Named for one of the most powerful animals in the world, Killer Whale Creamery arrived to La Jolla’s ice cream scene in August 2024, offering both vegan and gluten-free options.
Owner Mr. Michael Harrison, who also owns Blue Whale Cafe, a local cafe that opened in late 2023, made his first appearance in the food industry at just 15 years old and immediately fell in love. Previously, working as a dishwasher at a fine dining restaurant, Mr. Harrisone has been in the food business for the past 25 years.
Mr. Harrison explained, “I wasn’t planning on opening Killer Whale Creamery until after opening Blue Whale,” a coastal cafe directly across the street. Customers would frequently ask him for ice cream suggestions in La Jolla. “Through that, I realized we have an opportunity to create something artesian and unique, and luckily there was space available right across the street.”
Made with 19% butterfat, as well as both vegan and gluten-free ingredients, this creamery offers many original flavors such as Horchata Churro topped with Serrano Sugar, Blackberry Chocolate Chip, or Honey Lavender Fields. According to Mr. Harrison, this ambitious menu is thanks to his passion for creating “unique flavors that complement each other both in taste and color.”
Kaia Kuehn (‘28) described her experience at the shop as extraordinary, explaining that the “Lavender Honey Fields flavor was unlike anything [she] had ever tasted before,” which had caused her to be a little skeptical at first. But after Kaia’s first bite, all her worries immediately disappeared and, soon enough, she had licked her cup clean.
Mr. Harrison explains that there is a “large population of health-conscious individuals that are vegan, gluten-free, or just prefer to stay away from dairy,” in the La Jolla and Southern California region. This crowd prompted the inclusivity of Killer Whale’s menu; that way they have something to offer for every customer!
Among these individuals, Izzie Torralba (‘26), a committed vegan for the past four years, finds it refreshing to see stores attempting to provide both vegan and normal options. She said, “Ice cream is my favorite dessert, so it makes me super happy to see more places embracing more options.”
Another source of flavor inspiration comes from associating Blue Whale Cafe with the Creamery. Mr. Harrison explained that some of the most popular items at the cafe are turned into delicious ice cream flavors, such as the Ube Pancakes.
The association between Killer Whale Creamery and Blue Whale Cafe is just as compelling as the ice cream shop itself. To him, blue whales are deeply connected to the beaches of La Jolla and “are also one of the biggest animals on the planet.” He applied that inspiration into creating the name/story behind his first business, Blue Whale Cafe, and branched off of that for his second business, Killer Whale Creamery, representing yet another powerful creature. This was his way of having an association between the businesses, like he had hoped for.
As one can imagine, Mr. Harrison explained that “opening multiple concepts within a short distance of each other makes it easier to manage” as well as gives them “the ability to grow [their] community involvement and complement each other on the flavor offerings.”
When one walks into his store, he wants them to feel like they have had a complete and unforgettable experience. “Getting to try all our flavors, see the beautiful colors, the toppings, the milkshake options, or the opportunity to eat a waffle cone for those that are gluten-free and vegan” are just a few of the ways he suggests spending your time there.
He also advises to “grab some ice cream after lunch and head to the beach or a pint to take home for later.” Julia Pawl (‘27), a frequent customer, loves to go to Killer Whale for just that reason.”It’s an afternoon spot to go with your friends on a hot summer day.”
While the creamery has quickly become a favorite local spot, Mr. Harrison has bigger plans in mind for the business. Along with recently adding cookies to the menu and rolling out seasonal flavors every few months, he reveals that he will be “opening two more locations of Killer Whale Creamery in Las Vegas” this year and is looking forward to further expansion here in San Diego as well.
Killer Whale Creamery is a spot that many people truly enjoy and through future expansion, Mr. Harrison will be able to bring this experience to more people. And just like Mr. Harrison, who started as a dishwasher in high school and now owns multiple successful businesses, Killer Whale Creamery has a bright future ahead.

BLACKS BEACHY CHERRY

When eating a spoonful, hints of cherry and bits of chocolate chips flood your mouth, not in an overwhelming clash, but rather they are in harmony with each other. A scoop of this flavor is best when you cannot decide if you want a refreshing sorbet or a creamy ice cream, or when you are craving both a tart dessert and a chocolatey one. This flavor has a strong presence in your mouth and will take you on a sweet and sour journey!

CARAMEL SEASIDE TURTLE CHOCOLATE BROWNIE

The Caramel Seaside Turtle Chocolate Brownies lets you feel and taste all types of texture and flavors in one bite. Embrace yourself for a salty, chocolaty adventure: caramel with hints of fudgy brownie and some sea salt to seal it all together, balancing the sweetness with some savory. Whether enjoying after an ocean dip or simply to satisfy your sweet tooth, this flavor is the way to go!

HORCHATA CHURRO TOPPED WITH SERRANO SUGAR

This flavor perfectly encapsulates the traditional Horchata drink with hints of cinnamon and sugar. Additionally, the creaminess of the ice cream instantly reminds you of the traditional Horchata drink, providing a very authentic experience. This flavor is accompanied by cinnamon and sugar sprinklings on top which is a delicious factor. When trying this, you feel a cozy feeling because of the flavors of the cinnamon, while also being refreshed due to the freshness and coolness of the freshly made ice cream.

HONEY LAVENDER FIELDS

When hearing the name Honey Lavender Fields, one immediately creates a vision of soft lavender fields and the sweetness of honey in the air. When tasting this flavor, it was just that. The idea of this flavor is almost familiar, offering you a comforting experience in ice cream form. Just like the others, the ice cream itself was creamy and smooth. It came with toppings of drizzled honey and lavender flakes that brought the flavor up another notch.