I was in this area of Oceanside in the valley and was looking for ice cream. Upon recommendations, I came across Ocean Rainbow ice cream parlor. Remotely hidden in the back of the shopping plaza on El Camino Real & Mission Ave, is this gem of a small ice cream shop, Ocean Rainbow. One could easily drive right past them because of their small signage on the exterior. The shop is very small and see maybe 10 people. Yeah, very friendly service that is excellent and fast to greet and offer a free sample. This ice cream shop has a very large variety of flavors that are native to Mexican culture. They have ice cream scoops, milkshakes, water-based popsicles, sherbets, sundaes, chamango, banana splits, icicles, elotes, esquites, Tostilocos, popsicles, shaved ice and a whole lot more. You can find flavors like guava, rice, pistachio, coconut, Oreo, cookie dough, rocky road, mango, mamey, cactus fruit, pine nut, MAZAPAN, chamoy, tamarindo, burnt milk, Gansito and even tequila. There most popular item is the Fresas Con Crema. Prices are very reasonable and I got a 3-scoop chocolate waffle cone for $8. They also have fresh-made aguas frescas that are made to-order and esquimales too! I highly recommend checking this spot out the next time you have a sweet tooth! read more

Love this place. Most ice-cream shops may have 1 or 2 non-dairy options but this place has at least 10 non-dairy real fruit sorbets. Watermelon, Guava, Mango, Strawberry, Tamarind, Passion Fruit just to name a few. Got the Chamango with 4 different sorbets and real fruit mango topping. For $9 its a great value. Service friendly. They sell other things too like agua frescas and popsicles and snacks. Definitely a fam favorite in the area. 5 Stars. read more

Ocean Rainbow - Chamangos FTW! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Oceanside, California

An ice cream shop that also offers classic Mexican snacks and treats. The location is cozy with a few tables to sit at. Service is fast, and the staff are friendly and helpful. A nice spot to stop by when you're craving something sweet or a quick snack. read more

Ocean Rainbow - Fresas con crema - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Oceanside, California

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Dropped in last week and tried a Mango milkshake, it was absolutely out of this world! Basically, every time I stop in the shopping center, I am trying a new flavor. Great people, great ice cream! read more

Oh my goodness this place is definetly on our list as a Go To! Family owned for over 20 years and homemade....The flavors are incredible.....Love this place...oh and John (our scooper at our visit....Has the biggest smile and is so interesting, attentive and just a Great guy!!! read more

Finally an affordable ice cream shop with yummy flavors! Cotton candy, burnt milk and cookie dough are 10/10! read more

Ocean Rainbow - Cotton candy, burnt milk - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Oceanside, California

I went in to get the nachos and the chips are stale I ask the person behind the counter and said if I wanted them or not....... What great customer service and attn to detail read more

The food was good, but the customer service felt a bit awkward. The place was clean, though I did notice employees eating while working in front of customers, which was a bit strange. I'm not sure if I'll be coming back. read more

Ocean Rainbow - Tostilocos - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Oceanside, California

Great affordable place for tasty ice cream. There's a line at tines, but it went reasonably quick and worth the wait.

Clean store, wide variety of Interesting flavors, reasonably priced. Nice sized servings I recommend read more

Wow this place is amazing! So much to choose from and so tasty. We ended up getting the strawberries with cream and mangoniada. Delicious! read more

Ocean Rainbow - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Oceanside, California

Great flavors, really fair pricing, and great service. I wish I lived closer so I could get fat eating all their awesome ice cream.

This place is so affordable! Single scoop in a cup was just 2.50! However if your transaction is under 10 dollars they do charge you a 50 cent credit card fee! So bring cash! I tried their classic vanilla which looked like a mango but trust me it's so goooood!! Also tried the burnt milk and it reminds me of a horchata and a big red gum! read more

Ocean Rainbow - Their version of vanilla ice cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Oceanside, California

I was so excited for their strawberries and creme and the creme and granola did not disappoint HOWEVER the strawberries tasted like cleaner!!! I didn't even get to finish it. I was afraid of what I was eating. read more

A friend recommended this spot, and we are now best friends!! The sorbet was aaammmaaazzzzinnngg!!! Unlike most sorbets that's ridiculously sweetened with sugar... this was truly like I was indulging in the actual fruit. I will definitely be back! read more

Ocean Rainbow - Menu - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Oceanside, California

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Always the right choice. My go to has become the tequila + coffee. They've changed the counter somehow & it feels much more welcoming. Always friendly staff. read more

This place is our current fave for special treats. A scoop of ice cream starting at $2, inexpensive cones (sugar, cake, or waffle), cream or water based ice creams (for those of us with tummy issues), and more options of frozen fruit bars than you ever knew you needed. They've also got nachos and chocobananas on the rotating menu, though I can't say how often it rotates. And a whole bunch of other options on the menu posted a few years ago (hasn't changed). The options rotate out from what's available based on popularity. AND they give samples. The mango has a special place in my heart. read more

Amazing ice cream. Multiple types of flavors. Good and fast service. I do say Sundays are their busiest day just a heads up! But that does show you they have really good ice cream read more

Good service and a variety of flavors of sherbets and ice cream. This place has a couple of high seating tables. read more

I cant believe I have not reviewed this place. This is one of my favorite places in the area. I am not Mexican but can definitely appreciate good food. This place is about antojitos and it is awesome. I have tried other antojito places and they don't compare. I have been coming here since the day it opened almost 15 years ago. It has only gotten better. Favorites : tostilocos, elotes esquites, bionicos, paletas, fresas con crema. The list goes on. Definitely going even out of your way for it. read more

Cute little Mexican ice cream store located in Oceanside. They have many flavors to choose from. My favorites are rice, cotton candy, pineapple, and guava. One scoop was $1.75 and you can choose to have it in a cup or cone. Since it's been hot and humid these days there always a long line. Not a comfortable nor large area for sitting. Service was quick and you can get your ice cream fast. read more

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Stopped in for some ice cream on a Sunday afternoon. There was only a small line. I was surprised at how many flavors there were to choose from! I'm a new transplant and was introduced to new flavors that I have never seen before, such as Mamey, a warm weather fruit. I tasted it, it was very good, subtle vanilla flavors. However, I was drawn to the vibrant sorbet colors. They had one called "Cactus Juice", whichI assumed by the color is Prickly Pear. I got a scoop of that and a scoop of Pineapple. The Cactus Juice was sweet and refreshing, a beautiful bright magenta. The Pineapple had small chunks in it which was awesome, and it was a night yellow. Both were deeee-lush and I can't wait to try their other flavors. Oh, and it was in the $2-3 price range. Unreal!! read more

Ocean Rainbow - Pineapple and Cactus Juice sorbet at Ocean Rainbow! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Oceanside, California

This place never disappoints! Everything is always fresh! The workers are always nice! The place is always clean! It's my go to place for fresh fruit and ice cream read more

Ocean Rainbow - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Oceanside, California

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Good Mexican style ice creamery. You can get all kinds of snacks/treats here, including: ice cream, shaved ice, popsicles, fruit salads, chips, and traditional sweet and savory treats from Mexico. I love getting the puffed wheat chips with chili and lime as well as the sorbet ice cream made with fresh fruit. The chamango is delicious! You can't go wrong with checking this place out! read more

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I was intrigued by what I read online on the various Mexican flavors they offer so I have been excited to try it for a while. It is a cute little corner store. Quite colorful too. We saw some customers leaving with a vibrant blue and pink combination of flavor. They have unique flavors; I have heard about burnt milk but I'm vegan so I stuck to those the staff member said were vegan. I tried the guanabana and the cactus fruit flavor which were ok. She said the cactus fruit flavor is popular. I thought they just had a hint of flavor. For that reason, I stuck with mangoes with chamoy, tajin and lemon. I had never tried chamoy which the lady was nice enough to give a spoon to try. Overall, I adore the range of Mexican flavors they offer. I love ice cream and it's quite cheap here but after trying it, it is obvious the quality is at the lower end. So much that I did not buy a scoop. We did ask if the ice cream is homemade as it was advertised but the lady said in an unsure way that it is. And we saw it being scooped from a big tub so I don't know what they mean by homemade. My favorite is still the ice cream at Sweet Cloud Creamery which is a little bit more expensive but worth the cost as the ice cream is made fresh in store and is unbelievably creamy! It's all about quality! read more

Ocean Rainbow - Menu - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Oceanside, California

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So many really unique and delicious flavors! I love the burnt milk ice cream, it tastes like horchata and the texture is creamy and delicious. Their sorbets are really good too. I usually get the strawberry sorbet. This place is really busy, and sometimes it's quick and others it moves slow, it really depends on what people are ordering ahead of you. Worth the wait to check it out and try out some good flavors! This place is super close and we've been there quite a few times. Check it out for a cool treat this summer! read more

1 scoop = $1.50 2 scoops = $2.00 3 scoops = $3.00 4 scoops = $3.75 Etc. My financial advice to you is to buy as many scoops as you can! This place has a ton of choices and some very interesting flavors like chamango and guanana. There's milkshakes, paletas, elotes, waffle cones, and what appears to be a snack that's a mixture of hot sauce, limes, takis, and hot Cheetos. The menu is extremely long and confusing and colorful. Variety is great, prices are good, ice cream is very creamy and rich (almost a little too rich for me) read more

Ocean Rainbow - (Halfway eaten) two scoops of burned milk (tastes like a cheesy horchata) and Oreo! Very generous portion and $2.00! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Oceanside, California

Dropped by here today after an outing. Both my wife and I felt like ice cream. Each of us ordered a single scoop in a waffle cone. My wife ordered coconut and I ordered pistachio. My wife said the coconut was creamy and really tasty. I don't like coconut so I'll believe her. But the pistachio was great. Lots of flavor and creamy as well. My only issue was we thought the waffle cone could have been sweeter. But still was good. We were both impressed with the number and variety of flavors of ice cream. Many tropical and fruit based. A new go to I cream place for me. read more

This is honestly my fave ice cream place aside from baskin. I really love how everything is home made from the owner and All of their flavors are on point. My favorite go to flavors so far are chamoy, chilli mango, chili tamarind, mango, watermelon, strawberry, burnt milk, cookies and cream, coffee, and strawberry cheesecake. I will forever be a loyal customer. Sorry I waited years to leave a review read more

The strawberries and cream with granola and honey was AMAZING. Workers were so nice too read more

Ocean Rainbow - Strawberries and cream with coconut and granola. AMAZING 10/10 - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Oceanside, California

This place has Thrifty ice cream!!! For those of you who don't remember Thrifty ice cream, it was one of the highlights of my youth to go down to the local Thrifty drugstore and get a scoop (two if I was good!) of this ice cream. They have a bilingual menu, which I appreciate, and don't limit their selection to just ice cream. They've also got sorbets, sherbert, frozen bananas dipped in chocolate (with and without nuts), and frozen fruit bars. There is really something for everyone here at Ocean Rainbow! They're also community minded, and have set up donation jars in the past to help local charitable causes. The staff are always kind and helpful, no matter how indecisive you may be or how busy the store gets. They have the option of one or multiple scoops, as well as getting it in a cup or on a waffle cone, traditional cone, or sugar cone. If you've got a sweet tooth, Ocean Rainbow has something that will satisfy your palate! The store is clean, but on summer days especially, it can get crowded, because the store itself is very narrow. They have one bathroom, but I've never used it so I cannot attest to its cleanliness. It is a unisex bathroom though, and only has one toilet (in case those amenities matter to you). This is a local ice cream shop with hard working employees and some of the tastiest ice cream and treats in town. I highly recommend you check them out. They've got everything from traditional flavors to ice cream that I never even knew existed. Great local spot to grab a treat and beat the heat! read more

I've been meaning to try this place for a long time, but I'm always deterred by the long line. Today, I was surprised to park with ease nearby and there was no line. The flavors are delicious and natural- I recommend the Burnt Milk! I also had Oreo, which had bits of cookie in a creamy chocolate ice cream. Prices are fair; 2 scoops costed 2$ even. Service was lackluster and the place wasn't clean. It wasn't busy and there were two employees there- someone coulda wiped down the tables and picked up trash off the floor- just sayin'. Pros: - unique house made flavors - lots of parking - price - restrooms Cons: - many flavors have bright obnoxious artificial colors - trash can had dried ice cream all over swing door - meh service - small interior, line often out the door - ambience and overall cleanliness read more

Highly recommend this place! First time there, and there was outstanding customer service. I got two 32o.z waters ( melon flavor, not too sweet, very natural), tostilocos, two scoops of ice cream, and corn in a cup for $22 dollars. I don't know about y'all but that was great, and not pricey. Very delicious !! Of course they have a lot of other things, like strawberries and cream, ice pops, chips and a whole lot of goodie! For the Pokémon players, there's a poke stop and I was catching Pokémon for days! Hahaha Not a lot of parking, so that's a bit tough, but I swear it's all worth it. Hope y'all enjoy it, as much as I do!! read more

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Two words: Leche Quemada (Burnt milk) I'm so glad I tried it. It's creamy, yet refreshing, like nothing I've had before. read more

Ocean Rainbow - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Oceanside, California

One of my favorite spots to grab a little treat in the valley, and there are SO MANY flavors to choose from! Last time I went in for a scoop, we were served by the owner and he was very happy to explain what some of the more unfamiliar flavors were. Try the burnt rice flavor if you're a fan of horchata. Price was very fair, we both got HUGE bowls and spent less than $10 total. The store is always clean and the folks that work here are friendly, I highly recommend this place read more

Boyfriend took me to this little hidden gem. I ordered 2 scoops of the cherry amaretto ice cream. It was really good. In fact, so good that I forgot to take a photo of it and remembered after I got to the bottom of the bowl. Oops. Boyfriend ordered a tamarindo raspado-I did not like it. Sorry, it tasted straight up like kikkoman soy sauce. read more

I recently tried their guava sorbet and it was the right compliment after eating tacos as the meal before. The sorbet was a little sweet but it was refreshing. There were guava seeds so you know they added the real stuff. Also, cup of ice cream is only $1! So cheap! TIP: bring cash if you're spending less than $5! They charge $0.50 for using a card. read more

I like this place so much its crazy. My favorite is the strawberries and cream with granola. Ok so this place can get pretty busy and loud. It may not be the fanciest place but I don't give a damn. What I do care about is the ice cream which is outstanding and the service is good. A lot of locals come here and I love to support mom and pop businesses. I will continue to come here no doubt. Please tip these employees because they work hard and this place is always busy. read more

Great service and an excellent selection of ice cream as well as other fruit laden desserts! Not the best area and not much in atmosphere, but their products make up for it and the prices are great! We sampled a few and my son and I got two scoops each and really enjoyed them all. The fruit flavors are perfect on a hot day and I think the quality is great! Worth supporting small local businesses, a nice stop to take kids! read more

If I lived in Oceanside, I would want to come to Ocean Rainbow every day. The prices are amazing -- $1.50 for two generous scoops of ice cream, $3 for four scoops, and $4.50 for six scoops. And the ice cream is phenomenal. Try the vanilla! I never order vanilla; it's so boring. But this is the best vanilla I've ever had -- it's a gorgeous deep yellow color, creamy and super flavorful. Get the vanilla! You won't regret it, I promise. There are lots of fruit flavored sorbets; the strawberry is especially good, with big pieces of berry. You'll also find some great Mexican flavors you won't find at your local Baskin Robbins -- more "exotic" fruits, burnt milk, mamey, cheese, etc. They also sell a variety of other desserts -- frozen popsicles and ices, etc. If you don't know any Spanish and are unfamiliar with these types of desserts, some parts of the (bilingual) menu might be a bit confusing. But the staff is always very friendly and happy to help (and give you samples, especially if it's not too busy.) Check it out -- my favorite ice cream shop in Oceanside, and on my shortlist of best ice cream shops anywhere :) read more