50 Best Ice Cream Shops in San Diego

“I was nervous about the flavors, mostly because I didn’t know what they were! But was able to taste test and decided on the Quattroberry and stracciatella. Delicious! Great price- $6.50 for two big scoops! Definitely wanted to go back. Try the dragon fruit/lemon one- super tart and so good!“

“Fantastic, velvety smooth creative flavors and made from scratch! They also switch out their flavors every 2 weeks or so! Fun concept, wonderful staff. Highly recommend. Putting San Diego on the food map :)“

“I was nervous about the flavors, mostly because I didn’t know what they were! But was able to taste test and decided on the Quattroberry and stracciatella. Delicious! Great price- $6.50 for two big scoops! Definitely wanted to go back. Try the dragon fruit/lemon one- super tart and so good!“

“I live in Arizona and walking my found this place. To sum it up I’m addicted to this ice cream. Every time we go to San Diego I have this ice cream 2 to 3 times a day.“

“Best Ice creams , sply double fold vanila and honey lavender“

“The perfect treat on a hot day. And now that we know the deliver , I’m getting gelato at work.“

“This is by far one of the best ice cream shops I’ve been to! The ice cream is phenomenal and is all made in house. The owner Dave was so kind and helpful! I will absolutely be back to this stop next time I’m in town! P.s. don’t sleep on the mushroom ice cream. It is BEYOND good!“

“If you’re visiting Belmont Park near Mission Beach, you absolutely have to stop by IceChurro. This place is easily one of the best dessert spots in the entire area.
First of all, the ice cream itself is incredible. The texture is perfectly creamy and smooth, and the flavors taste rich and fresh. But what really sets IceChurro apart are the toppings and combinations. They don’t just give you basic toppings—you get a huge selection of high-quality options that make every dessert feel like a custom masterpiece. From crunchy toppings to sweet sauces and specialty extras, everything tastes way better than what you’d expect from a typical ice cream stand.
Another thing that makes this place special is the presentation. The desserts look amazing when they come out—almost too good to eat (almost!). Whether you’re getting ice cream, churro creations, or one of their loaded desserts, you can tell they actually care about making it look as good as it tastes.
The location is perfect too. IceChurro sits right inside Belmont Park, and it’s literally just steps away from the sand at Mission Beach. That means you can grab an amazing dessert and then walk straight out to the beach to enjoy it with an ocean view. There’s something really special about sitting near the waves with an incredible ice cream treat after a day of walking the boardwalk, riding the roller coaster, or hanging out in the park.
The atmosphere around Belmont Park adds to the experience as well. You’ve got the beach energy, the boardwalk, the rides, and the ocean breeze—so grabbing something sweet from IceChurro just feels like the perfect way to finish off the day.
Overall, IceChurro is easily a five-star experience. The ice cream is outstanding, the toppings are next-level, the desserts look amazing, and the location near the beach makes it even better. If you’re anywhere near Belmont Park or Mission Beach in San Diego, do yourself a favor and stop here. You won’t regret it. 🍦🌊🌴“

“The ice cream here was amazing. Got the vanilla with Oreo and it was the best I have ever had. Kids got waffle cones with mint chocolate chip and straight chocolate and they loved it as well. Gentleman that waited on us was friendly. Would highly recommend“

“Came around 5pm on a Monday and there was just one other person in line. I was looking forward to trying the Pandan and the matcha but both were not for me. I ended up getting a split scoop of the Jasmine (more on the floral side) and Thai tea which were both good. They have a rotating menu and I liked the variety/unique flavors they offered. Smaller space with a few seats, friendly service and generous portions“

“Delicious ice cream and best red bean paste! We can’t wait to go back!“

“Delicious malts and delicious food! Homemade French fries and home made ranch dressing“

“I live in Arizona and walking my found this place. To sum it up I’m addicted to this ice cream. Every time we go to San Diego I have this ice cream 2 to 3 times a day.“

“Ok, I am from NY and love pizza. I am not a NYC pizza snob though and welcome all iterations of 'za! I have to say that this pizza is probably the best I have ever had of its type. They are "Roman" slices, meaning focaccia crust. Variety of slice options are insane with creative combinations that are not only imaginative, but insanely delicious. Slices are cooked upon ordering for supreme freshness. I especially like the Lussuria - prosciutto, black pepper, mashed potato, mozzarella and olive oil. (I NEVER thought I would like mashed potato on a slice, but it's insanely good.) The help here is amazing as well. Caesar was working the oven and he gave great suggestions and explained the product well. Very inviting and definitely steered me in the right direction. Need gluten free? They got it! Will make a GF slice for you right on the spot. I challenge anyone to have just one slice. I had to go back for 2 more. Enjoy!“

“Fabulous popsicles and top notch service! We went back again and again for the cute popsicle boy Socrates! Friendly, welcoming, helpful. Best thing we found in San Diego for sure!“

“I live in Arizona and walking my found this place. To sum it up I’m addicted to this ice cream. Every time we go to San Diego I have this ice cream 2 to 3 times a day.“

“Very good and authentic Mexican food owned and operated by a great family! Viva Cristo Rey!“

“The best ice cream in San Diego hands down“

“Salt and straw is one of my favorite ice cream places in the country. I always look for them when I’m out West.

Star was especially fun and engaging as our ice cream Concierge - letting us try more flavors than we probably ought. Highly recommended.“

“Excellent vegan soft serve ice cream.“

“Their homemade ice cream“

“Nice gelato place! Lots of amazing flavors to choose from, and the gelato is great. Stuff is friendly and helpful. There is sitting both inside and outside. Wish there would be more parking. Even though there are plenty of paid and free parking spaces, it is sometimes challenging to find a spot.“

“I was nervous about the flavors, mostly because I didn’t know what they were! But was able to taste test and decided on the Quattroberry and stracciatella. Delicious! Great price- $6.50 for two big scoops! Definitely wanted to go back. Try the dragon fruit/lemon one- super tart and so good!“

“It was so so good! Let me sample ice creams, and the sample spoons were NOT plastic which I greatly appreciated the idea of reuse. The flavors were fun. I LOVEEED how they put the scoops on a cup, it was one that was wide so I can eat from all three flavors instead of going through each flavor like regular ice cream shops do. Much enjoyed! Service was kind and fast“

“An nicely provocation for the healthy people. Not fear! Dark chocolate, with your property Triptophane, serotonyn, fire on the metabolism to the perfect working process. I'm a vegan and my opinion on the actually assessment market is that already fitted for the vegan customers. The ice cream is wonderful.“

“Thank you Woofpac for dropping off some Advent calendars at our veterinary hospital! These are honestly the first treats that every single one of my dogs loved! I will be stopping by Irvine Spectrum soon to get them more goodies 🐶❤️“

“I stopped by on a Thursday around 2:00 PM. You place your order at the counter, and I had my ice cream in less than a minute so super fast service!

I ordered the:

•Yellow Cake Batter Ice Cream: it was delicious. It wasn’t too sweet and was very creamy. Very well made!

The prices are unbelievable. My small cup was only $2.50, which is almost unheard of these days. The portion was just the right size too.

They also offer complimentary pup cups, which is a little scoop of vanilla ice cream on a cone. My dog absolutely loved it and devoured it!

Parking on the side streets can be a little tricky depending on the time of day, but it’s worth it.

Overall, the ice cream is phenomenal, the service is incredibly fast, and the prices are hard to beat. If you’re looking for great ice cream without spending a fortune, this spot is definitely worth checking out!“

“Every time I visit Salt & Straw, I’m reminded that ice cream can truly be an experience, not just dessert. The flavors are incredibly creative while still feeling intentional and balanced… each scoop tastes thoughtfully crafted with high-quality ingredients rather than just being unique for the sake of it.

What really sets this location apart, though, is the staff. Everyone was genuinely warm, patient, and excited to let us sample as many flavors as we wanted until we found the perfect combination. You never feel rushed, even when it’s busy, and that level of hospitality makes all the difference.

The shop itself is bright, clean, and has such a fun, welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re a local or just visiting La Jolla, this is one of those places that’s absolutely worth stopping for. It somehow manages to feel nostalgic and adventurous at the same time. I’ll definitely be coming back, there are too many incredible flavors left to try. 🍦🌿“

“So many delicious cookies!! Soft serve ice cream as well. 100% vegan but you don’t need to be vegan to enjoy. Unique flavors and many rotating seasonal options“

“Many ice cream flavors, all delish!“

“Fun sweet treats in the area, by the ballpark. Best mom and kids team running the place. Great flavors, lots of toppings to choose from, love to accommodate your taste palates and adventures, LOL. Don't forget to try if you are in the area.

We tried the banana split and it was yummy, we did switch to include one scoop of the dole whip soft serve.“

“This your local Ma & Pop shop. Personal Fav: Acai/Blue Spirulina Bowl (Acai Roots Brand 💜) They have quite a few bases to choose from so that's nice.

Every bowl, no matter who is working, is made with love. Employees are super sweet, very engaging and always greet you with a smile when you walk in.

Froyo/Sorbet/Gelato favors, yes they have multiple options, are super good and changing often. However, Pineapple Dole is always on tap which is another personal fav of mine, so that's rad.

If you want an OG froyo/acai bowl... This is your spot.“

“The gelato at An’s is legendary. The full service is amazing. I love that they take you through all the flavors. It shows their pride in their craft. But lowkey it makes the waiting in queue so long!

This is one of the newer locations (I think the airline/plane one is newest), and it is in Ocean Beach. I love how themed they are. The flavors and pricing are displayed on the tv screens. The font size is so small, so it’s bad for people with bad eyesight.

My favorite flavors here were the Cypress (chocolate) and No Signal (butterscotch and date). I had to get the bigger one, megabyte, because I was greedy. My diet stayed outside the minute I walked inside.

I can’t wait to visit the other locations!“

“Excelente repostería! Riquísimas donas ☕️🍩🍩🍩“

“We found Cabetos a few years ago at a farmers market. Ever since then if we ever see them somewhere- it’s a must have treat. We recently had a grand opening event for our new business and had them cater. They were awesome to work with. Weston, who was at our event was so fun and EVERYONE loved the ice cream. I highly recommend to find them at a farmers market near you or book them for your next event. I now need to go to their new store! So fun!“

“Amazing vegan soft serve options. Gluten free and vegan clearly labeled on everything. I love soft serve but can’t do dairy so this place is an absolute dream for me. Every flavor I have tried has been delicious!! This place is a gem. Highly recommend!!!“

“Had a nice little treat here and really liked it. The ice cream was creamy and tasted fresh, and they had a good amount of flavors to choose from. I went with one of the classics and it was pretty tasty. The shop had a relaxed vibe and the person helping us was friendly. Nothing fancy, just a good place to grab some ice cream when you’re craving something sweet. The portion was a decent size too. I’ll probably come back next time I’m in the area and try a different flavor. Overall, a good spot for a quick dessert.“

“Here’s what I tried:
1. Egg Puff Ice Cream (Milk flavor with Strawberry Crumble): 8.5/10
The flavor was rich and creamy, with a nice crunch from the strawberry crumble.

2. Small Cup (Choco flavor with Biscoff Crumble): 9/10
Perfect for chocolate lovers! The rich chocolate paired perfectly with the crunchy Biscoff crumble.
Not Pictured:

3. Cotton Candy: 10/10
Super fluffy and very cute! Perfect for sharing with your loved one.“

“Best sandwiches ever!! Service was excellent, staff is so friendly. Prices are great I never miss a chance to eat at we be ob. Great location!!! Do yourself a favor and try this place, it does not disappoint!!!“

“We strolled over after Fish Guts and enjoyed a cooling treat after a hot day. The mango shaved ice, avocado pistachio ice and coffee almond fudge all had great flavors. We got cookies to take home also (so good). I will definitely try the shaved ice next time around.“

“I live in Arizona and walking my found this place. To sum it up I’m addicted to this ice cream. Every time we go to San Diego I have this ice cream 2 to 3 times a day.“

“Best coconut ice cream, like a cloud of delicious coconut cream a little drizzel of chocolate and the perfect balance of nut ratio.“

“In love with this shaved ice! more than you can eat for a great price.“

“My brother has raved about this place and I see what all the hype was about. This is the best ice cream sandwich I've ever had. I'm not even one to gravitate towards ice cream sandwiches. This was incredible. The cookies and ice cream are incredible. The ratio of sauces and toppings was just right. Friendly staff who were very helpful for my first time being here. I'm still thinking about the krispy rice and cosmic brownie cookies.“

“The best ice cream with super unique flavors. Highly recommend!“

“Delicious ice cream and best red bean paste! We can’t wait to go back!“

“Love the cheerful, friendly welcome and the first timer helpfulness! Delicious sandwiches prepared to order, personal preferences are catered to. Always something new to try, creative variations.“

“This yogurt shop serves a great variety of yogurt and toppings. The employees are friendly and service is fast.“

“Best cannoli of my life. This is an absolute must stop in Little Italy.“

“One of the most unique ice cream shops in a city filled with great ice cream spots. This one has its own style. Mexican style paleta ice cream with a range of customization options that will satisfy any and all age of kids (including the picky adults). Tuxedo style let's you try two types of chocolate dip. Must try if visiting and have a couple of hours before flying out.. right in downtown close to the waterfront park.“