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Frozen Treats To Enjoy In San Diego Right Now

Go beyond ice cream.

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With temperatures forecasted to be higher than normal through Wednesday, we know that we'll be craving some cold, sweet relief in the coming days. What better way to achieve icy nirvana than with some flavorful frozen goodness; here are a dozen ideas for keeping cool? And check out our Ice Cream Map for some other tasty suggestions for beating the heat.

Note: Map points are not ranked.

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Chillbox Greek Frozen Yogurt

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Freshly opened in the East Village near Petco Park, this European transplant specializes in wholesome Greek frozen yogurt made with all natural ingredients. The frozen treat comes in a variety of flavors, with a host of optional toppings, from fruit to candy and local honey.

iDessert

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This do-it-yoursef dessert shop is the brainchild of master pastry chef Jean-Phillippe Maury, whose invention features customizable treats layered with homemade gelato and sorbet, plus meringue, cake, sauces, toppings and more, all programmed via iPad.

Iceskimo

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This Instagram-worthy spot for Taiwanese shaved snow has amassed a hugely popular following since its 2014 debut. The melt in your mouth ribbony goodness comes in six core flavors (salted caramel, strawberry, black sesame, green tea, lychee and original) with rotating seasonal summer specials like lemon and passion fruit. Go à la carte with the colorful array of toppings (fresh fruits, red beans, mochi), or try one of the pre-designed, favorite combos such as Bruce Lychee or Matcha Comin’ Atcha. PRICE POINT: $0.48/ 2oz.

Pappalecco

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At Papalecco's newest Kensington location, the from-scratch gelato is made on-site. Owned and operated by brothers Francesco and Lorenzo Bucci, this colorful café is well known for its innovative (and incredibly delicious) gelato croissant creation. From cups and cones, to take home pints - gelato flavors can be enjoyed solo or mixed and matched to your hearts content. Popular picks include pistachio, hazelnut and signature Pappalecco. For the ultimate caffeine fix try the Affogato - an espresso shot poured over a gelato scoop of your choice.

Viva Pops

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Inspired by Mexican ‘paletas’ Lisa Altmann’s colorful creations are made using fruits sourced from local farms - fun and unusual flavors include Vietnamese coffee, passion fruit guava, avocado lime and strawberry coconut. Stop by the retail shop in Normal Heights to sample her wares, or look for the Viva Pops stand at Farmer's Markets around the county (Encinitas Oceanside, Hillcrest, Little Italy, Pacific Beach, La Jolla). Just in time for summer, these luscious lollipops are now available poolside at the Coronado Marriott. PRICE POINT: $3

Wahine Kai Shave Ice

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While the strip-mall location of this Hawaiian-style shave ice emporium might not inspire, the myriad menu options and combinations certainly do. Create your own explosion of icy color and ‘Shave It Your Way’ with flavors including watermelon, tutti frutti, root beer and cherry, in either Kahuna (8oz.) or Big Kahuna (16oz.) sized cups. If you simply can’t decide, then any of the popular Hui Hui Combos (Hula Girl, Kona Luau, Waikiki) will do the hard work for you. PRICE POINT: $3.22 – $5.66, toppings 59 – 79¢.

Nevería Tocumbo #4

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We're partial to the paletas (frozen pops) at this Mexican frozen treats shop with several locations; other cool speciality items include ice cream in a variety of flavors and raspados — shaved ice topped with sweet syrups.

Infini Tea

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Ice milk drinks are a specialty at this traditional Taiwanese tearoom in Kearny Mesa. The premise is simple: take ice-cold milk, pick a flavor (caramel, coffee, grass tea) then add texture (red bean, lychee jelly), plus more ice and sugar as desired. Prepared in layers, as all bubble milk aficionados know, the secret to a well-balanced mix of flavors and sweetness is in the stirring. Counting calories? The plain pudding with warm, chewy honey boba has fifty percent less sugar than other menu options. PRICE POINT: $3.85 – $4.60

EscoGelato

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This little gem does great locally roasted coffee in the mornings to get you started and then delicious, creamy housemade sorbets and gelatos until late (9 p.m.). Made fresh using fruit from the Escondido Farmers Market, a rotating selection of 18 flavors are served daily including favorites like pineapple, apricot goat cheese and limoncello. There are seasonal specialties to keep things interesting too, including fall favorite Pumpkin Cheesecake and a decadent Chocolate Ruby Port. PRICE POINT: $3.50 – $7.95

Rockies Frozen Yogurt

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This isn’t your regular self-serve frozen yogurt joint. While there are seven different portion sizes on offer (all generous), at almost 10oz. you can fit up to four flavors alone inside one of the smallest cups. With a regularly rotating menu, the hardest part about a visit to this charming mom-and-pop shop is deciding which of their current taste sensations (red velvet chocolate cake, black cherry tart, mango tango sorbet) to try next. PRICE POINT: $2.95 – $7.50

Bobboi Natural Gelato

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Bobboi’s gelato selections are made in-house daily and incorporate fresh, seasonal ingredients from farms and markets in Southern California. New spring flavors at this quaint La Jolla parlor include a tribute to sunny California with their newest flavor CALI, a (carrot, apple, avocado, Meyer lemon and ginger; the Mother’s Day inspired mimosa gelato; and dark chocolate sorbet – a smooth blend of French Valrhona cocoa and dark chocolate.

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Chillbox Greek Frozen Yogurt

Freshly opened in the East Village near Petco Park, this European transplant specializes in wholesome Greek frozen yogurt made with all natural ingredients. The frozen treat comes in a variety of flavors, with a host of optional toppings, from fruit to candy and local honey.

iDessert

This do-it-yoursef dessert shop is the brainchild of master pastry chef Jean-Phillippe Maury, whose invention features customizable treats layered with homemade gelato and sorbet, plus meringue, cake, sauces, toppings and more, all programmed via iPad.

Iceskimo

This Instagram-worthy spot for Taiwanese shaved snow has amassed a hugely popular following since its 2014 debut. The melt in your mouth ribbony goodness comes in six core flavors (salted caramel, strawberry, black sesame, green tea, lychee and original) with rotating seasonal summer specials like lemon and passion fruit. Go à la carte with the colorful array of toppings (fresh fruits, red beans, mochi), or try one of the pre-designed, favorite combos such as Bruce Lychee or Matcha Comin’ Atcha. PRICE POINT: $0.48/ 2oz.

Pappalecco

At Papalecco's newest Kensington location, the from-scratch gelato is made on-site. Owned and operated by brothers Francesco and Lorenzo Bucci, this colorful café is well known for its innovative (and incredibly delicious) gelato croissant creation. From cups and cones, to take home pints - gelato flavors can be enjoyed solo or mixed and matched to your hearts content. Popular picks include pistachio, hazelnut and signature Pappalecco. For the ultimate caffeine fix try the Affogato - an espresso shot poured over a gelato scoop of your choice.

Viva Pops

Inspired by Mexican ‘paletas’ Lisa Altmann’s colorful creations are made using fruits sourced from local farms - fun and unusual flavors include Vietnamese coffee, passion fruit guava, avocado lime and strawberry coconut. Stop by the retail shop in Normal Heights to sample her wares, or look for the Viva Pops stand at Farmer's Markets around the county (Encinitas Oceanside, Hillcrest, Little Italy, Pacific Beach, La Jolla). Just in time for summer, these luscious lollipops are now available poolside at the Coronado Marriott. PRICE POINT: $3

Wahine Kai Shave Ice

While the strip-mall location of this Hawaiian-style shave ice emporium might not inspire, the myriad menu options and combinations certainly do. Create your own explosion of icy color and ‘Shave It Your Way’ with flavors including watermelon, tutti frutti, root beer and cherry, in either Kahuna (8oz.) or Big Kahuna (16oz.) sized cups. If you simply can’t decide, then any of the popular Hui Hui Combos (Hula Girl, Kona Luau, Waikiki) will do the hard work for you. PRICE POINT: $3.22 – $5.66, toppings 59 – 79¢.

Nevería Tocumbo #4

We're partial to the paletas (frozen pops) at this Mexican frozen treats shop with several locations; other cool speciality items include ice cream in a variety of flavors and raspados — shaved ice topped with sweet syrups.

Infini Tea

Ice milk drinks are a specialty at this traditional Taiwanese tearoom in Kearny Mesa. The premise is simple: take ice-cold milk, pick a flavor (caramel, coffee, grass tea) then add texture (red bean, lychee jelly), plus more ice and sugar as desired. Prepared in layers, as all bubble milk aficionados know, the secret to a well-balanced mix of flavors and sweetness is in the stirring. Counting calories? The plain pudding with warm, chewy honey boba has fifty percent less sugar than other menu options. PRICE POINT: $3.85 – $4.60

EscoGelato

This little gem does great locally roasted coffee in the mornings to get you started and then delicious, creamy housemade sorbets and gelatos until late (9 p.m.). Made fresh using fruit from the Escondido Farmers Market, a rotating selection of 18 flavors are served daily including favorites like pineapple, apricot goat cheese and limoncello. There are seasonal specialties to keep things interesting too, including fall favorite Pumpkin Cheesecake and a decadent Chocolate Ruby Port. PRICE POINT: $3.50 – $7.95

Rockies Frozen Yogurt

This isn’t your regular self-serve frozen yogurt joint. While there are seven different portion sizes on offer (all generous), at almost 10oz. you can fit up to four flavors alone inside one of the smallest cups. With a regularly rotating menu, the hardest part about a visit to this charming mom-and-pop shop is deciding which of their current taste sensations (red velvet chocolate cake, black cherry tart, mango tango sorbet) to try next. PRICE POINT: $2.95 – $7.50

Bobboi Natural Gelato

Bobboi’s gelato selections are made in-house daily and incorporate fresh, seasonal ingredients from farms and markets in Southern California. New spring flavors at this quaint La Jolla parlor include a tribute to sunny California with their newest flavor CALI, a (carrot, apple, avocado, Meyer lemon and ginger; the Mother’s Day inspired mimosa gelato; and dark chocolate sorbet – a smooth blend of French Valrhona cocoa and dark chocolate.

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