7290 Navajo Rd

You will miss this place unless you look! It's tucked away at the foot of a neighborhoody office building. I caught a sign for it at the intersection but completely drove by it after making the turn. Doubling back and recognizing it had to be near the entrance (opposite) to cowles mountain, I found it. It is so adorable I wish I'd found it sooner! Had a really yummy, although a bit pricy at $6, spinach croissant. To accompany it was a delicious green sunshine juice drink thingy. It was .50 more than the croissant. The girl at the counter was very friendly. Music was good (my genre!). Loved being able to sit outside and feel like I was in nature despite being on a busy street. I can just imagine how popular this spot must be on the weekend vs a Friday afternoon at 1pm! Would love to hear how it is at whatever time you check it out.

A few years ago, I wrote a negative review of this place after a couple of subpar, disappointing açaí bowls. Shortly after, I received a personal response from the owner, who explained that he had recently taken over the business and acknowledged some initial challenges. He generously offered me a coupon to return, assuring me that improvements were on the way. I'm happy to report that I took him up on that offer, and since then, I've been a loyal customer. The açaí bowls are now consistently the best I've ever had. A perfect post-hike treat. Thank you for your commitment to quality and for turning things around so beautifully. I'll definitely keep coming back!

literaryyyyy best acai i've had in SD, so mf yum and the workers were so nice. absolutely reasonably priced and they loaded it up it was amazing. 100/10 perhaps a little moser fresh fruit would be nice but other toppings def made up for it got the five peaks with no honey and it was perf

Gone here twice in the morning by 8a as the hours posted are 7:30a but it is closed. Not sure what's happened. First time we went I got the cottage cheese bowl it was great but the second time I got it was missing ingredients, when I asked the cashier said "oh we don't have that" but this wasn't disclosed before I paid for it so I was disappointed. Not sure why happened here but if hours need to be updated please do so for business and train staff in service.

Best açaí bowl I've had out in San Diego by far. Five Peaks Superfood Challenge is an incredible dish. The flavors all work so well together and give you a great boost of energy to start the day. The honeybee latte is just as good, with the robust flavors it's a great way to start off the day. The lavender adds a smooth satisfying taste.

Girl working today was in a terrible mood not the best service... She didn't fully blend the green sunshine smoothie either. It was chunky and sour. I'm guessing she forgot to put in a banana based on how sour it was. Big bummer because this place is a nice cozy spot with good reviews but I won't be returning here. I will definitely never order this smoothie. It looked good in other reviews but mine was an unlucky one I guess.

The first date smoothie was weirdly sour which I was not expecting. The ingredients were bananas, dates, peanut butter, cocoa powder & almond milk. If you're looking for something sweet, I would not get the first date smoothie. The kwaayy paay açaí bowl is pretty good. The ambiance is peaceful and quiet. If you need a quick snack after the hike, this spot is not so bad.

Decided to stop here over the weekend after going hiking. The coffee was pretty good! They have some pretty cool items on their menu, their set up and seating area is cute. Their bowls looked really good but I decided not to try one this time around and just do a coffee. My friend tried their açaí bowl and she said it tasted good she especially liked the topping they used. Will definitely be back

Their date smoothies are bomb!! I order them way too often but they're so good. I suck them down so fast, too. I live about 5 miles away and they always get to me cold and thick. My only complaint is that I wish they had more variety of food items. Avocado toast or a bagel or something would be wonderful.

The 5 peaks is the açaí bowl I've ever had. The peanut butter and generous toppings really complete the bowl. Great service too.

Great customer service paired with great coffee, well I am in! The owner, Cristy if I remember correctly, is super sweet and made me a perfect Cafe au Lait. The coffee was smooth and rich and had great flavor. The kiosk only offers outside seating, and they also make espressos, flavored coffee creations, and a variety of bowls including yogurt bowls. Parking is along the street. They use quality Caffe Calabria coffee products.

Perfect location for a cafe, honestly. Right next to the end of the trail head for that post hike breakfast and coffee! Good acai bowl and a solid americano.

Super convenient location immediately across from Cowles parking lot. Enjoyed coffee and smoothie from here recently after hiking. Both hit the spot and were perfectly timed post exertion. While the vibe is not that of a hipster coffee shop, this gets kudos for the Eli adult and providing a good product. Thanks!

I love coming to this place for an açai bowl after I hike cowles early in the morning. I popped my açai cherry here, and I've been trying some over the county... but my taste buds are still in love with this spot!

I love this little coffee spot! After a hike, this is the perfect place to relax. I tried their hot chai latte which was pretty tasty. They also offer smoothies, acai bowls, and baked goods. Try them out next time you're in the area and support local!

I've come to the conclusion that their bowls tend to be better than their smoothies - and that their prices are actually lower than their nearest "competitor(s)". Keep that in mind the next time you are in the Cowles Mountain area (wanting something to eat or drink).

I went here with my girlfriend on a weekday afternoon, and it wasn't very busy which was nice. The employee was friendly and made the order quickly. We got two iced coffee's and an açai bowl. Everything tasted very good. The only reason I give it four stars is because there are no prices on the menu so it can be a shock when you get the total price $$. I would recommend this place and come back!

The staff is always friendly! The drinks are always delicious! The bowls and baked goods are always great too!

Acai bowl was great! I enjoyed the simplicity of the ingredients and how quick it was made. I would come here again if I'm ever around the area and craving an Acai bowl.

5 stars for the açaí! This was a rich, delicious bowl. I loved the goji berries and cacao and PB in it! But 3 stars for the matcha drink- it was really gross, it sounds refreshing with the mint flavor and all but it might just be poor quality matcha

My sons, and I stopped in here after coming off a hike up Cowles Mountain. We grabbed some bowl açaí bowls. The staff is super friendly. Ambience is nice. Pricing was great. And food was delicious. I would definitely return.

The two of us came here after a Cowles Mountain hike because it was conveniently located and we were looking for refreshing drinks. The acai bowls looked amazing but we decided to get two iced drinks instead. I got the Lavender Latte and my friend got the Dark Chocolate Coconut Mocha. I loved the subtle lavender taste in my latte and it was really refreshing. The coconut mocha was also great, but pretty sweet. They also have amazing service! The woman working here (I think she might have been the owner) was very helpful and also offered us a free tasting cup of the "First Date" smoothie because she had extra from a smoothie she'd made for an order. It was sooo delicious!

I have many food sensitivities so it's very difficult for me to eat out .. they were SO patient and kind, careful in checking all of the ingredients lists and providing me a delicious açaí bowl. Highly recommend :)

We stopped at this place after a hike at Cowles Mountain and the location is perfect for a post-hike pick-me-up. I love that their menu has so many wonderful options, it was hard to chose! I ended up ordering the banana milk cold brew and it was okay, I think I would have enjoyed another drink more. The coffee flavor itself was really great. Definitely recommend stopping here after a morning hike at Cowles Mountain!

Amazing açai bowl!!!! Been looking a perfect one and finally found one! Perfect view and place after hiking also. Nice staff as well as food and drinks. Pets friendly. My barista was Hannah and she made perfect smoothies (too excited to drink so no pictures taken ). They bring a refreshing feeling on such a sunny Sunday. P/s: wish they would extend hours

This place has THE BEST açaí bowls ever! Just looking at the picture you can tell they use quality ingredients. They have 5 different kind of bowls--named after the 5 peaks in Mission Gorge. The one I got was the Kwaay Pay bowl which included peanut butter! I also tried their Cafe de olla cold brew, and it was bomb! Highly recommend!

CMC is still my favorite post-hike destination. The new owner, Cristi, has made many improvements while keeping the favorites like the yogurt bowl, iced blueberry mocha, and acai bowl. Adding a toaster for DIY toasted bagels was brilliant. New muffins like toffee are hard to resist. Cristi had also made the outdoor seating more inviting with new umbrellas. She has great customer service skills, and is always friendly and helpful. I'm here every Sunday, for my favorite double soy latte. New additions to the menu: special croissants stuffed with spinach or veggies. There is even a Margherita croissant with tomatoes and basil!

Do you like coffee and açaí bowls? Well this cute little place definitely make a very good açaí bowl as well as other snacks besides coffee that you will appreciate after hiking Cowles Mountain. It is located directly at the start/end point of the trail. Nothing fancy but delicious bagel and açaí bowl. We even shared their bowl special which consist of pomegranate seeds, grapes, blackberries, bananas, strawberries, granolas, coconut and bit of honey. Very yummy one bowl can be shared by two people. We also shared the everything bagel with cream cheese and coffee and we were satisfied after that awesome hike this morning. Definitely recommend this place if you are looking to refuel after your workout.

Tropical smoothie is fresh & yummy Also the peanut butter açaí bowl definitely fills & great location it's right across the street from the trail head!

Was looking for an açaí bowl place nearby and didn't find it right away (not using maps, just by memory) and this place caught my eye. Had seen it many times before when hiking Cowles mountain. As I approached, they were welcoming and told me they did have açaí bowls. Both the lady and the girl were explaining some menu items and within seconds I had placed my order. They offered me a nice cup of iced water without me asking - usually it's me doing the asking. Also offered half a cup of smoothie they had leftover from the next order. I got the nutty açaí bowl (added some peanut butter and Nutella) and with all the fruits they added it turned into something great. Definitely happy with my açaí bowl and the overall experience here. Would recommend this place for sure! See pic for the bowl.

Stopped here after hiking Cowles and ordered the green sunshine smoothie and the Acai bowl, and they were top quality! The smoothie was fresh and delicious, and actually overflowing into the top, and I've never had an acai bowl with so many tasty ingredients; it was the perfect combination of sweet and savory, with the gentle chill of the blended acai berries mixed right in. The is the perfect place to stop and chill after a hot and dusty climb up the mountain. Just make sure you come before 2, as apparently they close kinda early (I wonder why, so many people gonup this trail in the afternoon!)

A great spot to recharge after climbing the mountain. We had the açaí bowls, a cold brew, and a delicious iced tea. All tasted great. Friendly staff and quick service.

Great service! Great selection of juices and coffees Good prices Good for lunch, snack, or recharge after a hike up cowels mnt.

Amazing coffee shop located on the corner in front of Cowels Mountain hike. Stopped here after completing the hike and had some cold brew and an açaí bowl. Both were fantastic - I had the starry night I believe that had spice notes in it. The bowl is perfect size and had a variety of fruit through out the bowl. The owner is super friendly, made recommendations and took the time to explain the difference blends. The outdoor only seating is nice, several small tables and plants surround her shop. A must try!

I was a regular here for years and have seen it change hands to 3 different owners. They used to serve very generous portions of açaí and fruit. Now it is half full, watery, hardly any fruit and the price is higher. The granola has tasted stale too. I want to keep loving this place since I've been loyal for so long but I've tried 3x now with new owners and it is always met with disappointment.

Good spot and clever location! Get your coffee fix as soon as your done getting your sweat on!! I had the cold brew to get a feel for the spot, it was a nice light brew so next time I'm being healthy and go get me an Açaí bowl to keep trying some of their other coffee options. They have a few tables and chairs set up so you can rest your tired footsies!

I don't hate waking up in the morning; I hate having to think about stuff once I'm out of bed. Fortunately, my new car has an Autopilot feature that I've set for Cowles Mountain Coffee Company. I just get in the car, hit a button, and go back to sleep, later to awaken to the smell of a latte made with perfectly pulled shots of Calabria-roasted beans. Oh my God, if only wishing made it so. Since I don't actually live in Magic Wonderland, life isn't quite what I'd have it be. But I'm happy that Cowles Mountain Coffee Company is in my neighborhood, as they use Calabria beans, and I'm able to get something very close to my beloved "cinque" just 2 miles from my house. What's more, Cowles Mountain's owner, Tiffany, and her employees, are kind, interesting, pleasant people, who make me look forward to my morning jaunt. They remember my order, and they always make it just right. NOTE: The only problem with the place has nothing to do with the place. It's the parking, which is complicated by the millions of people who hike up and down Cowles Mountain Trail every morning. I don't understand why, if they like to walk so much, they have to drive to the mountain and tie up the parking. But I suppose we have to make room for all sorts in the pursuit of our vices. ****************************** Caffe Calabria: http://www.yelp.com/biz/caffe-calabria-san-diego?hrid=eZcU75CiN0SWxXKrIgtljA

What a lovely place! Amazing variety of drink choices, knowledgeable barista and delicious coffee. A must stop before or after your hike up Cowles mountain.

Great Acai Bowl Five peak super food challenge. Super charge.

This little spot is really growing on me. It's perfect for a little pick me up before, for, and/or after, a Cowle's Mountain hike, or even on a day you're not hiking. I find the prices not too bad, too, compared to a lot of other coffee shop/juice places in this inflation-mad time we're in. There are a lot of little places to sit that are scattered around.

Brought my kids to here and its a beautiful day and we got smoothies from here and it was tasty .... and on top of that the customer service was great ... very friendly ... i really like it . We will definitely be back on the weekends .

Cute coffee spot across the street from the trailhead. Great coffee too, and less than $3 for an iced Americano.

The drinks here are all great (making my way down the list) and priced super reasonable. My wife likes to eat the açaí bowls--it's tasty and filled with lots of fresh fruits!

This place is great! Found out about this place through a fellow hiker. It a great place to stop for something healthy after some time on the trails. The acai bowls are top notch as well as the coffee. Prices are pretty reasonable as well. I will def be recommending this one to my hiking friends :)

I ordered the five peak challenge superfood bowl, and it was filled to the brim with healthy, delicious, and fresh ingredients. I also got The Cowles spiced chai and a ham cheese jalapeño croissant. I ordered the chai with no espresso, which is why it was a little too sweet, for my taste. I recommend ordering with espresso for a more balanced drink. The croissant was delicious toasted, which is good if you're not in the mood to eat a super healthy açaí bowl lol! The location is perfect and peaceful; Located right next to the Cowles Mountain trailhead, there's a scenic view of the mountain, and is a nice shady place for hikers to recharge. The employees are all friendly and patient. When there weren't busy, I saw them bring out orders to seated customers, which is a nice change from Starbucks type shops. I highly recommend Cowles Mountain Coffee if you're finishing or preparing for a workout, or if you simply want to enjoy fresh air and tasty drinks and food. This is an #AbsoluteWin for small businesses.

Such a great post hike treat! One of the best açaí bowls I ever had too! And it's full of fresh fruit and delish açaí and pitaya. The price is not too shabby too compared to the ones I've had in Chicago & the fruit isn't as fresh there either! I had the Five Peak Superfood or something like that yum!

Great service! Great coffee! Kids love the smoothies! Love coming here and sitting outside!

The acai bowls are unique and the best I've ver had in San Diego! It's nice that it's right at the base of the trail and relatively cheap.

This review is mainly for their acai bowl. Being Brazilian, I am very picky with acai bowls because people tend to Americanize it here in the US. Some places even blend the thing with peanut butter, which makes it totally NOT Brazilian. This place rocks their bowls. It's simple and authentic as it should be: lots of fresh fruits, granola and honey on top. Great serving and I LOVE the coconut flakes. I stop here for a bowl every time after hiking Cowles and it's never really busy. They are friendly and prices are super fair. I'm gonna keep coming back!