National Ice Cream Day is on Sunday, July 21st… so naturally we had to round up the best ice cream & gelato shops in North County to celebrate! From classic favorites to unique artisanal flavors, find the perfect spot to indulge in your favorite frozen treats and make this special day unforgettable.

PHOTOS VIA AN’S HATMAKERS

An’s Hatmakers | Del Mar

Featured in Thrillist, Eater, USA Today, Forbes, San Diego Magazine, Zagat, and more, An’s Hatmaker’s gelato has won best in San Diego and was named the #1 ice cream shop in America by USA Today’s 10best. Every ingredient — from salted caramel to brownies to graham crackers — is handmade from scratch, and their executive chef has nearly two decades of experience making gelato across Europe.

If the name is throwing you for a loop, you’re not alone! An’s Hatmakers is an homage to Del Mar and its rich history with the racetrack.

PHOTOS VIA SOLANA SUMPTUOUS COOKIES

Solana Sumptuous Cookies | Solana Beach

If you thought Solana Sumptuous Cookies was only cookies… you’d be mistaken. True craftsman of the baked good + desserts world, SSC is a boutique shop that has meticulously crafted their recipes using only the highest quality ingredients and no preservatives. They offer 18 gourmet artisan cookie flavors, 17 ice cream flavors, and 6 unique Sumptuous Sippers. Drawing inspiration from travels across the U.S., Europe, and South America, the dedicated dough engineer handcrafts cookies in small batches daily, ensuring premium quality and a labor-intensive curating process for the ultimate cookie experience. Visitors to the shop can witness the entire baking process, with fresh batches made throughout the day and upon request, ensuring every bite is fresh and delicious.

Wynston’s Ice Cream | San Marcos + Del Mar

Wynston’s award-winning, super premium, small-batch ice cream is only made with the best ingredients to pack as much flavor in as possible. All of their flavors are carefully crafted, each with their own story: including Blue Moon (with hints of vanilla and citrus), Key Lime Pie (“a classic desert maybe even better as a creamy ice cream“) and Pina Colada (“classic cocktail in pure vegan frozen form“). Any added bits, chunks, or swirls of deliciousness (called “Insidings”) are often made in house and locally sourced.

PHOTOS VIA CALI CREAM ICE CREAM

Cali Cream Ice Cream | Encinitas

Founded by foodies (is there a better way?), Cali Cream Ice Cream offers 70 homemade flavors at any point in time — including gluten-free and vegan options. You can think of their shop as a combination of old-school homemade ice cream with a modern twist, with everything from ice cream hot-fudge sundaes and banana splits to unique flavors of ice cream like cotton candy fizz and deep dish apple pie.

PHOTOS VIA CALI CREAM ICE CREAM

Jojo’s Creamery | Encinitas

Built by mother-daughter team Jami and Emily, Jojo’s Creamery was created as an outpouring of their love for baking warm chocolate chip cookies, visiting neighborhood ice cream shops, and mentoring teenagers and young adults. All of their ice cream is hand made — and their chocolate chip cookies, waffle cones, and sauces are made from scratch (even their brownies, cookie dough, honeycomb, toffee, fudge, & caramel!) Their traditional ice cream is made with organic dairy from Straus Family Creamery, and they also offer four vegan flavors made with organic coconut milk, organic coconut cream, and organic housemade oat and cashew milk.

PHOTOS VIA KIMBERLY MOTOS

Little Fox Cups & Cones | Oceanside

Newly opened in Oceanside in late 2023, Little Fox Cups & Cones makes their ice cream from scratch, yielding totally unique flavors — including Spruce It Up (yes, a la a pine tree!), Banana Pancake, You Otta Horchata, London Fog, and Lavender Haze. You’ll find an average of 20 rotating flavors available in scoops, ice cream flights, and pints to go — as well as ice cream cakes for birthdays and special occasions.

PHOTOS VIA 1022 CAFÉ & GELATERIA

1022 Café & Gelateria | Oceanside

If you’re craving a side of ice cream with your coffee, 1022 Café & Gelateria is for you. While their menu offers classic caffeinated beverages like macchiatos and flat whites, they also excel at affogatos and — yes — gelato. You’ll find flavors like Italian-sources pistachio and hazelnut, alongside more unique flavors like lemon and basil sorbet and sweet cream with lemon zest. Partnered with a Nimrod Ayzic, a renowned pastry chef in Israel, the 1022 team is bringing San Diegans locally sourced, high quaility, hand crafted gelato at a neighborhood-friendly price.

PHOTOS VIA GELATOLOVE

GelatoLove | Carlsbad

GelatoLove, rooted in Italy’s Renaissance and brought to life in California, combines traditional gelato craftsmanship with modern, healthy ingredients. Led by President and CEO Paola Richard, a former wildlife journalist and gelato store owner, the team is dedicated to creating high-quality artisan gelato. Inspired by Italian traditions and a commitment to excellence, GelatoLove offers a superlative dessert experience. Their menu features creamy, all-natural gelato in flavors like amaretto almond cookie and mixed berry cheesecake, along with Italian desserts and cakes.

Sunny Scoops Ice Cream | Carmel Mountain Ranch

Family owned and operated, Sunny Scoops Ice Cream was made by San Diego locals with an affinity for gathering with friends, family, and the community… to eat ice cream! With a large selection of classic flavors as well as new specials each season, Sunny Scoops offers scoops, coffee, shakes, and sundaes. They make their waffle cones fresh throughout the day, and serve each premium scoop with our signature color-changing spoon.

PS: Be sure to ask about their Cookie-Dough Affogato (coffee poured over ice cream)!

Other Ice Cream Shops 🍦

Honorable mentions in North County include Jeni’s (La Costa), Handel’s (various NC locations), McConnell’s (La Costa), Stella Jean’s (Carlsbad), and Salt & Straw (Del Mar).