Handcrafted scoops rooted in a Northern California family tradition arrive daily at Pacific Beach Ice Cream Co., an ice cream shop at 1010 Grand Ave in the 92109. Owner and operator Dave Wright grew up watching his father perfect small-batch recipes at a beloved mom-and-pop shop in Nevada City, tucked into the Sierra Nevada foothills. That same passion for real ingredients followed Wright south when he opened the Pacific Beach location, bringing his dad's signature mint chip, Julian Dutch Apple Pie, and a rotating lineup of seasonal flavors to the coast. In July 2025, Wright won Flavor of the Year at the seventh annual San Diego Scoop Festival in North Park, impressing judges and the public with his Dad's Famous Mint Chip, made with real spearmint and dark chocolate rather than artificial coloring. All ice cream is made in-house in small batches, and the shop carries a perfect 100-out-of-100 county health score. Beyond the premium scoops, Wright offers handmade Italian ices in flavors like pink grapefruit and persimmon ginger, plus a full line of dairy-free and gluten-free vegan frozen treats. Those with a sweet tooth exploring Grand Avenue can also pick up pastries, cakes, and fresh-baked bread at The French Gourmet, a longtime PB bakery a short walk west. The shop holds a 4.9-star Google rating with more than 440 reviews, and visitors frequently mention Wright by name, noting that he takes time to explain what makes each flavor unique. Doors open daily at 1 p.m. and stay open until 9 or 10 p.m. depending on the night, and dogs are welcome at the outdoor seating. Beachgoers heading back from a morning at World Famous often cap the walk with a scoop on Grand.