Stopped in on our way to Strawberry Hill. It's a cute little stand right outside in between a general store and a restaurant. Plenty of parking. A nice size menu with just the right about of treats to go with your beverage of choice. Husband ordered a hot mocha with whip and I ordered a hot caramel macchiato. We were both pleased. There was only one lady working behind the counter and not only did she juggle taking orders but she got our drinks out in a jiffy! If you are going to play in the snow or on your way back and need something warm to sip on you should totally stop in! read more

The Serene Bean - It's a cute little walk up. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pinecrest, California

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Another awesome mocha and homemade coffee cake to start my morning!!! These guys make Pinecrest even more magical. Grabbed their signature hoodies for the Fall chill. You gotta check them out!!!! read more

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The Serene Bean is the cherry on top of Pinecrest lake. Waking up and taking a morning walk for coffee and down to the lake are core memories for us. I hope my kids look back on this morning tradition the same way we do read more

Loved finding this coffee/espresso gem a few short steps from Pinecrest Lake! The line is worth the wait. Delicious drink options, super friendly and knowledgeable owners/staff and charming location with half logs to sit on and visit! read more

A must when in Pinecrest! Friendly service and a wide variety of drinks. Matcha latte was my drink of the day on my last visit. Expect long lines on the weekends and during peak times. read more

The Serene Bean - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pinecrest, California

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AMAZING customer service, ambiance is okay, just situated right outside of a store which can get quite busy. The coffee was also surprisingly really good, I got an iced latte with whole milk and it was better than expected. Will be coming back when I'm up at my cabin. read more

The Serene Bean - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pinecrest, California

Their coffee is great....the huge line tells it all.....They have really good breakfast burritos also

This is a summer staple every year for me. Delicious coffee and amazing ambiance. Love to get a drink and walk over to the lake to enjoy the peacefulness! read more

Delicious coffees, Hot tea, Breakfast treats and Friendly service! A must stop when visiting Pinecrest Lake. Everything here is simply good!

Great place for morning coffee or coffee after skiing! Always friendly service and good coffees.

Great customer service!!! The coffee was a perfect temp for drinking and has great flavor.

Love The Serene Bean. They always take great care of us! Friendly and the coffee is the best! I recommend the mocha and what's better than coffee out in the beautiful forest read more

You can get a tasty coffee drink from this family owned kiosk near Pinecrest Lake. Always worth the stop!

Been here years ago cool little spot. Just heard a shout out during the Women's Super-G final. Go team USA!!!

Really love this place - a perfect spot for a coffee in the area and the peppermint mocha is delicious all year round! Friendly people working there makes the visit even sweeter. Really appreciate that they have milk alternatives even for a small spot, and take Apple Pay! I always look forward to going here when I'm in the area. read more

This place is just plain awesome and has been for over 20 years....A soon as we arrive from SantaCruz it is my first stop before even unloading. Even my Parrot loves this place.... read more

Stop by for great coffee drinks. Love the white mocha latte. Check out the bear that stopped on for coffee. Owners are parents of Strawberry US Alpine Ski Team member Keely Cashman. You might catch her behind the counter when she is home. read more

The coffee was... lacking, to say the least. Like Carlla's experience, the coffee was so weak, so basic, it was like drinking a mug of cheap instant coffee. I wish I would have known to listen to that review. I will say this though, they mean well. The person who served me did seem a bit slow, which is all right but I'm pretty sure it was due to a lack of pride in her work. Aside from the darling atmosphere, there isn't much to see. If you're coming here to support a local business, and don't care about the quality of the product you receive, I absolutely would recommend this--but that's not what I came here for. Do better. read more

Awesome location for a little cafe. I hit it up last July while camping and caffeine-withdrawing, and was pleasantly surprised. Today after a wonderful hot cappuccino after a day in the snow on the lake, I decided to give it some props. Cute little wooden shack, friendly service, and surprisingly quick service despite being maybe 10 sq ft and having a number of patrons milling amount. I love that an indie little cafe is surviving up there, without a Starbucks or other cruddy chain. Truth be told, slightly higher cost that normal for some drinks, but definitely of great quality and properly made (I'm a stickler for correct espresso drinks). $3 cappuccino, $3.50 latte read more

The Serene Bean - Love the carved bear on the left - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pinecrest, California

Appreciate this little kiosk for what it is and how fabulously close it is to campgrounds and cabins. They technically accept credit cards but rely on cell service-- and let's be honest, cell service is terrible to non-existent up there, so do yourself and the line a favor and bring cash. (There is an ATM nearby, and you can get cash back if you are shopping at the general store nearby.) And yes, there is often a line even though they move fast, as you'll often see someone leave with a round of coffees. They have nonfat milk, soy milk, some flavored syrups, etc. so you can have a fancy coffee the way you like or just some basic black. Breakfast burritos, oatmeal, cereal, etc. available as well. I can recommend the Mexicali mocha and Heath bar for some specialty drinks personally. In the summer they are open at 6am so you can get your fix as soon as it's light out, around the end of September morning hours change to 8am-6pm for the fall, and as the seasons change, you could expect their operating hours to adjust for the demand. I would tell you to get a cup so they stay in business for all the times I want them, but the steady activity in the morning tells me everyone else would rather have a nice hot coffee made for them as much as I do. Oh, and yes, you can go there in pjs, your hair can be a rat's nest, most everyone else does! Some upgrades to the lake area mean many more nice benches along the shore, so enjoy your coffee even more with the easy walk and great view! read more

The Serene Bean - One fall morning, the caffeinated kiosk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Pinecrest, California

This place is a life saver for good coffee in this area. Good effort from barista and has almond, soy and oat milk options. Pastries are fresh and tasty as well and she is super friendly. read more

For a tiny coffee counter with minimal and not so top of the line coffee making machines, this place sure does hold its own. The people working are always wonderful, helpful and inviting, and the treats they have displayed are mouthwatering! For a little mountain town, I couldn't ask for anything more. They do a spectacular job. read more

Our favorite coffee hangout at Pinecrest. We have been coming to Pinecrest for years and the Serene Bean is the best coffee around. We went to Camp Blue @ the Lair of the Bear for many, many years and can remember when the Serene Bean opened and they had their babies behind the counter (those babies are grown now). Beat coffee around and terrific baristas to make your favorite drink. read more

By far the best little coffee shop up the hill. Always great to get good coffee from friends who rip!

Pinecrest Lake.... my home away from home. I have been coming here ever since I was a baby. My family has a cabin up here, so it's my go-to spot for a weekend of relaxation and rehab from the bay... I still remember coming up one summer and seeing that they had put in this little coffee booth. Within the next few years, it blossomed into the beauty that is now "The Serene Bean". The perfectly cute and uber convenient coffee stand/shop has everything from soy milk (for us lactose-intolerant folks) to smoothies and mini cereal boxes for campers. The barista's are always super friendly and make a mean latte! I love to grab an iced triple soy latte after a jog around the lake in the morning... feels like I am being spoiled. What could be better than living it up with rich, toasty coffee beans, yet being out in the middle of the a beautiful lake, surrounded with trees and nature?! It feels unnatural, but sooo good! I love you Serene Bean, you are a great addition to Pinecrest Lake... thank goodness Starbucks hasn't moved that deep into the mountains! read more

This is a cute little coffee shop with a great looking menu of pastries and such, in a perfect location, right across the street from Pinecrest Campground and right by the lake, but their coffee is just bad. If you are like me and like your coffee strong, or even medium strength, do not waste your money. This was the absolute worst coffee I've ever had. The house coffee, Sumatra, and the other kind they have, were SO watered down it was bad. I purchased a coffee more than once thinking it would be better the next time...NO, not at all. In fact, I think it was worse. I've had coffee at many coffee stands, and coffee shops, and I've never had such a weak and watery cup of coffee. Usually shops tend to make them pretty strong, even too strong. These people seem nice enough, but it's a rip off making coffee so weak and selling it like this. Save your money, unless you like a watered down Cup O' Joe. read more

Saving grace, every morning of our camping trip. They are open early, and are so friendly. Started my day out just right

We come to Pinecrest every year after Labor Day when all the other tourists have left. The Serene Bean is the highlight of our trip! The owner is always friendly and the lattes are so good that we leave the cabin we stay at and boat all the way across the lake at least once a day! We are going back to Pinecrest in a couple weeks and my first stop will be "THE BEAN" Mark read more

Stopped by this coffee stand after a fun day of snow play at the lake. I got an americano-5stars and my husband got a cappucino-4stars and 2 hot chocolates-4 1/2 stars for the kids which they said were not too sweet and were topped with whipped cream. The barista/cashier was friendly and wait time was typical for espresso drinks. read more

The service is great and always willing to help. Ordered a chocolate chip moca and a breakfast burrito both really good. It's also within walking distance of cabins, camp sights, and beach. read more

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Quaint and convenient coffee shop to get you your caffeine fix while camping. I had the mexi-cali mocha, which is a mocha made with Mexican chocolate. It was pretty tasty, and served fresh and hot. Prices were very high, which is to be expected at pinecrest. Service was not friendly the cashier seemed like she didn't want to be there and didn't even offer a thank you upon giving me my change or my drink. read more

Been coming to this campsite for years, even before this little spot was set up. Went for a hike around the lake yesterday morning and finally decided to give this place a try. Had the Mexicali Mocha over ice, very good. $4.75 little pricey for the size. Good thing we got in line when we did, because more people started to come. Ladies behind the counter worked fast and were friendly. Would I try it again, maybe. We have coffee at the campsite, but had to give this a try. read more

This place is our go-to coffee shop spring, summer, fall and winter! We always grab a coffee and take a stroll at the lake. In the summer, campers usually zombie across the street every morning for their beloved cup 'o joe. Being on the younger side, my favorite hot drink is a hot chocolate, and my favorite cold drink is definitely their delicious lemonade. Why go down the slope when you can enjoy the great coffee and the great outdoors at the same time? read more

They are the best. Better than most urban coffee places. Attentive to your order, and during busy summer mornings, they are quick. Wife and husband are dedicated to service, and they make wonderful drinks. Be sure to check out the bear foot print above the counter! They have some unusual customers! read more

Great service, perfect coffee, thank you!! The barista knew exactly how to make my drink.

Always a nice place for some good coffee or a cup of hot apple cider. The owners are top drawer too!

mexicali mochas keep me sane all summer. best place ever. we love u serene bean