Coffee Shops are THE Study Spots
The majority of students' time is spent studying and finding the perfect area to be productive is essential when trying to complete assignments. Sobrato Campus for Discovery and Innovation, SCU library, Benson, and Mission Gardens are some of the peaceful and charming places available to students on campus. But when students start to lose motivation when studying in the same environment, a change of scenery can revive their focus.
I personally can relate to this experience and when I can’t concentrate on my assignments on campus, a visit to one of the local coffee shops is the perfect solution. A clean and pleasant atmosphere, innovative drink and food options, and the coffee shop's vibrancy are among the characteristics I evaluate when deciding where to crack open my textbooks. Here are my recommendations, which consider that students have varied preferences when it comes to selecting a study area, which include noise level, distractions, location, accessibility, and different food and beverage choices.
Blue Bottle
368 Santana Row Suite 1020, San Jose, CA
Hours: 7AM-9:30PM
This is one of my favorite destinations, primarily due to its location. The well-known coffee chain Blue Bottle serves gourmet coffee and pastries right in the heart of Santana Row. Blue Bottle is a coffee shop that is not within walking distance of SCU, however it is worth the Uber ride if you plan to do some shopping or eat dinner in addition to studying. Outside the cafe, there is seating as well as comfortable sofas. If you have a lot of reading to do, this would be an excellent spot to do it.
Voyager Craft Coffee
2221 The Alameda, Santa Clara, CA
Hours: 7AM-5PM
This aesthetic cafe with a welcoming environment and seasonal and distinctive drinks is only a five-minute walk from campus. In honor of the autumn season, the coffee shop has designed two drinks that taste like autumn: Halloween Town (milk, espresso, vanilla, and pumpkin spice) and a Dulce de Leche Latte (milk, espresso, miso paste, brown sugar, and sea salt). Customers are drawn to Voyager because of the natural light, delectable pastries and toasts, and friendly atmosphere. This is a bustling location so if you need a quiet place to study you can either put in your air pods or consider a different destination.
Starbucks
495 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA
Hours: 5:30AM-5PM
Starbucks is always a safe bet because their drinks are well-known and they are recognized for providing quick service, so this is a good option to consider when you have a lot of schoolwork to complete. Conveniently, there is a location right near campus situated next to Cramer’s Bagels, a great option to satisfy your breakfast appetite.
Big Mug Coffee Roaster
3014 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA
Hours: 8AM - 9PM
I discovered this coffee shop during welcome weekend and definitely recommend it. This location has a similar atmosphere as Voyager Coffee and offers some of the same pastries and coffee selections, but with more variety. This area is not easily accessible by foot, but you can take the Number 22 bus that runs down El Camino, or you can tag along with a friend who owns a car. Big Mug is open late, so if you have late classes, you are still able to make the trip to this cafe to finish up any homework.
K Cafe Patisserie & Tea House
923 S Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA
Hours: 9AM- 8PM
An eight-minute drive away is a beautiful cafe with a unique aesthetic of florals and elegant furnishings. The cafe specializes in Asian French fusion cuisine, with a diverse menu that includes lemongrass chicken, burgers, and brunch. Cake, pastries, smoothies, and lattes are available to fulfill your sweet tooth. If you're searching for a fancy lunch at a reasonable price, this is the place to go. When you've finished studying, you can converse with your friends while admiring the instagrammable atmosphere. Because this is a popular spot with limited parking, plan ahead and keep in mind that it may be a bit noisy.
Living Room Coffee Craft
1711 S Winchester Blvd, Campbell, CA
Hours: 7AM -3PM
The Living Room Cafe has more than enough room for a study group as it offers spacious environment with plenty of natural light. This is about a ten-minute drive from campus. The cafe satisfies all your coffee needs with quality beans from Dune Coffee Roasters in Santa Barbara, as well as London fogs, matcha lattes, chai lattes, and teas. They focus on using organic ingredients and being environmentally conscious. Pastries and savory waffles are available in addition to the drinks.
Nirvana Soul
315 S 1st St, San Jose, CA
Hours: 7AM-4PM, 6:30PM-10PM
This coffee shop offers a lively atmosphere with friendly staff and a wide variety of coffee and non-coffee options to go with waffles. If you're looking for a change of scenery from your usual work environment, Nirvana Soul’s loft area is filled with colorful and fun art. Keep in mind that there is limited space and this location requires a longer drive than other coffee shops on this list. However, it’s a great solution if you’d like to spend time studying and then exploring downtown San Jose.