Advanced Placement tests start at the beginning of May, and final exams follow at the end of the month. Whether students are getting an early start to their long study sessions or looking to get work done with friends, the task seems easier in a cafe. To make schoolwork less stressful, students are “locking in” at libraries, restaurants, coffee shops and other third spaces. In San Diego there are a plethora of study spots and cafes, but some are just the place to relax, escape the noise at home and completely immerse yourself in a state of flow.
1. Panera – Solana Beach
When you first walk in, you are greeted by the delicious smell of the fresh pastry table. Either ordering a warm tomato soup and crispy grilled cheese during finals week before winter break, or a fresh flatbread to share during a study group, many turn to Panera for its elevated comfort food. This cozy cafe houses our communities’ groups: friend groups in their late fifties playing cards, a team in full suits discussing an approaching deadline, clusters of struggling high schoolers. Each group is there to feel the shared sense of warm hospitality and care. With a wide range of seating options, including large booths, comfortable tables, pristine high-tops and outdoor seating, Panera is best at welcoming students for long study sessions and group work.
2. Philz Coffee – Del Mar Highlands
Many students enjoy Philz Coffee for a quick coffee fix and environment conducive to studying. With a darker atmosphere and funky portraits across the walls, the mood fosters creativity, determination and focus. Many do their work in silence, and the faint hum of coffee machines creates the perfect ambiance to finish notes, go over study guides and connect key concepts. While the delicious pour-overs and wide range of coffee flavors are great, the food options are lacking. However, there are plenty of nearby options, such as Sweetgreen, Pressed Juicery and Urban Plates, to fuel critical thinking skills.
3. Starbucks – Del Mar Highlands
A quiet atmosphere lies at the surface; underneath is a local spot to get work done. When one is not scrambling to find a seat after school, the plethora of people you see inside the cafe subtly reminds you to be productive and finish that last Quizlet flash card set. The room’s deep greens and dark browns effortlessly bring your mind into peace, and, with free refills on coffee and tea, nothing is getting in the way of your next study session. With a large menu and a constant rotation of seasonal drinks, there is always a treat to accompany your studying.
4. Achilles Coffee Roasters – Carmel Valley
Walking into a space of utter modernism and a beautifully lit workspace, Achilles Coffee Roasters is not just a place to grab coffee and leave, but rather the ideal study spot. Enormous windows letting in natural sunlight help you feel energized and eager to open your laptop and begin your work. From artisan cold-brews to specialty iced teas to over a dozen house-made syrups, there are so many ways to customize your sweet treat for studying. Alongside drinks, Achilles has a breakfast menu with bagels, sandwiches, acai bowls, pancakes and smoothies.
5. Better Buzz – Del Mar
San Diego native coffee shop, Better Buzz, is the “better” choice for a motivating place to get work done. With a variety of flexible seating indoors and outdoors, a view of the renowned beach town gives you an energy boost to power through study guides and reviews. The social butterflies best known as the Better Buzz staff, all cultivate a positive environment to learn. If you take your work outside, you can enjoy a salty breeze from the beach sitting on the iconic yellow chairs covered by the black and white umbrellas.
Even though studying can be difficult, when surrounded by a welcoming environment, like-minded friends and a fun drink, there are ways to make it enjoyable. Collectively, the mood and tone that these places create make them staple places for many students.
