Chill Out With San Diego’s Best Sweet Treats and Cool Eats!
Baby, it’s warm outside. Thankfully, “America’s Finest City” offers plenty of great ways to get cool and stay cool. Even better — some of the best of those mercury-managing ideas aren’t just effective, but delicious! If you’re looking to beat the heat and treat your tastebuds at the same time, read on for some of our favorite local San Diego frozen treats, tropical drinks and cool eats that are equal parts tasty and temperature-reducing.
Val’s Coffee Corner’s Brazilian Açai Bowls (2.2 miles)
(Photo: @valscoffeecorner)
There are few spots on the planet more sultry than Brazil — which is why they’ve come up with no end of ways to stay cool there. One of the best? The equal parts tempting and temperature-taming açai bowl. And nobody in San Diego serves this superfood more scrumptiously than our good friends at Val’s Coffee Corner in Ocean Beach. Their take is a smooth, sweet blend of organic açai sorbet, granola, coconut, banana, strawberry, blueberry, honey and chia seeds, and it’s a guaranteed great way to feel good (and eat even better) in even the warmest of weather conditions.
1869 Cable St, San Diego, CA 92107
Baked Bear’s Ice Cream Sandwiches (2.7 miles)
(Photo: @thebakedbear)
Anytime is a good time for ice cream, especially when it’s served as creamy and delicious as the folks here do it up. Baked Bear specializes in over-the-top, no-holds-barred ice cream sandwiches, so you’re only limited by your imagination — and your appetite! In fact, their gooey, cold-packed concoctions are so legendary, they’ve attracted national press — including feature appearances in Forbes, Eater, Thrillist, and many more foodie-first publications. Whether you pick a favorite from their extensive menu or design your own, one thing’s for sure: you won’t leave unsatisfied. Take one to-go and enjoy it beachside — they’re located right along the boardwalk.
4516 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109
Holy Paleta’s “Heaven on a Stick” (5.3 miles)
(Photo: @holypaleta)
For the uninitiated, Paletas are a traditional frozen Mexican treat. Think a next-level popsicle. These family favorites can be made with a variety of ingredients — from fruit, to cookies & cream, nuts, even jalapeños! We highly suggest trying this summer favorite with a visit to Holy Paleta, a local stop offering unique flavors like “Matcha Latte”, “Creamy Passionfruit”, “Toasted S’mores”, and more!
2040 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
An’s Dry Cleaning’s Award-Winning Gelato (7.8 miles)
(Photo: @ansdrycleaning)
We know what you’re thinking — but don’t be fooled. The sign over the door at An’s may lead you to believe they’re a great place to get that stubborn spot out of your favorite jacket. But they’re actually one of the city’s best gelato spots! The new owners just didn’t want to alter the historic charm of the building after they took it over from the previous establishment. They now offer house made “fabrics” with amazing flavors like “Linen” (a pineapple-basil vegan sorbet), and the popular “Leather” (a brown butter, chocolate chip variety). So, how’s it going? So well that An’s was recently named as the #2 ice cream parlor in the COUNTRY by USA Today. Don’t miss out on their unbeatable sweets, always and only made from the best fresh, local ingredients.
3017 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116
Sip a Smoothie
(Photo: @shakeandwake)
When it’s warm, there are few better ways to nourish the soul and lower the temperature than by sipping on something cool, blended and tasty. Thankfully, San Diego offers some sweet smoothie stops perfect for cooling down. We recommend checking out nearby Shake & Wake in Pacific Beach for organic blends of fresh ingredients as nutritious as they are delicious. Señor Mango’s fruiteria has been a University Heights staple for more than 20 years, offering some of the most affordable and fresh juices, smoothies and fruit salads in town. And you also can’t beat the delectable Dole Whip at Belmont Park!
Belmont Park, 3146 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109 (1.1 miles)
Shake & Wake: 910 Grand Ave #108, San Diego, CA 92109 (2.8 miles)
Señor Mango’s: 4607 30th St, San Diego, CA 92116 (7.7 miles)
Tip Back a Tropical Tiki
(Photo: @balihairestaurant)
Polynesian cultures have concocted countless temptingly tropical ways to cool down for generations. And thanks to San Diego’s “melting pot” cultural scene, plenty of these island-inspired refreshments have found their way to our shores. Whether you’re sampling the notoriously potent Mai Tai at Shelter Island’s Bali Hai, speakeasy False Idol’s famous Painkiller, The Royal Fog Cutter at Grass Skirt or the 13 Assassins at Realm of the 52 Remedies, you’re sure to find chill in all senses of the word, while also really taking in those tropical summer vibes.
The Grass Skirt: 910 Grand Ave, San Diego, CA 92109 (2.8 miles)
Bali Hai: 2230 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106 (4.4 miles)
False Idol: 675 W Beech St, San Diego, CA 92101 (6.3 miles)
Realm Of The 52 Remedies: 4805 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111 (10.6 miles)
Sushi, Poké and More
(Photo: @pb_pokehouse)
Adventure doesn’t happen on an empty stomach. But if the thought of eating a heavy, hot meal in the middle of summer doesn’t sound too appealing, then you’ve certainly got some options! Thanks to our coastal location, San Diego is home to some fantastic spots to sample just-caught seafood served fresh and cool. Whether you’re in the mood for sushi, sashimi, or an island-style poké bowl, “America’s Finest City” will have you hooked.
- Umi Sushi — 2806 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106
- The Joint — 4902 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107
- Sushi Tadokoro — 2244 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110
- Nobu Sushi — 207 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
- It’s Raw Poké Shop — 4991 Newport Ave Ste A, San Diego, CA 92107
- PB Poké House — 4150 Mission Blvd #145, San Diego, CA 92109
- The Poké Co. — 8590 Rio San Diego Dr, San Diego, CA 92108
- Poké Chop — 1404 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
Cool Your Heels at The Dana
(Photo: @danamissionbay)
Ready to reserve your stay for a tasty tour of San Diego’s coolest chill-out spots? There’s no better place to call home than The Dana on Mission Bay. In between visiting all the spots on our list, you can beat the heat with us right here! Enjoy a dip in our pool (and family-friendly film selections) on Dive-In Movie Night. Order summer cocktails like our Bahama Mama, or Dana Mai Tai from our Tropical Pool Bar. Pick up a frozen treat during popsicle social every Saturday, and sample the summer food and cocktail menu at Firefly Eatery and Bar. But before you do all of that, take a look at our Special Offers page and book your stay today!