As much as I like my home, I occasionally need some fresh air, delicious coffee, and a different environment to actually get my laptop work done.
In my college days, I used to study in my apartment or dorm, libraries, and study rooms, but my favorite and most efficient was going to cafes. I don’t know why exactly, but the calm atmosphere of a small coffee shop with a little sprinkle of people chatting and moving around created the most perfect balance to keep my mind focused on my work.
I always had 2-3 go-to places when I was a student, and now, having more remote work, I’m on the hunt for my new favorite place in LA. More specifically, I’m talking about places in the South Bay.
The South Bay in general includes areas like El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and Torrance. Although I know this area fairly well (I mean, I did live here until the end of high school), exploring it as an adult has been a fresh new experience for me.
I’ve been loving trying out new restaurants, shops and cafes, and of course, I will be sharing my favorite finds in the area to keep you in the loop as well!
There are some things I look for when choosing a coffee shop to go to for studying or working.
1. Medium sized space
The first thing I look at is how big the actual cafe is. I like a medium sized space of about 40-50 seats available. Ok, when I actually put it in to numbers, it sounds a little much. BUT I’ve been to places that are mostly takeout and only have a few seats, and I just feel a little uncomfortable sitting there for a couple hours alone working on my laptop.
On the other hand, when I go to really big cafes or restaurants, there’s usually way too much noise and it gets overwhelming. 40-50 seats is usually a good amount of people for it to not be dead quiet, but not too big of a space that you can still concentrate. It also means that regardless of the day or time, there will probably be some seats open.
2. Outlet and wifi
This is a MUST for obvious reasons. If you’re gonna be somewhere for a few hours, you’d want it to be somewhere that you know can keep all of your electronics charged. Granted, this is dependent on where you sit and how crowded it is, but somewhere with 0 outlets for customers to use is a no go for me.
Good connection is also essential for a study/work space, to not slow you down and allow you to keep working without interruptions. There’s nothing worse than finally getting in the rhythm and being able to get things down, and then CRASH there goes all of your momentum, just because the wifi expired or got disconnected.
3. Good drinks
The fun bit! I like when a place has a good amount of variety at a reasonable price, but as a daily coffee drinker, I also need somewhere that actually has a good base of coffee/espresso. This is also why I stopped going to places like Starbucks, because as much as I like the festive drinks, the coffee itself is nothing amazing.
I have included my favorite drink from each place below, but that’s just my preference and I encourage you to try other beverages if you decide to go!
Another thing I try to do is going to more independent cafes, rather than big chain coffee shops. One, because I want to support smaller businesses as much as I can, and two because the vibe is just plain better.
Without further ado, here are my top 5 coffee shops to get work done in the South Bay recently:
1. Caffe Bene
Location: 1555 Sepulveda Blvd, Torrance
Hours: 9:00am – 10:00pm
My go-to caffeine boost: Iced Chai Latte
Why I like it: While most cafes close at around 5pm, Caffe Bene is open until 10pm, which makes this place a great choice for those who have other things going on during the day. There are lots of seats and tables, and the atmosphere is just perfect to get work done. This includes the music which is usually lofi or classical, and the fact that most of the people there are studying or working. Every time I’ve been there, I’ve been able to get in a work mode really quickly. The wifi is free and the connectivity is fairly strong, so I had no problems with it. The wifi password is on the receipt though, so make sure you get the receipt if you’re planning on using the wifi.
What could be better: I must admit the price of the beverage is a little high for what you get, but since most people are there for longer hours, I guess it kind of balances out.
2. Smoking Tiger
Location: 15435 S Western Ave, Gardena
Hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm
My go-to caffeine boost: Banana Milk Latte
Why I like it: This place is weirdly not on Apple Maps but definitely exists. The layout of the cafe is open but not distracting, and since a lot of people are there to get work done, it’s not too loud either. The wifi is free and there are a few outlets if you choose the right seats. Smoking Tiger also has Korean inspired drinks like the Banana Milk Latte that not a lot of coffee shops have. I have yet to try other drinks there, but my friends have loved the seasonal drinks they come up with every few months.
What could be better: The parking is a bit tough, because it’s in a strip mall and a lot of the spaces are labeled 20-30 min. It also closes at 5pm, which means I can’t go when I have other commitments.
3. The Boy and The Bear
Location: 350 N. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach
Hours: 7:00am-4:00pm
My go-to caffeine boost: Latte
Why I like it: This place has such a cool upscale vibe. It’s also a coffee roaster so the drinks there are top notch. The seating is limited so you have to pick a time that isn’t too busy, but the couches are comfy and great for working or just chatting with friends. Free wifi, street parking.
What could be better: The matcha latte is not the best, so if you go there, I recommend getting any of their coffee based drinks. Again, the seating is also limited so there are times when you can’t find a place to sit which defeats the whole purpose of going there in the first place. It also closes at 4:00pm so great for during the day but not for those trying to go later in the day.
4. Nook Coffee Bar
Location: 980 W 190th St, Torrance
Hours: 7:00am – 6:00pm
My go-to caffeine boost: Honey Oat Latte
Why I like it: The Nook Coffee Bar is located within a plaza, and has lots of outdoor seating with free wifi. The honey oat latte is incredible and comes at a fair price. They also have lots of other drinks aside from coffee, like matcha and tonics. This place has become one of my favorites and I will be going back there soon!
What could be better: There’s limited indoor seating, so if the weather is not great, it may not be your best choice to work. It also gets very crowded on the weekends, so if you want to get work done, go during the weekday.
5. Blue Butterfly Coffee
Location: 351 Main St, El Segundo
Hours: 6:00am – 7:00pm
My go-to caffeine boost: Spanish Latte
Why I like it: This place is a local mom and pop shop that has been a part of the El Segundo community for over 20 years. It’s a great vibe and they have a wide selection of specialty drinks as well as food! Everyone there is super nice and I definitely feel a sense of home when I’m here.
What could be better: It’s always a bit crowded and there are less than 10 tables, so it’s hard to grab a seat when you go during busier hours. There’s also people walking in and out constantly, so if noise and commotion is distracting, this may not be the place for you.
I will never get tired of trying out new places and exploring my own backyard, while getting work done in the process. I haven’t even scratched the surface of amazing coffee shops in the area, so stay tuned for more!
If you have any suggestions of places to try, leave it in the comments below! And if you go to any of these coffee shops, let me know your thoughts!
With love,
Your Caffeinated Friend
