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    The Template

    4.6 (189 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order The Template Takeout or Delivery

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    Business Info

    THE TEMPLATE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Template

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    siri g.

    This is your classic OB café, and I mean that in the best possible way. The staff is incredibly warm and welcoming, and the space itself is super cozy, instantly making you feel right at home. There are tables set up for studying or working, along with comfy cushion-style seating that's perfect for relaxing and hanging out. It really feels like a community-focused spot, great for group meetups and they even have a small podium stage, which adds to the charm and makes it feel like a hub for local events. I ordered a croissant and a latte, and both were delicious. Highly recommend this place, and I'll definitely be back.

    Chris F.

    I stopped by after having lunch nearby. The shop has a very unique and funky vibe. I ordered the large cacaoffee which came out to a little over $9 after tip. The coffee had good flavor and a hint of spice which I thought was interesting. I would probably try a different drink if I stopped by again.

    Melissa S.

    Such a vibey and spacious coffee shop! It was a nice day to check out the beach but also had to get work in. Love that they have lots of seating for one to work, read or chill with friends. I had their indie elixir, so good. Love that they have yerba mate on draft. It's also so close to the beach if you want to hit it after.

    Inside
    Ryan F.

    Needed a quick coffee and stumbled into this quirky shop. So many things to look at while you're waiting. I got the salted caramel ice latte and hit the spot. The person working behind the bar was very friendly and informative about their menu. Will be back to check out more unique drinks

    HIBISCUS KISS
    Jiansen W.

    The Template is a cafe serving up a different experience here with music, classic/on tap/steeped caffeination, fancy schmancy lattes, groovy libations, elixirs, kava, and pastries and tasties. AMBIANCE Hipster, eclectic, psychedlic. Jesus Gonzalez and Shanti Vibrations played music reminiscent of folk rock with the improvisations of jazz. SERVICE Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable. Patrons order at the counter, and staff bring orders to table. DRINKS 5/5 Rose Cardamom: Rose syrup, cardamom, 2xEspresso, whole milk 4.5/5 Hibiscus Kiss: hibiscus tea, rose syrup, agave. Initially too sweet for me but over time the melted ice helped dilute the concentration. PARKING Street-side and lot

    Kaloni S.

    My friend and I were looking for a new cafe to try and stumbled upon this one. The pictures on yelp looked a lot different than the cafe itself. We personally didn't want to sit inside and drink/eat because it felt dirty and crowded with furniture. The staff were nice and made our drinks quickly. When we went the espresso machine was broken so we couldn't order any lattes. I wouldn't personally come back here. There are lots of other cafes out there. Food/drink review: Matcha: (2/5) I had high hopes when she was mixing the matcha, but once she poured it over ice it was literally all milk. I wouldn't order again. I actually threw more than half away. Bagel: (3/5) Plain bagel with cream cheese. The bagel tasted old and dry. I also couldn't finish it.

    12 oz latte
    Sam C.

    Good strong coffee with lots of space to hang out and chill with your drink. The restroom is dark and the lighting changes mood colors to give off an Alice in Wonderland trippy dream vibe.

    Cozy interior
    Brian B.

    I love this place so much! I popped in here to read my book and enjoy some coffee and it was amazing. As other reviews have said, ECLECTIC is a great way to describe this place. The decor, furniture and vibes are fun, unique, and creative. It's such a fun spot to hang out. Today is my first time but I will definitely be back! Service was great and I like the option to pay for a coffee refill at a cheaper price. You just don't see that everywhere I have been reading a new book on one of the couches here for over an hour and have been really enjoying my Saturday afternoon! Apparently they also live open mic and live music throughout the week so I plan on returning for that as well :)

    Dance floor, lights
    Tysheena J.

    The Template was the perfect venue for my Bratz themed 30th birthday party last weekend! The vibes were absolutely immaculate and that night was a dream come true! Parking can be a little scarce since it's near OB but that's like anywhere in SD--just keep circling the block and something will eventually pop up or use the lot next door. I can't help but thank Marie enough for helping me plan and prepare for the party. I chose to have a cash bar which made having to bring my own drinks in less complicated. MJ, the bartender that night, was amazing and mixed up some delicious cocktails for us! Micah ensured the lights and music were a constant the entire night by setting the perfect mood for us. If you want to dance the night away in the coolest cafe turned event space in San Diego, I highly recommend you book The Template for your next event!

    The Template is the most artistic cafe in San Diego. Love the eclectic vibe and drinks are fantastic and reasonably priced. Definitely check it out if you are in OB!

    Alyssa C.

    I really loved this place and during my visit to OB I walked over to this coffee shop every morning despite walking past a few others. SO FUNKY. I love the open-front concept and eclectic decor and comfy seats and polite service and light music. It was lovely. The salted maple iced latte was my daily favorite - so freaking good. The name of this coffee shop is applicable - it should be the 'template' for many other coffee shops that want awesome coffee and a chill environment. Also - GLUTEN FREE MUFFINS!!!!!! As a celiac I was ECSTATIC... and warmed up they were incredibly fluffy and moist - far better than I expected them to be since they can be difficult to get right even with the correct 'flour'.

    Cortado
    Jack M.

    This place is the embodiment of eclecticism. Not that there's anything wrong with that. For reals though, the furniture and decorations at this place are all over the place. On a good note, the young lady working the shop knows how to make a very good cortado. It was well, balanced, and smooth. I wanted to get something to munch on with my cortado, but they only had pasteries, and they looked like they had seen better days, so I passed. The place offers a lot of inside seating, some front seating, and plenty of outside seating. Service was no frills but friendly.

    Deanne L.

    Loved my first visit at the Template! Went for coffee on a whim around lunch and picked the closest shop. Walking in, there was an audience watching live entertainment, which I'm a sucker for. Ordered the Honey Pie latte which is honey and cinnamon. It was perfect, I loved the flavor and it woke me up. After receiving our drinks, we took a seat to enjoy the entertainment for a little while. Loved the energy of the whole shop and employees are friendly. Surprisingly very big shop with so many things to look at with their unique decor. My new go-to when in OB

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    Love the vibe at the template. Art, music, and good coffee. Their staff is also really nice, Gracie was the sweetest!

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - The Template

    Review Highlights - The Template

    Feel-good and Kava drinks, (get them made with oat milk), which makes this place better than your standard java joint.

    Mentioned in 12 reviews

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    Yard and Sea

    Yard and Sea

    5.0(8 reviews)
    3.5 miPacific Beach

    We celebrated our twins Bnei Mitzvah at Yard & Sea and had such a great experience! Jay and his…read moreteam were extremely responsive and helpful. The whole experience was seamless and made our time that much more enjoyable! Would highly recommend for any event!

    We truly cannot say enough great things about Yard & Sea as an event venue!…read more We hosted our 20-year high school reunion here, and from the very first interaction, Jay went above and beyond as a venue host. He made our site visit seamless, and once we booked, the level of support exceeded all expectations. The pricing is incredibly reasonable--especially compared to other venues--and Yard & Sea includes so much like tables, linens, chairs, etc. It is flexible, customizable, and works for a range of budgets and needs. The vendors they work with are top-notch. We received tons of compliments on the tacos and the photo booth was a huge hit. (This wasn't your average setup--it was a high-end experience where you can customize the photo strip design, pick your backdrop, and choose from options like GIFs, photo series, and more!) The space itself is open concept, essentially a blank canvas with tons of potential for decor, and perfectly located in the heart of Pacific Beach. The reserved parking lot was a huge bonus, and Jay let us in as early as noon to set up--and even allowed us to store things overnight for next-day pickup. The setup and breakdown team worked fast and efficiently, and they were incredibly friendly and helpful before/after the event. Between the location, pricing, flexibility, and overall vibe, Yard & Sea was the perfect venue for our reunion. It felt like an elevated house party in the best possible way, and we're so glad we found it!

    Photos
    Yard and Sea
    Yard and Sea
    Yard and Sea

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    Tower Beach Club - Boat rental next to the club

    Tower Beach Club

    4.5(82 reviews)
    2.7 mi

    As the owner of Molly Shakes It Up Bartending Services, I've worked at countless venues--and Tower…read moreBeach Club is one of my absolute favorites! Located right on the water in beautiful Mission Bay, it offers a rare mix of indoor and outdoor space with stunning views and a relaxed, beachy vibe that's perfect for weddings, receptions, and large celebrations. What sets Tower Beach Club apart is not just its location, but how user-friendly it is. You can bring in your own vendors (like me!), which gives clients more flexibility and control over their event. It's truly just a beautiful, open canvas of a venue. The built-in bar is spacious and perfect for bartending services, and there's ample room for setups of all sizes. Another huge plus: parking! The large lot makes it incredibly convenient for guests and vendors alike--something you don't find at many venues in San Diego. The owners are also fantastic to work with--responsive, accommodating, and professional. If you're looking for a venue that's scenic, versatile, and vendor-friendly, I highly recommend Tower Beach Club. It's always a pleasure to work there, and my clients love it just as much as I do. Who wouldn't enjoy this scenery?! Molly @mollyshakesitup

    Fluid Bartenders has been providing Amazing bar service at the Tower Beach Club going back to 2017,…read moreTower Beach Club's venue is perfectly set-up for weddings, corporate events, celebrations of life, fundraisers, or your next event! The venue's indoor and its outdoor spaces you cannot beat in SD! As for us -Fluid Bartender's, it is hard to find a venue with a built-in bar with a view of the waterfront in Mission Bay! Just one of the rewards of the job working at this location! And the Guests love it! Stephan and his staff at Tower Club are very approachable, hands-on, and proactive with all their guests and vendors! Having an extensive hotel background, this is a MUST when you are planning your next Special Event when all the details matter! Cheers to your next Special Day or your next Event at Tower Beach Club! Keith Mooney Fluid Bartenders

    Photos
    Tower Beach Club - Outside area

    Outside area

    Tower Beach Club - Inside

    Inside

    Tower Beach Club - Deck

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    Deck

    Tower 23 - Not for swimming but looks very cool on their patio.

    Tower 23

    4.0(402 reviews)
    3.5 miPacific Beach
    $$$

    We have a 4 and 6 year old and we appreciated the surprise extra touches that made the experience…read morethat much more memorable for them. Upon arrival, we were welcomed with little fidget toys as we got out of our car. When we went to our room, there was a little goodie bag for each of them with actual items that they used the entire trip! As we were about to leave, they both got a cute little squishmallow-like toy to hug on their car ride back home. Aside from the thoughtful touches for the kids, the staff was friendly and I appreciated the spacious room and cleanliness. It was a great location and we all really enjoyed our stay. It was a bit pricier, but worth it.

    I stopped by the pool bar expecting a quick, simple experience while I attended a mixer , but it…read moreended up being more frustrating than it should have been. I was just trying to grab a single mixer, yet it took way longer than expected because there didn't seem to be any clear system for serving people. It also didn't help that most people were ordering canned cocktails--which should have kept things moving--but the line still felt disorganized. On top of that, people were cutting in line without any staff stepping in, which made the wait even more irritating. What really stood out was the lack of water availability upstairs. When I asked about it, the bartender gave a vague explanation about water not being allowed upstairs, which honestly didn't make much sense. I get that there may be policies, but offering bottled water for purchase seems like a simple fix--and that wasn't an option either. Overall, it's a decent spot if you're just looking to grab a drink and hang by the pool, and the vibe itself is nice. That said, I want to stay fair--this is just my experience, and I'm sharing it so others know what to expect. Since it's part of a hotel, it does feel like guests may be prioritized, so if you're not staying there, just be prepared for a potentially slower, less organized experience.

    Photos
    Tower 23 - Violet with her Birthday Blackberry Cheesecake

    Violet with her Birthday Blackberry Cheesecake

    Tower 23 - Tower23 Wedding.

    Tower23 Wedding.

    Tower 23 - JRDN Wedding Cake.

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    JRDN Wedding Cake.

    VENUES Liberty Station

    VENUES Liberty Station

    4.7(60 reviews)
    2.3 miLiberty Station, Point Loma

    I had my wedding ceremony and reception at NTC Venues this past October and couldn't have been…read morehappier with my decision to book with them. My late afternoon reception was held in the grassy, palm tree-lined section of Luce Court & Legacy Plaza, cocktail hour was in the patio area of McMillin Companies Event Center, and the dinner recption was inside McMillin. My top criteria in selecting a venue was 1) the capacity to nail both ceremony and reception without relocation 2) budget, and 3) a uniquely San Diego feel... NTC Venues satisfied all three easily. The clean, polished look of both indoor and outdoor venues offer a perfect canvas for whatever theme/decor you choose to create. And if you cringe at the idea of multi-venue weddings (like me), NTC is a great place to have your ceremony, reception, and pre- and post-wedding photos without the inconvenience of traveling to different locations. Less travel means you have more time to kick back and actually enjoy your party! :) The Event Sales Manager, Rebecca Duckworth, was definitely one of the most pleasant vendor reps I had the pleasure of meeting and working with! On top of her warm, sweet personality, she was very professional, generously accommodating of our needs, and responded promptly and thoroughly to any and all emails.

    Attended a wedding reception here. This event center is located in beautiful Point Loma in the old…read moreNaval Training Center. The grounds are beautiful and are now filled with various business establishments. A definite plus is that there is ample (FREE) parking, and that there are parking lots that are close in proximity to avoid walking a distance. A beautiful fountain and backdrop centers the promenade for some great pics as the sun sets. The reception was well attended with about 300 people. When you're Filipino, it's definitely a PARTY!!! The food was OK as they served 2 different salads, bread, 2 pastas and beef. I was most impressed with the pasta dishes. The tortellini was my fave. The beef was a bit on the dry side. The facility is a bit dated, but it does serve the purpose of holding a grand event. A concern that needs to be addressed is the issue of plugs, cords and outlets. Although the cords were taped to the ground, there were some cords that were clearly sticking up from the floor in the middle of the pathway. One lola actually tripped and fell landing on her kneecaps. OUCH!!!

    Photos
    VENUES Liberty Station
    VENUES Liberty Station
    VENUES Liberty Station - Ingram Plaza

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    Ingram Plaza

    The Template - coffee - Updated May 2026

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