Don't be thrown off by this tiny coffee counter inside a surf shop- they roast some incredible beans and the coffee has been amazing every time I've had it. Even though Yelp says this place is closed they were open on Christmas week 2025, so I'm not sure what's up with this listing. read more

This is my favorite coffee shop in the area. The only down side is the hours. They close at 12 so make sure that you get there in time. In the corner of Esteem Surf Shop is Cacti Coffee. Depending on when you go it can get really busy. When we went on a Saturday and there was a long line of drinks to be made. He let us know and gave us a heads up it would be about 20/25 minutes. He even gave us a buzzer so we could walk around. The surf shop is fun to look around and the wait time ended up going by quick. When we went on a Tuesday around 11 there was no one in line. I got the Tiramisu Iced Latte and the Lemon Wafer. The Tiramisu was delicious and so pretty. I was tempted to order it again but decided to go with the Lemon Wafer since it was the only other iced drink on the secret menu. It was amazing I wouldn't think that the flavors would work but wow! We also ordered a drip coffee, which I'm not a black coffee person but it was great and they roast their own coffee. And we also got the Salted Caramel Latte which was delicious and had a crème brûlée top. If you're looking for a coffee shop to sit down and chat this isn't the spot but being a block away from the beach it's much better to grab a drink here and walk to the beach and enjoy the scenery. They also have cute merch as well. Definitely worth the try. He is also super friendly and helpful if you're trying to pick a drink for yourself or a friend. read more

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Came across this shop not too long ago, and it was on the inside of a surf shop. Exceptionally well made latte (I love how it was not overly sweet). Great vibes. Friendly barista. Aesthetically pleasing set up. Everything was meticulously organized, and you can tell that the owner takes pride in the business. The are two seats next to the counter. So not a place to hang out with friends. But a quick and easy place to grab coffee on the go. You should definitely stop by. It was a pleasant experience. read more

Cacti Coffee Roasters - This is the surf shop that the coffee cart is located in. - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

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Sean is a true artist and set such a great tone for my entire birthday. En route from the Bay Area to Palm Desert for the holidays, I was determined to find the most enjoyable coffee on the morning of my birthday before hitting the road driving for another 5+ hours. I was intrigued by the fact this coffee bar is located inside a clothing store and is just a block from the beach. Wow, did I make the right choice! Sean custom made me a latte, a permutation of the elements I most liked from two of the seasonal lattes featured on the secret menu: S'mores & Chocolate Orange, which he topped with a pretzel-marshmallow garnish that he lightly torched to mimic a birthday candle for me to blow out. If that wasn't enough, the regulars and Sean proceeded to sing me happy birthday. What a delightful start to my special day! I had no idea it would begin this way; it really did set the tone for the rest of my day. Thank you, Sean, and everyone at Cacti Coffee! read more

Cacti Coffee Roasters - My birthday latte: The offspring of two seasonal lattes: S'mores & Chocolate Orange--topped with a pretzel-marshmallow garnish - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

The barista is very friendly and is quick in making the drinks! The drinks were good too but just a bit pricier than other drinks, but you do get an up close view of how your drink is made. read more

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Great experience, loved the atmosphere. Coffee is the smoothest ive had in a while that made me wanting more, would highly recommend the cappuccino and vanilla latte! Quick service as well which was great because I was also in a rush. Definitely stop by here! read more

Cacti Coffee Roasters - cappuccino - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

Vacationing in Pismo area and came across this cute coffee shop. I was very impressed with the coffee! The barista was super nice! Will definitely come back. read more

Cacti Coffee Roasters - Regular latte and matcha latte - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

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The Station, Located in the Esteem Surfshop in Pismo Beach California is one of the best kept secrets of the Five Cities area. Locals and Travelers meet up for some outstanding coffee and unique conversation. When you arrive, do not expect a high pace. Walk in prepared to chat a bit with Neal or Nate and get ready for some outstanding coffee. The variety is straight forward and the specialty drinks really offer some fun surprises. No rushing allowed at The Station. Come in ready to meet some cool beans. The coffee is great too. read more

Cacti Coffee Roasters - The Classic "For Here" Mug. - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

Great service and cool menu. Ordered the chocolate orange . Service was great and friendly . Will be back in the am to try another drink. read more

Cacti Coffee Roasters - Chocolate Orange Latte , brûlée the sugar on top. - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

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An Impeccable Cappuccino Experience Hands down, one of the best cappuccinos I've ever had. It wasn't just a drink--it was a masterclass in coffee craftsmanship. The barista clearly knew their art: the espresso shot was pulled with perfection, full-bodied and smooth, with zero bitterness. The milk was steamed to a silky microfoam that layered beautifully, and the latte art on top was a subtle flourish that spoke volumes about their attention to detail. What truly elevated the experience was the quality of the coffee beans--freshly ground, aromatic, and obviously sourced with care. The flavor profile was deep and complex, with notes of cocoa and a hint of natural sweetness that lingered long after the last sip. It's rare to find such a perfect balance of top-tier beans and barista talent. This cappuccino wasn't just good--it was memorable. read more

The coffee is soooooooo good! Had the cookie dough latte and and iced plain latte. Bonus its in Esteam Surf Shop that is super cool too. If you like coffee don't pass Cacti Coffee when in Pismo! read more

Service with smile! We liked the unique latte flavors. The pistachio lavender latte was divine. This is a to-go coffee place (a cart inside a store) but don't let the unconventional location stop you from enjoying the brew! read more

Tried going three different times while we were in the area on vacation and there was a long line each time. One person making drinks and one taking orders. It was so painfully slow each time that I left along with other customers after waiting 20 mins and moving up two people. Staff seemed nice though... maybe just too complicated a menu for one barista to be on staff. read more

Great all around! Coffe was like art for the tastebuds! So smooth, loved it! And got some cute stuff for my son in the store. I'm a local and don't get to the area often cuz the crowds but will definitely make more of a point of doing so for this fabulous coffee. Definitely the best in our area. read more

Great coffee even greater customer service. The owner was very friendly and talkative. I asked him for a recommendation, and he suggested the cinnamon toast latte for me. I got it with oat milk and I believe the drink ended up being around $7.50. It tasted like a vanilla latte with a bit of cinnamon. I love the torched sugar on top. The latte itself isn't too sweet, so the torched sugar adds just a hint of sweetness and a little bit of a crunch texture. Sadly, he let me know he ran out of butter, which he usually tops this drink with. However, it was still very delicious and I'll definitely be back when I'm in the area. read more

Cacti Coffee Roasters - Cinnamon toast latte before sugar and torching - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

I stumbled across this little coffee shop while walking around and I'm so glad I stopped to try it! It's located in a clothing store. We were immediately greeted by the friendly barista who was helping another couple. I ordered the salted tiramisu and my husband ordered a regular coffee. My tiramisu was torched and the coffee was smooth and not too strong. I was worried the coffee was going to be too sweet but it wasn't sweet at all. I will definitely be coming back when I'm back in town! read more

This post is one of my favorites, their barista is very passionate about his work and puts a lot of love into it, the store inside is nice to walk around while you wait, maybe pick up some surfing gear! read more

Cacti Coffee Roasters - Tiramisu ice latte - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

The most inventive coffee menu and a local hidden gem! The coffee is locally roasted. Cacti Coffee Roasters. Worth popping in and open from 8am-noon. https://www.cacticoffeeroasters.com/ read more

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The small little coffee stand is worth going too. It's on the corner inside Esteem Surf Shop. My Cacti roasted coffee & Americano were nicely flavored coffee's. Sean the barista is friendly & clearly makes a great latte. We also came back & tried one "specialty coffee"called the Crème brûlée. It's was a latte that has caramelized sugar on top of a latte. It's all about supporting local & a good cup of Joe. Only down fall is there are no place to sit. It's more of grab & go stand with a locals vibe. read more

We actually found this coffee shop via Reddit and had to check it out when we were visiting Pismo Beach! It's only open 8-12 pm so we made sure to pop by in the morning. Shawn was a joy to talk to and gave excellent recommendations. We ended up getting a secret menu drink, the salted caramel latte, and a regular cappuccino. The salted caramel latte was delicious, not too sweet even with the brûlée + locally made caramel syrup. We also ended up buying two bags of beans roasted by Shawn himself. He only likes to sell beans roasted within the week so it was super fresh. We can't wait to make our Moka pot coffee with his recommended Saguaro beans this week. We would highly recommend the secret menu + seasonal drinks. Thanks for the hospitality, Shawn! read more

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AMAZINGGG!! I got the iced white mocha cherry and seriously this is the best latte I have had. It was incredibly smooth and well balanced. If I lived in the area I'd be a regular! read more

Cacti Coffee Roasters - White Mocha Cherry Iced - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

Little coffee setup just inside the Esteem shop. Very good! Super friendly. They have a lot of cool drinks on the menu. We stayed at the inn by the pier & this is literally right outside the front door. Perfect for a morning cup to start the day. Pretty affordable too. Would definitely come back if we're around! Seems like the most legit in Pismo. read more

We went on a short trip to Sycamore Spring Resort and needed coffee. I looked up Yelp and found this place. The store was located in the corner of the clothing store. We ordered a Smoked Americano, a Smores latte, an ice tiramisu latte, and hot chocolate. The barista was super friendly, and I could tell he enjoyed making coffee. I come from LA and have been to many coffee shops in Koreatown, but I have never seen this coffee before. He was very creative in making coffee. I could taste the beans; they were fresh and had perfect sweetness. I hope the owner continues to enjoy what he does! read more

Cacti Coffee Roasters - Iced tiramisu latte - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

If you're looking for a coffee experience that feels like a masterfully crafted cocktail, look no further. This place is a true gem where each cup feels like it was carefully mixed and measured like an artisanal drink. The coffee is rich, complex, and perfectly balanced--a blend that speaks to those who appreciate the art of brewing as much as they do the art of mixology. The menu is a refreshing departure from the usual, with innovative concoctions that keep you coming back to try more. If you're a coffee lover and appreciate a creative twist, this spot is an absolute must-visit. A full five out of five--flawless in every sense! The barista was very knowledgeable and super nice. Overall, amazing service. Finally, it is housed in a surf shop so you can spend time exploring surf gear while coffee is being made. read more

Cacti Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

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I got a mocha and my sister had the cappuccino brûlée from their secret menu! The gentleman that made our coffee was amazing and super friendly! He even made a video shouting out one of my sisters that stayed behind, he was telling her how she missed out on the coffee run .... lol the vibe was chill! I will definitely go back when we make our next Pismo trip! read more

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You may be tempted to skip the line because you need your caffeine fix but please be patient. This guy is a one-man show but truly committed to his craft. Pick anything from his (not so) secret latte menu. It's worth the wait. He also roasts his own beans; take some home with you! read more

10/10 RECOMMEND!! This is a coffee experience, had the pleasure of the owner making our coffees and he's amazing at what he does! The coffee is so delicious too, asks for the secret menu if you want something fancy or just order off his regular menu for something simple. Either way you won't be disappointed!! Cute little shop inside a surf apparel store. read more

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Great cup of coffee! Roasted to perfection,In a cool surf shop. Coffee doesn't get any better than this. They also have a few espresso drinks too. read more

this sage coffee w a little honey was delicious. very rich in taste felt like a warm hug on a cold beach day. if ur looking for something sweeter add syrup or honey. i went w/ my family from colombia and they ordered a crème brûlée hot coffee (not photographed) and really enjoyed how creamy it was and the quality of the coffee stood out to them read more

Cacti Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

a guy making really good coffee off a tiny machine in a surf shop. its a vibe that i'm here for! espresso was great, latte was beautiful, and even the black coffee didn't disappoint. read more

Cacti Coffee Roasters - oat milk latte - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

Coffee with a brûlée finish? Yes, please! This gem of a coffee experience was in the front corner of Esteem, a surf and retail shop. We were immediately greeted by staff, and wowed by how a simple cup of coffee could be elevated by superb customer service and creativity. Order from the not-so secret menu; you won't be disappointed. read more

Cacti Coffee Roasters - Cinnamon Pumpkin Pie Latte, beans to go - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

The service was excellent, and the coffee was both delicious and uniquely crafted. We tried the Sage Latte and the Cappuccino Brûlée--both were absolutely amazing! Highly recommend giving them a try. Cool location too. read more

Cacti Coffee Roasters - Sage Latte - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

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Super cute spot & easy to miss when you're walking. Definitely order a specialty coffee!

Delightful little coffee shop inside a retail surf shop. At first I was a bit confused on where it was - it is on the corner (Google Maps tried to put me to the side of the building.) Barista took great pride in creating a wonderful drink; look at the "secret menu" that isn't on the wall - there are a lot of interesting spins on classic drinks. I asked for a hot chocolate (not on any menu and was so pleasantly surprised. Steady flow of patrons and definitely recommend this as the best coffee shop in Pismo! read more

Cacti Coffee Roasters - Hot Chocolate - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

I am somewhat of a coffee snob. I look for places where they roast in-house and try them and buy beans from them. Cacti Coffee is one of the good ones. I met the roaster and he is super friendly and knowledgeable. This is a highly recommended place if you want the real deal. If all you have experienced is Starbucks try this place, I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised. Also very convenient location for downtown Pismo, right across the street from Inn at the Pier and Vispera. read more

Cacti Coffee Roasters - a cup of coffee - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

It's inside a super cute surf shop! I got the iced oatmilk vanilla latte and it was so good. Not too sweet, not too bitter, and the guy working there was super friendly! read more

Great coffee! Real deal espresso and you get to shop at the same time. Win win! Will definitely be make a stop there again. read more

Cacti Coffee Roasters - Iced tiramisu coffee! Too pretty to not snap a picture of - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

My mom and I stopped in on a weekday morning. There were only two other people in line. The gentleman who made our coffee was so kind and friendly, and he even waited for me so that I could watch him brulee the crushed peppermint on my latte. Both our lattes were absolutely delicious! I love flavored "fancy" coffees but find they can often be too sweet and these were absolutely perfect. Highly recommend! Also, the coffee shop is situated within a super cute surf/vintage shop so you can do a little bit of shopping while you're waiting for your coffee. read more

Amazing handcrafted coffee drinks with fresh roasted beans. It's inside the Esteem surf store so we almost missed it, but I'm glad we came back for an Americano after breakfast. Way cheaper than Starbucks and about 5x as delicious! read more

This is literally the best coffee that I've had in idk how long. Every time I come to the central coast I make sure to stop by Cacti. The barista/owner knows so much about coffee and the roasting process of the beans. It's fun to pick his brain and let him tell you random things about coffee that you might not ever know if not for chatting with him. I can tell there is passion in his work roasting the beans and creating amazing recipes for his menu! After I write this I'm walking down to see what delicious treat he has in store. Dont miss out. Come here and enjoy!!! read more

Cacti Coffee Roasters - Cinnamon Toast Latte! - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Pismo Beach, California