Although it was an unplanned stop, I was ecstatic to find a great independent coffee shop in San Juan Capistrano.
Great Coffee in San Juan Capistrano, California
My wife Heidi and I have a tradition…or at least had a tradition. Whenever we go down to San Diego (or in this case, Tijuana), we stop at Peet’s Coffee in Mission Viejo. It’s about halfway from Los Angeles to San Diego and of all the major coffee chains, it is the only one I can tolerate (in fact, I don’t just tolerate it, but I like it).
Sadly, when we pulled up to Peet’s, we saw it was boarded up. A coronavirus casualty, perhaps?
Peet’s was off of Crown Valley Parkway right near a large indoor mall. We stopped there next just to try to find something, but the entire mall was closed.
Heidi found a little place in nearby San Juan Capistrano, about 10 minutes further south on I-5. Sure, why not?
I’ve never been to Old Town San Juan Capistrano before and loved it…what a quaint little enclave in the heart of an otherwise pedestrian city.
The coffee shop was called Hidden House Coffee and located on a narrow road adjacent to the train station with mature trees and plenty of shade.
Based upon a placard out front, it appeared to be a historic house:
Hidden House Coffee
31791 Los Rios Street
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
8:00AM – 5:00PM
Inside, Heidi ordered an iced coffee and I ordered a cappuccino. Strict social distancing measures were in place inside, including a sign that said cash was not accepted.
While I wouldn’t call the outdoor area a garden, it was idyllic and cool, despite the warm day. We enjoyed the coffee outside.
How was the coffee itself? Well, I would not have written about it if wasn’t tasty, though my coffee shop in Palm Springs is oh so much better. Perhaps I should shift to cortados, because cappuccinos often turn out like lattes. Good thing I like lattes too, but I prefer stronger coffee.
CONCLUSION
This was a great little rest stop enroute to the border and we have a new pit stop on the way to San Diego.
What is your favorite coffee in San Juan Capistrano?
My most cherished experience was growing up watching grandparents boiling water mixed with freshly roasted coffee and straining with a cheese cloth. Added to foamed milk and served with same day baked baguettes with garlic butter. Reading the newspaper and listening to their life stories.
Great memory. Thanks for sharing. My parents never drank coffee and my grandparents used instant…oy. It took me until my mid 20’s to start drinking coffee and until my late 20s to actually start appreciating good coffee.
My granddaughter and I love going to Hidden House together! And lunch at The Ramos House never disappoints. Los Rios Street is the “oldest neighborhood in California.”
As soon as I saw the headline I immediately knew the place. I went last year after a stay in nearby Dana Point and loved the atmosphere and location, as well as the coffee.
We love Hidden House, and show it in our youtube video, which I’m including below. But, while the Hidden House Coffee is great, the pastries at Ellie’s Table, about two blocks away, are even better. And the coffee at Ellie’s Table is almost as good.
Looks great! I’ll check it out.
Matthew,
Thanks for the tip with Hidden House
Next time you’re headed all the way south, I heartily recommend:
Moon Goat in Newport Beach (on Placentia Ave)
Zumbar in San Diego (Encinitas/Cardiff area on Chesterfield 2 blocks from beach, and UTC area on Sorrento Valley Rd)
Next time you’re headed north, I heartily recommend:
Handlebar Roasters in Santa Barbara (2 locations) – they’ve got nice food, too 🙂
Hi moji, I love Moon Goat! I look forward to checking the others out.
https://liveandletsfly.com/united-singapore-san-francisco-economy-class/
Hi Matthew, I love hidden House coffee. I love the los Rios district especially. Did you know that’s the oldest neighborhood in California?
Some of my favorite places to go for coffee are…
Kean coffee in Costa Mesa.
Little France coffee and bakery in Mission Viejo. Authentic French bakery.
And Moulin in Dana Point.
Linda
Linda, thanks for the suggestions!
It has never been more important than now to support independent coffee shops. Many of them, all over the world, are under extreme pressure. It would be terrible to see more go under; aside from the personal cost to those involved, it would leave consumers at the mercy of the (vastly inferior) corporate chains.
Agreed! Several times per week I support independent coffee shops in my area. It is my great pleasure to do so and I hope they can weather the pandemic. The good news for you in Australia is that you have so many good choices, but I hate to see any shop close.
A little too pricey for a great ambience. This house requires a taste for a bitter roast