DANCIN Vineyards is located in Rogue Valley just minutes from Ashland, Medford, and Jacksonville, making their Medford winery and tasting room a convenient beacon amongst travelers and locals who seek good wine.

This Southern Oregon vineyard is known for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Barbera, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel, and Port-style wine. 

They craft award-winning wines for you to enjoy. Some popular wines are the 'Assemblage' Chardonnay, 'En Croix' Chardonnay, 'Pas de Chat' Pinot Noir, 'Encore!' Pinot Noir, and more. Visit DANCIN Vineyards website for more details. Drink your wine in the sun or sit in the shade. No matter where you sit, savor the beauty, atmosphere, and location. It's a great community hub whether you're visiting from out of town or if you're a local. You can make reservations ahead of time or just pop in. 

DANCIN Vineyards Address: 4477 S Stage Rd, Medford, OR 97501

Medford & Southern Oregon Wineries

Explore the theaters, brewpubs, wineries, and cuisine in Medford, Oregon. The city of Medford is home to Craterian Theater, Prescott Park, Roxy Ann Peak, and more outdoor gems. You can spend a lot of time outdoors in Southern Oregon's forested foothills, enjoying fishing, hiking, and rafting. Check out the Visit Medford website to learn more about the area. 

But I know why you're here, and that's for the wine. I get it. When I visited DANCIN Vineyard, it was in the middle of a pretty brutal heatwave in the area, around 113° Fahrenheit. Phewie. Shade, water, air conditioning, sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen were my best friends. I visited DANCIN Vineyards and Rellik Winery (which I reviewed on Yelp).

DANCIN Vineyards Tasting Room

DANCIN Winery in the Rogue Valley has a solid food menu with appetizers, artisan pizzas and flatbreads, salads, and desserts. I was there during a heatwave and they have a bunch of shade as well as misters to try their best to keep people cool. You can enjoy perfect views of the vineyard and hills of Southern Oregon. You'll love the outdoor experience with the occasional bee floating past you as the wind ruffles through the vines.  They are dog-friendly so you can bring your pupperoni too. Eat food, sip wine, and enjoy the wine tasting experience. 

DANCIN Vineyards Menu

This is the link to their menu on their website.  I had the beet salad, which I couldn't find online on their menu, so that might've been a seasonal item. DANCIN Winery has artisan pizzas and flatbreads. You can get gluten-free crust for an additional fee. The Brie & Berries Pizza sounds phenomenal with olive oil, Pennington Farms blackberries, brie, crispy bacon, toasted pecans, and a sprinkle of green onion. They offer bites like stuffed mushrooms, bacon-wrapped dates, shishito peppers, and even a bread and balsamic vinegar situation. There are salads such as Caesar salad, green leaf salad, and Caprese salad. Don't forget the dessert! S'mores, panna cotta, sgroppino, port wine, and more.

Wine Flight

I ordered a wine flight, which allows you to pick five of their wines to sample. Wine flights are the ideal option if you don't want to commit to one wine. Try a few first! They also have some local beers if you prefer. I had a wonderful, peaceful experience in the warm summer afternoon in Medford.

DANCIN Winery Hours

Membership

North County San Diego offers plenty of friendly coffee shops to explore. Whether you're searching for the perfect breakfast menu for a family gathering or local restaurants to grab a fresh cup of coffee, there are so many amazing options near Encinitas. 

Best Coffee Shops Near Me in Encinitas!

This town is really the perfect location to find a cool cafe especially if you love beach vibes, cool breezes, and the smell of salt in the air. Want to eat in or get takeout? You can always enjoy a cup of coffee in this fun beach town. 

This list covers some of the best coffee shops in Encinitas, with locations in Downtown Encinitas, Leucadia, and Cardiff-by-the-Sea. 

I’ll be adding more great locations to this list in the future.

*Updated as of September 2022

Better Buzz

Better Buzz Coffee Encinitas 

Better Buzz offers quick single-origin drinks like macchiato, latte, cortado, to name a couple. Their handcrafted beverages, served hot or cold, include options such as Best Drink Ever® (classic americano with their signature creamy vanilla), Honey Latte (espresso, creamy vanilla, honey, steamed milk), and more things to sip on. This cute shop also has teas, smoothies, sandwiches, fancy toasts, and cold brew on tap. Free Wi-Fi, open for takeout, dogs are allowed, vegan options too.

Address: 578 S Coast Hwy 101

Phone: (760) 487-5562

Website: Better Buzz Encinitas

Coffee Coffee 

In this space, you'll find organic coffee roasted on-site by Revolution Roasters. Gotta love a quality coffee roast! The aroma smells delicious. Get a quick bite to eat from Coffee Coffee's breakfast menu with food such as the Jose Especial made with scrambled egg, spinach, tomato, red onion topped with avocado and feta. Pick between the housemade salsa fresca or choice of bread. lox bagel, acai bowl, avocado toast, breakfast wrap, and a lot more. They serve lunch too if you want to come for an afternoon meal.

Address: 970 N Coast Hwy 101

Phone: (760) 436-2233

Website: Coffee Coffee

Related reading: Things to Do in Encinitas: North County San Diego Gem

Encinitas Cafe 

This cafe has a long history in town, originating in the 1930s as Fred's Cafe, then known as Zim's cafe into the 1950s. By 1960, the name was The Coffee Mill. The Encinitas Cafe name has stuck since 1989. If you're on the hunt for food, as in a full-on breakfast brunch, lunch menu scenario, this is the perfect spot to check out. Encinitas Cafe has an extensive four-page menu filled with breakfast classics such as delicious eggs benedict, mimosa, scrambles and lunch items like burgers, soup, salads, and hot open-faced sandwiches.

Address: 531 S Coast Hwy 101

Phone: (760) 632-0919

Website: Encinitas Cafe

GOODONYA® Organic Eatery 

Find organic coffee and tea, such as a classic coffee to the Repair latte with collagen, lucuma, raw honey. From breakfast scrambles to organic sandwiches and salads, GOODONYA® offers a variety of organic, non-GMO goodies. This is one of those restaurants that has a little bit of everything. Open for delivery, takeout, curbside pickup, sit-down dining, indoor and outdoor seating, you name it. Great place to eat outside or grab a quick coffee by the coast.

Address: 1051 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024

Phone: (858) 264-8550

Website: GOODONYA® Organic Eatery 

Lil Jungle Java 

On a mission to support small businesses? Then this Encinitas coffee shop is worth your time. Available in the drive-through/takeout only, you can pick up a quickie drink before heading to work or on your next errand. Located in Encinitas Village Square II, Lil Jungle Java is a local favorite and hidden gem because it's a coffee stand versus a larger shop. 

Address: 1500 Encinitas Blvd 

Phone: (760) 917-5589

Related reading: Carlsbad Coffee Shops: Best Coffee in Carlsbad, California

Lofty Coffee

Lofty Coffee Company 

Lofty is a popular spot with multiple locations in San Diego County. I also included Lofty Coffee in my Carlsbad Coffee Shops guide: Searching for the Best Coffee in Carlsbad, California. This coffee shop has indoor and outdoor seating too. They serve fresh coffee, tea, pastries, hand-rolled croissants, muffins, and cookies. Who doesn't love a quality cookie?! They have yummy things such as their house coffee, Kyoto-style cold brew, Iced Hibiscus Lemon Grass and Blood Orange Tea, baked from scratch pastry and dessert such as almond croissant. Eat outside and enjoy the great scenery.

Address: 90 N Coast Hwy 101 #214

Phone: (760) 230-6747

Lofty Coffee Encinitas Roasting Works

Address: 97 N Coast Hwy 101

Phone: (760) 230-6747

Website: Lofty Coffee Encinitas

Related reading: Things to do in Oceanside, California - visit here to read!

Ironsmith Coffee Roasters

Ironsmith Coffee Roasters 

Order ahead to takeout and pick up at the counter or stay around to enjoy your beverage at this locally-owned Encinitas coffee shop. Ironsmith Coffee Roasters is a fresh, independent coffee shop and roastery that sells espresso beverages, specialty drinks, tea, chai tea, hot chocolate, and retail bag coffee to purchase to make at home. Roasts on pour might range so be sure to ask what they have or check their current menu.

Address: 458 S Coast Hwy 101

Phone: (626) 429-6397

Website: Ironsmith Coffee Roasters

Bump Coffee

This little coffee shop is located in Cardiff by the Sea park; it has a hole-in-the-wall vibe that you might just walk by on accident. Bump Coffee selects ingredients from geographically diverse regions in South America. Come for the coffee but stay for the empanadas. 

Address: 126 Aberdeen Dr, Cardiff, CA 92007 

Website: Bump Coffee

Pannikin Coffee & Tea 

Pannikin has been serving the local community with coffee, tea, and other baked treats since 1968. This family-owned and operated business based in the heart of Leucadia, California roasts coffee and bakes daily for all four Pannikin locations in San Diego County. The Encinitas CA Pannikin is located in a historic Santa Fe Railroad Station built in 1888.

Address: 510 N Coast Hwy 101

Phone: (760) 436-5824

Website: Pannikin Coffee & Tea

Peet's Coffee 

You might have heard of this coffee shop chain that sells handcrafted espresso beverages, freshly made coffee, Mighty Leaf teas, as well as warm breakfast. Peet's Coffee in Encinitas Village Shopping Center has the Peet's standard range of menu including hot coffee, seasonal drings, hot tea, iced drinks, and more.

Address: 1486 Encinitas Blvd

Phone: (760) 274-1280

Website: Peet's Coffee

Philz Coffee 

Philz Coffee has quite a few locations throughout California as well as Chicago and the D.C Metro area. They serve some pretty interesting drinks in their featured creations, from Iced Coffee Rosé smooth and sweet iced coffee, topped with subtle rose cream to the Tesora, original coffee blend, which they recommend with cream and honey. 

Address: 1060 S Coast Hwy 101

Phone: (760) 230-6880

Website: Philz Coffee 

Queenstage Coffee House 

Coffee, pastries, breakfast, lunch

Address: 190 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024

Website: Queenstage Coffee

Surfdog's Java Hut - Temporarily Closed

Address: 1126 S Coast Hwy 101

Woodsy Coffee

This cute spot features menu items such as the beet hummus toast or the buttermilk biscuit served with maple butter and local jam. They have specialty lattes like honey lavender and salted maple, coffee drinks, tea, and smoothies too!

Address: 875 Santa Fe Dr

Phone: (760) 452-6380

Website: Woodsy Coffee

Zumbar Coffee & Tea 

Established in 2003, this San Diego boutique coffee roaster has locations in Sorrento Valley and Cardiff. Zumbar Coffee & Tea sells, you guessed it, coffee and tea: espressos to 16 oz. cold brew coffee to pastries such as locally baked almond croissants. People tend to love the friendly service and good prices.

Address: 111 Chesterfield Dr #115, Cardiff, CA 92007

Website: Zumbar Coffee & Tea

Coffee, Tea, and More in North County San Diego

Experience coffee with a view! Grab a cup of coffee then head near Moonlight Beach to watch the waves ebb and flow. Encinitas CA is close to Carlsbad/Carlsbad Village. You can also find a range of cafes in the area as well. These are more than what you'd consider an average coffee shop. L’Atelier de Paris is popular for its drool-worthy desserts. Visit a couple of the best coffee shops in Encinitas and savor the gift of caffeine. Click here to visit Encinitas Visitors Center website.

What are your favorite Encinitas coffee shops? Do you have a go-to order?

The LAB Anti-Mall in Costa Mesa, California feels fresh. It's the cool spot I would like to have hung out at with friends every weekend if I were 12 again. An enormous fiddle leaf fig plant towers over the open space common area touching the wooden ceiling as it tries to makes its way through the skylight. Three neon signs that say Yes, No, Maybe hang on the wall. People sit at varying seats, stools, chairs, & tables sprawled out; typing on their laptops, nibbling on a bite to eat, chatting with a friend. Other patrons walk to & fro with their masks on as they shop. The world comes alive again as it adjusts itself in a world with COVID. From restaurants to small local businesses, The Lab Anti-Mall Costa Mesa isn't your average shopping mall experience.

The Lab Costa Mesa

I sit down at a tiny table with a pair of mismatched chairs at the LAB Anti Mall. I take off my mask to enjoy a bite of my mini donut haul from Good Town Doughnuts. I snagged the Raspberry Pistachio & Chocolate Strawberry doughnuts. Good Town Doughnuts offers vegan & non-vegan options. We accidentally picked both vegan versions since the flavours just appealed to us. I particularly loved the Chocolate Strawberry with the chocolate doughnut base & tart strawberry glaze. Take a look at the Good Town Doughnuts Instagram page for photos of their delightful doughnuts. This is the perfect destination to go shopping in Orange County.

The LAB Anti-Mall Costa Mesa, California Address: 2930 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 United States

Located at 2930 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 United States, the LAB Anti-Mall has food & drink options, clothing shops, thrift stores, barbershop, hair salon, record store, & some other bits & bobs. I've actually been here before, although it was quick, in & out. This time I was able to get a better feel of the  LAB Anti-Mall & What makes it so great, exciting. I'm glad to be back. Take a look at the LAB website!

Fred & I said what the hell, drove an hour away from our usual haunts to explore Costa Mesa, California. Located close to the 405 Freeway on Bristol Street, LAB Anti-Mall was a doughnut, vegan food whirlwind. 

Please check out my Instagram post about my Orange County day trip to the LAB Anti-Mall. There are plenty of online reviews so you can really get a feel of places nearby, what people think,  the type of art, the best restaurant to check out, & more.

Whether you're an Orange County local or came to Costa Mesa CA for a day trip, there's quite a lot to see at the LAB. If you're tired of the same old same old then you'll like the unique shops & restaurants that the LAB Anti-Mall provides. This place is different. There's music, art, & installations, an attention to detail in every corner. Address: 2930 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 United States.

Related reading: Things to Do in North County San Diego, California

Parking

There are parking options throughout the LAB. However, if you come on a busy day, it's likely that all the spaces in the parking lot will be full. We came on Sunday & it was busy. We drove around a couple of times & had to do a bit of walking from our parking space. I'm not sure if there's street parking, at least not very close by.

You could check out LAB Anti-Mall's other restaurants, eateries, & drinkeries Baba's Chicken, Bootleggers, Habana, Hana Re, Nook Coffee, Refresh Stream, Ruin Bar, Seabirds Kitchen, & The Den (formerly known as Gypsy Den).

Fun Fact: "LAB" stands for Little American Business. Their goal to combat retail monotony began in 2003. Now it's a relatively popular hotspot for pretty much any age group to shop, eat, & enjoy Costa Mesa.

Experience unique shopping opportunities at the LAB's stores. You'll find a great variety. We went to 2nd Street USA; Fred & I each scored something. This thrift store has a mix of funky vintage blouses to modern name brand sneakers, so men & women alike can get some shopping done. If you want to find a great place to shop local, LAB Anti-Mall is one of those one-stop shops.

Store hours may vary: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Friday & Saturday 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM. View the LAB store list website for links to each business & up-to-date hours.

Popular shops include Urban Outfitters and Buffalo Exchange. Find some music at a record shop or eat a doughnut in the sun at one of the outdoor seating areas. This eclectic destination area is a little bit more exciting than your average shopping mall experience. Bring a friend and make it a day.

Lab Anti Mall Store List

Shopping

Blends + Carve

Buffalo Exchange

Eco Now

Red + Blue Vintage

Sundressed Inc

Terra Nova Vintage

Urban Outfitters

Food & Drink

Baba's Chicken

Bootleggers

Good Town Doughnuts

Habana 

Hana Re

Nook Coffee

Refresh Stream

Ruin Bar

Seabirds Kitchen

The Den

Other Shops

Barber Shop

Crew Salon

Creme Tangerine Records

The Artery

We had dinner at Nice Guys Vegan, an all-vegan restaurant that ultimate vegan comfort foods such as burgers, fries, & desserts). Think vegan fast-casual restaurant. The BBQ Bacon Burger & Spicy Chicken Burger. Both were absolutely incredible & believe me because I’ve had a lot of crapy burgers in my 15+ years of being meat-free. 

Then there's the eco-friendly retail campus, The CAMP, that's dedicated to supporting the community through an active, healthy lifestyle mindful of environmentalism. View The CAMP website for more information.

Located at 2930 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, you could spend the day at the LAB Anti-Mall shopping, exploring the place, taking cool photos of the art and culture. The indoor-outdoor aspect means you can have shelter on rainy days & still enjoy the sunshine on those beautiful California days. It really is the best of both worlds. Located in Costa Mesa, CA, this small anti-mall feels pumped with life & a thriving community. So yeah, that's my review of the place. Read the Yelp or TripAdvisor LAB Anti Mall reviews to see what places call to you.  Please leave a comment to share your thoughts - have you visited? It's like a South Coast Plaza alternative with more affordable and artsy vibes. From fun shopping to restaurants and coffee, there is a lot to do in this cool area. Search online to learn about updated hours and and Covid updates.

Related reading: Warner Brothers Studio Tour Gilmore Girls in Burbank, CA

Have you been to the LAB Anti Mall? What are your favorite shops?

Related reading: Searching for the Best Coffee in Carlsbad, California

I'm a blogger. 

I'm an influencer. 

I'm a social media manager. 

I'm a blogging coach.

I'm a freelance writer.

I'm all of the above!

There are so many buzzwords these days - blogger, influencer, influencer marketing, engagement - but what does it all mean? Well, some have different meanings, some are similar, & some are industry words much like you'd view on a resume. I don't go around introducing myself as a San Diego influencer in all instances. 

I've written over 500 blog posts & hundreds of posts on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, over the years. I've had a blog since 2011, long before I ever had an Instagram page. I majored in journalism & decided I didn't want to spend my life at a newspaper, the next best thing was a lifestyle blog. In 2011, it wasn't about followers, it was about finding a place on the internet where you felt at home.  What a different time! In 2017, I quit my corporate job to find the next step for me: freelancing, remote work, writing, social media management. 

Read my yearly freelancing anniversary updates from Years 1, 2, & 3!

Hanging out & hiking in Julian, California.

When I do social media management for small local businesses & other clients, I'm a social media manager. What does a social media manager do in a day? Read here. When I'm completing contracted writing for magazines, I'm a freelance writer. If I'm invited to a restaurant opening in San Diego, it's probably because of my blog or social media accounts, so in that case, I'd call myself a San Diego influencer. 

I remember attending a press trip for Visit El Paso in 2018 & talking to a man in his 50s. He was on the press trip too, but more on the event planning side, I was on the blogger side. He asked me about the term "influencer" & asked if that's what young people refer to themselves as these days. It was a good question. 

Click here to contact me. I'd love to learn more about you & your top business needs. 

Related reading: Life in Quarantine as a San Diego Blogger + Social Media Manager from April 2020

What Are Influencers vs. Bloggers? 

Influencer marketing isn't just in San Diego or the United States, it's all across the world. There are influencers everywhere, from San Francisco & Los Angeles to New York & Paris & Warsaw, Poland. Overall, being a top blogger, influencer, etc. really depends on the person & what they want to be called. Generally, a blogger has a literal blog. Whether on WordPress, Wix, BlogSpot, SquareSpace, what have you, a blogger is a blogger because of a blog. 

Someone who blogs is a blogger; someone who knits is a knitter; someone who plays basketball is a basketball player. It's more about the action, not about semantics.

Read this post for a whole exercise on how to find blogging inspiration & blog ideas.

An influencer might not have a blog but instead has a social media presence, such as Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, the list goes on. PS, read this blog post for tips to increase your Facebook reach. So because an influencer could be on any/all social channels, the term influencer is a general description of what we do. Social media influencers have influence because of the followers & online presence they've created, similar to a blog, but in a different capacity. 

For example, at one point in May 2020, I had up to 2.2 million monthly viewers on my Pinterest profile. Is Pinterest social media? 

A blogger might also have an active social media presence, & an influencer could have a blog. Because there isn't a magical exact preciseness to it all, each person might refer to themselves as something different! You can view examples of what a person calls themselves on their blog or social media channels, sometimes in their email signature.

Have questions about influencer marketing in the city of San Diego? Click here to contact me.

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Social Anxiety // As I entered the influencer event I looked around, felt overwhelmed & walked out to compose myself. I did that 2 more times before I finally found the guts to approach someone. 😬 ⁣ ⁣ Once I did, we joked about working remotely, how proud of ourselves we felt for putting pants on (when your work from home you don’t really need pants 🤷🏻‍♀️). ⁣ ⁣ I’m happy I went! I tried a shrimp taco for the first time in 15 years. 🦐 I shared ceviche & made new friends at @101homeandaway. I sipped @thornbeer & talked about social anxiety with the very influencers at the event - how we must encourage ourselves to go out, mingle, & stay outside of our comfort zones even though it’s part of our careers. ⁣ ⁣ So am I the only one with social anxiety? How does it impact you? How do you get social in times of high anxiety? Let me know your tips & what works for you. 🙏🏼😇

A post shared by Social Media, Marketing & SEO (@carmenvarner) on Feb 9, 2020 at 11:26am PST

What is Influencer Marketing?

Both the top influencers & bloggers create content, write (whether it's captions or blog posts), take photos, negotiate, & so much more. Whether you are a therapist, beauty brand, or a beach towel company, there are ways to improve engagement, get a follow or two, increase visits, increase page views to your contact page, & more.

Influencer marketing is basically like user-generated marketing for the brand; they essentially hire the influencer to do work, ie. content or photos & then share it with their family, friends, audience that they personally developed.

Sometimes I'm a lifestyle blogger, travel influencer, travel writer, social media consultant, the names change because I'm all of them. It depends on who I'm speaking to or what I'm doing! When I went on that press trip in Texas, it makes sense that I'm a California blogger/San Diego influencer since I'm coming in with a California perspective & California viewers make up one of my biggest percentage of followers. 

Want to contact me? Click here.

What Do Social Media Influencers Do?

Lifestyle influencer marketing revolves around things people use, eat, or experience on a regular basis, such as tea or a toothbrush or a short trip with family. After the Texas press trip, I created content on my blog. I found a particular aspect about El Paso that I loved & felt my followers & Google searchers would be interested in or would search for later. I wrote a blog post about Franklin Mountains State Park & then shared that content on my social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TripAdvisor). 

Going on the press trip gave me content to write about; it gave me experiences, memories, & furthered my own blogging/influencing career by being part of a full-on fly me out, pay for my hotel room type of press trip! In return, the influencers/bloggers create content, take photos, or tag the brand, link to the website, generate interest, views, website clicks, or bookings, etc.

A lot of times a top influencer becomes an influencer by being themselves. For example, I wrote a post about rainbow eucalyptus trees in Balboa Park, San Diego (which you can read here) & it started getting organic search traffic from people Googling fun things in San Diego or where to see rainbow eucalyptus in San Diego.

As an influencer or blogger, you don't work for someone else, it's your platform to use as you wish. As an influencer, it becomes a business that the person chooses what's best. They can choose if they want to work with fashion & style, news, beauty, travel, food. 

And remember: it's not always about the number of followers, how much reach do they get? How much engagement? 

For example, I had a campaign with Del Taco to promote the Beyond Meat range of burritos & tacos. As someone who has been meat-free for 15 years, I was already buying this product. It made sense to me when the email popped in my inbox about doing a sponsored post on Instagram to talk about it. Make money talking about something I already used, ate, tried? Yes, please. Take a look at my Instagram post!

If you'd like to contact me, click here.

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It's official: I've been self-employed for 2 years! June, although midway through the year, signifies a fresh start to me! 🎉 __________________________________ I work as a manager & consultant for small businesses to improve their content, brand awareness, website traffic, SEO value, & potential sales. It’s difficult but rewarding. __________________________________ @juneshineco , however, doesn’t need me for that, so I took an evening off to celebrate their new Juneshine Scripps Ranch media opening & their 1-year anniversary. 🥰 I chatted with their extremely friendly team (normally I’m an introvert but I tried my damnest to talk to people & speak up & ask questions. A++++ for effort!! ☺️) Anyway, I discovered that we’re both June business babies!!! Mine is 2; Juneshine is 1. Awwww. 💻 So they officially open Saturday June 15, so check them out. __________________________________ I learned a lot this year as far as SEO (search engine optimization), going outside of my comfort zone, understanding the true meaning of networking/connections (building genuine & authentic relationships with people in which you can mutually help each other but in different ways). 💻✅ __________________________________ So have you tried Juneshine or hard kombucha? How long have you followed me? Is there any content/information you want learn about? What would you like to see from me? Feel free to ask a question!! Or just say HI 👋🏼 & tell me your favourite childhood movie! 🍿 🎥

A post shared by Social Media, Marketing & SEO (@carmenvarner) on Jun 14, 2019 at 12:13pm PDT

Examples of San Diego Influencer Marketing Events I've Attended

- I went to an event at Home & Away Encinitas for Thorn Beer. They invited foodie influencers to attend. These are regular people. Most of them have a day job, a life other than influencing. These are people who love food & probably post about it frequently, perhaps they use certain hashtags to find new followers. Take a look at my Instagram post about the event & experience here. 

Related reading: Encinitas Coffee Shops: Searching for the Best Coffee in Town

- I was invited to the opening of the Scripps Ranch location of Juneshine. View my Instagram post from that event. This event was a bit younger, more modern, & fresh. Most influencers were young, under 40. It's all about the brand, Juneshine is a hard kombucha, which might have a fun, fresh young audience compared to a craft beer brand. The influencers you invite to your event should reflect your brand!

- I attended a mindfulness app launch party in San Diego a few years back at the start of influencer marketing. There was a range of professionals - not just bloggers. Each professional might have a different niche & audience, whether influencer or other local business representatives. 

Is Influencer Marketing Free? What Does it Cost?

I've been invited to events across San Diego County. Sometimes a public relations company contacts me via email or sometimes you get a quick Instagram message about something from a brand itself. Each company or event is different. Sometimes there are no requirements for a particular event, they just invite you to feel free to post or not post. Sometimes they want you to post a couple Instagram Stories & other times it's more involved. This is where certain influencers have the leverage to have sponsored posts, posting fees, or other requirements, especially if a lifestyle influencer has a large following/reach. And yes, sometimes there is payment, depending on the campaign or type of sponsored collaboration.

Contact me or see about Coaching, Consulting, & Management for your small business.

On a press trip in Lompoc, California with Explore Lompoc. I wrote Fun Things to Do in the City of Lompoc, California on my blog.

Finding an Influencer for Your Business

From La Jolla, Balboa Park, Del Mar, all the way up to Julian, there are events, restaurant openings, local businesses all around San Diego that could use lifestyle influencer marketing. It's all about finding the correct person for your brand. One influencer might offer daily posting on Instagram about local eateries to try in San Diego County while another might share home decor tips. Follow a few to get a feel for who's out there.

Related reading: How to Set Effective Personal & Business Goals So You Actually Get Things Done

You made it all the way to the bottom so what's the next step? Sometimes you have to take a leap & see what happens. If you need some help, I work with businesses on their engagement, blog writing, social media content, & more.

Whether you live in the city of San Diego or somewhere else, your business might benefit from influencer marketing. Have a question about social media influencers or small business influencer marketing? Contact me. Interested in social media management, help, or consulting? Fill out my Discovery Questionnaire & I'll get in touch with you within 48 hours.

Testimonials

“Very good job going above and beyond my request for stats. Appreciate you putting your critical thinking hat on when looking at the data and extrapolating actionable insights. This is excellent as we continue to test and tweak.” - R.W. 

"Carmen helped me prioritize my goals for my brand as a whole. She provided me with skills to improve my decision-making in everything from blog topics, gauging my audience, and making my personality really shine through in my work." -K.S.

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Carlsbad's beachy vibes make it an ideal spot to sip on a comforting cuppa coffee - or an Earl Grey tea with a  glug of oat milk. From Carlsbad breakfast joints to buzzing coffee spots, I'll break down some of the best coffee shops in Carlsbad. North County San Diego has plenty of local joints to choose from. There are vegan and gluten-free options too.

If you are searching for operating Carlsbad coffee shops near me, you've come to the right place! 

*Updated as of September 2022.

Best Coffee Shops Near Me in Carlsbad

As a precaution, search online or call ahead to check if these coffee shops in Carlsbad are open or closed. You never know these days. I've done the work & put the address, phone number, & website all in one place for you. No need to do an extensive search, it's right here. Dine in or takeout. You'll have a flavorful experience. California. Coffee? Tea? What'll it be? There are quite a lot of things to do in North County San Diego, California. These are the best coffee shops in Carlsbad, so take a sip and enjoy.

Baba Coffee

I've used Baba Coffee as my office away from office multiple times. They have it all. They have solid Wi-Fi, ample seating, & a full menu of goodies. They actually have one of the most impressive food & drink menus out of the Carlsbad coffee shops. Dine in or takeout. With options like avocado toast, breakfast sandwich, açai bowl, lox bagel sandwich, smoothies, & salads, you won't go hungry here. Don't worry though their beverage menu is even more extensive with a slew of coffees, cold brews, lattes, cold brew tea, hot black teas, herbal teas. Secret menu item: Order the whipped latte or whipped espresso. Ask about it the next time you're there!

Address: 2727 State St #100, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Phone: (760) 994-0666

Website: Baba Coffee

Bird Rock Coffee Roasters Carlsbad

You might've heard of Bird Rock Coffee Roasters as they have 6 locations: La Jolla, Bressi Ranch, Little Italy, Torrey Pines, Morena, & Pacific Beach. They're committed to direct trade & sustainability. You can buy their roasted coffee online or head to a brick & mortar location for a different experience. Their menu includes cold brews, pour overs, iced espresso drinks, & hot drinks. Find their Bressi Ranch location near Trader Joe's, Sprouts, & popular grocery stores. Their shop inside the Square at Bressi Ranch has outdoor seating. You'll always find people chatting, sipping coffee, & occasionally someone working on their laptop. 

Address: 2656 Gateway Rd #150, Carlsbad, CA 92009

Phone: (619) 272-0203

Website: Bird Rock Coffee Roasters

Cafe Elysa Coffee Shop

This cute cafe in Carlsbad serves breakfast, lunch, & coffee with open patio dining so you can spread out & get out of the house. Dine in or takeout. They have a full menu of breakfast plates, omelets, eggs Benedict, even burgers. Cafe Elysa spreads out tables & staggers line to encourage social distancing. They even have Wi-Fi. Cool space, nice place.

Address: 3076 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008 

Phone: (760) 434-4100

Website: Cafe Elysa Coffee Shop

Cafe Ground Up

The owner is Gaetano Cicciotti, also the owner of the Italian Restaurant, Cicciotti’s right across the street (they also have a location in Cardiff-by-the-Sea). This coffee shop has a menu which includes cafe caldo (hot coffees) such as espresso, hazelnut mocha, & event an affogato al caffe (espresso, vanilla gelato, & cocoa powder). They have frappes, smoothies, & a food menu with a range of sandwiches, fresh pastries, muffins, & more. Inside you'll spot bold green pops of color & an Italian-inspired collage wall with a young Sophia Loren & Italian news headline clippings.

Address: 550 Grand Ave, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Phone: (760) 637-5077

Website: Cafe Ground Up

Cafe Topes

Fun fact: Cafe Topes & The Goods are family-owned & operated. One brother & his wife runs Cafe Topes while another brother & his wife runs The Goods. Their top items include the dirty cinnamon roll (house made cinnamon roll with extra frosting) or their “double header” Benedict where you can choose twp types of Benedicts on the same plate. As for drinks, the Hawaiian Express is the star of the show with its coconut milk latte, hazelnut syrup, & Ghirardelli chocolate. If you order all three items, you pretty much hit their top-seller list.

Address: 3091 Roosevelt St, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Phone: (760) 434-8673

Website: Cafe Topes

INVITA

INVITA is another family-owned coffee shop in Carlsbad. Once COVID-19 hit & San Diego faced its lockdown, INVITA was afraid of losing the shop. Ten of the women cousins banded together & saved the cafe by working as a team to keep the business afloat. Customers love their lattes & quality Italian ingredients. INVITA imports its coffee beans straight from Italy. Try their crema cafe, a signature drink that's kind of like a whipped creamy coffee. The outdoor space is open & airy, so you don't have to search for a place to sit.

Address: 6806 Embarcadero Ln, Carlsbad, CA 92011

Phone: (760) 685-0411

Website: INVITA Cafe

La Costa Coffee Roasting

The no fuss, no muss ambiance at La Costa Coffee Roasting feels comforting. You can tell by the diverse influx of people that this place is popular amongst locals. The casual coffee shop smells like you're floating in a coffee cloud. The roasting coffee radiates through the air & into your hair similar to the lingering scent of smoke from after a campfire. La Costa Coffee Roasting ethically sources its international array of coffee beans.

Address: 2965 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Phone: (760) 994-0458

Website: La Costa Coffee Roasting

Leap Coffee Roasters - Temporarily Closed

I've been to Leap more times than I can count. I spent hours at the communal table with the other laptoppers, typing away & working remotely. My go-to is a pot of tea, but they have so many delicious options. Although unintentional, Leap is staffed by all women-owned, managed, roasted, you name it. Men have certainly been a part of the team, but none ever stuck around, so that's how Leap became accidentally fully-female run. Top orders include the Vanilla Bean Latte, Caramel Latte, & the Bee Sting (cortado, half & half, & a drippy drop of honey). Their syrups are housemade. Vegetarian, vegan options are available too.

Address: 5611 Palmer Way Suite D, Carlsbad, CA 92010

Phone Number: (760) 448-6167

Website: Leap Coffee Roasters

Related reading: Encinitas Coffee Shops: Searching for the Best Coffee in Town (Solana Beach is nearby)

Lofty Coffee La Costa

Lofty Coffee is an Encinitas staple. I included it in my Things to Do in Encinitas, California guide. They also have Little Italy & Solana Beach cafes, so it's no surprise their La Costa location in Carlsbad launched without a hitch. Lofty Coffee allows fans throughout San Diego County to have access to their fine coffees. The Aztec Mocha with dark cacao, cinnamon, & cayenne tastes like a hot chocolate with a spicy kick in the palate. They also have a collection of loose leaf teas available for purchase on their website (along with coffee beans) such as black lavender or hibiscus lemongrass.

Address: 7740 El Camino Real Unit A, Carlsbad, CA 92009

Phone Number: (760) 230-6747

Website: Lofty Coffee La Costa

Peet's Coffee Carlsbad

Although not on the same level as Starbucks, Peet's is a relatively popular chain of coffee with about 200 locations total. Peet's Coffee has a range of espresso drinks, brewed coffees, cold brews, as well as teas. The Espresso Forte stands as the foundation for their signature espresso beverages. All espresso drinks can be made hot or iced. Peet's Coffee has a breakfast menu with offerings such as breakfast burritos or roasted tomato & kale quiche.

Address: 2641 Gateway Rd #103, Carlsbad, CA 92009

Phone Number: (760) 448-1835

Website: Peet's Coffee Carlsbad

Sleeping Tiger Coffees

Located in the heart of Carlsbad Village, Sleeping Tiger Coffees offers a large space to enjoy your drinks. Beverages range from espressos, macchiatos, & cortados to their local favorites such as the vanilla bean latte or hibiscus lemonade. They include plant-based milk on the menu: almond, coconut, soy, macadamia, oat. This is one of the best places to work on your laptop with open seating. Stay long enough & it shifts to a winery, Witch Creek Winery that is. Take pictures of the cute, cool, colorful mural of sleeping tigers. 

Address: 2906 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Phone Number: (760) 720-7499

Website: Sleeping Tiger Coffees

Steady State Roasting Co.

Sip the world of coffee right at Steady State Roasting Co, tucked in an unassuming corner of Carlsbad. They have more than 12 kinds of coffee from around the globe. The Indian Summer, a chai latte, is of their fan-favorite beverages. In addition to the chai, customers love the pour over coffees. Their shopfront includes a black accent wall with a minimalist mural of an astronaut driving a van along with indoor seating. Things are different with COVID, so you can now you can get caffeinated under an umbrella in their outdoor seating.

Address: 2562 State St Suite G, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Phone Number: (760) 994-0001

Website: Steady State Roasting Co.

The Goods Doughnuts

Breakfast in Carlsbad is a remarkable experience with a couple outdoor seating options so you can people watch & social distance. Head over to the Visit Carlsbad website for all about the city. The interior feels minimal, modern, with an eye toward design. Munch on delectable donuts that'll make your tastebuds explode at The Goods Doughnuts. Vegan & gluten-free options are available too. There is always the chance they'll sell out, so grab a couple donuts while you can. They have monthly flavors that come & go, like the Banana Almond Cream, a doughnut in a banana almond glaze filled with a banana dulce cream topped with a French macaron. What good is an artisanal donut without coffee? They have house drip, flat white, & all the essentials.

Address: 2965 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Phone: (760) 994-0458

Website: The Goods Doughnuts

Succulent Cafe

The Succulent Cafe feels like a plant oasis amongst coffee shop Carlsbad options. Breakfast Carlsbad choices just got better. Succulent Cafe has coffee, tea, bagels, & other items to nosh on as you're surrounded by a potpourri of succulents & plants. It feels like you're in a garden or a corner of the a gardening store rather than a cafe. 

Address: 505 Oak Ave, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Website: Succulent Cafe

Vinaka Cafe

Carlsbad Village has a thumping life of its own. There are so many food & drink options but Vinaka Cafe remains a staple. It's one of those places in town where you might run into an old neighbor or schoolmate. They have organic coffee, tea, espresso, pastries, sandwiches, & the golden ticket: outdoor seating. Their vegan sandwich tastes scrumptious & fills you up. Vinaka Cafe is not a new trendy place with funky merch & fun designs, it's a Carlsbad staple with hundreds of online reviews dating back to 2014.

Address: 300 Carlsbad Village Dr #211, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Phone: (760) 720-7890

Website: Vinaka Cafe

Related reading: The San Diego County Fair Tradition

Carlsbad Village

If you're in downtown Carlsbad Village area, you'll find Vinaka Cafe & Sleeping Tiger Coffees very close to each other. Succulent Cafe, Cafe Ground Up, Baba Coffee, & Steady State Roasting around Carlsbad Village as well. Drink in the Carlsbad Village coffee shops, restaurants, fresh seafood, Pacific Ocean air, & sunny days.

Unless something new opened up (or one of these is closed), these are the best Carlsbad coffee shops!

Coffee, tea, blended frappes, & every type of delicious caffeine awaits you in the city of Carlsbad. North County San Diego has plenty of coffee, tea, & other drinks, whether you're in Oceanside or Escondido. 

Search coffee near me online or order ahead to check if a coffee shop is open or closed before heading over directly. There's nothing more disappointing for remote workers than packing up your laptop & everything you need for the afternoon, heading to the coffee shop only to find that it's closed or completely packed. If that happens, now you have pretty much all coffee shops in Carlsbad area right here in this blog post at your fingertips. Visit the downtown Carlsbad Village website for more insight. What's your favorite coffee shop in North County San Diego? Please leave a comment!

What do you think? From cold brew, coffee, tea, and more, these are the best Carlsbad coffee shops.

Related reading: Things to Do in Oceanside, California: Restaurants, Coffee Shops, What to See