We all scream for ice cream! The best ice cream and gelato in South Bay

Seriously, when it comes to ice cream and gelato, there’s nothing better than a hot spot to cool down. For those in the South Bay area, a few established neighborhood spots are the heavy favorites. While there's not a lot to dislike about ice cream or gelato, options certainly help, and these favorites pretty much have it all. Here's a short list:

Yelpers love Handel's Homemade Ice Cream and Yogurt in Redondo Beach, which earned 4.5 stars in 375 reviews. This place is popular -- it's been open since 1945 -- so expect long lines, but with Banana Cream Pie, Graham Central Station and Blueberry Cheesecake Chunk among the 100-plus ice cream flavors, it's tough to go wrong.

For gelato lovers, Paciugo Gelato Caffe in Hermosa Beach has become a neighborhood favorite since opening in 2008. A block from the beach, this chain – there are only three locations in SoCal -- has more than 300 flavors of gelato and sorbet to choose from and features about 32 each day. 

Manhattan Beach Creamery is a quaint setting also located steps from the beach and offers 28 flavors daily, plus other flavors not currently in rotation in a pint freezer. All of the ice cream here is made by hand, and among other ice cream-related menu items, the cream'wich is a house favorite.

For those who are health-conscious but still want the satisfaction gelato, try 22 Degrees in Redondo Beach. Described as the nation's first prebiotic gelato, this version offers no corn syrup, preservatives, gluten or artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors. With 80-plus flavors made from scratch in-house choose from, it's no wonder 22 Degrees gets a lot of publicity.