Artisan, crafted, organic, fair-trade options

Coffee is the morning go-to-choice for over 50 percent of Americans. That translates to a whopping 400 million cups of coffee a day in the US.

Be an educated consumer and make your coffee choices from sources that have sustainable production, don’t exploit coffee farmers, offers fair trade certification, is organic, and ethical. Here’s to a great cup of coffee.

Monterey County

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[tab title=”Carmel”]

Carmel

Bagel Bakery
Fresh, locally made bagels served with certified coffee.
539 Carmel Rancho Blvd, Carmel (831) 625-5180
❖ Organic and Fair Trade options

Carmel Bakery & Coffee House
Picturesque little cafe with an outdoor patio offering organic coffees and loose leaf teas.
Ocean Ave between Dolores and Lincoln, Carmel (831) 626-8885

Carmel Belle
Counter-serve cafe offering gourmet coffee and locally-sourced fare. Cafe Au Lait, Cold Brew, Espresso, Macciato, Americano, Iced americano, Latte, Iced Latte, Cappucino, Hot Chocolate and house made Chai Latte.
San Carlos St at Ocean Ave, Carmel (831) 624-1600
❖ All organic, locally roasted coffee and organic milk & cream

Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Company
Offering locally roasted, sustainably sourced, Fair Trade, Organic and certified premium coffees.
Ocean Ave between Lincoln and Monte Verde (831) 626-2913
3720 The Barnyard (831) 620-0844
246 Crossroads Blvd (831) 626-8784
❖ Organic

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[tab title=”Carmel Valley”]

Carmel Valley

Earthbound Farm Stand & Cafe
7250 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley (831) 625-6219

The Wild Goose Bakery Cafe
18 E Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley (831) 659-5052

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[tab title=”Marina, Sand City & Seaside”]

Marina

Coffee Mia Brew Bar & Cafe
Family and dog-friendly cafe with fresh drip coffee, pastries, panini and free WiFi.
250 Reservation Rd, Marina (831) 384-0148

Sand City

Bagel Bakery
Fresh, locally made bagels served with certified coffee.
2160 California Ave, Sand City (831) 392-1581
❖ Organic and Fair Trade options

Seaside

Counterpoint Coffee
565 Broadway Ave, Seasdie (831) 586-5888

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[tab title=”Monterey”]

Monterey

Bagel Bakery
Fresh, locally made bagels served with certified coffee.
452 Alvarado St, Monterey (831) 372-5242
❖ Organic and Fair Trade options

Cafe Lumiere
A modern cafe with locally roasted coffee with local and organic fare.
365 Calle Principal, Downtown Monterey (831) 920-2451

Captain + Stoker
Single origin coffee, espresso and seasonal cafe bites in tech-free quarters with a cycling decor.
398 E. Franklin, Monterey (831)

East Village Coffee Lounge
Coffeehouse and community hangout with frequent poetry readings, jam sessions and beer on the menu
498 Washington St, Monterey (831) 373-5601
❖ Organic coffee

Plumes Coffee House
The oldest coffee shop in Monterey, Plumes offers slow-drip coffee by the cup with 35 different kinds of Fair Trade organic roasts and all of the teas are organic.
400 Alvarado St, Monterey (831) 373-4526
❖ Organic coffee & tea

Studio Cafe
Funky hangout for locally roasted coffee, 40 teas and infusions, gluten-free baked goods, snacks and artisanal ice cream. Outdoor patio.
774 Wave St, inside Wave St Studios, Monterey (831) 655-2033

Tidal Coffee
Craft coffee drinks, baked goods and snacks in a hotel cafe with bay views.
400 Cannery Row, Monterey

Water & Leaves
An open air cafe on the wharf with a bakery for breakfast or light lunch.
95 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey

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[tab title=”Moss Landing”]

Moss Landing

Surf City Coffee
Certified organic, water processed decap. Coffee club and online ordering. Three independently owned locations.
7990-C Highway One (831) 632-2077

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[tab title=”Pacific Grove”]

Pacific Grove

Bagel Bakery
Fresh, locally made bagels served with certified coffee.
130 Country Club Gate Center, Pacific Grove
❖ Organic and Fair Trade options

Bookworks
Coffee house and book shop serving organic coffee and tea and house-made treats.
667 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove (831) 373-2242
❖ Organic coffee & tea

Crema
Busy local coffee shop offering espresso, tea and gourmet fare. Outdoor dining, espresso bar, cocktails, breakfast and lunch.
481 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove (831) 324-0347

Happy Girl Kitchen
Chic coffee bar and bakery offering breakfast and light fare with a shop with artisanal jams and pickles.
173 Central Ave, Pacific Grove (831) 373-4475
❖ Organic

Pavel’s Backerei
Quaint daytime counter-serve bakery and coffee shop–fresh pastries, bread and rolls made daily.
219 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove (831) 643-2636

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[tab title=”Salinas”]

Salinas

Bagel Bakery
Fresh, locally made bagels served with certified coffee.
969 W. Alisal St, Salinas (831) 758-0280
1257 N. Davis Rd, Salinas (831) 757-9933
❖ Organic and Fair Trade options

Castle Rock Coffee & Mercantile
Coffee and gift shop offing local curated goods from farm to table in the heart of Steinbeck country.
667 Hwy 68, Corral de Tierra, Salinas (831) 998-7187

Cherry Bean Gourmet Coffeehouse & Roastery
Coffee shop and roastery offering coffee, espresso, organic tea and pastries. Roasted art and sidewalk tables.
332 Main St, Salinas (831) 424-1981
❖ Organic options

Viva Espresso Organics
Great selection of Fair Trade Organic coffee and tea.
1552 N Main St. Salinas (831) 442-8846
❖ Organic

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Santa Cruz County

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[tab title=”Aptos”]

Aptos

Cat & Cloud Coffee
10 Parade St, Aptos

Companion Bakeshop
Serves Cat & Cloud coffee and rustic breads, pastries and pies.
7486 Soquel Dr, Aptos (831) 612-6655
❖ Organic when available

Norma Jean’s Coffee
8043 Soquel Dr, Aptos (831) 685-1236

Pacific Coffee Roasting Company & Cafe
Opens 6am
7554 Soquel Dr, Aptos (831) 685-2520

Surf City Coffee
Certified organic, water-processed decaf. Coffee club and online ordering.
9105 Soquel Dr (831) 684-0100

The Farm Bakery Cafe & Gifts
Originally set in a farmhouse in Soquel, the location now offers locally famous home style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Enjoy a fresh pastry with Cat & Cloud coffee, fruit tarts, pastries and more.
Hours: 8am to 4pm, open daily
6790 Soquel Dr (831) 684-0266
❖ Beyond Burger and veggie burgers offered
❖ Certified humane eggs from Glaum

[/tab] [tab title=”Capitola & Soquel”]

Capitola

Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria
All-day grab-&-go or sit and stay, cafe and bakery with a lengthy menu of sandwiches, salads, housemade baked goods & more.
504 Bay Ave, Capitola

The Daily Grind Santa Cruz
115 San Jose Ave (831) 854-2655

Calypso’s Cove
Organic, Fair-trade coffee and teas, family owned, fresh pastries, sandwiches.
311 Capitola Ave., Capitola (831) 477-9363

Mr. Toots
All organic coffee, tea and snacks. Balcony with beach views, lots of personality.
231 Esplanade (831) 475-3679

Zizzo’s Coffeehouse & Wine Bar
Italian coffeehouse
Coffee shop by day, wine bar by night. Small plates and piano music. Bread and pastries fresh daily, handmade sandwiches and breakfast wraps.
3555 Clares St, Capitola (831) 477-0680
Locally owned

Soquel

The Ugly Mug Coffeehouse
Hours: 7am-2pm
4640 Soquel Dr, Soquel (83) 477-1341

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Santa Cruz Downtown

11th Hour Coffee Shop
1001 Center St, Santa Cruz (831) 322-4599

Cat & Cloud Coffee
In Abbott Square, 725 Front St, Santa Cruz

Firefly Coffee
Hangout with craft organic coffee drinks, chai and baked goods including fresh, house-made bagels and sweets. Organic coffee.
131 Front St, Santa Cruz

Hidden Peak Teahouse
1541-C Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz (831) 423-4200

Jake’s Coffee Bar
Outdoor seating, great for quick bites and fast service.
46 Front St (831) 824-4860

Java Cruz Coffee Shop
920 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

Lulu Carpenter’s
Artisan coffee, pastries, lunch and brunch service in a vintage building.
1545 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting
Coffee shop with small batch artisanal blends. Fair trade and organic options. Chemical-free decaf process.
1330 Pacific Ave. (831) 459-0100

Sentinel Cafe
877 Cedar St, Santa Cruz (831) 459-6301

Verve
Sustainable coffee, roasters and gathering places. Four locations:
1540 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz (831) 600-7784

[/tab] [tab title=”Santa Cruz Eastside”]

Santa Cruz Eastside

Cat & Cloud Coffee
3600 Portola, Santa Cruz

Coffeetopia
Internet cafe with gourmet coffees, organic Italian-style espresso, chai, teas and Mate. Free wi-fi, fresh baked goods, bagels, art exhibits and more.
1443 Capitola Rd, Santa Cruz (831) 427-7181
3701 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz (831) 477-1940
❖ Family owned
❖ Organic coffee

Coffeeville
Organic and fair trade options, outdoor patio. Open 7 days.
533 Ocean St. (831) 226-2162

Java Junction Coffee House
Fair trade and organic. Online ordering
519 Seabright Ave (831) 423-5882
580 River St (831) 426-2128

Moon Dog Cafe
Quick bites and fast service.
172 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz

People’s Coffee
1200 17th Ave (831) 464-2739

Verve
Sustainable coffee, roasters and gathering places.
Pleasure Point: 816 41st Ave (831) 475-7776
Seabright: 104 Bronson (831) 471-8469

[/tab] [tab title=”Santa Cruz Westside”]

Santa Cruz Westside

Cat & Cloud Coffee
719 Swift St, Santa Cruz

Coffeetopia
Internet cafe with gourmet coffees, organic Italian-style espresso, chai, teas and Mate. Free wi-fi, fresh baked goods, bagels, art exhibits and more.
1723 Mission St, Santa Cruz (831) 425-6583
❖ Family owned
❖ Organic coffee

Companion Bakeshop
Sourdough breads and pastries in a casual setting.
7341 Mission St, Santa Cruz

Java Junction Coffee House
Fair trade and organic. Online ordering
580 River St (Gateway Plaza), Santa Cruz (831) 426-2128

Westside Coffee Company
849 Almar Ave (831) 427-1300

The Abbey Coffee Lounge
Hangout with coffee and pastries with local art and occasional live music.
350 Mission St, Santa Cruz

Verve
Sustainable coffee, roasters and gathering places.
1010 Fair Ave (831) 431-6547

[/tab] [tab title=”Santa Cruz Mountains & Scotts Valley”]

Santa Cruz Mountains

Mountain Roastings
6263 Graham Hill Rd, Felton (831) 335-9702

Coffee Nine
9505 Hwy 9, Ben Lomond (831) 336-4521

Scotts Valley

Surf City Coffee
Certified organic, water-processes decaf. Coffee club and online ordering.
6006 La Madrona (831) 430-9112

Coffee Cat
255 Mt. Herman Rd, Scotts Valley (831) 439-0700

House of Bagels
216 Mount Herman Rd, Scotts Valley (831) 438-8280

Soul Sweets The Tea House
11 Camp Evers Lane, Scotts Valley

[/tab] [tab title=”Watsonville”]

Watsonville

Blossom’s Farmstore & Coffeeshop
2904 Freedom Blvd (831)319-4048

Coffeeville
Single origin coffees, roasted in small batches. Local family owned and operated.
948 E Lake Ave, Watsonville

Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting
Organic coffee shop, online ordering, open Monday to Saturday 6:30-3:30pm
125 Hangar Way, Watsonville (831) 228-1400

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Coffee Roasters & supplies

Acme Coffee Roasting
485 Palm, Seaside (831) 393-9113

Alta Organic Coffee & Tea
Locally roasted in Davenport. Available in local cafes, markets and online.
Santa Cruz (831) 427-3373

North Coast Coffee Roasting
100% organic and fair trade coffee. Available in local markets and online ordering.
(831) 476-2233
Certified organic

Image: Pexels “Cup of Coffee“

Eco-guide to living lighter

Organic, fair trade coffee & tea

Organic, fair trade coffee & tea

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