Downtown Local

A Coffeeneuring stop on my way back after gravel biking the Butano Fire Road. Had my usual dirty chai tea latte, which had a bit of spice(?) that gave it a whole new flavor. The banana walnut bread that I had with it was killer! The coffee shop itself is a place that you could spend a half an hour just looking through, because of the decorations. The only negative was that the seating is a bit limited and I ended up sitting on the edge of their front step - S’OK. But for the fact that it’s 50 miles away in Pescadero, I’d be back every day.

I found the coffee to be just ok, the pastries (lemon cake and chocolate chip cookie) were delicious - certainly worth the detour if you're in the area!

Love the cappuccino from Downtown local. Must check out this place if you’re in Pescadero. Their retro collections bring back so much memories. Love their sofa with the cut-off jeans covered around the sofa arms. Everything is put into heart. We had a wonderful visit. Thanks! :-)

Great retro atmosphere, good coffee. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area, or hunting for antiques from your childhood.

Rustic indoors and brilliant coffee right next to pescadero Beach. Amazing quality and their soft serve ice cream with espresso is a must try for coffee lovers!

Absolutely lovely little coffee shop in Pescadero! It also has a nice mix of vintage items and handcrafted items for sale. I just loved this little cafe.

Lots of interesting antiques and hard to find knick knacks in a cute little coffee shop. If you stop by be sure to check out the back room where they play sports on projector. Awesome find in a tiny town. Definitely a distinct vibe and worth visiting if you find yourself near Pescadero. There's also a cool Beatles Porsche parked out front. Coffee is great too!

Great coffee shop with a very unique retro vibe with lots of eclectic memorabilia and oddities for sale.

Downtown Local Coffee is an absolute must-stop for me anytime I'm traveling through Pescadero. The cortado is consistently excellent, and I tried the hot mocha yesterday -- it was divine. They really know how to make a great mocha. They use Straus milk, which is a huge plus. It's rich, high-quality milk with natural cream on top, so don't be surprised if you see a few little chunks when pouring -- that's just the good stuff. It makes their coffee even better. The shop itself has a fun, electric feel with lots of vintage items for sale, giving it a cute, quirky vibe that fits the town perfectly. The bathroom is heavily used and not super clean, but this is a busy farm-town stop with lots of foot traffic, so it's about what you'd expect. Service can range from very kind to a little curt depending on who's working, but the coffee alone makes it worth the stop every time.

Cute and eclectic shop that's totally banking on the traffic from the artichoke bread purveyors. They serve a variety of coffees and tees, but in one size. My oat milk latte was okay, hence the 3 stars. They however get. 5 star for marketing and atmosphere.

Such a fun find! The town of pescadero in general but also this coffee shop that is also a vintage store and a local goods / grocery store/ pantry store as well with lots of unique items. I ordered an oat mocha and it was SO good. You could tell they added quality chocolate, unlike most mochas. I enjoyed it while walking around the shop. Limited seating both indoor and outdoor.

Downtown Local is a small unique coffee spot. The baristas are friendly and personable. The menu is simple and small. No frills. The shop is decorated with vintage things from the 60-70s. It's pretty cool. House music from the 70s is playing throughout the shop. One restroom. They have a few tables inside and outside and a long bench that wraps along the front of the building.

Coffee was good, but typical. You know... when you said you had a good coffee from home. What's fun about this place is the decor and the little things they sell... it's nostalgic and brings me back to yesteryears!

If you go to pescadero peach, this is the coffee shop that's impossible to miss. And that's exactly how we ended up there. It's a super rustic and nostalgic vibe I would say, with a big collection of old records say like Beatles, and a whole bunch of antique cameras etc. and a holistic food and wellness products store as well. We were just getting a coffee, and ended up with a big filming production. It was such a cool vibe, like from an old nostalgic movie. Oh the coffee, was actually really good. To be honest everything tastes so good with that beautiful sunshine shining through that old window that we could sit right by. The owner was very nice was just smiling and letting us film everything everywhere. It was such a great time. Will definitely pick a sunny day and go back again.

You're along the coast near Pescadero and need a pick me up. Downtown Local is your spot. Solid espresso drinks (Sightglass beans) and kid-pleasing hot chocolate, with a quirky bookstore-meets-vintage-shop vibe. We always come here after lunch at Duartes so have never had the belly space to try their pastry case, but the options look tempting. A good spot to people watch or read a book.

Great little spot. Popular with bikers (both motor and not), stopped in here on a weekend last fall and haven't forgotten about it. The coffee is homey. Maybe mocha is where they really shine? Not sure but the vibes and atmosphere supplement that. They also sell some vintage clothing and other stuff. I'll have to go back and update this! Pescadero is a gem! Protect it.

So much vibe packed into a small coffee shop... every time I pass through Pesky, whether on two wheels or a breezy walk-through for a snack, I always stop here. Yummy espresso, friendly service & plenty of seating. They've got a great vintage shop inside. You won't be disappointed!

Their Chai latte is The Bomb. On a day off I love driving there from Half Moon Bay. You're not going to be getting some run of the mill generic tasting chai latte at this place. No. Sir. E. For an added kick, add a shot of espresso. Furthermore, the atmosphere is so darn charming and they've got a dog bowl filled with water for your pups there too. I appreciate businesses who are also thoughtful in that way.

Maybe the most fun Pescadero can offer you in a coffee shop filled with exotic eclectic effects. This is my favorite motorcycle stop and rest point heading south on the 1. You'll see a few bikes here at any average moment but it's not a biker hangout. Grab a coffee here and check out the vintage stuff (some of it for sale some of it not).

Quaint little place in Pescadero among the very-needed art museum and thrift shop and lovely small town vibe. The prices were astronomically overpriced, even charging $1 for whipped cream to a mocha that was already over $8.00. (Seriously, who does that?) They had cool vintage items but all that was mostly also overpriced with beat up/worn $1 records priced at $20. Again, cool quait place, but well overpriced and I had a better time at the cemetery just down the road.

Downtown local was such a cute spot. We came and got a latte which was sooo good. Not really a big coffee fan but would def come back for their latte! The inside was such good vibes. They had another room with organic things and everything in there was like a small museum. Would come back to this cafe (:

We went to this coffeehouse to try the vanilla soft serve with Olallieberry topping-- yumyum!! Love sweet yet tart fruit topping and creamy dessert. It was $8.50, we shared it among the 3 of us. Service was quick, the place is eclectic with a market attached.

Coffee shop with vintage items for sale. Interesting collection of items for sale but coffee misses the mark. Iced coffee had curdles of milk sitting on large ice cubes. Iced mocha had collection of powder at the bottom of the cup. Barista not the kindest. Bathroom is something you would expect in a dive bar, not a $7 latte coffee shop. We enjoy Pescadero and want it to have a solid coffee shop option.

I read some reviews and was a little hesitant. But everyone has different expectations. The oat latte was very good, not too sweet and made by a very friendly barista. The price was typical for the greater Bay Area, nothing out-of-the-ordinary. We sat outside on the Main Street in a nice sunny spot. All good! The little market attached had a good stock of food for picnicking. And the Store itself is a museum/shop.

I came only for the ice cream and vibes. Downtown local did not disappoint. They use fresh cream for their ice cream and you can definitely taste it! For a couple dollars more they add olaliberry syrup to it. I also liked their collection of vintage items for sale.

There was a long line so I figured it would be solid. I ordered a latte and it was only okay. Nothing to rave about. On top of the okay latte, the service is not great. The barista was rude and I really don't appreciate the lack of service.

Had the morning bun and it was delicious. Very nice staff, cool ambiance, and most importantly - very clean restrooms.

Anytime we go to Pescadero, we make a stop here for a quick hot espresso drink. They are always busy, the staff is super friendly and helpful. Inside has a mixed combination of old new retro gift items for sale. IR is always interesting to browse and find interesting items. Love the fact they serve fresh kombucha drinks as well, I have tried it and as a Kombucha lover, I really have enjoyed it. The coffee has always been perfect, nice strong displayed with beautiful coffee art

10-8-22 Well, it's like in the middle of nowhere, and probably one of few around... or maybe the only coffee shop around? So being a little lenient: 1. Cold Brew $5.50: Pretty good! Very strong and bold body. Somewhat bitter. Low acidity. Cold and refreshing. 9/10 2. Latte $5.60: Too much milk but I like that it's thick and creamy. Can't really taste enough coffee/espresso to comment though. 3/10 It appears they also sell antiques. I like the one of 2 small men caressing each other horizontally and getting it on in a pull wagon. So 3.5.... 4/5? #pescadero #coffeeshop

can't rate this place high enough, i usually get an iced oat milk latte and the baristas will add some simple syrup to sweeten it up a little for me. the espresso itself is perfectly balanced, never bitter or burnt. decided to switch it up and get a mocha with almond milk and it was DELICIOUS i actually feel like it was the best coffee i've ever had. the baristas are kind and the shop itself is cute too.

Me and my family love this place we live almost two hours away but still come down for this coffee shop. Coffee is the best we have had so far and the people are really nice.

Love the aesthetic! The coffee is top tier, but unfortunately if you are unlucky enough to be there while the silver haired barista is there you will be left dissatisfied and disappointed with her attitude and unwelcoming energy. My boyfriend and I showed up at 4:45pm on Sunday after driving an hour to get there. We pulled up to the shop and were confused as to why everyone was cleaning up. Store hours say they were open until 5:30? We kindly asked what time they close and the silver haired lady said, "NOW" basically refusing service to us. If you get lucky visiting the shop when she isn't there though, you're sure to have a good experience! Happy gambling

Worst coffee ever, insane prices ($4.75 for an undrinkable 10oz pour over ) Rude, unwelcoming baristas, even more sour than their coffee, made it clear they wanted us out because we were there a mere 30 minutes before closing time. I tossed my coffee as soon as I was outside. My friend took hers home only to dump it there. Shame about the adorable, quirky store. Perhaps they think they have no competition but we are locals and know other places where we can get good coffee at reasonable prices without the sourpuss service.

What it has going for it is the cute and eclectic design inside. There was also a long line which showed its popularity. People were not especially friendly especially for a town that seems to get tourists but hopefully it was just the day.

I have supported this place for years. And today was Just bad energy. The staff was stressed out it seemed. And this shop is great but it ain't cheap. I ordered something new this time (my big mistake) chai tea latte, and it didn't steep in the steamed milk. it was basically steamed milk. Couldn't drink it. Bummer lol. Shoulda stuck with the earl grey tea and bit of milk. I was genuinely interested in some merchandise but just had to step outa this place, weird vibe. Maybe next time Downtown local.

Good but not great coffee. Definitely the best coffee in Pescadero, but there are very few options.

Don't let the rural setting fool you into believing the prices will be low here. They properly know how close the next nearest coffee shop is and price to the situation. That said, it's worth it. I enjoyed good music and a lovely conversation with the proprietor and bought a bag of fantastic coffee beans for less than it would have cost to go to Half Moon Bay.

Cool shop, rude service. At least it seems like the lady is equally rude to everyone. One star for the coffee.

Cutest. Vintage. Store. Evan. Dog friendly inside;) Kickass lattes Super friendly customers Incredible handmade Etta + Billie soaps and essential oils Super clean bathroom Thank you. That is all!

The coffee was ok The old lady always being rude for no reason. Leaving them tips didn't change anything

Seemed like a cute little coffee shop and the only one nearby so we stopped. We did not appreciate that the lady asked for how much tip we wanted to add onto the amount rather than letting customers do it themselves on the keypad. We ordered a cappuccino and mocha. The nearly $7 mocha was not good at all and tasted flat. Overpriced for the quality and asking for tips... find another coffee shop.

Best espresso I've found after a month-long quest ... better, to my admittedly amateur taste, than that offered by Cafe Venetia in Palo Alto ... and if they don't know how to do espresso, then I'd have to go to Italy next. I must admit, I know the owner at Downtown Local, but I am certain I was not biased. I was kinda desperate to finally find an espresso that was even just decent/drinkable. BUT over the past month I have gone from one espresso shop to another all over Fresno and Carmel Valley (recent trip there) and Oakhurst (foothills near where I now live). An Italian descendant in Oakhurst told me the only good espresso "Stateside" (as in not in Europe?) was in San Lius Obispo or Paso Robles at Buona Tavola ... obviously way too far to go. I was in Pescadero last weekend and asked John (owner of Downtown Local, with whom I played a lot of poker before I moved out of the area) if he would draw me a shot to sample. He did, saying "I make the best espresso in San Mateo County". I figured he was bluffing (as in poker). I sipped what he provided and was unexpectedly surprised ... but not convinced totally. So the next day, on my way back to Sierra Foothills, I made it a point to stop in Cafe Venetia on a delightfully quiet Sunday morning. I greatly appreciated their excellence in presentation (and not just the cute baristas who mostly speak Italian) and the lovely location on University Avenue, fabulous layout, seating, etc. ... every detail 5-star as I expect only found usually in the most expensive European places, places I expect I'll never visit. But, once I tried their espresso (one shot cup and a latte cup), I realized John of Downtown Local was NOT bluffing but, to extend the poker analogy, he had the nuts! Downtown Local espresso is I think what I've seen extolled on YouTube videos by James Hoffman and others. I was surprised, to say the least: well balanced, strong and correctly extracted, neither too bitter nor too acidic, good "mouth feel" (still not sure what that is but I think I felt it) and, most shockingly, a subtle lingering and developing aftertaste sweetness that I've not found before anywhere, even Cafe Venetia. I had no idea that subtle sweetness was coming. Cafe Venetia's offering by comparison ... nothing, zero aftertaste. I think their crema was too strong (very dark, perhaps bitter, chocolate color compared to Downtown Local's caramel). Also, their latte was disappointingly boring, shockingly lacking coffee flavor. So, I personally have found nobody's espresso better than what I tasted last Saturday at Downtown Local. RECIPE: John gave me a bag of his special blend and wrote instructions for a good 2-shot extraction: 18g beans (fine grind, not too fine) / 35 gm output / 27 sec. extraction. [I expect the grind needs careful "dialing in" to get to the 27 sec. extraction to 35 gm output]. BEANS: "Owl's Howl" from Sightglass Coffee Roasters, SF.

I love supporting local and I love this little town of Pescadero. That being said, I'd look elsewhere for coffee if you're in town (and sadly I'm not sure there is another good spot unless you'd like to go to Loma Mar Store). I have tried so many times to like this place. I don't mind having a barista not be overly friendly in my face - what I do mind is a poor quality of coffee. It's expensive here and I wouldn't mind if the coffee was worth it. The mocha was not drinkable. It was bitter and chalky. I don't want a sweet sugar drink, but it's not great. The regular espresso is okay; but frequently has a burned taste. The pour over is pricey and nothing special - not strong and pretty watery in flavor. If you're the only game in town, then at least have a good product.

Love this cute small place. We always visit it while on our way to Santa Cruz or on CA-1 drives. It is located in a cute town of Pescadero and its very charming. We usually buy artichoke bread at the neighboring store and eat it before coming to drink coffee here. They have nice coffees and all the usual stuff like espresso, latte, moca, etc. We usually go with latte and have loved it so far. They have the option of stevia making is healthy. Their decor is entirely museum style, filled with items from different eras. They have a small screening room, where they screen some movies and people sometimes sit and watch it. They have a small seating arrangement and its partially covered with curtains. Seating could become an issue when lots of people are visiting the store. You can find parking on the entire street and a little bit away from the store. After your coffee you can take a stroll in the alley to eat more food or drink some wine. I would recommend you visit it and see for yourself, how enjoyable the place is :)

Great little Coffee Shop and Store. Lots of bicyclists stop here on their coastal rides. The store is,a,kind of small market...with great little eclectic food items. Give it a shot!

So sad to come back for a quick visit. Was hoping to get the same great customer service experience only ro met with indifference and attitude. So sad, that they couldn't keep the great standards they had before

I'd rather have a damn good coffee than bad coffee with a smile. Locals might get better treatment at times than guests but the thing that is consistent is the coffee quality. Africano and double espresso are my favorite. No sugar needed, the shots are smooth. I once left my drivers license there and they saved it for me until my next visit. I was told by the barista that she thought of sending it but knows people move often. Thankfully they didn't mail it as I had just moved and they saved me a trip to the DMV. I love this place, it is the highlight of my distance bike rides. I don't need to be loved, just give me my coffee...please. My attitude is changed to gratitude after a perfect Africano, and the world seems a kinder and gentler place.

Great coffee, great decor, beautiful location. They lose two stars for rude customer service. Came in on a Wednesday afternoon and was made to feel unwelcome and a nuisance (the infamous lady with silver pony tail - you work in a beautiful place, why so sad and angry?). A pity because this place is gorgeous. Plus they have a beautiful cat who just sat there and didn't help with the coffee or anything. Dear manager, have a word with your staff. X

Hands down, one of the most well-made mochas I've ever had! Cute spot, chillest vibe, and super friendly. Do check it out if you're in the area!

We tried to go yesterday, driving a distance to get there. The voicemail cheerfully told us the coffee shop opens Everyday at 8am. Imagine our surprise when the shop wasn't open at 8:45am on a Saturday! We could see someone inside. I tried the door. I waved from the window. I called again, to again get voicemail. We were very dissatisfied.

One of my favorite coffee shops. I love driving down the coast and stopping in for a drink.

Enjoyed the cappuccino from Downtown local. Must check out this place if you're in Pescadero. Their vintage collection bring back so much memories. There's a small theatre / projector made room that you can seat and enjoy the coffee. Love their sofa with the cut-off jeans covered around the sofa arms. Everything is put into heart. We had a wonderful visit!

Love this local coffee shop! Whenever my family visits pescadero we always make a stop at this coffee shop because of its amazing aromatic coffee and vintage finds!

It was a quaint little coffee shop that I was surprised by what this little town has to offer. Maybe the town isn't little, this is my first time to pescadero , and I didnt know much around this place. And it's quite happening around this strip of town I like the vibes of this cafe where every morning you see different crowds gather around. Bikers, cyclists , hikers etc. Its like a quick pitch stop before carrying out their journey. It is fun to people watch and bike watch too. There are nice bike stopping by as well. I enjoy their coffee, especially the mocha and their hot chocolate, it's really Rich and good without being too sweet. It's fun to look around the antiques, just a nice setup for a simple coffee break. They even have a little movie room running in the back. It's cute. And the owners also owns an airstream for airbnb, and if you stay with them you get a complimentary coffee in the morning every day!

Awful service. Mid coffee. Cannot believe how rude the barista was. Seemed so inconvenienced by making espressos when there was Nobody else in the shop.

I love this place! The staff are super friendly and make amazing coffee. The silver haired lady is hilarious and I give her props for putting up with all the annoying people. Just sitting here for 15 minutes I heard multiple people asking "can I use the bathroom?" Even though we are in the MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC, PEOPLE! The coffee shop is taking precaution by wearing masks, making masks mandatory, and only doing curbside service - so no, there is no bathroom available. Go before you leave home or get yourself some diapers if you're going on a road trip! They also put out a little water bowl for dogs to drink from! Can't say enough about this gem. Thank you for being open!

I have been stopping by Pescadero a couple of times a year for almost 10 years now, back when my husband stumbled upon Duarte Tavern's because of their famous Artichoke soup. This was long before Food Network came into town and probably before AAA let the secret out on this once sleepy town. Now if you come during the summer, you will find it packed with cars trying to find space so they too can explore this one block downtown with all its no longer hidden but still gems. So now I try to come by during the off peak season around the winter holidays where most of the people milling around are locals and for the first time yesterday on Easter since I happen to be in HMB for brunch after dropping off my in-laws at SFO. It was like a throwback, being able to experience the quaint quiet little town on the coast. After our obligatory must stops first, we were looking for a place for hubby to get a caffeine kick before driving home and came upon Downtown Local. Originally it seemed a little too hip and therefore a bit out of place for Pescadero. But as you really take in your surroundings, it also has a retro charm that seems to work, from the unicycle, to the Royal typewriter and the "dual disk" Apple computer and finally the music coming from the vinyls. When you think you've seen it all, there is a small home theater in the back. It was such a great place to explore on its own and another gem or should I say diamond in the rough.