Lick into a scoop of artisanal ice cream at this family-run shop in Encinitas’ Lumberyard Shopping Center and get a free regular or gluten-free mini cookie with each ice cream purchase. There, everything — from the caramel to the cookie dough — is made from scratch using organic, local ingredients. Vegan options with coconut and cashew milk are also available, plus gluten-free waffle cones. Peep the shop’s Facebook or Instagram for details on new flavors like summer favorite lemon berry shortbread.

Handmade gelato named after fabrics? It’s a yes from An’s, where flavors include Cashmere (goat cheese and honey) and vegan Burgundy (sorbet with blueberries and chardonnay jam). Now, the dry cleaners-inspired shop on Adams Avenue operates a new location in Del Mar called An’s Hatmakers, only this time, with an aesthetic that takes you back to a 1920s art deco hat shop. 

Unlimited ice cream samples are back at this Portland-based ice cream chain, making each experience at the Little Italy and Del Mar Heights locations a fun and tasty one. While the classic menu and house-made waffle cones are available year-round, keep your eyes peeled for seasonal flavors like the flower power series with flavors like saffron and honey with real flower petals. For summer, a picnic series is expected in June — think cheeseboards, fruits and chocolate.

For a swirl of creamy soft-serve ice cream in a fish-shaped waffle cone, visit the Convoy, Mira Mesa or La Jolla UTC (coming soon) locations where picture-worthy ice cream is guaranteed. Each ah-boong or Korean waffle cone comes with a choice of filling, including red bean and Nutella, that is topped off with soft-serve flavors ranging from ube and black sesame to milk tea. 

Home to a unique Thai-style rolled ice cream, this Convoy spot makes made-to-order frozen treats that are whipped up before your eyes. Flavors like strawberry, green tea, cookies and cream, passion fruit and Thai tea rolls headline the menu alongside soft-serve ice cream and bingsoo, a shaved ice concoction served with red beans and medley of fruits with condensed milk. If somehow that isn’t enough, finish your sugar rush with the new mochi donuts with flavors like honey jasmine, fruity pebbles and chocolate oreo.

A beloved family-run shop in Adams Avenue, Mariposa holds a slew of awards and accolades earned in the last 20 years for its homemade ice cream with no eggs. Several rotating seasonal flavors — lemon, watermelon sorbet, and peach during summer — are found alongside a long list of classics, coconut almond fudge and Mexican chocolate to name a few.

Purveyors of premium Tropical Dreams ice cream, Hammond’s offers more than 100 flavors on rotation across its two shops found in North Park and Point Loma. You won’t want to miss its ice cream flight concept — their mini cone flights which range from a 6- to a mega 32-flavor option. This summer, you can expect new milkshakes, a cookie skillet and fun flavors like Snickers Cheesecake and Silk Road (matcha and white chocolate).

Nestled behind a walkup window next to Cardellino in Mission Hills, is a small ice cream shop — the Trust Group’s venture into the frozen treat, if you will. Led by Executive Pastry Chef Jeremy Harville, the shop serves chef-centric flavors like peanut butter lovers, honey vanilla, chamango mango sorbet, carrot cake, Captain Crunch or malted milk soft serve.

University Heights’ small-batch parlor has expanded to Point Loma and now, a South Park location for 2023 is in the works, making mouths water with signature flavors like earl grey, citrus tea cake and ube pandesal toffee. Plant-based ice cream with coconut milk options are also available, including passion fruit and strawberry crunch. Request sprinkles if you want, they’re free.

Mai Marche and consulting chef Spencer Hue co-author the recipes behind the mouthwatering flavors at this charming ice cream parlor in Golden Hill (closed for remodel) and now in South Park. The menu rotates monthly, but current summertime vegan and gluten-free offerings include Haupia Haole Pie, Guava Sorbet and Lavender Lemonade Sorbet.

No need to go all the way to Mexico for Michoacan-style ice cream. Instead, go to Tocumbo on Market, in Chula Vista or Barrio Logan to fulfill your craving. Flavors range from the basics such as strawberry, vanilla, chocolate and Oreo to Mexican favorites like guayaba, gansito and rompope. For a sweeter treat, try the canastita michoacana or the Michoacan Basket, Tocumbo’s version of a sundae featuring ice cream of your choice, fresh fruit and whipped cream served in a waffle bowl.

Tucked inside the Kababayan Bakery in Spring Valley, Snoice serves pandesal ice cream sandwiches filled with flavors like iconic ube (yam) and buko pandan (coconut, screwpine leaves), enclosed by two slices of the popular Filipino bread rolll. Shaved snow and Filipino favorite dessert halo halo can also be savored here.

National City’s answer to the old school ice cream parlor is Niederfrank’s, San Diego’s oldest ice cream manufacturer. The shop has served its small batch ice cream since its establishment in 1948. Go here for avocado, macadamia nut toffee, cinnamon and Kahlua krunch. Custom-made ice cream pies are also made here.