Inside the secret scoop shop of Santa Barbara
Photo credit: Rebecca Mok
Santa Barbara is no stranger to fantastic ice cream shops. Take a walk down State St., and you'll run into Santa Barbara's McConnell's Fine Ice Creams. Walk another 14 minutes, and you'll run into a second McConnell's location while passing both Creaminal and Tondi Gelato. As you enjoy a Carbonara pizza on Bettina's outdoor patio in Montecito, you'll see person after person walking in and out of Rori's Ice Cream with smiles heading in both directions. Finally, you've got Here's The Scoop just a few minutes down Coast Village Rd. On a list of my favorite things in the world, ice cream and the beach both make my top 10, so if you're looking for a scoop of ice cream by the beach, in Santa Barbara you won’t have to look too hard, but let me tell you about the most secretive ice cream shop in the area.
Inside Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, past the bocce ball court, through the main lawn, you'll see a medium-sized sign next to a gate that says Scoop Shop. Once you walk through the gate, now you're entering the Manor Pool; the beautiful, family-friendly, generously sized pool area with seven private cabanas, a hot tub for twelve, an assortment of trees, and yellow roses to match the yellow and white pool umbrellas and towels. Then, of course, directly next to the pool, you'll find the most perfect little ice cream shop in Santa Barbara.
The only thing better than an ice cream shop by the pool is an ice cream shop by the beach. The Scoop Shop is both. I think that's why the girls and I love this place as much as we do. Walking under their yellow and white striped overhang and into their 100 sq ft shop, you can look around and find ice cream art on the walls, lollipops, assorted candies in baskets, crushed Oreos, m&m's, and jimmies in jars. It is everything you would ever want in an ice cream shop, and I’m almost confident this is where the term “Feeling like a kid in a candy shop” comes from.
When it comes to their ice cream, you'll likely find a flavor you'll enjoy. Routinely serving 8-10 flavors at a time, I've had their vanilla, chocolate, seasonal sorbets, and even a dairy-free coconut ice cream. If you're looking for a flavorful scoop of ice cream for you and the entire family, The Scoop Shop is your place, and if you're looking for mix-ins to add a little crunch to your cone, they have an assortment of options from graham crackers, cookie pieces, and much more to add as toppings.
"Now, why haven't I ever heard of this place?" Well, the shop is inside a locked gate inside a resort. It's like a present inside of another present. Open daily from 11am-5pm, The Scoop Shop isn't a place where you can park outside, pick up a cone real quick and head home. The majority of Scoop Shop attendees are guests of Rosewood Miramar Beach, and with a going rate starting at $1695 per night, it's understandable why this shop isn't a widely known location. Thankfully you don't have to stay the night to be a guest. Rosewood Miramar Beach offers a Day Pass starting at $95 per day (Children are $45 and infants are free). You can also book a private cabana for $500 daily, kick back in their sofas, and enjoy their flat-screen TVs next to the pool. Any of these options will give you access to the Scoop Shop along with the Burger Bar and poolside service.
A day at The Manor Pool in Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort is the definition of Treat Yo' Self. You've got a beautiful ice cream shop, great food, excellent service, a large pool, and a hot tub. If somehow those aren't enough for you, step outside the gates, walk past the stunning Miramar Beach Bar, the award-winning Caruso's restaurant, and walk on the beach in less than 2 minutes. Come on! Nothing, and I mean nothing, compares to a pool day at Rosewood Miramar Beach with a side of ice cream.
