While Los Angeles may not be known for distinct seasons or colorful leaves, fall in West L.A. is marked by the arrival of dark, gloomy days and chilly, damp air. As a melancholy fog hovers over the streets, there is no better way to spend your days than curled up in a cute coffee shop with a book or a school assignment. Keep reading to discover some of our favorite local coffee shops to cozy up in this fall.
- Blue Butterfly (El Segundo)
If you’ve never been to Downtown El Segundo, you’ll be shocked by how it feels much more like hanging out in a quaint small town rather than an L.A. neighborhood. In the heart of Main Street, Blue Butterfly Cafe is a charming locally-owned favorite for grabbing a coffee or some breakfast. The inside space is small, so getting a table at popular times can be tough, but if you manage to snag one the vibe is ideal for getting some quality studying done. The coffee shop is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. most days, making it a great option to get some studying done in the late afternoon or evening.
Address: 351 Main St, El Segundo
- Coffee Connection (Mar Vista)
Coffee Connection is one of those places you walk into and instantly feel calmer. Formerly an Italian restaurant, the cafe has unique baroque-style architecture and a big open courtyard with trees, hanging string lights, and even heaters for chilly days (my favorite spot to study). Additionally, you can feel good about supporting Coffee Connection. They’re a certified non-profit organization that donates to several good causes and only uses sustainably grown, fair-trade coffee beans in their beverages.
Address: 3838 S. Centinela Ave, Los Angeles
3. The Boy & the Bear (Westchester)
The Boy & the Bear has about five locations scattered around the L.A. area, with one located only minutes from Loyola Marymount. The Westchester cafe is a super motivating place to study, as the interior features an industrial chic vibe—with neutral tones, cement and metal accents, and potted plants filling empty spaces with bursts of greenery. The Boy & the Bear was established as a pop-up shop in Columbia in 2012 and came to L.A. to serve only the best Colombian-grown coffee.
Address: 7403 La Tijera Blvd
- Mad Lab Coffee Roasters (Del Rey)
Mad Lab coffee was started by Andrew Sinclair in 2012, who’s essentially an L.A. local who understands what the people of L.A. want in a cup of coffee. Sinclair’s vision for Mad Lab has led the coffee shop to cultivate a unique brand for themselves. Their logo features a doodled skeleton sipping coffee and the aesthetic of their shop plays with the contrast of vibrant colors and patterns against dark accents. Mad Lab’s cool vibe is accompanied by delicious espresso drinks and food, all reasons the Culver Blvd location has quickly become a neighborhood favorite since it opened in July of 2023.
Address: 11955 Culver Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90066
- Point Lume Coffee (Westchester)
Located just off campus on the corner of Lincoln and Sepulveda, most LMU students have driven by Point Lume many times. Point Lume is a great place to hang out and study, it’s bathed in natural light and features hanging plants and wooden tables as well as plenty of outlets in case you need to charge. The drinks are delicious and customers can take advantage of the cafe’s stamp cards, which offer customers a free drink after the purchase of nine.
Address: 8601 Lincoln Blvd. Suite 140
For busy Lions, choosing the right spot to study can make all the difference when it comes to midterms season. If you feel your current studying routine is a bit redundant, be sure to shake things up & check out one of the spots on this list!
