5 Must-Try San Diego Ice Cream Shops
There’s nothing better than enjoying a refreshing scoop of ice cream on a hot summer day. And in San Diego, when most of the year feels like summer, ice cream is always in season!
San Diego has no shortage of great ice cream places. The city features a wide variety of scoop shops, with available options ranging from dairy-free flavors, unique tastes, soft serve, and ice cream flights. Below, I’ve highlighted five ice cream shops to try, whether you live here in San Diego or you’re just in town to visit!
Cali Cream
With a vast menu of 50+ ice cream flavors and generous scoops, Cali Cream is a San Diego favorite. The locally-owned shop has two locations in the Gaslamp Quarter and Encinitas, and offers sugar and dairy-free options, as well as sweet treats for dogs.
Locations:
90 N Coast Hwy 101 Suite 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
425 Market St, San Diego, CA 92101
Stella Jean’s
If you’re looking for fun and unique flavors, look no further than Stella Jean’s. The menu at the small batch ice cream shop includes regular tastes Ube and Pandesal Toffee and Strawberry Oat Crumble, plus seasonal flavors.
Locations:
270 E 17th St, Ste 16
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
4404 Park Blvd, Ste B
San Diego, CA 92116
829 Garnet Ave
San Diego, CA 92109
4195 Voltaire St
San Diego, CA 92107
4073 Adams Ave
San Diego, CA 92116
Hammond’s GOURMET Ice Cream
With tropical tastes and inspiration, Hammond’s Gourmet Ice Cream is the perfect sunny day treat. The menu features standard and rotating flavors, as well as ice cream flights if you can’t pick just one flavor!
Locations:
3077 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
3740 Sports Arena Blvd, Suite 6, San Diego, CA 92110
North Park Creamery
The locally and family-owned North Park Creamery’s big focuses are soft serve, coffee, and sustainability. Their ice cream is made from environmentally responsible, ethical, and humane products. The shop’s menu also include sundaes, shakes, malts, and floats.
Location:
3041 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92104
Mariposa Ice Cream
For over 20 years, Mariposa Ice Cream has been serving ice cream to the community and winning awards for their quality dessert. With both traditional and fun flavors filling out their menu, Mariposa is truly a San Diego staple.
Location:
3450 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116
Photo courtesy of Mariposa Ice Cream.