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    Pinpoint Cafe

    4.4 (227 reviews)
    Closed Closed

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    PINPOINT CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Pinpoint Cafe

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    The view at Pinpoint cafe
    Ruth S.

    4/18/26 we literally came here for the ocean view and to see what the hype is about on IG. Basically it's the view. We ordered americano and a latte as we already ate breakfast earlier. Nice to see surfers in the ocean. Service took pretty long, then again..they are busy. No complaints here tho. We enjoyed our coffee and view. Happy sipping!

    gingerbread latte
    Aimee L.

    Had a lil snack here after yoga- I got the GOAT (Goat Cheese Avocado Toast) and a latte. They were tasty and filling! The avocado was also a really good texture. However, the price was pretty steep for what it was in my opinion. The food also took a while to come out, but it did seem pretty understaffed. The location is really nice though (outdoor seating only!), and it has a really good view of the beach.

    Açaí bowl
    Del W.

    Employees are kind and there is a lot of seating available. Parking is limited & you may have to walk up 2 flights of stairs to access this location! But there's a nice view of the ocean and the food is good :-)

    Outdoor Seating
    Jacquelyn M.

    Stopped by here with a friend and had a lovely time. It's a nice little hidden outdoor spot with great views. It was pretty busy so it was nice to be able to get a spot. I ordered a smoked salmon toast and a strawberry smoothie, a little bit on the pricier side, but it's typical for the area.

    Eid F.

    Perfect spot to grab a coffee with a great view. Service was very friendly. You order at the counter, pickup your drink and take a seat with a view. FYI. Place is small and a little hard to find at first, seating is limited and everything is outdoors. There isn't a dedicated parking lot but the walk isn't too bad and there is a beautiful view the whole time so who cares.

    Bri F.

    Explored around the area before stumbling on this cafe. It was busy, with many people staying to enjoy the killer view of the coast. We got two medium iced vanilla oat lattes that were solid, however the cost was pretty steep at $8 per drink. Would be willing to splurge for the view every now and then, though parking can be confusing since the cafe is located in the UCSD campus area.

    Cari A.

    Finally made my way to Pinpoint Cafe. I arrived a little after 8am on a Wednesday and there were just a few customers. By the time I left around 9am, almost all tables were taken. Pros: -views of the ocean -it's outdoor seating on two levels, so it's great if the weather is nice -if you go to UCSD, they give a small discount if you show your ID. Cons: -parking can be difficult. Close parking lots are permit specific. -no restrooms are available for customers.

    Maylinh S.

    Such a nice lowkey place with great options for food and drinks! The service is friendly and fast and the drinks and food are delicious!! I recently came and got to try their gingerbread latte which was super delicious!! Their lox sandwich is so yum as well! Definitely a place to try for cafes in San Diego!!

    Large vanilla latte - 3 shots, not filled all the way
    Amanda B.

    Pinpoint Cafe has delicious drinks. No bathrooms. Parking is a challenge unless you go to school there. We parked on the busy road up top and walked down. I wish they would fill up the cup of the lattes. The toast was cute as heck though. And you can't beat the view.

    Libby S.

    I stopped by Pinpoint Café today for coffee and breakfast and really liked it. They had a holiday special gingerbread latte so of course I had to try it and it was really good. I ordered the GOAT which is their avocado toast with goat cheese and it was delicious. The views are great here and the staff were really friendly. The only downside is the parking since it can be a little tough, but overall I would definitely come back.

    Cappuccino
    Noah K.

    Located in Scripps Institute of Oceanography, the views from here are incredible if the marine layer cooperates. The staff were all very friendly when I visited. I ordered a cappuccino and it was pretty solid. The weather was beautiful the day I went and I enjoyed my coffee on the patio while connecting with the Scripps alumni director. I don't live in the area, but would definitely come back when I'm in La Jolla.

    Avocado crunch toast
    Beth T.

    The view was a 10! This little cafe that is all outdoor, is a serene location that is situated in La Jolla on San Diegos university campus:) it's beautiful. Parking is an issue!! You may find yourself parking as long as a half mile away, there is only street parking available around the corner from the cafe, which dues add to its charm, not a lot of traffic and it feels like a cozy beach cottage tucked away in the trees and hills of La Jolla all while having an amazing ocean view. The food was good! I ordered the Avo crunch toast, gluten free. The bread was super good! And a chai. They have almond or oat milk alternatives, and that's always a little difficult for me, because I prefer coconut milk alternative, but over all great eating experience! I will be back!

    Amparo I.

    This cafe is a hidden gem. Parking is limited near the location but a short walk to this location is worth it! The day we visited, staff opened the cafe a bit late but we didn't mind waiting given the view we had. They have a good amount of seating area. The coffee, food, and ambiance were perfect. It's a great place to stop by for breakfast if you want to enjoy the ocean view.

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    Pinpoint Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Pinpoint Cafe

    Are there outlets to plug into?

    None that's obvious. It's small beach cafe not a true coffeehouse.

    Is it ADA friendly?

    Yes.

    I noticed you are located on the UCSD campus. Do you have to pay for a daily or hourly parking permit? Thank you!

    Hi there! There’s street parking within walking distance at La Jolla Shores Drive. There is also a private parking lot at Naga Way. Everything else around the cafe is just for students and staff.

    Is Pinpoint Cafe dog friendly?

    Yes, I took my two dogs here and the cashier gave them treats and there was a water bowl out :)

    Is there WiFi available?

    Yes, however since this location is part of UCSD, at this time we are closed due to COVID.

    View All 10 Questions

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    Parakeet Cafe - La Jolla

    Parakeet Cafe - La Jolla

    4.2(595 reviews)
    2.0 miLa Jolla
    $$

    Aloha Yelpers,…read more Reviews can be subjective and often just reflect how we felt in the moment--sometimes good, sometimes bad. As a business owner and someone who frequents a lot of establishments around the world, I'm always paying extra attention to how different brands and teams operate. After being a regular at Parakeet for the last 6 years, I felt inclined to finally write a review, based purely on appreciation for the all-star team at this location (Kayla, Janelle, Neda, Hailey, Regina, Michelle, Calvin, and all the cooks crushing it in the kitchen daily) and everything they bring to the community. BIG VIBES & Customer Experience Biggest one on the checklist. The energy is always on point from the second I walk in to the second I leave. The entire staff is friendly, welcoming, authentic, and genuinely cares about making the experience top-tier. Also worth noting, they're up at 5 AM to open at 7 AM... which is already heroic. On top of that, this location gets its fair share of entitled, unfriendly, and straight-up rude customers (I've seen it firsthand on the daily). Even then, the ladies and Calvin handle it with patience, professionalism, and still keep the good energy going. That shit is not easy. Attention to Detail Regina and Hailey run a tight operation day to day. Their attention to detail and consistency is honestly unmatched. I've been to plenty of spots around the neighborhood, and no one has it as dialed in as they do. They are also better dressed than other managers in the biz. BIG STYLE POINTS Problem Solving I've watched this team navigate everything--broken equipment, unhappy customers, clogged toilets (lol), bad weather, and difficult delivery drivers yelling at them through Google Translate. And they handle it all without missing a beat and staying composed. Meanwhile, I've seen other places completely implode in similar situations--blaming each other or arguing instead of solving the problem. Not the case here. Always solution-oriented. Extra props to Janelle for unclogging the toilet and Kayla for chasing a grasshopper out the door when it jumped on a table. Yessahhh Consistency Food and drinks are always consistent--fresh, well-seasoned, proper temp, and clean presentation. The cooks are back there working hard but still somehow having a good time while pushing out orders for both dine-in and delivery. The girls and Calvin on bar are always crushing it. Espresso is never burnt, matcha is smooth (no clumpy, low-tier stuff), and the latte art is always on point. Shoutout to Neda, Hailey, Regina, and Calvin for keeping things fast and high quality. Cleanliness Everything is always clean, smells good, and actually put away where it belongs. No shakshuka stains on tables, no scone crumbs everywhere, no sticky coffee floors, no overflowing trash cans--things that, somehow, have become the norm at other nearby spots. All in all, I never leave reviews, so the fact that I'm writing this says something lol. Hopefully whoever reads this--regulars, upper management, or owners--recognizes that this all-star team is what makes this Parakeet location special, and a big reason it continues to bring GREAT VIBES to LJ LET'S GET THEM A PAY RAISE!! Mahalo, Brady

    LVE Parakeet La Jolla. Everyone is so sweet. Kayla and Calvin serve the best care and cappuccinoread more

    Photos
    Parakeet Cafe - La Jolla - Order and pickup

    Order and pickup

    Parakeet Cafe - La Jolla
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    Blue Whale

    Blue Whale

    3.8(439 reviews)
    2.1 miLa Jolla
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Gluten-free friendly

    Blue whale is a super popular cafe near La Jolla shores! Because of social media it blew up so a…read morelot of people come here to try their unique dishes. I specifically wanted to try their Ube pancakes. The pancake was good! However the Ube flavor is not strong but if you just love a good pancake then you'll like it for sure. The downside is because there's so many people there is not enough seats. So I asked for my food Togo in case a seat didn't open up. In summary, it's a cute little cafe, try to come here during off peak hours for a more calm vibe but even if you come the wait isn't super long.

    Your social media presence was influential. It's what I wanted for Mother's Day. To avoid the long…read morewait I asked for pick up. Had I'd know it would ruin my morning with my daughter I would have never suggested it. Customer service was atrocious. The pick up was not to anyone's standards. My daughter picked up the food me drinks she ordered for us and the girl at the counter was clearly annoyed she worked there. Ignored her. She should be retrained or put in the back. Nevermind ignoring the customer but didn't even finish giving the order. No drinks. My daughter had to ask a manager for the drinks. Comes to the car as we drive off I open the bag and items are missing. I guess no one checks orders. Had to double park. I called and warned the cafe she was upset. They gave her the one missing item and they ran out of croissants. Mind you it's what I wanted. They gave her an extra Oreo cronut. This was the worst experience. I do not recommend this establishment

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    Blue Whale
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    Pinpoint Cafe - coffee - Updated May 2026

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