The town that time forgot.

by Brian

I don’t know about you, but I really like finding places off the beaten path.  Places where the buildings haven’t been updated since the 40s or 50s, but you can’t tell because everything surrounding them never changed either.  For those of you who don’t know, Santa Paula, California, is one of those places.

I stumbled upon this small town a couple months back, while attempting to find an inspiring spot to take some pictures.  When I saw Santa Paula Coffee Company, I was in desperate need of a caffeine boost.  However, what I experienced there that Saturday afternoon has changed the way I look at coffee shops as a whole.  I know that we primarily do restaurant reviews on EatMeCalifornia, but this little place made such an impression on me that I simply couldn’t leave it out. 

Santa Paula Coffee Company – On Main Street, Santa Paula

As I walked in the door I was instantly greeted, not by a person, but by the coffee shop as a whole.  The front seating area is spacious and inviting, with comfy couches and a couple huge armchairs.  I’m glad they had coffee because otherwise I would have just laid down for a nap.

By the time I made it to the counter I had a smiling barista ready to help me.  I asked her about the coffee of the day and she told me that it was organic, as was all of the coffee that Santa Paula Coffee Co. offers.  Score one for Santa Paula.  You can’t get good organic coffee brewed at any starbucks I know of.  Sorry Starbucks, I still have love for ya.

I ordered my medium coffee and asked about the pastries.  The girl let me know that the maple scone was a favorite of the regulars.  I’m not much for maple scones, but I wanted to be open to new things so I bought one.  It was great.  It tasted more like pancakes and syrup than a scone.  She heated it up a little, and it just melted in my mouth.  I can now say with conviction that I will never order a maple scone anywhere else.  Did I mention that the pastries are made locally?  It’s awesome when businesses actually take time to support the locals, rather than just shipping in whatever muffins they can get for the cheapest price.

For people looking to work or study, this is a great place to get away to do that.  They offer free WiFi and an additional seating area in the back with more tables and chairs.  It’s a little dark back there, but it’s a quiet place to get stuff done.  For people just out enjoying the day, SPCC also has a big outdoor seating area where you can enjoy their freshly made sandwiches and a cold drink on a hot day.

About the only negative I can think of is the fact that they don’t stay open very late.  But in their defense, nothing stays open late in Santa Paula.  So, if you find yourself sitting at home on a Saturday morning, looking for adventure, consider taking a drive out to this awesome little coffee shop.  I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.