Milkshakes were reportedly invented in the United States somewhere near the turn of the century and have been a classic American favorite since the early 1900s. Milkshakes were frequently ordered at old-fashioned soda fountains, became a must-have companion to a burger and fries, and took on a life of their own with increasing creativity, both in flavor and in presentation. Priding themselves on thick, creamy, unforgettable ice cream drinks, these seven shops serve some of the very best milkshakes in Southern California.
- Fosselman’s Ice Cream Co. - Alhambra, CA
brian wisneski/Google Local
Asif Shaikh/Google Local Fosselman’s has been making and scooping up quality ice cream since 1919 and, among its many awards, was crowned as the “World’s Best Milkshake” by The Guardian. Choose from traditional, seasonal, and innovative flavors like horchata, black sesame, fresh peach, taro, and over 40 others. The selection changes frequently so there is always a new reason to indulge in a decadent shake or malt that is almost better with a spoon. 1824 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801, USA
- McConnell’s - Ventura, CA
Mikey C/Google Local
gypsydaze/Google Local Award-winning made-from-scratch ice cream - made from the finest California milk, cream, and eggs - is the basis for some of the best milkshakes in SoCal. McConnell’s offers milkshake lovers a mouth-watering array of unique and seasonal flavors, including an impressive list of dairy-free - and even no-sugar - options. Customer love McConnell’s flavors such as Peanut Butter Chip, Eureka Lemon and Marionberries, Brazilian Coffee, and Honey and Cornbread Cookies, to name a few.
- Little Calf Creamery and Cafe - Thousand Oaks, CA
Little Calf Creamery and Cafe/Google Local
Little Calf Creamery and Cafe/Google Local Choose your favorite Little Calf flavor or mix and match two different flavors to create your own custom hand-spun shake or malt. Artisan Ice cream is made daily, with flavors like Vanilla Berry Crisp, Peanut Butter Fudge, and Lavender Blueberry, as well as classics and seasonal goodies like Candied Yam. Little Calf Creamery even has non-dairy “Iced Delites” such as Chocolate Almond Milk and Pineapple Coconut Milk.
- Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain - Pasadena, CA
Steve Emahiser/Google Local
Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain/Facebook Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain has been serving Southern California locals since 1915. Your order comes with a healthy dose of nostalgia at this historic soda fountain. Hand-dipped malts and shakes are made with an entire pint of ice cream, to which you can add hot fudge, Oreos, peanut butter, caramel, butterscotch, or fresh banana. 1526 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA 91030, USA
- Fountain Coffee Room - Beverly Hills, CA
Fountain Coffee Room/Google Local
Fountain Coffee Room/Google Local The Fountain Coffee Room inside the Beverly Hills Hotel is a Los Angeles landmark, serving Hollywood elite since 1949. Take a seat at the bar where 1950s movie stars sat before you, order a thick classic California milkshake, and enjoy some epic people-watching. 9641 Sunset Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, USA
- Great Shakes - Palm Springs, CA
Darlene Whittington/Google Local
Great Shakes/Facebook Family-owned Great Shakes does milkshakes unlike others. Rather than adding milk to ice cream to create a milkshake, ice cream is produced at just the right temperature to be an amazingly thick, creamy shake or malt, with nothing to dilute its flavor. Even the “extras” that make up these Instagram-worthy shakes, like marshmallows, caramel, pie crust, and mini-donuts are all made in-house. 160 S Palm Canyon Dr a, Palm Springs, CA 92262, USA
- The Straw Modern Milkshakes - Costa Mesa, CA
Devin Bunch/Google Local
Ernesto Hernandes-Novich/Google Local At The Straw, a milkshake is far more than a just milkshake. Try “the campfire” - a s’mores shake with chocolate, graham crackers, and real roasted marshmallows, plus optional candy bar toppings - or maybe go for a “Lucy and Ethel” - a quadruple chocolate shake with a salted brownie and cherry. If you are a tea lover, there is an earl grey, lavender, and honey shake that is served with a side of hot tea. Want to feel like a kid again? Order the cotton candy milkshake called “The dentist” which comes with a ring pop, a lollipop, and sprinkles. Take your shake to the next level - if you are over 21 - and make any shake boozy for just a few extra dollars. 1215 Baker St suite a, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA
Have you been to any of these Southern California milkshakes? Tell us about your favorite in the comments.
brian wisneski/Google Local
Asif Shaikh/Google Local
Fosselman’s has been making and scooping up quality ice cream since 1919 and, among its many awards, was crowned as the “World’s Best Milkshake” by The Guardian. Choose from traditional, seasonal, and innovative flavors like horchata, black sesame, fresh peach, taro, and over 40 others. The selection changes frequently so there is always a new reason to indulge in a decadent shake or malt that is almost better with a spoon.
1824 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801, USA
Mikey C/Google Local
gypsydaze/Google Local
Award-winning made-from-scratch ice cream - made from the finest California milk, cream, and eggs - is the basis for some of the best milkshakes in SoCal. McConnell’s offers milkshake lovers a mouth-watering array of unique and seasonal flavors, including an impressive list of dairy-free - and even no-sugar - options. Customer love McConnell’s flavors such as Peanut Butter Chip, Eureka Lemon and Marionberries, Brazilian Coffee, and Honey and Cornbread Cookies, to name a few.
Little Calf Creamery and Cafe/Google Local
Choose your favorite Little Calf flavor or mix and match two different flavors to create your own custom hand-spun shake or malt. Artisan Ice cream is made daily, with flavors like Vanilla Berry Crisp, Peanut Butter Fudge, and Lavender Blueberry, as well as classics and seasonal goodies like Candied Yam. Little Calf Creamery even has non-dairy “Iced Delites” such as Chocolate Almond Milk and Pineapple Coconut Milk.
Steve Emahiser/Google Local
Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain/Facebook
Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain has been serving Southern California locals since 1915. Your order comes with a healthy dose of nostalgia at this historic soda fountain. Hand-dipped malts and shakes are made with an entire pint of ice cream, to which you can add hot fudge, Oreos, peanut butter, caramel, butterscotch, or fresh banana.
1526 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA 91030, USA
Fountain Coffee Room/Google Local
The Fountain Coffee Room inside the Beverly Hills Hotel is a Los Angeles landmark, serving Hollywood elite since 1949. Take a seat at the bar where 1950s movie stars sat before you, order a thick classic California milkshake, and enjoy some epic people-watching.
9641 Sunset Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, USA
Darlene Whittington/Google Local
Great Shakes/Facebook
Family-owned Great Shakes does milkshakes unlike others. Rather than adding milk to ice cream to create a milkshake, ice cream is produced at just the right temperature to be an amazingly thick, creamy shake or malt, with nothing to dilute its flavor. Even the “extras” that make up these Instagram-worthy shakes, like marshmallows, caramel, pie crust, and mini-donuts are all made in-house.
160 S Palm Canyon Dr a, Palm Springs, CA 92262, USA
Devin Bunch/Google Local
Ernesto Hernandes-Novich/Google Local
At The Straw, a milkshake is far more than a just milkshake. Try “the campfire” - a s’mores shake with chocolate, graham crackers, and real roasted marshmallows, plus optional candy bar toppings - or maybe go for a “Lucy and Ethel” - a quadruple chocolate shake with a salted brownie and cherry. If you are a tea lover, there is an earl grey, lavender, and honey shake that is served with a side of hot tea. Want to feel like a kid again? Order the cotton candy milkshake called “The dentist” which comes with a ring pop, a lollipop, and sprinkles. Take your shake to the next level - if you are over 21 - and make any shake boozy for just a few extra dollars.
1215 Baker St suite a, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA
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