In a city of almost 1.4M people, finding a reliable, spacious, and quiet coffee shop to work or study at in San Diego isn’t easy. Working remotely from home isn’t as thrilling as it once was a few years ago. Now that 2025 is here, it’s time for remote workers and students to get caffeinated and be productive outside of their homes.
You can find the best coffee shop to work or study at in San Diego that fits your needs. Some coffee shops offer reliable outlets, lightning-fast internet, spacious tables, and delicious lattes. How long does your laptop battery even last out ‘in the wild’? You’ll find cafes with outdoor seating that are ideal for working and studying.
Note: This 2025 café guide was created by Alex, a remote worker in San Diego, California. You won’t find your classic Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, or Peets in this San Diego café guide.
Here is the ultimate list of 20 inviting coffee shops to work or study at in San Diego that provide the perfect ambiance and reliable internet.
Best Coffee Shops for Working or Studying in San Diego
1. The Forum Coffee House – San Diego, CA
The Forum, located in Clairemont, is always jam-packed with remote workers and students studying. Arrive early if you want to snag an outlet for your laptop. There are individual tables and bar seating for studying. The internet is fast and the caffeine is on point.
The atmosphere is perfect for getting product computer work done. There’s a ton of natural light that illuminates the café. Plain and simple, it’s easy to be productive at this San Diego coffee shop. This café is nestled in a plaza with multiple food spots if you want a break for lunch. Parking at this coffee shop is also a breeze.
Coffee Shop Address: 4340 Genesee Ave #110, San Diego, CA 92117
Hours and Information: The Forum Coffee House
2. Tea n More – San Diego, CA
Who loves boba tea? Tea n More is a communal tea and coffee shop in San Diego that offers a relaxing atmosphere. You’ll find large groups playing board games here at night and on weekends. There are larger tables for groups to spread out, and smaller nooks to study. There are countless extension cords and outlets to make charging your laptop easy.
The boba tea drinks are amazing. My personal favorite is the Vietnamese coffee. Tea n More also offers fantastic food, including the tofu and rice box. I personally spend multiple hours here working. This tea shop is nestled in San Diego’s Convey Street area. They don’t open till around 11:00 AM each day, but they stay open late till 10:00 PM or beyond most nights.
Coffee Shop Address: 7380 Clairemont Mesa Blvd #111, San Diego, CA 92111
Hours and Information: Tea n More
3. The Template – Ocean Beach, CA
Wow. The Template is so cool. Located off the main street in Ocean Beach, San Diego, this coffee shop is great for work or study. Think Burning Man meets coffee shop. Their mini art installations and café design are extremely unique. This eye-catching café is absolutely worth visiting to study or work.
Their vibe is unlike any other on this list. The café is large and offers ample seating because they also host small live music events on certain nights. It’s easy to find a table, or couch, to plop down and work from your laptop here. The Template is a quick walk from the beach. You can take a relaxing walk by the ocean during your work day at this coffee shop in San Diego.
Coffee Shop Address: 5032 Niagara Ave, San Diego, CA 92107
Hours and Information: The Template
4. The Living Room Cafe – La Jolla, CA
If you find yourself looking for the best coffee shop for working near the beach, check out The Living Room Café in La Jolla. It’s cozy and has stunning antique chairs for most of its seating. Their service is really what stands out to me the most. Even in the early hours of 7:00 AM, they are chipper and excited to serve you coffee (or beer).
This café has multiple offerings, including a bar with food and a hookah lounge at night. Don’t worry, the hookah area is upstairs separate from the main café area. The breakfast burritos here are bomb! And the ocean view from the café doesn’t hurt either. I recommend getting there early since parking in La Jolla is tough and they only offer street parking.
Coffee Shop Address: 1010 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hours and Information: The Living Room Cafe
5. Holy Matcha – San Diego, CA
Holy guacamole (I mean, matcha). This matcha tea shop located in North Park, San Diego is prime for working and studying. The actual shop is surrounded by beautiful, bright, pink walls. There are lush plants that drape down from the ceilings toward the floor.
If you’re looking for a stylish and fun place to study or get work done in San Diego, look no further. Holy Matcha has a great vibe. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, matcha is a good alternative because the L-theanine helps suppress the component in caffeine that gives people the jitters. Get lost in the beauty of Holy Matcha when looking for a coffee shop for work in North Park, San Diego.
Coffee Shop Address: 3118 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
Hours and Information: Holy Matcha
6. Cosmic Bloom Coffee – San Diego, CA
Leap Coffee, which used to be at this location, took its final leap in 2025 and shut down. Alas, this was a great coffee shop. Who took their place?
The torch has been passed to none other than Cosmic Bloom Coffee, a roaster out of Vista CA. They opened up here in Sabre Springs, toward the end of Highway 56 E in San Diego. Cosmic Bloom Coffee is combined with a small restaurant and bar, providing ample space and seating. If you’re looking for a coffee shop to work at in San Diego, start here.
There’s no shortage of outlets and room to spread out. The mornings are calm but it does begin to get busier in the afternoons once people roll into the bar and restaurant. Cosmic Bloom Coffee is better for getting work done or studying in the mornings, as they currently close at 2:00 PM.
SIDE NOTE: Their bathrooms are really nice.
Coffee Shop Address: 13480 Evening Creek Dr N, San Diego, CA 92128
Hours and Information: Cosmic Bloom Coffee
7. S3 Coffee Bar – San Diego, CA
S3 Coffee Bar is located in North San Diego, near Allied Gardens. This coffee bar offers a similar, pink vibe that Holy Matcha provides. It is stylish, sharp, and snazzy. The drinks here are delicious and strong!
S3 Coffee has grown in popularity and can get crowed as the day progresses. I recommend arriving early to snag proper seating. This is hands down one of the best coffee shops for study in San Diego because of the ambiance. It’s not too quiet and not too loud.
Coffee Shop Address: 6225 Mission Gorge Rd, San Diego, CA 92120
Hours and Information: S3 Coffee Bar
8. Yellow Deli – Vista, CA
Do yourself a favor and visit this place even if you don’t need to get work done or study. Yes, it’s in Vista. However, it’s WELL worth the drive. The Yellow Deli is a large restaurant with a smaller section for people to study and work on laptops. This place embodies renascence to the fullest, with an extremely unique old-time vibe. It’s such a fun place to visit. The uniqueness helps me be even more productive!
There are a few outlets in the study section and reliable WIFI. I highly recommend ordering The Gorde tea. You get a refillable green tea mix in your own personal mug that is very strong. Also, did I mention that on the days they’re open, it’s 24-7? A great place near San Diego for work and study. Bring your friends and roommates to the Yellow Deli for an all-around cool experience.
Coffee Shop Address: 315 E Broadway, Vista, CA 92084
Hours and Information: Yellow Deli
9. Lestat’s Café on Park – San Diego, CA
Nestled in University Heights, Lestat’s Café on Park is a large, spread out coffee shop in San Diego that is perfect for studying. You’ll find many UCSD college students studying here for exams. It’s relatively quiet since everyone knows the study-type environment there. Similar to The Living Room, you’ll find antique chairs and couches here to relax as you study.
It’s easy to snag a table to get work done. There are outlets and WIFI that is pretty good. Similar to Yellow Deli, Lestat’s also has 24/7 hours of operation on the days they’re open. The flexible hours make this one of the best coffee shops to study in San Diego.
Coffee Shop Address: 4496 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92116
Hours and Information: Lestat’s Café on Park
10. Newsbreak Coffee and Café – Ocean Beach, CA
Do you need a second coffee shop to study at in Ocean Beach? Check out Newsbreak Coffee and Café. This San Diego coffee shop is great for studying from your laptop or notebook. It’s located in the heart of Ocean Beach, so expect a crowd! It’s not uncommon to see people sharing community tables to get work done because it can get busy. Many locals work remotely from this San Diego coffee shop because of the atmosphere and location.
Coffee Shop Address: 1959 Abbott St, San Diego, CA 92107
Hours and Information: Newsbreak Coffee and Cafe
11. Copa Vida – Torrey Ridge
Copa Vida will always have my heart. They have multiple locations, but I’m including my favorite café location: Torrey Ridge in San Diego.
The Carmel Valley location is closed permanently, which is sad. It was spacious with good WIFI – truly a perfect coffee shop for work in San Diego.
The Torrey Ridge location of Copa Vida is essentially north La Jolla. This location is only open on weekdays, similar hours to Carmel Valley. Both café locations are very high quality and clean. This café is located in a large commercial building, similar to Cosmic Bloom Coffee. Outlets can be slightly scarce here too. Go with a fully charged laptop if you plan to work at this coffee shop in San Diego. Both locations have amazing natural light, making the working ambiance delightful.
Coffee Shop Address: 10578 Science Center Dr, San Diego, CA 92121
Hours and Information: Copa Vida
12. Bird Rock Coffee Roasters – La Jolla, CA
You can’t have a list of the best coffee shops for studying in San Diego without Bird Rock. Located in La Jolla (Bird Rock), this coffee shop is a diamond in the rough. It’s quant, yet just spacious enough to snag your own table and study. It’s close to UCSD. Students will commonly frequent this café to study.
The drinks at Bird Rock are insane. They’ve done interesting coffee bean collaborations and are always testing the limits of our taste buds (in a good way). People mostly go here for the great coffee and chill vibe. It gets PACKED on weekends because of how popular it is. Snag a table early if you go to this coffee shop to study and prep for your next test.
Coffee Shop Address: 5627 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hours and Information: Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
13. The Simple Coffee House – San Diego, CA
This coffee shop is close by SDSU, which makes it an easy place to go study for college students. There is ample seating and tables to post up at. They keep the atmosphere nice and quiet at this café. If you have a huge test coming up and need a place to study, this is your spot. Place and simple, it’s a solid coffee shop for studying in San Diego.
Coffee Shop Address: 7407 Jackson Dr, San Diego, CA 92119
Hours and Information: The Simple Coffee House
14. Caffe Calabria – San Diego, CA
Another North Park winner, Caffe Calabria offers a very unique setting for work or study. The Italian-influenced café makes you feel like you’re in Europe, not San Diego. The caffeine is as tasty as it gets! Most nights, this place is open later into the evening, since it also serves food and alcohol. If you need a place to study or work in San Diego, add this café to your list.
Coffee Shop Address: 3933 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104
Hours and Information: Caffe Calabria
15. Bing Haus – San Diego, CA
Bing Haus is another Convoy Street gem. This coffee shop is mellow and quiet, providing a great environment to be productive on your laptop. It opens earlier than Tea n More, so if you find yourself traveling through Convoy Street in the morning, you can stop here first. This coffee shop is simple, yet has a cool and sleek vibe. The service is great, there are a few outlets, and the WIFI is reliable.
Coffee Shop Address: 4425 Convoy St #216, San Diego, CA 92111
Hours and Information: Bing Haus
16. Dark Horse Coffee Roasters – San Diego, CA
Get yourself a cup of dark coffee at Dark Horse. This shop has multiple locations. South Park (SD) and Chula Vista both have great shop locations. The shops aren’t too big or too small. You can find tables, outlets, and WIFI here. It’s one of the best coffee shops for work in San Diego which is south of Balboa Park. Which Dark Horse coffee shop location is your favorite?
Coffee Shop Address: 811 25th St Ste 100, San Diego, CA 92102
Hours and Information: Dark Horse Coffee Roasters
17. Vinaka Café – Carlsbad, CA
Heading back to North County San Diego, Vinaka Café is a killer café for working or studying. It’s located in the Village within a larger complex. The breakfast foods from this café are to die for. It opens early and has a decent amount of tables, including indoor and outdoor seating. There are a few outlets but you must arrive early to grab a table that has access to one.
Parking is tricky here since there is a 3-hour limit in the entire parking lot of this complex in Carlsbad. I personally only go for 3 hours then bop to my next coffee shop for work. You can also grab food in the complex after working at this café.
Coffee Shop Address: 300 Carlsbad Village Dr #211, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Hours and Information: Vinaka Café
18. Communal Coffee – Oceanside, CA
This is as far north as this coffee shop for work or study list goes. Communal Coffee, located off the Pacific Coast Highway in Oceanside, embodies the trendy style that the city has come to know. This café plays cool music and has a unique style. It’s extremely popular among locals.
You’ll find people getting internet work done here all the time. Get here early if you want to secure an outlet or prime seating. The workers are rad and the coffee hits! This is the best coffee shop for studying and working in Oceanside by far.
Coffee Shop Address: 602 S Tremont St Suite 100, Oceanside, CA 92054
Hours and Information: Communal Coffee
19. Lofty Coffee – Carlsbad, CA
Yes, I know, there are a ton of Lofty Coffee locations. This one, located in La Costa, is my favorite. It feels sleek, modern, and high-end. It sits in a complex of other nice stores and businesses. You’ll feel fancy working or studying at this coffee shop in North County San Diego.
Outlets are hard to come by here. The same goes with seating, as it does get busy by the afternoon, even on weekdays. Try arriving early in the morning and starting your remote work day here. Of course, Lofty Coffee has very tasty brews and drinks. You won’t regret stopping at this coffee shop for work.
Coffee Shop Address: 7740 El Camino Real Unit A, Carlsbad, CA 92009
Hours and Information: Lofty Coffee
20. Better Buzz Hillcrest – San Diego, CA
Get your buzz on at Better Buzz in Hillcrest. Similar to Lofty Coffee, there are multiple locations for Better Buzz (Encinitas is another good one). While it’s hard to choose, the Hillcrest location is one of the best coffee shops for work that this company offers. Its fun and elegant layout makes getting work done here easy. Better Buzz is known for its strong coffee to keep you buzzing throughout your remote work day.
Coffee Shop Address: 801 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Hours and Information: Better Buzz
Top Coffee Shops for Working Remotely in San Diego
With all of these great options, it’s nearly impossible to choose the top coffee shop for working remotely in San Diego. When making this decision, you must consider the number of outlets, tables, chairs, and parking. Certain coffee shops in San Diego are better for internet work on your laptop, but if you have a Zoom call, they won’t work. Parking and WIFI are also factors to consider. And of course, location!
Depending on the type of remote work I will be doing, my answer changes. The weather and traffic of that day also influence where I go and how long I spend there. Lighting is better in certain coffee shops than others.
Which one would you consider the top coffee shop for work in San Diego?
Top Coffee Shops for Studying in San Diego
Studying in a coffee shop requires a different atmosphere than working (sometimes). You’ll need a quiet café with not too much traffic going in and out. The fewer distractions and the stronger caffeine, the better. Finding the top coffee shops for study in San Diego may require you to test some out.
Finding the right ambiance and vibe that fits your style of studying can vary per person. Just because a coffee shop is popular doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for you. Timing is also a big factor when finding the best coffee shop to study at. Many locations that take the top spot in students’ hearts are ones that stay open later and have reliable internet.
Why I Work at Coffee Shops in San Diego
Caffeine and ambiance both make a workday better. There’s no doubt about that. I spend tons of time in coffee shops for work in San Diego because I am in real estate. My company buys houses in San Diego, CA. When I’m not swinging a hammer in a property that we bought, I’m in coffee shops working from my laptop. You can learn more about our company here.