SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — The alarm blares in your ears, as your eye lids slowly peak open and usher in a flood of sunlight. You drag your feet along the floor to the kitchen, where a device that has saved mornings for so many awaits you.
Coffee is often regarded as a necessity to begin the day, but sometimes it's just what the doctor ordered for a relaxing day. In San Diego, several local coffee roasters and houses blend together their unique coffee recipes that can both kickstart your day or provide a warm moment of solace.
And as National Coffee Day comes on Sept. 29 this year — a Sunday — there's no better time to wake and relax at a coffee house before the work week kicks into gear.
While you're out and about, be sure to duck into one of San Diego's many coffee houses to sample their invigorating drinks:
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters (Locations in La Jolla, Bressi Ranch, Little Italy, Torrey Pines, Morena, Pacific Beach): Bird Rock boasts high-quality coffee, their own signature mixes, and seasonal blends of delicious coffees at their locations around town.
Better Buzz (Locations in La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Hillcrest, Encinitas, Fashion Valley, Point Loma, Mission Beach, San Marcos): In addition to their signature drinks like "Best Drink Ever" and "Hazelnut Divinity," Better Buzz offers delicious cold brews, mochas and lattes, and eats to match.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters (Locations in Normal Heights, North Park, Golden Hill, La Mesa): Head over to Dark Horse Coffee Roasters for their signature Espresso drinks, like “The Champ” or cold brew on nitro with a splash of vanilla bean syrup.
Lofty Coffee & Bakery (Locations in Solana Beach, Encinitas, Little Italy): Lofty Coffee roasts its own beans and crafts pastries from scratch at hubs along San Diego's coastal communities.
Jennings House Cafe: One of San Diego's oldest coffee brands, Jennings House Cafe serves up Cura Coffee and delicious breakfast dishes in a historic landmark home dating back to 1886.
The WestBean Coffee Roasters (Locations in downtown, Liberty Station, Bankers Hill): WestBean sources its own beans, churning out some delicious espressos and refreshing cold brews.
James Coffee Co. (Locations in Little Italy, Bankers Hill, downtown, Columbia): James Coffee Co. puts together your traditional brews plus some delicious specialty drinks with honey cinnamon, Mexican mocha, or coffee soda.
Philz Coffee (Locations in La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas): The Bay Area brings specialty beans — 28 types of beans, in fact — involving a variety of flavors like grapefruit, Cherry, maple, and others.
Refill: Refill packs its java house with all the needed brews: Mochas, lattes, cappuccinos, and some delicious cold brew concoctions and crepes.
Modern Times: In Modern Times' Lomaland Fermentorium, the brewery roasts its own beans in a modest roaster beside taps of its brews. And of course, so of those beans have crossed over to combine barrel-aged beans.
Heartwork: San Diegans have long been fans of Heartwork's brews using James Coffee Co. and Dark Horse roasted beans.
Moniker Coffee Co.: A variety of small-batch coffee from local producers and some out-of-town roasters can be found at Moniker's Liberty Station stop.
Communal Coffee (Locations in South Park, North Park): Grab a cup of coffee and flowers on the side! Communal Coffee, which serves Sightglass Coffee from San Francisco. Expect some creative drinks like rose vanilla, taro, and sea salt and caramel coffees.
Revolution Roasters (Location in Oceanside): Fresh-baked pasteries, breakfast dishes, and of course, an awakening variety of coffees awaits at Revolution Roasters, including their signature Lavender Honey and Butterscotch lattes.
SkyBound Coffee + Dessert Lounge (Locations in Vista, Downtown San Diego): Whether you want your coffee hot or cold, SkyBound has what you need with their Skybound Dark Chocolate Mocha, iced lavender vanilla, sea salt, or VanillaCali coffees.
Perks Coffee House (Location in San Marcos): Delicious cold brew on tap, freshly roasted beans, and a variety of Espresso drinks will surely perk your senses at Perks Coffee House. Keep an eye on their seasonal Cafe Viennese, Dirty Chai latte or go for something a little harder like Irish Coffee.
