If you’re like me, you need a jolt or two in the morning but you also appreciate a jolt that tastes amazing! Luckily there’s no shortage of great coffee here in the Bay Area and I’m still exploring. But in the meantime, here are three of my current favorite places to get coffee in the Bay Area.
Flying Goat, Healdsburg CA: On your way to a day of wine tasting? Start the day off right with a delicious offering from Flying Goat Coffee. What I especially love about this place is the light, the friendliness, and it’s usually not too difficult to find a place to sit. Just off the beautiful Healdsburg square, it’s a great morning spot to get energized, spread out the Wine Road map and make a list of where you plan to hit that day. FYI you will, without fail, hit less than half no matter how much stamina the coffee gives you, so make sure to plan at least a two day trip up to Wine Country!
Sunflower Cafe – Sonoma CA: This delightful cafe is a Sonoma institution, frequented by locals and tourists alike. It’s the kind of place where you will overhear conversations from people in the wine industry and usually a European accent or two from people visiting the area. Light and airy, it has a tucked away outside area that’s perfect for enjoying a leisurely lunch after a busy day of visiting the diverse shops around the historic Sonoma Square. In addition to making superb coffee, they offer an assortment of sandwiches, breakfast items and serve wine and beer during lunch.
Blue Bottle – Oakland CA: I would be remiss not to mention this Oakland born and bred, stand-in-line-for-a-half-hour-it’s-that-good coffee shop. With locations that do, in fact, find lines snaking around the corner, Blue Bottle prides itself on serving exceedingly fresh (no more than 48 hours out of the roaster) expertly made drip coffee and espresso drinks. I will say that sometimes, the coffee I’ve had from Blue Bottle is a little too strong. It’s not bitter or shoddily made, just very intense. But if you’re in the mood for a great coffee experience, definitely check them out! One of my favorite locations is just off Hayes St. in San Francisco. Tucked away in a nondescript ally, it has a great ambiance and feels like a hidden secret; a great place to go to impress your friends with your insider knowledge! (Blue Bottle also has an excellent Instagram page if you’re ever in a mood to satiate your coffee art cravings).
What’s your favorite local spot for delicious coffee? When I’m traveling, if there’s one thing that can make a good day even better, it’s finding the perfect coffee spot!