I'm heading to San Diego for 2 nights for a cycling event before taking the train to LA for 2 more nights to travel around.

in that short time frame, where are some good cafes that I should stop by and maybe buy a bag or two of coffee to take back home?

Thanks!

If you can make it all the way over to Little Osaka in West LA, you should pay a visit to Balconi on Olympic just west of Sawtelle. I'm not sure when Ray (the owner) is on bar, but he has one of the best palates I've ever encountered, and if says a flavor is in one of his siphon brewed cups, it is and it's wonderful.

Any of the G&B shops are coffee destinations.

I also like Taza because they have the best pastries.

Any of the Cognoscenti locations are a good bet too, although I like their cart inside of Good Girl Dinette because Jack is a friend and a really dedicated barista. Plus he has a Modbar and an EK rebuilt by me.

Copa Vita is also worth a visit as they have a cool fast/slow bar concept

There's a lot of coffee here...

Too many for me to keep track of any more, but here is a good list with maps: http://la.eater.com/archives/2014/01/21 ... r_2014.php.

I live in Orange County so I don't know much about coffee shops in San Diego but I've heard good things Bird Rock Coffee Roasters. They won micro roaster of the year in 2012. http://birdrockcoffee.com

Orange County:
Kean Coffee in Newport and Tustin. http://keancoffee.com
Portola Coffee Lab in Costa Mesa. http://www.portolacoffeelab.com

Los Angeles:
Klatch Coffee in San Dimas, LAX and couple other places. http://www.klatchroasting.com
Demitasse Cafe in Little Tokyo and Santa Monica. http://cafedemitasse.com
LAMILL Coffee in LA. http://lamillcoffee.com
Cafe Luxxe in LA and Santa Monica. http://www.caffeluxxe.com

I'm sure I'm missing many of great ones but these are the ones that come to my mind for coffee roasters in LA/OC. Great places to grab a bag of beans.

I found this thread by using google search with key words San Diego espresso, and homebarista

Recommendations for coffee bars/roasters in San Diego?

So many it's hard to say. Already some good recommendations. I would check out bar nine in culver city. Since Handsome is no more the top LA roaster title is up for grabs, and Bar nine roasts a good coffee. They have a cool space and they're nice people.

Most of what everyone has already said is good too.

Bar nine is good. That mod bar is something else..

Also in the vicinity are Cognoscenti (better) and The Conservatory for Coffee Tea & Cocoa (best--happens to be my favorite coffee spot in LA). I live within walking distance to no less than 5 coffee shops including Handsome (yes they are still their the name hasn't changed nor the coffee) and Stumptown. The coffee is great but the atmosphere isn't relaxing.

Handsome changed over to blue bottle last week. The signage, the coffee, everything but the staff and the building.

I think that the two places not to miss in San Diego are:

Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
5627 La Jolla Blvd.
La Jolla, CA
Chuck Patton is a great guy who sources and provides wonderful coffees

Zumbar Coffee (note that the sign in front just says "Coffee", or something like that; it does not say "Zumbar")
10920 Roselle St.
San Diego, 92121
A wonderful tiny shop. I use their Hummingbird as my go to espresso.

Enjoy yourself,
Mark

When we fly into LAX, we always hit up Green Roast Coffee in Redondo on our way to San Diego. Little hole in the wall with awesome coffee, roast there. Have had excellent espresso and pour over there.

Been to Better Buzz Lab in Mission Beach as well which was good too. In addition to ones mentioned in this thread like Birdrock

And if you like beer it's manadatory you hit up Stone and Coronado breweries