A Bite of San Diego: Coffee

Trading Copley for coffee shops; the five best coffee and study spots for students

Shelby Todd / Asst. A&C Editor / The USD Vista

With more than half of Copley Library closed due to renovations, students are on the hunt for a new study spot. Coffee shops, to which San Diego is home to many, have always been go-to places for students to get work done. Now, more than ever, finding a great coffee shop that checks all the boxes of a study environment is necessary. Here are five close-to-campus options to choose from. 

Brick & Bell Cafe
976 Felspar St. 
San Diego, CA 92019
Iced Vanilla Latte: $3.45
Free Wi-Fi: Yes

Brick & Bell Cafe’s Pacific Beach location is the perfect spot for USD students looking for a new place to get work done. The quaint yellow cottage that houses the cafe is spacious and homey, with friendly baristas and tasty food and drinks. The indoor spaces offer a cozy study area with electrical outlets scattered around the benches and tables. Outside, the spacious patio and garden have plenty of seating available to enjoy San Diego’s beautiful weather. The quiet shop is usually filled with students and professionals getting work done, and the drinks and food are good fuel for a long study session. While they offer a typical spread of drinks and pastries, the standout menu items include their chai tea latte, freshly-baked scones and for fellow hot chocolate lovers, Brick & Bell Cafe is a can’t miss. Two-hour parking is available in the business area, and street parking in the surrounding neighborhood is usually available.

Better Buzz Coffee
3745 Mission Blvd. 
San Diego, CA 92109
Iced Vanilla Latte: $4.75
Free Wi-Fi: Yes

Better Buzz Coffee has been brewing coffee throughout San Diego since 2002. With four of its 10 locations in Mission and Pacific Beach alone, Better Buzz Coffee is a popular destination for students to catch up on homework. The Mission Beach location of Better Buzz, known as “The Lab,” is a common spot to find USD students working or meeting up with friends. Though it can be crowded at times, the store boasts plenty of tables, booths, and bar seating at the windows for students to work at. The food menu is extensive, including açaí bowls, gourmet toasts, and sandwiches among other options. The drink menu combines classic coffee drinks with specialties and teas. Popular options include the Best Drink Ever, made with their signature vanilla powder, and the Conscious Chocolate protein infused smoothie. Parking is available in the nearby Santa Clara parking lot by the Mission Bay Aquatic Center.

The Grounds Bean Bar
1571 La Playa Ave.
San Diego, CA 92109
Iced Vanilla Latte: $4.00
Free Wi-Fi: Yes

The Grounds Bean Bar combines trendy design and innovative drinks to create a unique coffee shop experience in the heart of Pacific Beach. Walking into the shop, the geometric, black and white tiled coffee bar mixed with botanical wallpaper creates a beautiful and fun atmosphere. The bright colors are accented by unique drinks, like matcha and turmeric lattes. Owner Brynn Neresian’s former work as a bartender served as the inspiration for creating unique beverages, but their classics, like an iced vanilla latte, are still a hit. The unique toast selection, including honey ricotta or beet, is also a notable items on the menu. This aesthetically pleasing shop offers bar and table seating inside, as well as an outdoor patio with tables for students looking for a space to spread out. The bright colors and comfy seating are great for having a positive attitude while studying for midterms. Street parking here is limited due to the construction currently taking place. 

Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
829 Garnet Ave.
Pacific Beach, CA 92109
Iced Vanilla Latte: $5.90
Free Wi-Fi: Yes

The Morena and Pacific Beach locations of Bird Rock Coffee Roasters are both located close to the USD campus. These shops are the perfect study spots for coffee aficionados. Bird Rock Coffee Roasters is an award-winning roaster that strives to produce sustainable coffee through recycling and composting initiatives in their stores and direct trade relationships in their purchasing process. The Pacific Beach location of Bird Rock is a large study-friendly space that offers some indoor seating and a large, covered outdoor patio with plenty of tables to work at. The large open space is flooded with light and has a warm atmosphere that is perfect for students looking to get work done. The store prides itself on its micro-roasted coffee and popular specialty drinks including the Gold Digger and the Trophy Wife. A small parking lot in the back of the shop is available as well as two hour street parking in front.