I grew up in MA, but my dad used to travel to San Diego on business a lot and my mom and I would travel along. We always stayed at the Town and Country Hotel (still there) on Hotel Circle, and across the street (in what is now a mall) was a Farrell's--I guess it probably was the Fashion Valley location.

Usually my dad would already be in town, and we'd fly TWA from Boston to LAX. He'd drive up and pick us up at night. It was such a treat to get into San Diego and stop at Farrell's--which also happened to be my middle name!

Recently, I took my wife to San Diego (rekindling some good memories) and found that Farrell's out by Miramar--I had been there before during the 96 GOP Convention. Ok, so not quite the same, but...for sentimental purposes, I'm glad there's still one out there.

Being an MA kid, I grew up with Friendly's, Brighams, and Newport Creamery. I'm not sure if there are any Brigham's left, but they still sell ice cream. Can't be many Newport Creamery's either--for a time there was one just down the street from me in Old Shrewsbury Village. Now I'm in Nothern VA and there is a Friendly's nearby in Sterling VA that I can take my son too when he's old enough.

As for quality--you couldn't beat Hebert's Candy Mansion in Shrewsbury. They had a make your own sundae bar.