Arlo’s Ice Cream

By: Mary E. Mayer

Arlo Kraus: 

14 year-old Ice Cream Entrepreneur 

Capo Beach Local

Surfer

All around great kid. 

Arlo Kraus stands proudly in front of his second ice cream stand in his famous straw hat.

14-year old Capo Beach surfer Arlo Kraus started selling ice cream and popsicles two years ago with a bicycle push cart or “Paleta,” similar to the ones he saw while in Mexico. He describes his first cart as “a retro cart with a bike attached that some guy’s grandfather sold street corn out of.” Arlo filled it up with ice cream, popsicles and drinks and the rest is history. Peddling his icy treats around Doheny and the Dana Point Harbor, he worked a whole summer, saved up his profits and just a month ago purchased a fancy new and larger bicycle-driven ice cream cart. With a shiny blue slightly retro logo, bright orange umbrella and chalkboard menu sign, Arlo is back in business this summer with his second cart. He now runs two carts on weekends when crowds are bigger and has a close friend manning the helm of his original cart.

Beach goers come to Arlo's Ice Cream cart to cool down on a hot day at Baby Beach in Dana Point.

With nearly a thousand Instagram followers, @arlos.icecream posts his daily adventures and locations so that followers can find him. Arlo has a loyal following and makes new friends everyday with his stylish cart, friendly attitude and shaggy straw hat. When he is not selling ice cream, Arlo surfs with his buddies at their local spot, "the jetty." He also ventures south of the border to San Miguel and Las Gaviotas Mexico with friends on surf trips. His surfboard preferences range from "fishes" and single-fin boards to longboard "logs," hence Arlo calls himself more of a “self-shaped” surfer.

A constant flow of kids, families and sandy beach-goers ebb and flow around the charming cart asking questions and buying drumsticks, Haagen Dazs bars and fruity popsicles. Honestly, there is a fantastic draw to a touch of nostalgia and a charming grin that radiates from Arlo and his cart. He follows every sale with a “thanks man, have a great day” and is equally comfortable serving the grandpa buying for his grandchild as he is with the young girls in bikinis.

Future plans for his business possibly include creating his own line of homemade ice cream as well as healthy popsicles. He has considered creating Acai popsicles with fresh fruit, and even has the popsicle molds and room in the freezer to start experimenting. 

Arlo offers one of his homemade popsicles to our camera woman. 

Long Term goals might just include taking over Boneyard Café, revamping the menu and holding outdoor movie premiers under the stars. One thing is very clear: Arlo Kraus has a natural gift and innate sense of beach culture that drives his passion from Boneyard to Baby Beach.