Java Love

Let’s face it, where you buy that daily half-caff, low-fat, add-shot, extra-dry cappuccino is about more than caffeine. You want a jolt? Then get a Red Bull. But for vibe, character and a unique crowd of fellow caffeinators, try one these coffee spots.

54 Taste of Rome Once the Sausalito branch of San Francisco’s Caffe Trieste, this renamed coffee-bar restaurant provides the ultimate hang with rich espressos, a full menu and an entertaining mélange of boho locals and wide-eyed tourists. taste-of-rome.com

55 La Coppa / Peet’s Within foam-tossing distance of each other, these are the yin and yang of Mill Valley coffee. La Coppa’s got the outdoor patio-ette; Peet’s has its clubby front corner. Both have diehard fans, a twain that never meets. peets.com; lacoppacoffee.com

56 Royal Ground While much of Fourth Street in San Rafael feels 1950s retro, this comfy space will transport you all the way to the ’90s. Bring a book (or Kindle). 415.455.0107

57 Fairfax Coffee Roastery Dead smack in the middle of town, there’s pastries aplenty, counter stools and big windows that entice lingering. 415.451.1825

58 Tomales Coast Roast Coffee A Highway 1 outpost where organic food meets Antiques Roadshow and local ranchers take respite from their labor on furniture salvaged from Grandma’s garage. coastroastcoffee.com

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