Nothing like the cold draft, fluorescent lights, and dead silence of the library to really get you in the studying mood, right? Wrong. Sometimes you just can not bring yourself to venture into the library no matter how hard you try. But don't fret, there are many other options for places to study here in San Diego. Those who know me know that I love exploring, and I love coffee. When I first moved to San Diego, I decided I was going to go to a new coffee shop every weekend to study. Not only was it a great way to get out and see different parts of the city, but I could be productive too. I began my research by asking friends, looking at Yelp reviews, and reading other articles. After mapping out a few places, I began my search for the best coffee shops to study at in San Diego. Here are my findings.
1) Lestat's on Park
Lestat's has two locations, one on Park and one on Adams, but the shop on Park Avenue has much more seating room, and it has a better studying atmosphere. When you walk in, you're greeted with tufted red velvet chairs resembling thrones, and beautiful chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The baristas are very nice and accommodating, and their drink menu has something for everyone. Lestat's became my go-to place, but it often is very crowded and it can be difficult to get a table. It is open 24 hours, so I found myself camped out on a couch here for all of finals week. You can find me somewhere in Lestat's just about every Sunday with a cappuccino in hand, doing a lab report or studying for the my next chemistry exam, it's my favorite.
2) Twiggs Coffeehouse and Bakery
This is the only place I actually stumbled upon the "old-fashioned" way. The aforementioned Lesat's was extremely crowded and so I decided to walk up the street and check out a new coffee shop I had seen while driving around University Heights. The atmosphere is super cozy, with red interior and tables large enough to share with a stranger and make a new friend or spread your things out. There is also plenty of outdoor seating, which is where I chose to study. It reminds me of a shop you might find in Paris, as it was quaint and very welcoming (and has delicious croissants). I also got an A on my midterm after studying here, so maybe there's a bit of good luck in the cappuccinos too.
3) Living Room Coffeehouse (Point Loma)
Although the coffee here was not my favorite, I enjoyed the decor and thought the place was very cute. The inside is filled with mismatched old chairs of different styles and tables of different sizes, and there are front and back patios complete with string lights. There are multiple floors to this coffee shop, allowing for plenty of space for all the students I saw doing homework here on a Sunday.
4) Better Buzz Coffee - The Lab
I was skeptical at first about going in to Better Buzz to study as opposed to just getting one of their many unique drinks and simply getting breakfast with friends. However, I gave it a chance as one of my study spots and was pleasantly surprised. The seating is quite limited when compared to the other places I normally go, but if you go at the right time (I often go on Mondays) there are plenty of open tables. I usually sit at the counter area facing the street, as the doors are opened like garage doors and you can breathe fresh air and feel the sun while still being indoors. As expected, the drinks are amazing--my personal favorite being the mint mojito. Though I usually don't come here to cram for a midterm, it's a great atmosphere to get a little homework done and remind yourself that life can't be that bad when you're in sunny San Diego.
5) Cafe Bassam
Cafe Bassam actually happens to be the very first coffee shop I ever went to in San Diego. Located in Bankers Hill, this bohemian shop has a plethora of exotic teas to choose from, as well as coffee and iced drinks. The decor is the most unique of all, with antiques covering the walls from floor to ceiling. This shop is fairly small, so seating can be sparse, but it is usually not too crowded and provides a quiet environment for studying. The interior can appear a bit cluttered, but it adds to the overall charm of this cute vintage shop.
I encourage you all to go out and find your favorite study spot, or check out some of mine. Good luck and happy studying!
