Okay what? Selva, you've gotten a MAJOR upgrade and have become the Secret Garden of my dreams. I almost hesitate to bid y'all to give it another chance 'cuz I don't wanna be without a seat when I come next. But hey, we can share a table
I used to come to Selva months ago to wait out traffic before dance class nearby, but seating was always hard to find: 7-8 tables cramped around one large tree in the center of the coffee area which, as many of you may remember, inhabited just 1/4th of the huge warehouse room it is situated in.
As of May 2026 (and before, but this is my date of visit), the seating now stretches all the way to the back of the warehouse room. Circle tables with 1, 3, 5 green chairs nestled between large potted plants so you and your besties (or just your laptop) can vibe together amidst all the shared oxygen.
AMBIENCE: 4.5/5
Bury me in a sea of green and I'm a happy girl. San Diego is a relatively newer city so it's hard to find brick anything... but here, in this tall expanse of a painted brick building, light flows in through the row of windows near the ceiling; planet-looking plants twirl, hung overhead.
That's not even mentioning the whole plant warehouse this shop is attached to -- 2 more large rooms PLUS a whole outside filling to the brim with gorgeous greenery. If your brain gets tired working, it's so nice to peruse the plant aisles beneath the huge twirling disco ball in the plant room attached.
I deducted .5 points because it's not in the nicest part of town; you may run into folks on the street here. If you're a lone woman, keep your wits about you as you're walking at night... but I've never had a problem.
DRINKS / FOOD: 4/5
I don't remember seeing if there is prepared food here, but I do see snacks (chips, baked goods) and refrigerated drinks GALORE, plus a whole middle section of cute gifts no one has a need for, but every last desire for.
Today I got the "Funny Business", a banana/cinnamon-infused latte, half sweet, WITHOUT the banana-infused cream cloud on top, as ya girl must skip out on the dairy. I was delightfully surprised at how strong the coffee is -- I remember it being quite weak before.
However, the drink without the cream top on its own is not that flavorful. I'm a good coffee / latte lover -- not a cream top one.
I wouldn't say this place is for the coffee-serious (which is why I give it 4 stars out of 5), but they have so many inventive drinks for the sweet drinker. I do appreciate the variety of snacks and drinks they have here -- I am gluten free, so it's nice to have access to chips and not just gluten-full baked goods I can't eat, which most shops are known for.
PARKING: 4/5
I mean... it could be worse. You're in an industrial part of town right next to the freeway, they couldn't exactly plan for a parking lot of their own here when building. [There IS a parking lot, but it's for people shopping for plants.]
Parking is along the front of the warehouse and in the street perpendicular to it. If it's REALLY crazy, you can keep going down the street the warehouse is on and find parking down there. I've never had an issue with parking, but I come on Friday afternoons when the PLNU students etc. are likely not here.
4/5 for me. It's rare to find a place like this anywhere (just don't come expecting the best third wave coffee). Come enjoy a rare oasis of greenery and sweet drinks right near the water. And if you're feeling really inspired, head on down to Sunset Cliffs a few miles down to close out the night with an unforgettable view read more