There’s something about an old-school ice cream shop that just hits different.
The kind of place where the scoops are stacked sky-high, and every table has someone staring wide-eyed at a sundae the size of their head.
Now imagine a spot that’s been doing this for well over a century.
Not just surviving, but still drawing lines out the door with the same recipes and the same over-the-top desserts people have loved for generations.
This is the real deal, a place where the ice cream is still made the old-fashioned way and the portions feel almost ridiculous in the best possible way.
If you’ve ever wondered where to find the oldest ice cream shop in California that’s still serving up massive scoops and unforgettable treats, you’re about to find out.
Where Is It?
Fentons Creamery is located along Piedmont Avenue, near downtown Oakland.
You’re about a 20-minute drive from downtown San Francisco depending on traffic over the Bay Bridge.
Coming from San Jose, plan for around 50 minutes.
If you’re rolling in from Sacramento, it’s roughly a 1 hour 20 minute drive.
About
Fentons Creamery is the kind of place where choosing ice cream feels like a full-on event, not a quick stop.
The menu is massive, with dozens of house-made ice cream flavors, plus sundaes that are so big they practically need their own table.
If you’re wondering what to order, start with the Black & Tan, which layers vanilla and toasted almond ice cream with caramel and chocolate fudge.
Or go all in on the Banana Special that comes stacked with bananas, scoops of ice cream, whipped cream, nuts, and cherries.
Everything is made in-house, and you can taste the difference right away.
The ice cream is extra creamy and the flavors hit strong, whether you’re getting something classic like vanilla or something loaded like Rocky Road.
The portions are huge, so showing up hungry is a very good idea.
Inside, the space feels like a classic old-school ice cream parlor with a traditional, lively atmosphere and a constant buzz of people waiting for their orders.
You’ll hear the clatter of dishes, see towering sundaes being carried past you, and probably start second-guessing your order when you spot someone else’s dessert.
Beyond ice cream, the menu also includes diner-style food like burgers, sandwiches, and salads, which makes it easy to turn your visit into a full meal.
That said, most people are here for the sweets, and it shows the second you see the size of those sundaes.
Expect a short wait if you’re visiting on a weekend or a sunny day, but it usually moves fairly fast.
Once you’re seated, things pick up quickly, and before you know it, you’ve got a glass dish piled high with ice cream that looks almost too good to eat.
History
Fentons Creamery has been serving up scoops since 1894, which officially makes it the longest continuously operating ice cream shop in California.
It was founded by Elbridge Seth Fenton, who started churning ice cream in the late 1800s as commercial ice cream shops were becoming common.
Over the decades, the shop built a reputation for doing things the old-fashioned way, focusing on rich, high-quality ice cream made from scratch.
Even as Oakland grew and changed, Fentons stayed a local favorite, drawing in families, date nights, and anyone with a serious sweet tooth.
The creamery also got a pop culture moment when it inspired a scene in the 2009 Pixar movie Up, which helped introduce a whole new generation to this longtime spot.
Despite all that attention, it still sticks to what made it famous in the first place, big portions, classic recipes, and a menu that feels like it hasn’t forgotten its roots.
Know Before You Go
Fentons Creamery is open on Sundays from 10 AM to 10 PM, Monday through Thursday from 11 AM to 10 PM, and Friday through Saturday from 10 AM to 11 PM.
Weekends get especially busy, so if you want to skip the longest lines, try going right when they open or on a weekday afternoon.
Parking is mostly street parking around Piedmont Avenue, and it can take a few laps to find a spot during peak hours.
If there’s a wait, just know it usually moves pretty fast, and it’s absolutely worth sticking it out once you see the portions coming out of the kitchen.
There’s plenty to check out nearby if you want to turn your visit into a full afternoon.
Piedmont Avenue is lined with small shops, bookstores, and cafes that are fun to wander through before or after dessert.
You’re also just an 8-minute drive from Mountain View Cemetery, which sounds unusual but is actually a beautiful spot designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, with quiet walking paths and views of the Bay.
If you’re still in explore mode, Temescal Regional Recreation Area is less than 10 minutes away and has a short trail around Lake Temescal that’s perfect for walking off that massive sundae.
One last tip, bring your appetite and maybe a friend or two, because those portions are no joke and sharing makes it way more fun.
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