by the scoop or in take-home pints. For something more indulgent, the S’mores sundae combines dark chocolate ice cream, hot fudge, and chocolate-covered graham crackers beneath a fluffy marshmallow topping torched to golden perfection. The bakery brings that same homemade approach to an assortment of tempting treats, including miniature pies that pair beautifully with a scoop of ice cream, gooey brownies, and oversized cookies packed with delicious mix-ins. Meanwhile, the coffee counter keeps things interesting with creative seasonal lattes that offer new flavors to discover throughout the year. With downtown Santa Cruz right outside the door, Mission Hill makes an ideal stop for grabbing a coffee and freshly baked treat while browsing the shops along Pacific Avenue, or settling in with a sundae after a day of exploring.
Rebeca’s Panaderia
In downtown Watsonville, Rebeca’s Panaderia offers a colorful introduction to traditional Mexican sweets, with an assortment of pan dulce, cookies, and cakes to satisfy a sweet tooth. Browse the pastry case up front, or grab a tray and a pair of tongs to choose your own assortment from shelves filled with baked goodies. The conchas are a highlight, with a shell-patterned sugar topping that gives way to soft, fluffy bread with a hint of cinnamon. For something more indulgent, the bakery’s mega stuffed conchas transform that classic sweet bread into an oversized treat filled with Nutella, fresh strawberries, and whipped topping, perfect for sharing. The selection also includes vegan and gluten-free items, giving visitors with different dietary preferences more ways to enjoy something sweet. Beyond everyday treats, Rebeca’s creates custom cakes for birthdays, graduations, baby showers, and other celebrations, while seasonal fruit tarts bring a colorful centerpiece to summer gatherings. Whether you’re stopping for an afternoon treat or picking up dessert for a celebration, Rebeca’s offers plenty of reasons to make your next sweet stop in Watsonville.
Donnelly Chocolates
Since 1988, Donnelly Chocolates has been handcrafting chocolates and confections from its humble shop on Mission Street, earning a devoted local following for its chocolate-covered caramels and ice cream bars. Inside, you’ll find an assortment of handcrafted truffles, chocolates, and caramels, with the chocolate-covered sea salt caramels standing out as a particular favorite. The signature sea salt caramels combine soft, buttery caramel with rich chocolate and a delicate sprinkle of salt for a satisfying balance of flavors. Another specialty worth trying is the salted caramel ice cream bar, which brings together two longtime Santa Cruz favorites in one frozen treat. Made with creamy Marianne’s vanilla ice cream, a generous layer of soft caramel, and a coating of rich chocolate and sea salt, it’s a delicious combination of local traditions. Whether you’re picking up a box of chocolates for someone special or grabbing an ice cream bar to enjoy on the go, Donnelly adds a little sweetness to a visit to Santa Cruz’s Westside.