Wonderful flavors, home-made ice cream with a definite dairy taste. The ice cream is over the top sweet. Less sugar would help the flavor come out more and help the ice cream go down. Just too much sugar.

Truly, the best ice cream I’ve ever had. There is something honest and pure about this product. It’s not over hyper sugar sweet like all the rest. It truly lives up to its label of “artisanal”.I’m an accomplished world traveler, and my wife even more so. We have both dined at some of the best tables on earth - and no other ice cream comes even close to how exquisite this ice cream is.This is an experience worth traveling across the world for.Thank you, truly a life changing experience.

Id say one of the best ice cream places in Santa Cruz. They have different and unique flavors. I tried the green tea ic cream and it was creamy and delicious! A must try place if you are visiting the area.

Great customer service and reasonably priced menu.Single scoop Earl of Grey with toasted fluff was delicious.

Great little independent place. Saturday night, and they are open late. They had a line going outside, but it moved pretty quickly. I had a scoop of Raspberry Ricotta and a scoop of Basil. Both flavors were delicious. Prices were very reasonable. I told the guy who rang us up that wed be back.

Great spot for ice cream. I had the raspberry chocolate almond, and it was pretty good. Staff is very friendly!

A Santa Cruz institution and must try. The flavors are unique and not common. Ice cream flavors change every week. My favorite is the Verve espresso shake.

Good local ice cream shop and very popular. There was a large group ahead of us and they were helped out by one person while we had another. Unique flavors - got a double scoop of lemon shortbread and Tango Mandarin Coconut to share. Hit the spot.

Decided to visit here after the beach, I picked a single scoop of dark chocolate sorbet with toasted almonds and sprinkles and a cone on top. It was delicious, the ice cream had a ton of flavor and the staff were all really nice!

Its sooo good! Great selection of rotaing daily flavors. Try the toasted marshmallow fluff as a topping, youre welcome!

It’s $5 for about 2 tablespoons of ice cream in a cup. We tried caramel coconut, raspberry chocolate almond, vanilla, and chocolate, and we only liked the vanilla, which tasted like normal vanilla anywhere.

My sister and her husband have been telling me about Pennys for over 6 years as they have been local guides and robust supporters of local Santa Cruz businesses. I took my parents there and was blown away by not only the quality of their ice cream, but the quality of their customer service!Even with her face mask firmly in place, it was impossible for the amazing woman who took our order to hide her sheer joy and enthusiasm for interacting with customers while explaining Pennys full flavored Covid friendly menu. (Ask about their sundae take home kit! Its the best deal Ive ever seen at an ice-creamery! )For anyone like me that enjoys the juxtaposition of ice cream in the winter, and hot soup in the summer, enjoy your next time in Santa Cruz with a Pennys ice cream cup piled high with their one-of-a-kind flavors in your hand!(The black ice cream in the image I attached is actually COCONUT! When you visit, ask them why! Its actually great story. )

Got an ~off menu~ root beer float with vanilla ice cream AND a toasted marshmallow. The ordering experience was efficient and the float was delicious! Seating is limited inside but plenty of picnic tables outside

Ordered online. It wasn’t until we approached the counter to check in on our order (after it was 15 minutes late) that they realized we had made actually an online order. All the flavors we ordered we out. As was the toasted marshmallow fluff (the exclusive reason why many come here). Ice cream has not set properly and was icy. The reason for the second star is the polite gentleman that served us. Apart from that… very unpleasant experience.

If Michelle obama once visited here, you know its going to be great!! Before COVID hit, lines used to stretch for at least up to the end of the block with people lining like sardines! Now things have quieted down alot and the last time i was here they added a lot more stuff, such as popsicles! They still have coffee, snacks and other goodies for sale but of course the main part is still the ice cream!They still change up the menu daily and still got their great waffle cones to go with it. No ice cream flavor will be there longer than a day, and eventually itll either be made up by another ingredient such as classics like chocolate, vanilla or strawberry or removed entirely like pistachio cookie ice cream.Because of covid, everything is now served in a cup and The cone is now just detached on top like a little hat, thats not too bad as the cone can be a snack in itself! Service was quick since theres no insane line! Be prepared to be spendy though..

Always a fresh selection of delicious flavors, been going there for years, my favorite ice cream spot in Santa Cruz

Great stop for a cold sweet treat.

I got the dark chocolate sorbet which was so rich and delicious and nothing like anything I’ve ever tasted before. I also tried the cookies and cream, which was rich in cream but not like what I am used too. They had a small selection of flavors due to covid, but still quite a few people waiting to get in, and great service!

Amazing ice cream flavours. Very popular place with long lines. Friendly staff.

The ice cream is really good! I love their coffee ice cream it’s my personal favorite. The mint chip was really good also but the mint herb was very strong in the ice cream 🍦🍨. Great place for ice cream on a hot summer day. Enjoy!

Not too sweet. Love the walnut crisps flavor and the toasted marshmallow!

They had vegan gellato that tastes like ice cream. Only chocolate flavored.

Hands down the best ice cream in Santa Cruz and probably California. The ice cream here is always amazing. The store itself is tiny and the line takes forever but it is worth it because the service is always amazing. The servers are always very conversational making you feel quite welcome. Their signature dish is the roasted marshmallow fluff which tastes amazing.

Get the toasted marshmallow topping!

This Dark Chocolate Sorbet with burnt marshmallow combo is vital for anyone who is has a sweet tooth, lactose Intolerant, or both! The waffle cone is a plus and it reminds me of smores! What a vibe! ☺️

Amazing flavors but mediocre texture. This small ice cream shop (theres another branch in Pleasure Point near Capitola) serves from-scratch ice cream and sorbet from organic, fresh, mostly local ingredients. Consequently, the flavors are outstanding; for example, their blackberry sorbet is bursting with fresh berry flavor, and their apricot ice cream is a fresh cream with a rich, delicious apricot jam-like compote running inside it. However, the texture is worse than most other artisanal ice cream and sorbet Ive had (and made myself): its icy rather than creamy. The flavors are still wonderful, but especially if you care about mouthfeel, you may be disappointed.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this ice cream place. 😍😍😍. I wish I live nearby and Im glad we visited this place.The toasted marshmallow fluff topping was one of the reason we stopped by this ice cream place and it did not disappoint. They torch there fluff to order. I ordered the Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream with the fluff and it was the best thing ever!!! Looking back at the picture I wished Id ordered the cone as well. My friend ordered the sorbet which was good as well. Id come back here again for the fluff!

This place is for people that love their ice cream in a good crispy waffle. You can taste that both are made in local.

Amazing little shop. My daughter loved the vanilla ice cream with toasted marshmallow topping.

Really broad, sometimes wild, selection of flavors. Really good, homemade icecream. They have gluten-free cones, and staff is really friendly. I have celiac, and theyll either offer to change gloves and tools or wont hesitate to when I ask :) Best ice cream in the area.

Absolutely delicious ice-cream! Very unique flavours. The menu is always changing. Had the zucchini ice-cream today and it blew my mind. Its also neat because they will toast a marshmallow on your ice-cream for you! The downside here is that its popular and small, so there will likely be a line. Its worth the wait though!

Great service and staff, offering tastings and insight into the flavors. The flavors are rotational and seem to be designed around select locally sourced ingredients. (e.g. Candy cap mushrooms, persimmon, mint).The ice cream itself is somewhat unique both in texture and flavor(s). Its of the classic high-whip medium-butter fat variety, giving it a refreshing vibe, rather than the decadent creaminess of some modern ice creams. The base ice cream also had a great balance of sweet and salty that didnt tire the pallet and kept the flavoring popping. I wish there were more parlors doing this type of ice cream.

Best place to get delicious ice cream. Make sure to add the fluff.

Quaint place with a charming atmosphere. Delicious ice cream, considerate staff. Definitely recommend

Definitely was something new for us to try :) I was hoping for more flavor options, but the ice cream was still good! Customer service was good too, no rush at letting you look at the flavors or sample, and they get through the line pretty fast. The fluff is great if you have a big sweet tooth, one of my friends said the marshmallow with the ice cream was just too sweet for her.

Great ice cream, location and vibe, but had to deduct stars thanks to the incredibly rude member of the staff. A tall dark haired male seemed very annoyed any time my group had a question about the product or menu and thanks to that I decided not to bother him anymore by ordering.

I dare you to try the Tahitian vanilla bean scoop. The freshly made waffles cones made it smell like pure heaven.

Good ice cream, much love for the owners, a bit pricy but worth it

Local ice-creamery known for its fluffy, toasted marsh-mellow toppings. A must stop place after a day of adventure on the beaches of Santa Cruz. They feature locally farmed and organic ingredients. Indoors feels like a homey cafe

Delicious ice cream flavors and great toppings. I had the chai flavor with toasted almonds and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who was interested in trying it. The toasted marshmello topping is also very good.

We were not impressed. Highly granular texture was more like ice milk and not at all creamy. Unfortunately I did not understand any fuss about the place. Maybe they had some bad batches?

What a sweet place! It was a hot day and I was passing through town with some friends, Im so glad we stopped here! The ice cream options were great, with a variety ranging from vanilla to rose petal nectarine. Im a cone person and the cones were so tasty and crisp! Plus super fun and unique toppings, yes please! Theres indoor and outdoor seating as well, so you can chill and enjoy a nice sundae (or two).

It tastes like ice and if the selection is small then at least it should taste good...and its expensive

Flavors are always spot in and we love that the ice cream is not too sweet!

Ice cream and sorbet made on the premises. Delicious flavors, many of them you dont see elsewhere, and soooooo good!

Great ice cream, very fluffy (almost like soft serve) and all made on site. Would recommend adding the burned marshmallow fluff topping.

10 STARS. 😭 This shop is just iconic. Adorable storefront, kind, peppy and eager-to-help staff, amaaaazing ice cream, all while firmly adhering to covid safety protocols! At one point, they very gently advised that, even just to taste - - even if only for a moment! - - we were not able to remove our masks while inside. Very fair. Its a small space, accommodating (with distance) *maybe* five guests at a time. I appreciated their commitment to safety even when it meant an uncomfy conversation.But for the main event: The flavors are super true to what they are. There is not a hint of the taste of artifice anywhere. Organic, freshly made, real ingredients combined to make bold and unforgettable flavors... I think I just had ice cream for the first time in my life going here! Everything else pales in comparison. Truly. We dont live anywhere remotely near, but my family unanimously agreed that The Penny alone was worth the drive. - - And coming from my ice-cream-averse mom, that was really saying something! She always makes it clear to us all that if (not when) she goes along for an ice cream stop, its strictly for the rest of us and shed rather have almost literally anything else at all. Haha. And yet, even she said shed go out of her way to come back, with a satisfied see? Now this is what all ice cream is supposed to taste like. Then maybe Id like it! 😑Oh mom... Lol.

Awesome, special flavors. super high quality. a nice outdoor seating area currently with covid. staff are following proper health precautions.

They only had one person working so it did take a little bit for her to take a few orders then run and get the ice cream before resuming. I ordered the pistachio and it wasn’t that great to me. The flavor was a little off from what I normally think pistachio should taste like. It was creamy but not strong in flavor

Great ice cream! Parking may be. A bit of a hassle looking for parking.

Been here twice in two weeks and we live 2 hour drive away! Its that good!Ive tried the dark chocolate sorbet, strawberry peppercorn, verve coffee, sourcream chocolate strawberry — and each one was amazing! They change flavors every week. But I think pennypop (vanilla popsicle dipped in dark chocolate) is a constant and I highly recommend it!🍨🍨🍧

A bit on the sweeter side but good ice creamery

Great Ive cream. Long line. Friendly but slow service the evening we were there.

Excellent ice cream!! Amazing customer service. Highly recommend getting your ice cream with the toasted marshmallow. Perfect way to end a beach day.

Unique and amazing ice cream flavors. Had the persimmon ice cream.Def. Get their marshmallow fluff

Tasted more like frozen cream ice that actual ice cream. The mint chip I had was so subtle I could barely taste it.

I had a chocolate milkshake filled with love, thank you.

Really good ice cream that you can taste before deciding. Also really cool atmosphere and its not too expensive. I recommend getting toasted marshmallow as a topping

Such unique and delicious flavours! I got to try cardamom pistachio chocolate chip and Meyer lemon poppy seed. Waffle cone is made in house and also delicious.

Feel like little too icee for my taste. But overall real and good flavors. Would visit again.

So happy to see our favorite ice cream shop is open with an ordering window and pickup window outside. They also have spots marked on the sidewalk to space people in line, but there was no line today. Had an absolutely delicious scoop of blackberries n cream!!

Delicious! Service was fast and very friendly. Great little place for some delicious desserts. We all got the mini double serving; definitely recommend the toasted marshmallow topping!

Great experience and loved their ice cream

The best ice creams ever. I have lost count of the number of times I have visited this place. Flavors and menu keep changing and they are so tasty.

Been here multiple times and none of the flavors ever sound appetizing.

Old fashioned home made ice cream. Made the old fashion way

It was AMAZING!! A definite MUST DO when visiting Downtown Santa Cruz. Unique flavors and great service!!

Loved our chocolate malt shakes, although there was absolutely no malt in our shakes. My son & I both had our hearts set on malted chocolate shakes so that was kind of a bummer but other than the no malt the shakes were delicious

We are visiting for one night here and this was on many bloggers “must do’s”. It did not disappoint! The hubs had the Tahitian Vanilla & I had the Lemon & Poppy Seed with the marshmallow torched fluff on top. Hands down the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted. We went at 6:30 pm and there was 2 in line before us. The staff allowed us to sample the flavors prior too. The Penny Ice Creamery was a fun, unique experience.Be sure to check out Goswick Lane on YouTube 📺 for more food reviews and adventures!

Definitely not my type of dessert. The dark chocolate was good but the lemon sorbet was very sour and hard to eat at all. My husband didn’t like the vanilla and the apple cider was bitter. Not our cup of tea!

Best ice cream in Santa Cruz! The popsicles are amazing and if you go during happy hour you get a double for the price of a single! (And Verve coffee!!)

Phenomenal place open during quarantine, get the roasted marshmallow.

It’s a little different - we went because my sister in law said it was “best ever” - Good old style ice cream but Smittens is better so only 4 stars for me

Organic, refreshing, local ice creamery. Their flavors are so fresh, made with local/organic ingredients. We love coming here!!

This ice cream is not boring! Everyone enjoyed the flavor they got. A must try experience in Santa Cruz!

Marshmallow on the top of ice cream is fancy. Pretty good icecream.You can try tasting flavors as many as you want in order to find your favorite.But there is long line.

Fantastic local ice cream, some of the flavors are pretty adventurous (must admit the bourbon choc was a bit too bourbon-y for our party) however each to their own. Delicious and will be back

Homemade icecream with local ingredients. So delicious, unique flavors. This place was real busy when we came at night!

I love their Dark Chocolate Sorbet. Try it even if you are not a vegan.

Delicious ice cream. Gotta try the toasted marshmallow fluff.

The favors are so unique and more importantly so yummy 🤩🥰🤤

Have to come here any time Im home. The vanilla is my favorite and love the ever changing flavors!

Very unique flavors here and all made in house!

Always so good. But they always run out of the gluten free cones early.

I see the lines all the time but when I finally got to try it and to my surprise... I was disappointed. The ice cream wasnt creamy but instead very icy. The flavor just tasted like blended milk and lacked any ice cream characteristics. However, the sugar cone they make in my book is one of the best I have ever had period. In the end you be the judge because you may enjoy it. It was simply not for me.

Amazing flavors and fantastic service.

Amazing local ice cream with plenty of variety and unique flavors. Highly recommend the sundae special.

Unique and excellent daily flavors. Friendly staff and a great Santa Cruz experience.

Flavors were pretty bland. Best part was the toasted of the marshmellow fluff. But the purple trees were 10/10

Little pricey but very much worth it.

Super yummy and flavorful, fully tucked away but just so cute. Kind and laid back. Will def go back.

The ice cream was delicious. As were the cones The apple cider was tasty but very spiced. They have picnic tables outside, which is helpful during Covid. Would recommend and definitely going back!

Forgot to take a pic because I was inhaling the deliciousness... The coffee ice cream bar and the banana toffee was the definition of remarkable.

One of the best ice creams, I ever tasted!!!!Great place, with too service!If in Santa Cruz, it is a MUST!

This is some gooooood ice cream!

Unique & delicious ice cream flavors.

Love their ice cream flavors!

Super good and always fresh!

Exceptional ice cream, extremely flavorful. Gotta pick up a pint sometime

The flavors are always good and the people who work there are always great. Best ice cream in SC.