Around 150 Starbucks locations are closing in California, the company announced last week.
According to CBS8, at least twelve of those locations are in San Diego.
Many are in northern and coastal parts of San Diego, with a few exceptions in East County and Chula Vista. Only a shuttered Bankers Hill location is truly in San Diego’s urban core, while several suburbs lost their mainline to the Seattle-based behemoth.
Starbucks is urging its customers to enjoy the same coffee, wi-fi and bathrooms at nearby locations, many of which are absorbing baristas from shuttered shops.
But if you’re in a real pinch, here are some neighborhood coffee shops closer to those shuttered addresses that let San Diegans get caffeinated and support local businesses, too.
Central(ish) locations
Fifth & Laurel → Mnemonic Coffee
The Bankers Hills Starbucks is being closed in the walkable neighborhood just north of downtown.
Less than two blocks away, Mnemonic Coffee at 2604 Fifth Ave. has multiple high-end roasts to choose from in the warm, ‘70s inspired space.
The queer, women-owned shop serves drinks that are non-dairy by default 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Garnet & Mission Bay Drive → Better Buzz Pacific Beach East
This location in the commercial part of Pacific Beach is easier to replace than some other drive-through Starbucks thanks to the fast-growing, San Diego-based Better Buzz. Its Pacific Beach East outpost at 1909 Garnet Ave. was the original location opened in 2007, with the chain now stretching to Arizona and Las Vegas.
Unlike some small neighborhood cafes, Better Buzz’ hours compare to Starbucks by opening at 5:30 a.m. every day. It closes at 6 p.m.
Convoy & Raytheon → The Keep Coffee, LAB Dessert & Coffee
Nothing in this parking-strapped, foodie neighborhood quite compares to the amenities of this once drive-through Starbucks, but the top-tier boba tea options nearby may have contributed to the diminished demand at the coffee giant as people look for unique offerings in the Asian cultural district of Kearny Mesa.
They need look no further than across the street to The Keep Coffee at 4913 Convoy St., which went viral for its whipped match and foam toppings. In addition to creamy drinks, its garlic cream cheese buns are beloved.
For those seeking a caffeine fix, and maybe a macaron, past The Keep’s 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. hours, neighboring LAB Desserts & Coffee at 4817 Convoy St. stays open until 9 p.m. on Sundays, 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Genesee & Balboa → Forum Coffee House
Discounting nearby national chains Panera and 85C Bakery, try Forum Coffee House (4340 Genesee Ave. Unit 110) up the street from the shuttered Clairemont Starbucks. Forum is known for its great study and work space that can accommodate people for multiple hours while open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
North County
Plaza Sorrento → Café 86
With another international chain next door offering free hot or iced coffee every day, the Starbucks at 6765 Mira Mesa Blvd., Ste. 149 could not beat Breugger’s Bagels. In the same Sorrento Valley shopping center, ube-forward Café 86 offers fancier options than black coffee, albeit not quite local.
Be warned: the expanding Chino Hills-based chain does not open until 11 a.m. – but it stays open until at least 8 p.m.
Bernardo Center Dr. → Compa Coffee
Rancho Bernardo is losing its Starbucks at 16773 Bernardo Center Dr., which operated inside a shopping center with drive-through boba at Cozy Cup.
For a local coffee shop only half a mile away with a huge range of unique flavors like salted maple or lavender thyme lattes, Compa Coffee Roasters is a favorite neighborhood meetup spot open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and until 7 p.m. on weekends at 11828 Rancho Bernardo Rd. #101.
Aviary & Scripps Ranch → Hunters of Hendrix
This Scripps Ranch Starbucks has surprisingly few alternate options, although there is another Starbucks drive through a mile away that is closer to the 15.
To buy local, head to hidden neighborhood gem Hunters of Hendrix at 100045 Carroll Canyon Rd. from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. on weekdays and until 1 p.m. on weekends. They use Dark Horse beans and serve popular vegan donuts.
Grand Ave. & Carlsbad Blvd. → Sleeping Tiger Coffees
Even Sleeping Tiger Coffee’s Google reviews include stories of people walking to the Starbucks next to the Carlsbad sign, only to be lured away by the quirky cafe two doors down.
Sleeping Tiger Coffees has the unique local charm many are looking for while on slow strolls around the boardwalk.
Plus, they roast their beans in house in the oldest urban winery in San Diego – Witch Creek Winery. The smell alone was too tempting for many planning trips to Starbucks.
Enjoy the eclectic décor or walk to the beach from the winery and coffee shop at 2906 Carlsbad Blvd., open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Pomerado & Twin Peaks → Mostra Coffee
The main Starbucks in the Twin Peaks shopping center in Poway is shuttered, although the strip mall still has a Starbucks inside Target.
It’s a mile and a half away, but Mostra Coffee may be worth the drive. After all, it won micro roaster of the year in 2020 from Roast Magazine and has won other national coffee competitions since.
Their 12045 Carmel Mountain Rd. Unit 302 location is open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Sundays, when customers (and baristas) can sleep in until 7 a.m.
South Bay and East County
Bonita & I-805 → Caffe Tazza
The sole Chula Vista shuttering does not have any other coffee shops within a mile of its convenient freeway off ramp location.
However, Chula Vista’s downtown business district on Third Avenue is within reach, with tons of options including Dark Horse, TG Cafe, Mujer Divina, Tender Hooligan, Dame Más Cafeina and Grind House.
For those who don’t want to cross the freeway, try Caffe Tazza which also serves beer and wine at 374 H St. from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Main & Magnolia → Rob’s Brewpoint
Right next to the El Cajon sign, the Starbucks in the walkable business district of El Cajon is closed. Not to worry though, as locals rave about the quality of the single origin coffee and the banana lattes at Rob’s Brewpoint, just a couple blocks away at 153 E Main St., which is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Santee Trolley Stop →The Coffee Corner
Many assumed the Starbucks closing might be in places with an oversaturation of the coffee chain.
The Santee Trolley Stop Starbucks is certainly an example of this. Next door, Target has an in-store cafe and across the street Vons does as well. A mile away but still in Santee’s series of shopping centers, there’s a drive-through Starbucks. That makes four Starbucks locations in the same sprawling mall.
For a quaint local alternative, The Coffee Corner at 235 Town Center Pkwy. Ste. A has a drive through, good seating and is known for supporting the Santee community.
It is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, opens at 8 a.m. on Saturdays and is closed on Sundays.
