Norma Jean's Coffee

California Coffee in Aptos is such a wonderful little spot. From the moment you walk in, it has…read morethat warm, friendly, local feeling that makes you want to stay awhile. A huge part of what makes this place so special is Sylvia, the owner. She is incredibly sweet, caring, and genuinely makes you feel welcome. You can tell she really cares about her customers and about creating a place where people feel comfortable and appreciated. That kind of personal touch is becoming harder and harder to find. The coffee is great, the atmosphere is happy and inviting, and the whole experience just feels authentic and local. It's the kind of place you feel good supporting. If you're in Aptos, definitely stop by California Coffee. Great coffee, great people, and an owner who clearly puts her heart into what she does. We'll absolutely be back!

I love and support independent coffee shops. I've visit this business five times since I've…read morerelocated to the area, each time convincing myself to return thinking the customer service would improve, or that perhaps I might get lucky enough not to get the same woman who I've realized is likely the owner, and I should no longer expect a different server. Their prices are expensive, but the service is even worse. Every time I've visited the woman behind the counter is just downright unpleasant, despite my efforts to be kind and wanting to support this small shop. No more. She's cold, rude, and an unappreciative of my support. This time, to my disgust and offense, after I paid for my drink, she actually pushed the tip jar forward toward me as she said, "here's the tip jar ". How incredibly rude and presumptuous. As much as I had hoped this could be a great local spot, no more. I'm done subjecting myself to this disappointing experience. I strongly discourage anyone from patronizing this place, precisely because of her.

Indoors

Regular watery latte

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The coffee shop building

South Point Seascape

3.6(89 reviews)

2.1 mi

We stopped by South Point Seascape for lattes and breakfast burritos while staying across the…read morestreet at the Seascape. The lattes were great and the burritos were tasty once we finally got them. Eventhough we did have to wait about 15 minutes before realizing our order had been forgotten to be warmed up. Thankfully, the staff fixed it right away, and since we weren't in a rush, it wasn't a huge deal. The food was solid overall, and the location is super convenient if you're staying nearby. I'd definitely give it another try!

Want to say I like this place, but can't. 2 mochas took 10 minutes to make and were wrong! We were…read morethe only ones in the place and there were two staff. One decaf almond milk mocha and one fully leaded. The mixed the milks and didn't know which was decaf. They remade one but they didn't know which they remade. For $15 bucks this place is not worth your money. Oh and the next guest asked what flavor of scones and the staffer said I have no idea. Sheesh, there were only 4 items on display.

Such a nice spot so happy they opened it! Yummy coffee and good service!

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Tv's for the game

Starbucks

3.5(86 reviews)

0.1 mi

Disneyland's slogan is the Happiest Place on Earth. I'd say this Starbucks location is the Happiest…read morePlace in Aptos! Always a nice and sunny atmosphere (even when it's foggy!). The entire staff are so friendly and greet you as soon as you walk in. Always laughing with each other and happy to please you - it's a joy coming here! Shout out to Makena, Brooke, Dani, America, Mia, Makayla, Angie, Tess, Jay (and Eguardo...heehee) and the rest of this awesome team from triple decaf Dave!

The staff here are amazing! Super warm, all smiles, and they actually remembered me when I came in…read moretwice. They drew little hearts and smiles on our cups, which honestly made my day. The place is spotless and wasn't crowded at all--mostly just local folks. Restrooms are gender-neutral and clean. There's plenty of outdoor seating and easy parking, which is always a plus. The drinks tasted like your usual Starbucks (I got a cold brew). The Egg Pesto Sandwich was delicious! They do charge 25 cents for the new compostable cups. 10/10 overall experience--and a big shoutout to the kind, thoughtful staff!

Aerocano

Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken Espresso

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Pecan Cortado

Cat & Cloud

4.4(157 reviews)

0.0 mi

The matcha latte here is the best. I get it iced and sweetened with vanilla. Service is always…read morewelcoming and quick. I wish we had one in the Bay Area! It sure is a nice treat whenever I'm in Santa Cruz. I haven't tried the coffee yet. There is a lot of seating and it's usually pretty busy. Not hard to find a somewhere to sit though. The interior is bright and clean. Until next time. :)

Cute place. Great ambiance & I did like the coffee. However…read more $24 before tip for 2 black coffees plus 2 pastries (one was a simple butter croissant)?! Unreal. Plain croissant $6. One with guava jam on it was about $7.50. No prices displayed on pastries & I wanted to say no thank you but we needed a quick bite before getting on the road so we sucked it up.

Iced strawberry and lemonade matcha! All the flavors totally work. Delicious!

Rainy morning London fog (tea latte). Love!

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Delicious mid bike ride cappy.

Peet's Coffee

3.2(50 reviews)

0.4 mi

It only had a 2 star on yelp, so we were prepared for the worst. The food was VERY good and the…read morecoffee too! Service with a smile! What more can you ask for?

Friendly service and peaceful atmosphere with seating inside and on side patio. Two gender neutral…read morerestrooms for customers. Nice selection of breakfast food and drinks for our road-trip back home. I ordered: - Medium hot oat latte (2 shots) - Medium hot vanilla oat latte (2 shots) - Open Water purified water - Crispy Ham & Swiss Sandwich

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The Original Ferrell's Donuts- Aptos

2.7(61 reviews)

0.4 mi

I went here wanting to get a maple old-fashioned. Unfortunately, they were out. So I got an apple…read morefritter, with it being fall and all. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. It was a little soggy, but the apple chunks were cooked really well. The lady at the counter seems sweet! I love that it's a little local spot. I will definitely have to try again another Saturday, as I want to give it a second chance.

The owner is tipping herself with your card…read more When I arrived I was very nice and said good morning but received no response from the woman at the counter. I assume she is the owner. She was dressed very nicely and leaning towards 70years old. When I gave my card i wasn't given the option to tip. I left and checked my receipt via email and she had tipped herself on my debit card without my consent. Please check your transactions if you're using a debit or credit card. This is probably happening a lot. I called and didn't receive an apology but got my money back after explaining she could indeed refund me via square. She had told me she didn't know how. These donuts are also priced higher than other ferrel locations

Apple fritter

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Apple Fritters, Jelly Filled, Buttermilk Bars, Old Fashioned, Blueberry Cake

Starbucks

2.8(19 reviews)

0.5 mi

Friendly staff. Messed up the order by forgetting an item but they were very gracious about it --…read morerectified the error and gave a gift card that can be used in the future.

Avoid. The old man working there missed customer service training. The woman working with him did…read moreall the work so it took forever. He need to be reassigned to duties that don't involve interacting with the public.

Aerocano

Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken Espresso

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Pecan Cortado

Emilie And The Frenchies

3.9(31 reviews)

0.6 mi

The cutest little spot with the best service! The ambiance is this French bistro with the cutest…read moredecor! The fresh baked goods were insane and the lattes are wonderful! If they have their bacon and green onion scone do not sleep on it!

Finally got to try this place recently. It is a super cute cafe with baked goods on display. The…read moreowners were very friendly and welcoming. I tried their smoothie of the week which was Peche Melba. The smoothie was okay, and we didn't try anything else. There is someone parking available as it is located in a smaller shopping center.

Enchanting decor

Delicacies on offer

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Avocado Tartine

Pacific Coffee Roasting

4.2(202 reviews)

0.6 mi

I used to work remotely from here in 2010. I was dealing with being completly broke and they…read moreoffered to give me the food anyways and I could pay later, then a nice lady in line paid for me. I really really appreciate this , great coffee I've been coming here for years. Budget rent a car totally double charged me so I appreciate the kindness of both the coffee shop, the owner, and the nice lady in line who paid for me. lesson learned never rent from budget rent a car. Stop by Pacific coffee roasters for good coffee.

Solid 3.5 stars - neighborhood coffee shop that feels familiar. Service was very friendly. Lots of…read moreoptions outside of coffee including bagels, pastries and smoothies. We ordered coffee, a berry smoothie (yogurt, frozen berries, apple juice), and egg bagel sandwich (egg is microwaved vs cooked on a pan). Plenty of indoor and outdoor tables / seating. Would come back for a quick coffee and savory bagel if in the area.

Pickup area

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Large space with lots of seating

Castelli's Caffe & Deli

4.2(103 reviews)

0.7 mi

Sandwich's are huge. Very tasty. Macaroni Salad sucks but sandwiches are bomb. Place is on a quiet…read morestreet with parking

Loved the convenience of this since there's not a ton nearby Seacliff beach. My only points off…read moregoes to service, sadly! I totally appreciate a family-run business but things were taking quite a long time and much of the staff (high school?) had to be reminded by multiple customers who were still waiting for their orders. I just wish there was a little more attention to the line of customers, but I totally get that things get busy. I'll have to come back for a sandwich, this time I got a breakfast burrito which was great! A big size and helped us load up before the long day of beach activities. Definitely recommend if you're already in Seacliff and need a quick bite.

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Pretty dahlia garden next door

Nonna's Caprese

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Lemon cream bombolino

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21 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

meli w.

16 years ago

just found this place when my internet was down for the holidays and Charter as usual' took days to fix their problem. Starbucks, Peets and even coffetopia were impacted with holiday crowds. I got turned on to Norma Jeans by an old friend. I just wish it were closer to me and this would be my new coffee house. First of all, it is just excellent as a wifi hot spot. There are plenty of outlets to plug into, comfy seating and good wifi. Most of all though, they were so friendly. This is clearly a neighborhood coffeehouse. Everyone seems to know each other and there is that wonderful coffee house talk that used to be the hallmark of a good coffeehouse before we all became so isolated with our own cell phones and laptops. Even though I was working, I got involved every morning with some great conversations. The coffee is organic and is ok (you need to understand that I am a coffee snob and have a list of criterion for excellent coffee that would put a Michelin review to shame) and I can get a real macchiato. The baked goods are out of this world. I don't even like sweets and I got addicted to the pumpkin pie and the shortbread. It is now the place that my kids want to go when we go out for hot chocolate because of the carrot cake and the scones. The sandwiches are also quite good. Service is a little iffy which is the reason for my 4 stars. There is one young guy and one gal who are competent, friendly and make great coffee. There are several other worker though, who forget part of the food order or can't get the coffee hot and who just seem to be there just for the job. Still, if I lived in Aptos, I would figure out the schedule for who works when and Norma Jeans would be my hangout. Parking is easy so pull into NJ's instead of starbucks and experience a real neighborhood coffeehouse. read more

Corey T.

187

3 years ago

This is the best independent coffee shop in Aptos. As a picky person with a discerning palate, I can honestly say that I was thoroughly impressed with my experience at this independent coffee shop. From the moment I walked in, I was struck by the cozy atmosphere and friendly staff. I ordered a mocha and a breakfast burrito, both of which were absolutely delicious. The mocha was rich and creamy with a perfect balance of chocolate and espresso, and the breakfast burrito was packed with hearty ingredients that left me feeling satisfied and energized for the rest of the day. What really stood out to me about this coffee shop, however, was the attention to detail in both the food and the overall experience. The barista took the time to make my mocha just right, and the breakfast burrito was clearly made with care and attention to flavor combinations. Additionally, the shop itself was immaculate and welcoming, with plenty of seating options and a calm, relaxed vibe. All in all, I would highly recommend this independent coffee shop to anyone looking for a top-notch mocha and breakfast burrito. Whether you're a local or just passing through, it's definitely worth a stop. read more

Laura S.

16 years ago

I love Norma Jean's......the coffee is awesome and the staff is always helpful and friendly.....It sucks that a starbucks is across the (I hate starbucks) street....Norma Jean's coffee is so much better and the atmosphere is aces! If you are in Aptos and want a great cup of coffee come here you will love it! read more

D J.

10 years ago

Was working in town and stopped in for a coffee and tried the morning bun. It was the best I have ever had. It was perfect all the way through the center and not uncooked in the center like most places serve! I ordered the Costa Rican coffee which was a nice mellow cub of coffee. I will be back! read more

ryan s.

16 years ago

this is a nice lil coffee shop, with friendly employees and good customer service. nice local joint to get a good cup of coffee. not very much seating inside, i usually get it to go. i want to try the food here as well, but haven't yet. definite thumbs up to this joint read more

James M.

172

14 years ago

I was less than impressed with my experience. It's a nice little shop, but all the food is bland and I found the coffee stale. The name "Norma Jeans" implies that it's 50s, but it has very little experience. It's just another coffee shop. read more

Robert L.

7 years ago

Great service and very tasty coffee! I haven't had their pastries yet, but they do look yummy. Their service is what makes the difference. They are always nice and pleasant. It makes my Saturday morning coffees taste much better. read more

Sammi G.

1 year ago

Visited this quaint little shop today and it was perfect! Mellow & homey feeling. The two gentlemen behind the counter were personable and very upbeat. The baked goods are SO good. I'll be back for sure! read more

Kristi R.

9 years ago

I love it! Right across the street from Starbuck's, but so NOT Starbuck's. This is how coffee houses used to be. It can get crowded if you plan to stay for a while. Nothing fancy but it works. read more

Nickolas J.

263

8 years ago

I love Norma Jean's everyone's always friendly their breakfast burritos are super good they also have a very good assortment of pies cakes and really good yummy's read more

Kyle K.

3 months ago

I've been coming here forever having grown up in Aptos. I've gone to hundreds of coffee shops around the world and love mochas. Norma Jeans beats all of them! read more

Ben R.

128

16 years ago

Outstanding! I had a mexican mocha today.. Treat yourself. ha love it love it read more

D D.

14 years ago

if you are looking for a really great coffee....this is the place to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jason L.

16 years ago

Heard Norma Jean's now has Gluten Free bread by Pele's Oven. Had a breadstick with my soup. So happy.

damon j.

15 years ago

this is a wonderful place for all your coffee needs. and some tasty food too!!!!

Heather J.

Elite 19

193

324

143

12 years ago

Great coffee. Good service. Plenty of seating. With wifi. Love this place! read more

Joe W.

14 years ago

great coffee, great staff, great espresso! great giggity great

B J.

5 years ago

Do not go! This place is awful. Coffee tastes like mold

Liz L.

7 years ago

Love the coffee here! Best coffee shop around!

julianna d.

128

15 years ago

Best coffee around and homemade delicious food

Norma Jean's Coffee - coffee - Updated October 2026

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Not the best pics bc I was too excited to eat it. Amazing. Doesn't look like much, but this bagel…read morereminds me of something you'd make at home. I added bacon. Was curious how the potatoes would work on a bagel but diced small so perfectly fit in the eggs. And the eggs def were a stand out, how you'd make them at home. Have to have the cream cheese and green onions were a nice touch. Def getting this exact order again

Omg- where has this place been?!? I'm so happy to have found this quaint little coffee shop! I was…read moresurprised they had organic coffee and their espresso was actually a mild roast! (That means there's MORE caffeine!) Yessss! Americans tend to love dark-earthy roasts like Sumatra or French and those always taste bitter or burnt to me, especially since I drink my coffee black. As I walked in, I had some Q's for the barista behind the counter, since I'm currently not doing any dairy, unless it's already mixed into a bread or something. Hee. So I got the Lox Bagel without cream cheese and swapped it for avocado! It was freaking delicious! So much flavors with the capers and the chives! Oh and then on the Tomato-Basil bagel..... omg! That changed my world! Granted this day, I wanted to try their Blondie Latte- delicious! Oh and I only had 1tsp. Of brown sugar, instead of the normal 1-TBSP. I don't like things too sweet, but I could just drink a latte alone with how delicious and light/mild the espresso was! I was truly impressed! It was cold outside, so I sat inside warming up as I ate my breakfast. I overheard a great conversation between the two baristas working regarding music and genres! Hee. One liked music just based on what her playlist would find her, and the other looked up different artists based on genres of music, thus opening her music appetite. They were too cute! Overall, I loved my lox sandwich and I had only planned to eat half since I wanted to go do yoga in the beach, but it was so tasty, I ended up eating THE WHOLE THING! Hahaha I can't WAIT to go back to this coffee shop and try more items off their menu!

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No food only coffee/ daughter had the mona lisa and I ordered a latte. Love coming here as service…read morealways great, and the ambiance and views are lovely. Known to have best restroom too in area- lol.

Nice and friendly service, and fast despite a morning rush of people. However, quality of the latte…read morewas low. Too full of syrup so that the latte ended up sickly sweet and with an artificial aftertaste. They use Torani syrups, which can be okay sometimes, but in this instance it just ruined the beverage. $1 upcharge for adding a syrup or plant based milk. This is clearly a popular spot, as it was quite crowded, but sadly we didn't see the appeal. **FYI this cafe is reached via a narrow staircase, so skip your visit if you have mobility restrictions.**

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