No, they can’t help you with your laundry, but An’s Dry Cleaning will satisfy your cravings for a smooth, chilly treat that’s not your typical scoop shop offering. Quirky names and inventive combos like Cypress, an intense chocolate that’s like eating a gelato brownie; Polyester, a maple syrup gelato swirled with crushed roasted pecan; or Burlap, a vegan option made of coconut milk, peanut butter, and chocolate bits.

At Gelati & Peccati, you’ll have to walk past an eye-popping array of Roman-style pizza, sold a taglio, “by the cut,” to reach the bins of gelati in the back, but isn’t eating dessert first one of the pleasures of adulthood? Eighteen different rotating signature and seasonal flavors, including vegan and sorbet options, are bursting with roasted pistachios, sweet cherry, and chocolate, or boozy, earthy Makers Mark 46.

Both Metl locations boast 38 rotating flavors of liquored-up ice creams like the Slam Diego (Templeton rye, peanuts, Cracker Jack, and pretzels), available in scoops, cones, and pints, along with ice cream sandwiches and cocktail lickers (push pops). Boozy scoops are 21+, but there are non-alcoholic options as well.

You’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.

Stella Jean’s small batches deliver with signature flavors like salty caramel corn, brown butter pecan, and ube pandesal toffee, along with a thoughtful selection of plant-based choices, including mango sticky rice, strawberry oat crumble and matcha pistachio. Available by the pint, along with house-made waffle cones.

At Hammond’s, you can choose from dozens of flavors of Hawaii’s Tropical Dreams premium ice creams and sorbets, including their mini-cone flights, all available for takeout. Almost as many flavors are available by the pint, along with optional mini and regular cones, sprinkles, crumbles and nuts.

The Point Loma location of Hammond's, where you'll find mini-cone flights.

Bing Haus specializes in Thai-style rolled ice cream—a custardy base is thinly spread on a frozen metal plate, then scraped with a metal spatula into thin, coiled cigars, stacked on end and topped with fruit, cereal, cookie crumbles, and sauces. For a spectacular shareable dessert, try the melon bingsu—shave ice and red beans under a mountain of watermelon or honeydew balls, all doused in condensed milk and served up in the melon’s shell.

Mariposa has been making all of its sorbets and ice creams at its Normal Heights location for the last 20 years. Stop by for favorites like Mexican chocolate or white chocolate raspberry ripple, or summery specialties that include watermelon sorbet and lime or lemon sherbet.

Handmade waffle cones and Fosselman’s famous premium ice cream make Moosie’s Ice Cream a must-stop for your snack break. Try the chocolate-covered strawberry flavor with one of their addictive brownies on the side, or their classic ice cream shop sundaes, shakes, malts, or floats in any one of 16 flavors.

Mix or match two freshly baked cookies or brownies on the outside and a huge scoop of decadent ice cream inside for the perfect hand-held treat at The Baked Bear. Whatever combo you choose, have it hot-pressed, drizzled with sauce, rolled in sprinkles, mini M&Ms, or Fruity Pebbles, topped with whipped cream, or all three.

The Carmel Mountain location of this ice cream–sandwich destination.

Mootime Creamery is a Coronado institution, and once you try their handcrafted ice creams, yogurts and sorbets, you’ll understand why there’s a line out the door most days. Choose your ice cream and whatever mix-ins you want to add, then watch while they smoosh it together and pile it into a cone or cup.

Conveniently located right at the entrance to the Imperial Beach Pier, Cow-A Bunga Ice Cream has been serving its handcrafted ice cream to locals since 2000. Grab a cone, ice cream sandwich, or sundae and go for a stroll on the pier or along the beach.

Lighthouse Ice Cream, an OB favorite for more than 30 years, is famous for its hot waffle and pancake ice cream sandwiches and sundaes. They’ve got a full complement of Cascade Glacier and Double Rainbow premium and ultra-premium flavors, non-dairy and sugar-free options, soft serve and 30 different toppings.