7 Must-Visit Coffee Shops in San Diego, California

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If there is one thing I am always going to make time for on a trip, it is a cute coffee shop. During my three days in San Diego, I made it my mission to caffeinate my way through the city—and let’s just say I covered a lot of coffee ground.

What I loved most is that so many of the coffee shops in San Diego have multiple locations throughout the city, which makes it easy to work them into your itinerary without rearranging your whole day around one latte (which I have definitely done). Whether you are staying near the coast, exploring North Park, heading toward La Jolla, or needing one last coffee before the airport, there are so many fun spots to check out!

These are the San Diego cafes we tried on our trip, including where they are located, what I ordered, and what made each one worth adding to your list.

Coffee Shops in San Diego

1. Better Buzz

Better Buzz is such an easy San Diego coffee win because they have locations all over the area, including Pacific Beach, La Jolla, Hillcrest, Point Loma, Mission Beach, Fashion Valley, Del Mar, Coronado, Carlsbad, Encinitas, and more. Basically, there is a good chance you can find one near wherever your San Diego plans take you.

We loved this spot so much we went twice, which tells you everything you need to know. I was obsessed with the vanilla caramel latte. It was sweet, creamy, and exactly the kind of vacation coffee that makes you feel motivated to start your day.

Even better, some of their locations offer drive-thru service, which made it incredibly convenient for us to grab coffee on our way to a hike, beach day, or other adventure. When you’re trying to maximize your time exploring San Diego, having a great coffee spot that’s quick and accessible is always a win.

2. Java Earth

Java Earth has locations in North Pacific Beach and La Jolla, making it a great stop if you are spending time near the coast. It has that relaxed neighborhood cafe feel, which is exactly what I want in the morning before a beachy San Diego day.

I really enjoyed my Banana Cream Top Matcha from Java Earth. To be honest, I don’t normally order matcha nearly as often as I did on this trip, but since I knew we’d be visiting multiple San Diego coffee shops each day, it felt like a good way to mix things up.

Plus, my best friend would order coffee, so I still got to sneak a few sips and sample both! The matcha was smooth, flavorful, and complemented perfectly by the banana cream topping.

3. Hermosa Surf

Hermosa Surf is located in La Jolla, and it is such a fun stop if you love that surfy, beach-town cafe vibe. It is part surf shop, part cafe, and exactly the kind of place that makes San Diego feel like San Diego.

We did the Best Iced Matcha Latte, which is made with matcha, agave, and vanilla oat milk. It was very good! You can already tell by the color when a place knows what they are doing with matcha, and Hermosa Surf passed that test immediately. It had that rich, vibrant green color that makes you trust the process before you even take a sip.

This is a great one to pair with a La Jolla morning, especially if you want something that feels more local and beachy than your standard coffee run.

4. Selva Coffee House

Selva Coffee House is one of the most stunning coffee shops in San Diego! It has locations in the Midway District and Del Mar, and the Midway District location is inside Terra Bella Nursery. A plant shop and cafe combo? Say less.

I stopped at Selva on my way to the airport and honestly wish I had time to hang out. The vibe was so good, the plants made everything feel lush and calm, and my coffee was delicious! They had so many fun options to choose from, and it was extremely hard to decide.

I ended up ordering the Peep Show, made with vanilla, espresso, milk, and marshmallow cold foam. Do you see that cold foam?! This was one of those drinks that looked pretty and actually delivered.

I also grabbed a chorizo and egg breakfast burrito for the road. It was super simple, but super good, and exactly what I needed before heading to the airport.

5. Lovesong Coffee

Lovesong Coffee is located in North Park, and this whole area was one of my favorite neighborhoods we explored in San Diego! It has a fun, creative energy with restaurants, shops, and cafes, so it is a great area to wander for a bit.

This place is so adorable. We went on a Saturday, and the line was pretty long, but we enjoyed our coffee and matcha a lot. They also have so many unique offerings, so it was definitely worth the wait. If you are someone who loves a creative drink menu, this is a fun one to prioritize.

My friend ordered the Bee’s Knees Latte, made with honey, vanilla, cinnamon, smoked salt, espresso, and milk, and I did the King of the Jungle Matcha, with candied lemon, fresh rosemary, vanilla, organic matcha, and oat milk.

I would not necessarily come here when you are in a huge rush, especially on a weekend, but if you have time to enjoy North Park and make the coffee stop part of the outing, Lovesong is a great addition to your San Diego itinerary!

6. Malibu Farm

Malibu Farm is located in Seaport Village, right along the water. This one was kind of out of the way for us, but I enjoyed getting some steps in that morning, and the area was really cute.

I liked my Blueberry Muffin Matcha, and my friend’s Banana Bread Latte was good too! Malibu Farm is not just a coffee shop, it is more of a waterfront restaurant and cafe situation, so it is a nice option if you want your morning caffeine with a little stroll, harbor view, or breakfast moment.

If you are already planning to explore Seaport Village, the Embarcadero, or the waterfront, this is an easy stop to work in. I probably would not go wildly out of my way for only a quick coffee, but if the area is already on your list, it is a lovely little morning stop.

7. Blue Whale

Blue Whale is located in La Jolla, and while it is definitely a cafe, I think of it more as a brunch spot that also happens to have coffee. It has that cute coastal feel and a really solid menu.

Honestly, I just thought my cold brew here was okay, but I am very picky about my cold brew and probably should have done a latte. That being said, coffee or not, this place is worth a stop because the food is amazing.

I definitely recommend the breakfast burrito. Their menu has a lot of fun brunch options, but the breakfast burrito was the standout for me. If you are exploring La Jolla and want something more filling than a pastry with your coffee, Blue Whale is a great pick.

Which San Diego coffee shop are you checking out first?!

Obviously, this list is just scratching the surface of San Diego’s coffee scene. With so many incredible cafes spread throughout the city, I know there are still plenty of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

I fell head over heels for San Diego during this trip, and I already know I’ll be back, so if there’s a San Diego coffee shop that deserves a spot on my list for next time, let me know in the comments!

Before you go, be sure to follow me on Insta @guidedbydestiny and check out some of my other California blog posts:

3 Days in Los Angeles, California

Perfect Day Trip To Palm Springs, California

Los Angeles to Joshua Tree road trip itinerary