Pinpoint Cafe
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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!
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.
I came here for the view, but it does get busy, so you might not get a good view of the ocean, depending on where you're sitting. I got an avocado crunch toast, which came with fresh smashed avocado, heirloom tomatoes, microgreens, and a chili crunch drizzle on top of sourdough. It was yummy! My friend ordered a coffee and it had pretty latte art.
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.
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.
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.
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.
10 months ago
Came here on a Tuesday morning around 11am and there was no parking :0( this cafe is located in the SIO (Scripps Institute of Oceanography) buildings so parking is definitely rough if you're planning on staying here to enjoy the view. Luckily I was just ordering to-go. I ordered for 3: an iced Caramel Matcha Latte, iced Pumpkin Bread Latte, and hot Cookie Butter Latte for drinks, and for food we got the GOAT (maple bacon, goat cheese avocado toast), Smoked Salmon (smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers and everything bagel seasoning toast), Bacon Breakfast Burrito, and an Acai Bowl with homemade granola. Total came out to be around $100 which is kind of expensive for what you get. The wait wasn't too long, we got to enjoy the view and fresh air, and there were plenty of tables and seats. The Caramel Matcha Latte was interesting, the caramel definitely added more sweetness than what I'm used to. The Pumpkin Bread Latte was decent too, I don't usually like espresso lattes but the pumpkin flavored foam added a nice touch. I feel like the drink tasted better after a couple hours when the ice melted since the pumpkin flavor was more prominent. The Cookie Butter Latte was forgettable. It was too oily and the cookie butter is literally just glopped on the bottom. Food wise, I enjoyed the maple taste of the bacon on the GOAT (avocado toast) but my boyfriend enjoyed the Smoked Salmon toast better. It wasn't anything spectacular though, could literally make it at home with all ingredients from Costco. The Bacon Breakfast Burrito was also meh, lackluster. All in all, I feel like people visit for the views and to have slow mornings here. But if you're looking for amazing food and drinks, there are better cafes out there that execute better. Honestly I probably wouldn't go out of my way again to visit this cafe read more
Business owner information
Caroline C.
Hi Samantha,…
This used to be my hidden spot, but since it went viral and IG this place is always packed! a little sad for me cuz it was definitely a Hidden Gem that's really peaceful to visit for a coffee and read or work. it has uncomparative use of La Jolla Pier and is just tucked away up in the hills. the location is unmatched, you have a few cafes that are closer to the water but this one's just so hidden within the campus that it gives a real Forest feel. I love this spot. I don't want more people to come cause I wanted it to be just for myself, but it is definitely worth a visit. read more
This cafe has it all - good food, great views, and ample workspace. It gets quite crowded during the later hours of the morning with students working, but I was able to find seating each time. I loved trying a variety of drinks here. Their coffee isn't the strongest, but it's solid enough to motivate a few productive hours of work. The Acai bowls were awesome and reasonably priced. The fruit on top was fresh and neatly arranged, which made for some pretty pictures. It's hard to beat the shaded outdoor seating overlooking the water. I love the sea breeze that hits as you sip your latte. The ambiance is the biggest draw of this place, and the good food is a bonus. read more
2 years ago
This is definitely a view worthy spot that has plenty of seating to set up and get some work done I ordered the unsweetened matcha latte with almond milk and sugar free vanilla, pretty basic but it got the job done Would def recommend for the views alone, drinks are all relatively basic read more
8 months ago
The experience was really enjoyable! I loved the toast, and the overall atmosphere was very calming and inviting. The coffee was decent, and I especially appreciated that they offer a student discount. It's a thoughtful touch that makes the visit even better. read more
1 year ago
Love love love this place! Such a special view while enjoying coffee and getting some work done! The smoked salmon toast was very yummy with the avocado and capers! I love how it's shaped in a heart as well. Quick service and such nice staff. $15 for the lox toast with avocado is quite diabolical but it was delicious nonetheless read more
This place is set in such a beautiful location with an amazing view of the water! Definitely a good place to stop and take a beat. The parking is very hard though and you may have to walk a bit to get there due to now parking lots. We came on a Saturday around 11am and it was fairly busy which I'm guessing normal for them. The line definitely moves slow so prepare to wait a bit for ordering but the food and coffee come out quickly. The "toasts" are very good especially the GOAT one that has hot honey on it and avocado. The latte was very good and the coffee is delicious. definitely over priced for what you get but that's La Jolla for you. Recommend for a beautiful view and good coffee! read more
We FINALLY made it here and the parking situation very quickly reminded me why it's taken us *YEARS* to try this place. Unless you're a student and have a campus parking permit - you must find a spot out on the main hill. As a bonus, my quads got a great workout from the mini hike up/down. (Though if you have a motorcycle or handicap permit, there are 2 parking spots right in front.) The coffee was okay, but nothing special. The açaí bowl was good and toppings were properly portioned to the açaí base. My fiancé got the burrito and it was also ok, the real standout was the salsa. Tables aren't regularly serviced, so most were on the sticky side. The view can't be beat - yet that alone probably won't bring us back. I love that students have this super cool spot and the limited accessibility makes it more private for them. It was really nice to try, but we probably won't make it back. read more
Breathtaking view, good coffee, delicious food, quick service, ample seating, terrible parking... this pretty much sums up our experience visiting this coffee shop. Everything was great except for parking. If you don't have a permit, then you're stuck with street parking and have to be ready to trek all the way up to the cafe. Although if you're a UCSD student, then this is such an amazing spot to chill and hangout at since you don't have to worry about where to park. What we tried: Blue Ocean Latte - made with butterfly pea tea. It's not too sweet and was very creamy with a hint of the tea. I wanted to try something different, that's why this is what I got. It was pretty good and I really enjoyed it. Dirty Chai Latte - pretty standard for the drink itself. My friend said it was a little too sweet for her, but I found the sweetness level just right. Smoked Salmon Toast - very tasty! It paired so perfectly well with the drink I got. I did see some reviewers say that it was too salty for them, but we didn't think so. We pretty much devoured it. Overall, we enjoyed our time visiting this coffee shop and I'm glad we went. I think the view you get while you sip your coffee/tea makes the tricky parking worth it. read more
Went on a Saturday morning, and it was busy, but not crazy. Parking is not easy at all. Plan to park in the neighborhood somewhere and make it a stop on a walk. Service was very friendly. It is a counter order spot. We ordered a croissant (they get them from Bread and Cie), and an acai bowl with peanut butter to eat. The bowl was pretty good. Maybe doing less banana and adding another fruit would be good, but not a huge deal. Had a latte as well, which wasn't my favorite in SD, but it was good. Of course the views are really great. It was a June Gloom morning, but still nice and peaceful. They have some savory breakfast items that I would try next time. I will definitely be back and just plan how I get there differently. Enjoyed eating a casual breakfast with that view. Not a lot of water view spots in La Jolla are reasonably priced, but this one is! read more
Growing up in La Jolla I was always aware of all the good and inferior coffee shops around town and would say Pinpoint Café is a welcome addition. This location is located just above Scripps Pier surrounded by UCSD buildings. It's very small on the inside with all outdoor seating, but the seating has incredible views of the ocean and the pier. There is limited parking but definitely enough spaces next to the café that there shouldn't be an issue finding a spot. We just ordered a couple of lattes so did not try the food, but our drinks were ready very quickly and had some great flavor. I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a great place to have a coffee with a view. read more
Needed a change of scenery this morning so we decided to check out this little shop overlooking La Jolla Shores. It's a little hidden which is cool. We got the G.O.A.T. Toast, a caramel latte and an americano. I wasted a regular drip coffee, but alas, their brewers were having issues. The drinks were good but the main event was the toast! It was delicious! They even made it gluten free! The staff were friendly and attentive. One callout is there are NO public restrooms so be prepared if you plan to stay for a while. read more
This is a great cafe to study and enjoy views of the ocean. I went on the weekend and it was busy but the service was quick and the line moves fast. The coffee is consistent and tasty, they offer a variety of quick breakfast items. Definitely gotta check it out when you're in La Jolla! read more
2 years ago
Pretty hard to get to if you're not a college student with a parking pass. Very nice view of the ocean and pier though. And a nice place to hang out for a couple of hours. The matcha was good. Very sweet on it's own. Drinks were out quickly. read more
2 years ago
It was busy when I went on a Saturday morning but didn't take long to find a seat where I could get some work done. The barista was quick to make my coffee which was pretty good! I got the honey sriracha avo toast with bacon and blue cheese and was impressed with how good it was because their coffee shack is so tiny. But their kitchen is probably inside the actual building. Obviously the views are stunning, this place is definitely worth visiting! read more
Love this cute little spot! Amazing coffee, great view, nice service. The only thing that's not to love is the parking. I got a hot honey lavender latte with oat milk and it was delicious. I was actually surprised it was that good! The lavender flavor wasn't too strong, it was just the right amount and the honey wasn't too strong either. The flavors balanced well off of each other. The coffee was really smooth. The only thing I didn't like about the drink was that they put little lavender flower pieces that was cute aesthetically, but I didn't enjoy the flavor of it. I would recommend asking to take it off. I wasn't able to try the food but the food looked amazing. I will definitely come back, and next time I'll try the food options! Great service! They were really friendly and fast. Make sure you come early to get seating. Something to keep in mind - there are no outlets but there is wifi available. Parking is a nightmare but it's worth it! read more
First new coffee shop to try starting the new year! I found on Yelp I wanted a shop with beach views and good coffee! It is located behind UCSD tucked away in a corner. PARKING is the only con ! It was recommended to park on the street since everything is permit parking. It is a small walk, my husband dropped me off to order while he parked. This shop has the most beautiful views , it was packed for a Tuesday around noon! I waited about 15 minutes to order there was about 5 people ahead of me. There are about 8 tables and extra chairs on the edge all full , but I was able to snag a chair . As people finish their drinks and food tables become available . Coffee- I tried the iced vanilla latte with almond milk and my husband tried the chai latte , both were 10/10! We also tried the smoked salmon toast my husband mentioned it was a little salty for him but he still devoured it(7/10). We will definitely be back when in the area , it really is so calming as you look over the ocean and enjoy the views and coffee . The service was also great ! My coffee order was out pretty fast! Highly recommend ! read more
Good vibes here. I ordered the salt and maple matcha latte with oat milk. The salt was overpowering but the matcha latte was creamy and delicious. Ordered the goat with jalapeño and cheese bagel. The bagel had a chewy texture which I loved. Had sweet, salty, sour taste. Ocean view was phenomenal. read more
So I've seen this spot trending through my instagram sponsored posts and finally got to try it out! It is such a cute yet quaint spot, right above the waters makes it all the more calming and simply cozy gathering. Although, seating is veryyyy limited, but if you can wait, wait. It is in the backside of CSUSD so parking is limited without a permit but it's open to the public. I got the smoked salmon toast which tasted amazing, but they did forget it and I was wondering what was taking so long and reminded them.. being hangry didn't help the wait.. but as far as the order, it was fresh and tasty. read more
This place is extremely beautiful. It's out of heavens. Besides having a perfect coffee and latte, the views are from heavens. Come here and forget all your problems. Pros: everything you can imagine. Only one cons: you have to find a bathroom. read more
1 year ago
Good spot, lots of variety. I went with a group and they have something for everyone here, I got Yerba mate can and protein bar, friends tried the Ube Matcha and Piñacolatte. There could be limited seating during peak times but it wasn't crowded and view is nice. Good place for a group. read more
1 year ago
Coffee and a perfect view of La Jolla couldn't make for a better morning! It was so serene being able to look at the crystal blue waters while sitting under a big shady tree. Coffee was excellent and all the food was tasty. The highlights for me were the açaí bowls and oh my goodness GET the chocolate chip cookie. It's a little pricey but if you love a soft chewy cookie this is it! And they warm it up for you. ALSO dog friendly , they even gave my two pups a treat. Parking is a little bit out the way but worth the walk. Park on La Jolla Shores drive and walk down to the coffee shop. Overall definitely recommend and great experience! read more
1 year ago
This place is great for the views! The only thing is that it's a small space and it's very popular, so go early if you're planning to study! The coffee is pretty good and the service is fast! I got the iced white mocha! Also there's no public bathrooms so keep that in mind. Overall, pretty good! read more
9 months ago
LOVE the breakfast and the view. Service always friendly. I am deducting one star because unfortunately there is no public restroom. Other than that-awesome cafe. read more
This is a cute Cafe tucked away in La Jolla. It's known for its Instagram View and how it kind of represents a treehouse feel. It was $17 for a piece of salmon toast and a white mocha so to me that's on the pricier side that's partially why I gave them four stars instead of five. Also the service was relatively slow for toast and a coffee. The mocha was very basic tasting. I got a white mocha to be precise. And the salmon toast yes it was good but nothing to write home about. Had Capers on top. Parking is extremely difficult as it's only Street parking. My friend and I got there at 7:20 a.m. on a weekday and had a decent walk from where we parked to the cafe. I do recommend checking it out if you're into an Instagram post or something. But I don't see how this would be someone's daily coffee shop. The food and drink menus also extremely limited. read more
Business owner information
Caroline C.
Thank you for sharing your experience at our cafe. We’re proud to be…
My friend and I were super excited to try this place. We tried the seasonal matcha and it was an interesting flavor, definitely one I've never had before. It involved coconut milk, nutella, and ceremonial grade matcha. Tbh the flavors did not go together very well and for $9 I expected better. The acai bowl was pretty good but kind of plain for $13. The only fruit in it is banana and a little bit of blueberries, and the acai wasn't bad but it didn't amaze me either. The cafe is in a good location bc you get a gorgeous view of the beach and pier, but the parking is horrendous. I'd come back to try the toasts on their menu though! read more
2 years ago
Best avocado toast I've ever had, and an amazing view for breakfast!! Parking is hard to find just fyi read more
2 years ago
Great little spot if you are in the area. And little pricey but it was worth it. Just view. Great chill spot. We took our baby girl sightseeing who is out visiting on Summer break from HPU. Nothing like Hawaii but it was a start. To be continued... M&M read more
11 months ago
Visiting from Oregon and decided to stop by Pinpoint before I leave. Not only is there amazing views but the workers are also very nice and welcoming. Their smoked salmon toast is delicious. 10/10. read more
1 year ago
Cute spot, walking distance to the beach. My friend and I enjoyed a morning cup of coffee and matcha. Service was quick in the early morning. We enjoyed our drinks. Decent matcha and coffee. read more
1 year ago
A small coffee shop on a hill cater to UCSD students. I have to find street parking since I don't have a student permit. The parking took a bit of time to find. The view of La Jolla Shore while having an iced coffee made the parking situation a little bit better. I order a Smoked Salmon Toast the price is about 10.95, I was very impressed. The cream cheese, and smoked salmon on top of toast bread it was very delicious. I highly recommend to order it. Wifi was easy to access. Iced coffee had too much milk I wanted more of a coffee taste to it. Customer service was great, she greeted me and took my order correctly. read more
As much as I enjoyed Pinpoint, it's very out of the way and not easy to get to. Parking is in the street and then a walk, which is fine. I got the açaí bowl, not my favorite one, but solid enough. Great chill feel, but in my opinion, not worth going out go out of the way for. Definitely great for the employees who are already here. If you don't work here you can skip it. They have other locations. read more
10 months ago
6 months ago
More info about Pinpoint Cafe
8755 Biological Grade
San Diego, CA 92037
La Jolla Shores, La Jolla
Directions
(858) 952-2550
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.pinpoint-cafe.com
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Ask the Community - Pinpoint Cafe
Are there outlets to plug into?
None that's obvious. It's small beach cafe not a true coffeehouse.
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.
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Pinpoint Cafe - coffee - Updated July 2026
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