Apple Sticky Bun
Cinnamon bun ice cream with apple pie filling and a cinnamon brown sugar swirl. Contains: Milk
Gluten-Free
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We'll send a note the minute Apple Sticky Bun rotates back into the case.
Our San Marcos scoop shop
Ice Cream in San Marcos, CA
Eighteen handcrafted flavors, dirty sodas you can't get anywhere else, and a rotating menu inspired by the nostalgic stuff you forgot you loved. Tucked into North City, just off CSUSM.
About this shop
A neighborhood scoop shop with a monthly twist.
We opened our doors in San Marcos in 2019 because we wanted a place where families could walk in, take their time with the menu, and leave with something a little better than they expected. Half of our 18-flavor menu changes every single month — driven by your votes, our ongoing experiments, and whatever the season's pulling out of us.
The "Always" flavors stay put: Old Reliable, FTW Chocolate, and Chocolate Covered Strawberry — each one a national award winner we will never take off the menu. The "Sometimes" menu is where we can go a little wild, bur you will usually find a rotating favorite here. We name them after the food memories they're built on, and we can tell you the story if you care to hear it.
Hold the Cow — our dairy-free line — sits on the same menu, not buried in a corner. Built on bases like oat, almond, coconut, corn, and lentils, scooped with the same care, half of them you wouldn't guess weren't dairy.
What's different about this shop
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Closer to CSUSM than any other premium shop. 3 minutes from campus, walkable from the residence halls.
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Half the menu rotates monthly. 8 flavors stay, 10 swap at the beginning of the month.
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Dirty sodas you can't get anywhere else. Café-style drinks built fresh, year-round.
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Dairy-free is a real menu, not a side dish. 2 Hold the Cow flavors every month.
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Open late. Until 10pm Sun–Thu, 11pm Fri–Sat.
This month at the shop
Currently scooping in San Marcos.
The full 18-flavor lineup, updated live from each shop's case. Anything sold out shows up so you can plan your visit.
Biscoff Latte
Cookie butter and coffee ice cream.
You're on the list.
We'll send a note the minute Biscoff Latte rotates back into the case.
Blue Moon
Our founder, Chris, grew up in Michigan, where Blue Moon can be found in every creamery in the st...
Gluten-FreeYou're on the list.
We'll send a note the minute Blue Moon rotates back into the case.
Boozie Cookie Smores
Roasted marshmallow goodness with chunks of chocolate chips cookies, a nip of bourbon, and a fudg...
You're on the list.
We'll send a note the minute Boozie Cookie Smores rotates back into the case.
Bourbon Vanilla Bean Truffle
Our best Madagascar vanilla, along with the delicious beans for a little extra vanilla. Add in a ...
Gluten-FreeYou're on the list.
We'll send a note the minute Bourbon Vanilla Bean Truffle rotates back into the case.
Chocolate Almond
This ice cream starts with an almond base for a completely vegan flavor. Our pure dutch cocoa is ...
VeganGluten-FreeYou're on the list.
We'll send a note the minute Chocolate Almond rotates back into the case.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
A collaboration with Maya's delicious vegan cookies. We used her chocolate chip cookie dough and ...
VeganYou're on the list.
We'll send a note the minute Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough rotates back into the case.
- 🏅Award-Winning
Chocolate Covered Strawberry
The darlings of the ball, our award-winning strawberry ice cream & Milk Chocolate Chunks, are now...
Gluten-FreeYou're on the list.
We'll send a note the minute Chocolate Covered Strawberry rotates back into the case.
Find us
How to get to the San Marcos shop.
250 N City Dr, Suite 7
San Marcos, CA 92078
(858)923-1411
Hours
| Sunday | 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm |
| Monday | 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm |
| Tuesday | 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm |
| Thursday (today) | 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm |
| Friday | 12:00 pm – 11:00pm |
| Saturday | 12:00 pm – 11:00pm |
Parking
Free street parking in front of the shop. Validated parking garage off of Campus Way, just bring in your parking ticket and we will validate.
Landmarks
We're in the North City development, two doors down from Buona Forchetta. About 3 minutes from CSUSM. If you're coming from the 78, take the Twin Oaks Valley exit and head south.
Plan your visit
A few things worth knowing.
Family-friendly
Enjoy one of our tables, or hang out in the grass in front of the shop.
Dietary options
2 dairy-free Hold the Cow flavors monthly, plus gluten-free cones. Allergens available on request
Dog-friendly patio
Outside seating welcomes pups. We can even give your furry friend a pup cup— free if your dog says please (they always do).
Friday Night Farmer Market
Come visit the San Marcos Farmer's Market right in front of our shop every Friday night.
Catering & wholesale
Serving restaurants and caterers in North County, San Diego, and even in to Orange County. Pint and 3-gallon tub formats available.
Gift cards & loyalty
Buy gift cards online or in-shop. Sign up for the Secret Society for early-access pints and a free scoop on your birthday.
Common questions
San Marcos shop, answered.
If your question's not here, call us at (858) 923-1411 — we actually pick up.
Where is Wynston's Ice Cream Co. in San Marcos?
Our San Marcos scoop shop is at 250 North City Drive, Suite 7, San Marcos, CA 92078. We're in the North City development, two doors down from Buona Forchetta, and about three minutes from CSUSM.
What hours are you open?
Sunday through Thursday we're open 1pm to 10pm. Friday we're open 1pm to 11pm. Saturday we open at noon and close at 11pm. Holidays and summer vary — check above to see specific hours.
Do you have dairy-free ice cream?
Yes — our Hold the Cow line runs 2 dairy-free flavors at any given time, built on various bases. They sit on the same menu as everything else, and they're scooped from dedicated tubs to keep things clean for guests with allergies.
How often does the menu change?
Ten of our 18-flavor menu rotate at the beginning of every month. The "Always" flavors — Old Reliable, FTW Chocolate, and Chocolate Covered Strawberry — never leave. The "Sometimes" flavors are inspired by nostalgic food memories and rotate based on votes from our community.
What are dirty sodas?
Dirty sodas are café-style drinks built with fountain soda, flavored syrups, and a cream finish on top — they originated in Utah and got popular when they came west. We serve them at our San Marcos shop year-round. Learn more about our dirty sodas →
Can I order ice cream for a party or event?
Yes. We do pint packs for parties, full 3-gallon tubs for caterers. Email us at info@wynstons.com with your date and guest count and we'll send a quote back your way.
Do you ship nationwide from this location?
All our nationwide shipping orders are packed and dispatched from this San Marcos shop. We pack with dry ice and ship so your pints arrive frozen. Learn more about shipping →
Is there parking?
Yes — there's a free street parking directly in front of the shop. If it's full, there's a parking garage off of Campus Way. This is paid parking but we can validate your ticket, just be sure to bring it in with you.