We Heart San Diego

I’m totally crushing on San Diego right now. Could it be because it’s around 18 degrees F in Portland right now? That has a lot to do with it. But besides beautiful sunshine and stunning vistas, San Diego has something else going for it that we think is pretty awesome: a kick-ass coffee scene.

San Diego’s cafes are on my mind for three big reasons this week:

1) Chuck Patton, who owns the award-winning company, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, in La Jolla, is writing a story for us about some awesome projects he has going in Colombia. You can see it in the February+March issue of Barista Magazine.

2) My dear old friend Lene Hyldahl, who owns the cafe,  Behag Din Smag  in Aalborg, Denmark, with her husband, wrote to me yesterday asking for cafe suggestions in San Diego. One of her baristas is going to put down roots in the sunny city for the next five months, and he needs to know where, dammit, where to get excellent coffee.

3) One of the coolest events out there, Caffeine Crawl, by Jason Burton, will be hosting a city tour in San Diego next month ”January 25, to be specific. Everyone’s invited! Just go HERE to get a ticket! And be sure to clear your schedule to attend the epic after party at Bird Rock Coffee Roasters! Big ups to InterAmerican Coffee for sponsoring this Crawl.

So I wondered if maybe San Diego was on anyone else’s mind… If you’re planning a warm weather escape to this fabulous SoCal city, I urge you to (please take me with you) check out this list of some of the best shops we know of in the area. Happy sipping. (Note: * indicates company is featured in the Caffeine Crawl San Diego event)

*BIRD ROCK COFFEE ROASTERS
Award-winning beachside cafe and roaster. Direct trade awesomeness.
5627 La Jolla Boulevard, La Jolla; 858-551-1707

*CAFE MOTO
One of the area’s old timers ”founded in 1968 ”but still totally relevant.
2619 National Ave.; 619-239-6686

RYAN BROS. COFFEE
From the website: “Growing up in Indonesia during the 1970s taught us the value of participating in the Global Community and the understanding, that while people and places are unique and different, our love for coffee crossed seemingly all barriers.”
1894 Main St.; 619-546-6314

BETTER BUZZ COFFEE
A francise, yes, but a local franchise. A menu big enough for you (single origin) and your mom (eggnog latte).
Multiple locations.

*JAMES COFFEE CO.
Not a cafe, but some damn fine craft-roasted coffee. Musician-turns-roaster. Coffee subscriptions available.

*BAY PARK COFFEE
Totally community focused. We like team players.
4130 Napier St.;  619-275-4000

*CAFFE CALABRIA
They take their coffee ”and their baristas ”seriously. (And did you know Duane Sorenson worked there once upon a time?)
3933 30th St.; 619-291-1759

*THE WEST BEAN COFFEE ROASTERS
Roaster founded by two friends who totally value the beauty of the single O. Coffee subscriptions available.

*COFFEE & TEA COLLECTIVE
They called themselves gypsy roasters when they started out because, without a cafe, they were selling beans wherever they could. Now they have a stylish tasting room waiting for you to visit.
2911 El Cajon Blvd.; 609-564-8086

*CAFE VIRTUOSO
Strictly organic and Fair Trade-certified coffees at this place.
1616 National Ave.; 619-550-1830

*DARK HORSE COFFEE ROASTERS
Um, a horse wearing a coat and tie? Sign me up! Single O-loving San Diegans.
3260 Adams Ave.; 619-344-6962

ELIXER ESPRESSO BAR
Uber Italian style espresso bar, located in a gorgeous building that dates back to the 1880s.
427 C St.; 619-696-6242

BRICKYARD COFFEE AND TEA
Go for the coffee, stay for the panini and breakfasts. And it’s dog friendly, which means it’s awesome.
675 W. G St.; 619-696-7220

And there are many more! If you know of one that rocks that I missed, let me know about it!