Cowles Mountain Coffee

This is one fine place to have coffee!!!
I would not have guessed such a sorry looking coffee stand could put out such big league coffee… but it does. I had a very tasty cappuccino, and bought a bag of beans to take home. The beans were full of such flavor that I cried when the bag was empty. Then I bought a bag of Starbucks beans at the Starbucks store and cried again because their beans are half as good as Cowles Mountain Coffee.
This place is worth the extra drive to pick up their coffee because it is memorable.

Best chai latte I’ve ever had. The vibe here is part post hike nirvana, part living room, with board games and friendly atmosphere. And OMG the view of the mountain. Tiffany is La Mesa’s local entrepreneur.

***Acai Bowl Review***
This morning while halfway up Cowles I felt some hunger pangs and decided that I would treat myself to some carbs and fructose after my short trek.
Headed across the street after staring at the sandwich board on Golfcrest numerous times.
Ordered an Acai Bowl minus granola and added a chopped apple. $ 7.75 for the snack. Acai sorbet, sliced strawberries, sliced bananas, fresh shredded coconut, and the aforementioned apple. The entire lackluster concoction was maybe 4oz and not much to write about. Average, alright after a hike.
The service was very friendly and one day i’ll try an actual coffee from this coffee stand, but if i’m in the mood for an Acai Bowl i’m gonna take my business to The Lean Bean.

Great service!
Great selection of juices and coffees
Good prices
Good for lunch, snack, or recharge after a hike up cowels mnt.

Realllllly good espresso!!! Very sweet girl with her lovely dog who I believe owns the place. Cute little coffee shop directly across from cowles mountain.

Last Sunday, I went out for a hike at Cowles Mountain. It was super hot and it left me wanting something cold to drink. A friend pointed out Cowles Mountain Coffee. I had no idea it was there — even though it’s directly across from the hikes parking lot (it must be the earthy sign colors that camouflaged it for me).
In any case, my friends and I walked across the street (be careful) and took a look at what Cowles Mountain Coffee was all about. I wasn’t too excited to see coffee on the menu, considering it was above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (or at least it felt like it). I kept looking and noticed they had fresh juices! Woo hoo! I was in luck.
They had the usual juices — orange, etc — and then they had a drink that goes by the name of: Purple Power. I wish I would have written down everything it has (but I didn’t — although I do remember it has beets in it). I ordered it and asked them to add ice — YUMMMM!!! It’s one of the best juices I’ve ever had.
I saw in their outdoor sitting area (that’s your only option), enjoyed my juice, and chatted with my friends. They agreed my juice was the most refreshing and yummiest juice of all (I let them try it).
I recommend you try the Purple Power next time you go to Cowles Mountain.

Really good stuff!!! I have never been disappointed with the smoothies and food here. I only wish it was open past 2:00pm. I can’t tell you how many times I have stopped here around 3:00pm only to remember, ah darn it, it is closed. :-(

Great place! Love there toasted bagels!!! Great place to go after your hike and refuel!

The fresh-​pressed vegetable drinks are a great addition to the menu. My 4-​year-​old granddaughter prefers the Mean Green, and my 7-​year-​old granddaughter loves the
Purple Power. It’s my favorite also, with the earthy flavor of beets and just the right amount of ginger. Yum!

The specialty drinks are good. It is a small coffee shop and its mainly outdoors. The prices are bit expensive for me, but a lot of people seem to love this place so maybe it is affordable. It has been busy the times I have stopped by. The service is good. I keep forgetting her name, but I think a young woman with blonde hair manages the place. She is always there and is always nice.

Great location if you need a pick me up after a good hike (close to Mission Trails as well); HOWEVER, while the coffee and acai bowls are good, they close at 2pm every day… way too early in my books, especially considering the popularity of the location. Staff is (mostly) friendly. Overall, I like the place and will be back… assuming I make it before closing time.

Now serving fresh juices! I’m so happy to be a neighbor to this place and very happy to support and promote it.

Great place to stop after hiking Cowles Mountain. Excellent Acai bowls with organic granola. Many types of coffee, expresso and lattes to try.

Best White Mocha in San Diego!
For years I tried white mochas at various coffee shops around San Diego. They are usually made with syrup and too sweet. This place uses the white chocolate powder and you will taste the difference! I’ve lived in SD 7 years and haven’t found better coffee.
I heard the acai bowls are great too. Lots of healthy snacks and a beautiful view of Cowles Mountain. Friendly staff. Dog friendly as well.
What a hidden gem.

Conveniently located across the street from Cowles’ Mountain w/​separate parking (aside from hikers’ parking). Limited tables, but it’s fine. Service is great. Atmosphere’s great. Bathroom’s key-​entry upstairs & clean.
ACAI BOWL IS AMAZING. (I get mine w/​no coconut) & I over-​heard someone else order theirs w/​Kale & Spinach, which is on my list! Yum. Now, I know I can’t REALLY talk because this was my first acai bowl ever, but I know it did set the bar pretty high because I went elsewhere (the same day) for one (because Cowles’ Mountain Coffee’s Acai was so good) & I was disappointed. So, I know to come here & I’m glad this was the place I tried it first. :)
Also, went hiking with my family the other day & Rosie (I believe the owner) was hiking! She greeted us & told us to come on over after the hike, I had school afterwards so I couldn’t join them & Idk if they went, but my point is that she’s so upbeat & friendly & her happiness shines throughout this little coffee shop. If she’s not the owner, then she definitely deserves kudos FROM the owner because she’s the reason I wanted to try the place out & she reflects this coffee shop very well. :)

This place is hands down, hands up a roller coaster of taste and personality. Elizabeth, one of the baristas, is a very kind and respectable worker. I procured an iced latte with cows milk. The taste was nothing less than an explosion of grade-​a yummerzz. There is not a doubt in my mind that i would come here again.

I don’t hate waking up in the morning; I hate having to think about stuff once I’m out of bed. Fortunately, my new car has an Autopilot feature that I’ve set for Cowles Mountain Coffee Company. I just get in the car, hit a button, and go back to sleep, later to awaken to the smell of a latte made with perfectly pulled shots of Calabria-​roasted beans.
Oh my God, if only wishing made it so.
Since I don’t actually live in Magic Wonderland, life isn’t quite what I’d have it be. But I’m happy that Cowles Mountain Coffee Company is in my neighborhood, as they use Calabria beans, and I’m able to get something very close to my beloved «cinque» just 2 miles from my house.
What’s more, Cowles Mountain’s owner, Tiffany, and her employees, are kind, interesting, pleasant people, who make me look forward to my morning jaunt. They remember my order, and they always make it just right.
NOTE: The only problem with the place has nothing to do with the place. It’s the parking, which is complicated by the millions of people who hike up and down Cowles Mountain Trail every morning. I don’t understand why, if they like to walk so much, they have to drive to the mountain and tie up the parking. But I suppose we have to make room for all sorts in the pursuit of our vices.
******************************
Caffe Calabria:

Great place to get coffee after hiking! Also a good place to buy water before the hike if you forgot any :) Nice barista, fast service, awesome location!

Good coffee, several different places to sit (two small patios with one table each on the lawn, tables under the awning). They have parking for customers in the lot, accessible from Golfcrest (few spots) or Navajo. Otherwise street parking can be hard with the mountain right there. Gluten free or vegan baked treats here, too!

A+ for convenience!
Located conveniently across torture mountain.
I mean, Cowles mountain.
They accept credit cards, you can buy fruit, water and organic bars here.
Parking may be tricky but service is great and you cant beat this location.