Scattered across the Point Loma peninsula is an abundance of unique cafes. With the vibrant location of Ocean Beach (OB) and the classy district of Liberty Station nearby, Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) students have plenty of options for quality coffee shops.
Here is a breakdown of five great ones:
Distance from PLNU: 2.9 miles
Price for a regular latte: $5.50
As a must-try attraction in OB, The Template is an intimate and funky space where coffee lovers and artists alike can cultivate community.
The Template is a short walk from the water in OB, adorning Niagara Avenue with its murals and brightly colored signage.
On the right, when walking inside the cafe, hangs a collection of vibrant secondhand clothes on a rack.
On the left, further in, a massive dinosaur sculpture is suspended over the antique tables that furnish the cafe.
A disco ball dangles in the center of the space, reflecting the light from funky vintage lamps.
“The Template is a really unique coffee shop,” PLNU third-year media communications student Leila Glass, said. “It’s a cool place to go for pictures and super close to the beach as well.”
Whether you’re looking for an aesthetic place to study with your friends or some post-beach caffeination, The Template is a rejuvenating location to explore.
Distance from PLNU: 3.0 miles
Price for a regular latte: $5.25
Strung up with ivy and fairy lights on Voltaire Street, Ocean Beach Coffee and Plants is a snug and welcoming spot for study and relaxation.
Quirky ceramics and mini propagated plants line the shelves of this cafe, representing the earthy spirit of OB.
The interior of Coffee and Plants is comfortable, with power outlets easily accessible for charging electronics during a study session.
This cafe also offers a relaxing outdoor seating area, sheltered by a wooden terrace and furnished with greenery.
OB Coffee and Plants uses screaming goat espresso beans from Elixir Espresso Bar in Pacific Beach. Their website does not advertise that their espresso beans maintain any fair trade or sustainability certifications.
Next time you are in OB craving a matcha or some high quality espresso, drop by Coffee and Plants to get a taste of the down-to-earth OB community.
Distance from PLNU: 2.8 miles
Price for a regular latte: $5.39
Right next to the Trader Joe’s in Liberty Station, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters is a quality-based coffee shop with refined espresso drinks.
Bird Rock’s endearing logo,a blue Volkswagen truck, is found throughout the cafe onstickers and posters.
The coffee shop’s interior design is an ensemble of professionalism and simplicity, spun together with references to the coffee bean production process through photography. Across the walls of the cafe, television screens cast images of coffee farmers and specialty drinks.
According to their website, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters has put premium coffee on the map in San Diego and has done so with the planet and people in mind.
Coffee beans are one of the trading industry’s most exploited resources in terms of living wages and workers rights, according to the US Department of Labor.
Bird Rock is contributing to changing the coffee game with mindful consumption practices by maintaining certifications for their direct trade and organic products.
Have any Liberty Station courses this semester? Make a pitstop at Bird Rock on your way to class to check out their specialty coffees.
Distance from PLNU: 2.7 miles
Price for a regular latte: $5.25
This cafe is another gem in OB and is a prime location for PLNU students to gather for study and quality time with its easily accessible power outlets and variety of seating options.
This coffee shop has a rustic and beachy aesthetic with tons of seating.
“I love OB Beans for their coffee and the variety of people there,” PLNU fourth-year communications student Alissa Havey said in an Instagram direct message interview. “Whether it’s a homework grind session or a hang out with a friend, the space they’ve created is fun and inviting.”
OB Beans roasts their beans on-site and directly sources their coffee from small farmers around the world, according to their website.
This coffee shop encapsulates the beachy and easygoing atmosphere on Newport Avenue, the main street of OB.
Distance from PLNU: 3.4 miles
Price for a regular latte: $5.50
Based in Liberty Station, Moniker Coffee Co. is arguably one of the classiest cafes around Point Loma.
A bright mural invigorates Moniker’s minimalistic space, making for an Instagram-worthy coffee spot.
Sydney Dalton, PLNU fourth-year media communications student, said she enjoys the aesthetic of Moniker’s interior.
“The artwork [at Moniker] is very charming,” Dalton said. “My favorite drink to get is an iced vanilla latte.”
Moniker buys their espresso beans from Dark Horse Coffee Roasters, another local coffee shop spotlight.
Moniker is a three-in-one coffee shop, bar and boutique.
The coffee scene flourishes all over the peninsula, telling different sides of its story through classy cafes like Moniker Coffee Co. as well as kooky spots like The Template.
Grace Barrera 
Charis Johnston