Looking for the best coffee shops in San Diego? This is a list of must visit coffee bars when you’re in the area!

Can you believe we’ve been San Diego residents for half a year already?!?  When we first moved here, I missed our familiar spots back in Los Angeles.  I had my favorite places to grab a coffee all over the city up there, and as a coffee lover I knew I’d need to find some down here.  So, I did a little (ok a lot) of research and started exploring.  My mission? Was to find the best coffee shops in San Diego.  And, man did I find some great ones.

It’s been so much fun to visit different San Diego neighborhoods, and to find unique coffee shops in each of them.  San Diego is an amazing town with strong local businesses and everyone has their favorites.  I got so many cool recommendations.

My favorites? Some are in tiny neighborhoods, some are housed in larger malls or tourist areas (believe it or not, I even tested the coffee shop at the San Diego Safari Park during our Roar and Snore sleepover).  But the one thing they have in common? Their coffee is DELISH! And they all made it into my list of the best coffee shops in San Diego.

The Best Coffee Shops in San Diego

Moniker Coffee (Liberty Station, Point Loma): Liberty Station is one of my favorite places to spend time on the weekends.  And when we started going? I got a LOT of messages suggesting that we stop by Moniker Coffee and I’m so glad we did.  The coffee shop is a great spot to work (they’ve got really cool communal tables) and the vanilla lattes are delish!

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters (four locations: Normal Heights, North Park, Golden Hill, La Mesa):  I stumbled upon the North Park location of Dark Horse Coffee Roasters totally by accident.  It’s on the same block of North Park as my hairdresser and I just wanted to grab a latte to bring with me to my appointment one morning.  Well the coffee? IS AMAZING.  The North Park location is small (a tiny counter and a few tables), I’d say it’s more of a grab and go type of place.  But literally, some of the best coffee I’ve ever had (they’ve also teamed up with a couple local beer breweries so keep your eyes open for those).

Bird Rock Coffee Roasters (La Jolla, Bressi Ranch, Little Italy, Torrey Pines, Morena, Pacific Beach): Bird Rock Coffee Roasters is pretty much a San Diego institution.  These small locations are in great areas if you are visiting from out of town (the La Jolla location is AWESOME) and the Gold Digger (a honey flavored latte) is amazing.

House of Black Coffee (Sabre Springs): I discovered this local spot recently and their specialty coffees? Are DELISH!  They have fancy drinks inspired by different local San Diego neighborhoods. My personal favorite though? A King Slayer.  It’s espresso with steamed cinnamon milk and agave syrup.

Better Buzz Coffee (Pacific Beach, Point Loma, San Marcos, Mission Beach, Fashion Valley, Encinitas, Pacific Beach West, Pacific Beach Grand, Hillcrest, La Jolla, Escondido): If you visit any location in the summer, the Ice Blended Coffee is AMAZING.  And year round? I love the Vanilla Bean Latte.

So what do you think? Are you a San Diego local? Visit often? What’s missing from my list of the best coffee shops in San Diego?