Five great … scoop shops

Sunset, Sept, 2005 by Charity Ferreira

BERKELEY

Sketch Ice Cream. The love child of a pastry-chef couple, this sweetly stylish shop makes rarefied treats like a scoop of roasted-strawberry gelato nestled in a freshly baked brioche. 1809 Fourth St.; 510/665-5650.

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CHICO

Shubert's Ice Cream & Candy. Since 1938, Shubert's has been making candy and ice cream in must-taste flavors like "Mt. Shasta" (chocolate ice cream with coconut and marshmallow swirl) and lemon custard. 178 E. Seventh St.; 530/342-7163.

OAKLAND

Fentons Creamery. An Oakland landmark for more than 110 years, Fentons serves mountainous scoops, thick shakes, and sundaes so big they're nearly obscene. 4226 Piedmont Ave.; 510/658-7000.

SAN FRANCISCO

MaggieMudd. No one's left out here: In addition to old-school flavors like rocky road, bubble gum, and peppermint candy, it has a big selection of dairy-free and sugar-free ice creams that taste as good as the real thing. 903 Cortland Ave.; 415/641-5291.

SEBASTOPOL

Screamin' Mimi's. It doesn't get more fun than Mimi's gorgeous gourmet ice creams and sorbets--like jalapeno lime--made with Sonoma County ingredients. 6902 Sebastopol Ave., 707/823-5902.