If you’re looking for a little jolt to your morning commute, you’ve come to the right place. Today we’re exploring a few coffee shop options that are near transit stops in San Diego. Check out our list of seven coffee shops to help caffeinate your commute with MTS.
[Iced Sandpiper Latte]
Nearest Transit Stop: County Center/Little Italy // UC San Diego Blue Line or Green Line
Coffee Shop: Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, 1420 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Hours: Mon-Sun 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Website: birdrockcoffee.com
If you’re a sucker for a good latte, Bird Rock is a great place to go before (or after!) your commute. They have handcrafted syrups - from vanilla and hazelnut to their own crafted caramel syrup - that they add to a variety of their drinks. There are multiple locations of this local coffee roaster around town, but the one near Waterfront Park is a mere block away from the County Center/Little Italy Transit Station.
[Hazelnut Latte]
Nearest Transit Stop: E Street Station // UC San Diego Blue Line
Coffee Shop: Cool Down Coffee, 750 E St, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Hours: Mon-Sat 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., closed Sundays
Website: cooldowncoffee.com
It doesn’t get any closer to a transit station than Cool Down Coffee which is located within the parking lot at E Street Transit Center in Chula Vista. While the outside isn’t very discerning, stepping inside Cool Down Coffee brings you into a warm and cozy spot to hang out (if you have a little time to kill) and get a cup of your favorite coffee.
[Mermaid Matcha and Peppermint Mocha]
Nearest Transit Stop: Lemon Grove Depot // Orange Line
Coffee Shop: The Hamlett, 7805 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA 91945
Hours: Mon-Sun 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Website: thehamlett.com
The Hamlett is a cool coffee shop and apothecary that is across the street from the Lemon Grove Depot and the Giant Lemon. They serve as a hub for local businesses and sell local products in their shop in addition to their delicious coffee. Stop by and grab a cup of coffee to go before your next transit trip!
[Iced White Mocha and Peruvian Mocha]
Nearest Transit Stop: 12th and Imperial Transit Center // All Trolley Lines
Coffee Shop: Cafe Virtuoso, 1616 National Ave, San Diego, CA 92113
Hours: Mon-Sun 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Website: cafevirtuoso.com
Now, this one isn’t right at the transit center - it’s actually a 5-minute walk - but go ahead and use your PRONTO card or app to easily hop on Route 901 or 929 if you don’t feel like walking. Cafe Virtuoso is one bus stop away from 12th & Imperial for your daily dose of caffeine. Don’t worry about spending the extra money for that one quick bus ride - you’re covered with 2 hours of free transfers and fare capping with PRONTO! You’ll never be charged more than $6 a day, no matter how many times you tap and ride. Totally worth it to get a great cup of coffee to kickstart your day (like one of the mochas featured above)!
[Black Sesame Latte]
Nearest Transit Stop: La Mesa Blvd Station // Orange Line
Coffee Shop: Public Square Coffee House, 8278 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, CA 91942
Hours: Mon-Sun 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Instagram: @publicsquarecoffee
Public Square Coffee House is located in the heart of La Mesa, just a short walk away from La Mesa Blvd Trolley Station. In addition to their unique lattes (like black sesame, pandan, or the brown sugar cinnamon latte with homemade syrup) they also have freshly baked scones with seasonal flavored butters which are highly recommended.
[Snickle Rick - Peanut Butter Mocha with Caramel]
Nearest Transit Stop: Park & Market // UC San Diego Blue Line or Orange Line
Coffee Shop: Seahorse Coffee, 1301 Market St, San Diego, CA 92101
Hours: Mon-Fri 6:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Sat-Sun 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Instagram: @seahorse_coffee
Seahorse Coffee is one block away from the Park & Market Trolley stop in the Quartyard and housed within a former storage container. This bright and colorful coffee spot can help you caffeinate your day with a variety of enticing coffee drinks like the Big in Japan (raspberry white mocha with a Pocky stick), Snickle Rick (peanut butter mocha with caramel), or Han Shot First (a matcha latte with espresso).
[Nutella Cold Brew]
Nearest Transit Stop: 30th Street & University Avenue
Coffee Shop: Holsem Coffee, 2911 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
Hours: Mon-Sun 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Website: orderholsemcoffee.square.site
Located in the heart of North Park, Holsem Coffee crafts artisanal coffees for the community. Some of their creations include a Banana Bread Cold Brew and a Lemon Meringue Cold Brew along with Strawberry Malt Lattes and Cinnamon Swirl Mochas made with Valrhona chocolate. If you’re looking for something a little bit different, hit up Holsem Coffee before your next outing on Route 2, 6, 7, or 10.
Any of these coffee shops in San Diego are an awesome way to help caffeinate your commute. Be sure to use the MTS Trip Planner to help get you there and remember to always tap or scan your PRONTO card or app before every ride.
