Best Gelato in La Playa

"You can smell Hammond's Gourmet Ice Cream long before you walk in the door. The aroma of fresh waffle cones made in the store is tantalizing, there is no way to pass by without stopping in for a taste. The industrial space the shop occupies is fabulous, with high ceilings, and a curious chandelier made out of vintage sundae cups and reused wood."

"With over 300 rotating flavors of sweet and savory flavors, Hammond’s started serving their gourmet ice cream in North Park and have since expanded into Pacific Beach and Point Loma. Stressed about trying every flavor?. Order their signature ice cream flight with three, six, or more mini ice cream cones."

"Head to Garnet Road, the main street leading to the pier at Pacific Beach. Tucked in between a lot of great restaurants and casual cafes is local ice cream favorite, Hammond’s Gourmet ice cream. Not sure which flavor to buy?"

"Whether it's the funfetti cookies paired with cookies and cream ice cream or chocolate chip cookies sandwiching cookie dough ice cream, Baked Bear will have you all screaming for ice cream for delivery through Uber Eats. Even more, check their Facebook page for delivery of their Quaratine Kit (2 pints + 1 dozen cookies) which can make up to 6 ice cream sandwiches. The price (including delivery) is $35 flat, and for every kit delivered, they will be donating a dozen cookies to our brave medical staff working so hard in the local hospitals."

"Pacific Beach/Carlsbad/Petco ParkWhat you're getting: Custom ice cream sandwich ($3.25-$4.25)Whether you build your own ice cream sandwich with cookies, brownies, or a donut, it’ll still ring in well under $5. Our pick is the cookie and brownie combo ($3.70), a delicious treat big enough to satisfy the sweet tooth of a bear under the influence of appetite-increasing herbs."

"Pappalecco is bringing the taste of Tuscany to America’s Finest City, serving up their mouthwatering eats and soul pleasing coffee at six locations across San Diego County. Believing there should be a piece of Tuscany in every corner of the world, chef and co-owner Lorenzo Bucci has attributed a lot of their success to the authenticity and simplicity of their menu as well as their unusually welcoming long-time restaurant staff. Patrons have been known to drive well over 10 miles daily to indulge in their organic Tuscan coffee and delightful breakfast croissants."

"Located at 8008 Girard Ave. (between Prospect Street and South Coast Boulevard) in the La Jolla, the spot to score gelato, ice cream, frozen yogurt and other desserts is the most popular gelato spot in San Diego, boasting five stars out of 1,707 reviews on Yelp."

"Ok, I get that gelato isn’t exactly a meal but I would definitely replace my meal with this gelato so therefore I had to add it to the list!. Hands down the best dessert I’ve ever had. If you are a coffee lover you have to get the Affogato."

"The Cravory specializes in amazingly sweet and unique cookies. They have two shops in San Diego, one in Point Loma and the other in Carlsbad but they also sell at local farmer’s markets. Just some of their cookie flavors include “Pancakes and Bacon,” “Rosemary Balsamic” and “Chocolate Truffle.” Get some to-go for the perfect take-home dessert and enjoy with your date along with some warm, liquored-up coffee or a White Russian for a sweet night cap."

"At least that’s the government’s position, despite the fear and misgivings of some in our citizenry. I’m not here to settle that discussion from any public policy standpoint. But I am here to say that cookies have been essential to my own well-being, while at home in isolation."

"Just off Orange Street you’ll find the best place to get gelato in Coronado. At Nado Gelato by Bottega Italiana you’ll be served the highest quality, artisan gelato in amazing flavors like crème brûlée, black sesame or a variety of seasonal fruit. Try up to four flavors in one cup or pile it all on a waffle cone for a highly Instagrammable sweet tweet!"

"When you’re craving nostalgia along with your butter pecan, head down to this beloved National City ice cream parlor. Their website proudly proclaims they make ice cream in the same outdated, inefficient manner they did when they opened in the 1940s: in freezers. They have a wide variety of chocolate flavors, sherbets, sorbets, coffee flavors, fresh and fruity flavors and creative creations."

"Founded in 1948, Neiderfrank’s still uses their original 10-gallon batch freezer to turn out their classic butterRum pecan and more unique flavors like Kahlua krunch. While their main location is located in National City, you can find their ice cream all around San Diego including The Daily Scoop and Big Kahuna’s."

"National City’s answer to the old school ice cream parlor is Niederfrank’s, San Diego’s oldest ice cream manufacturer. Established in 1948, the shop still serves up small batch ice cream. Go here for avocado, macadamia nut toffee, cinnamon and Kahlua krunch."

"If you haven't tried Taiwanese shaved snow, put Iceskimo on your list. They have six core snows (original, strawberry, green tea, lychee, black sesame and salted caramel) in addition to special, seasonal flavors. After choosing a flavor and watching the machine shave it into melt-in-your-mouth, thinner-than-paper slices, customers can head to the DIY toppings bar with items ranging from fresh fruit to mochi to boba."

"Save some room after dinner for Iceskimo's Taiwanese shaved ice - a style somewhere between ice cream and Hawaiian shaved ice. The handmade ice blocks in flavors like black sesame and matcha green tea are shaved down and then topped with tantalizing extras like Nutella, lychee, bananas foster, and oolong milk tea."

"Imagine if ice cream and shaved ice had a baby—that's Iceskimo. The refreshingly light textures complement the creamy flavors and make something beautiful. You choose from a plethora of shaved ice flavors and then customize your creation with their selection of toppings."

"Kearny Mesa, Mira MesaYou’ve probably seen Insta-photos of SomiSomi’s gorgeous ah-boong—Korean fish-shaped waffle cones stuffed with nutella, custard, red bean or taro, topped with soft-serve in flavors like ube, black sesame, matcha or milk tea, and showered in crumbles or sprinkles. Also popular are taiyaki, aka warm Japanese fish-shaped pancakes filled with your choice of taro, custard, red beans, and more. How to order:Limited seating is available on a first-come basis."

"Somi Somi offer irresistible Korean-inspired soft serve in ornate fish-shaped cones that are as pretty on the eye as they are tasty. You’ll find their locations all across Southern California, but nothing beats walking down a sunny San Diego street with one of their creations in your hand."

"Head to Somi Somi for popular Korean desserts like Ah-Boong, a goldfish-shaped waffle cone filled with your choice of filling and topped with soft serve. The Taiyaki is a warm fish-shaped waffle stuffed with a choice of fillings including custard, taro, red beans and more."

"Sometimes mom and dad want a bloody Mary or mimosa with breakfast. While on vacation, indulge in a greasy, calorie-laden breakfast with a cocktail at MaryJane’s Diner in the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego. Even their omelets seem imbued with some sort of magic potion (cream, I suspect)."

"The Crab Hut is a comfortable nautically themed restaurant that offers a variety of seafood menu items along with some amazing cajun-creole classics. They also have a great list of craft beer. The prices are reasonable and seafood is available by the buckets."