The holidays may be a specialty of big chain coffee shops like Starbucks and Better Buzz, but many others also welcome students with open areas to study and free Wi-Fi. And now they’re unveiling holiday drinks, just in time for seasonal study jams.
Lightbulb Coffee
8138 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa
lightbulbcoffee.com
Right across the street from downtown La Mesa, seats are available at Lightbulb Coffee. The Lightbulb coffee shop has many items on its menu, from coffee drinks to milkshakes and food. Some of their seasonal beverages this holiday season include the Peppermint Mocha Latte, Gingerbread Latte and Snickerdoodle Latte. This coffee shop also has free Wi-Fi and couches for students to have homework sessions or Zoom meetings. Lightbulb Coffee shop is open Monday to Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Living Room
5900 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego
livingroomcafe.com
One of the most popular coffee shops among students who enjoy studying away from home and off-campus is the Living Room Coffeehouse. A five-minute drive from San Diego State University, this coffee shop has a lot of food and drink choices, ranging from omelets to signature burgers. Their seasonal drinks will be released as Christmas approaches. It also has outdoor seating for students who prefer the fresh air. The Living Room is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Lemon Grove Coffee
7801 Broadway, San Diego
lemongrovecoffee.com
Right across the street from the Lemon Grove trolley station is Lemon Grove Coffee. One of the seasonal drinks the shop will be releasing is a peppermint mocha with whipped cream and a candy cane sprinkled on top, and there are more yet to come. This place attracts a large number of students from SDSU, Grossmont and even Mesa College. Lemon Grove Coffee is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Daily Grind Cafe
6695 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego
the-daily-grind-cafe.res-menu.com
The Daily Grind Café gives off old-school IHOP vibes, but it feels like home the moment you walk through the door. Located outside of the SDSU area, this cafe has its own breakfast and lunch menu, plus free Wi-Fi, so students can do homework and study while having some great food. When the calendar turns to December, the cafe will unveil its own seasonal drinks to get into the holiday spirit. The Daily Grind Cafe is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters
4350 Palm Ave, La Mesa
darkhorsecoffeeroasters.com
One of the smallest coffee shops on this list is tucked away in La Mesa. Called the Dark Horse Coffee Shop, i has a unique vibe being located in an apartment complex, but its specialty is its self-roasted coffee. It’s great if it’s just a solo study in an area that’s not crowded. Some of their own seasonal drinks will be released as the holidays approach. The Dark Horse Coffee Shop is open every day from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Brew Coffee Spot
6101 Lake Murray Blvd., La Mesa
brewcoffeespot.com
The largest coffee shop on the list is Brew Coffee Spot, which located in the Lake Murray area. Sporting a typical coffee shop vibe inside, the cafe offers a variety of indoor and outdoor seating options; it also host its own events, including a live jazz band and an open mic night. One of their seasonal drinks for sale is the Eggnog Latte, with other options coming soon. The Brew Coffee Stop is open Sunday to Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kaffee Meister
9225 Carlton Hills Blvd., Santee
kaffeemeister.com
Lastly, in Santee outside of Mission Gorge Road, there is Kaffee Meister. The cafe offers many drinks and food, like an acai bowl and bagel sandwiches. One of its seasonal drinks is a peppermint mocha, and more will be coming soon. This shop has indoor and outdoor seating with free Wi-Fi, and many students come here to study or just have a cafe vibe they love. Kaffee Meister is open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on the weekends from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
