I Worked From 5 Different San Diego Cafes in One Week — Here’s the Best One

As someone who works remotely and needs just the right energy to focus, I decided to bounce around San Diego and test out 5 different cafes in a single week. Some had me ready to write a novel. Others had me rage-quitting over loud espresso machines.

If you’ve been looking for the best spot to get sh*t done in San Diego, I’ve got your back.

☕ Day 1: Communal Coffee – North Park

📍 2335 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
🌐 communalcoffee.com

Gorgeous, airy, and full of plants — but BUSY.
Wi-Fi: Good
Outlets: Scarce
Vibe: Aesthetic overload, but not great for deep work.

☕ Day 2: James Coffee Co. – Little Italy

📍 2355 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
🌐 jamescoffeeco.com

Hipster meets industrial. Tons of seating, great espresso, and surprisingly quiet for how cool it is.
Wi-Fi: Strong
Outlets: Everywhere
Vibe: Productive. I crushed my to-do list here.

☕ Day 3: Better Buzz – Hillcrest

📍 801 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
🌐 betterbuzzcoffee.com

Good drinks, upbeat energy. But it’s a social scene — not ideal if you need focus.
Wi-Fi: Mid
Outlets: Few
Vibe: Better for catching up than catching deadlines.

☕ Day 4: Holsem Coffee – North Park

📍 2911 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
🌐 holsemcoffee.com

Smoothest cold brew I’ve had all year. The seating is a little tight, but the design is calming.
Wi-Fi: Great
Outlets: Okay
Vibe: Quiet and clean. Would go back.

☕ Day 5: Moniker General – Liberty Station

📍 2860 Sims Rd, San Diego, CA 92106
🌐 monikergeneral.com

This one feels different. It’s a hybrid of coffee shop, retail, and workspace. Tons of space to spread out.
Wi-Fi: Perfect
Outlets: Everywhere
Vibe: My fave of the week. Relaxed, stylish, focused.

🏆 The Winner: Moniker General

It checked every box: space, chill vibes, good drinks, and reliable Wi-Fi. I could see myself spending all day here (and lowkey wanted to).

🔜 Coming Soon: Moushi

From the best cafes to the best hidden gems in SD — Moushi is your new go-to app for eating, working, and exploring like a local. Launching soon.