By Jenna Gordon
Dear Neighbors,
We’re the team behind Daylight Coffee – Jenna, Spencer, and Justin. We’re excited for the opportunity to share our vision for the neighborhood cafe we are planning at 1404 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.
We live in this community and are deeply invested in making Daylight Coffee a positive and welcoming space for everyone. This is a passion project for us, and we are committed to respecting the unique character and quiet nature of our neighborhood.
We envision Daylight Coffee as a welcoming neighborhood cafe; an all-ages space that reflects the laid-back vibe of Sunset Cliffs/Ocean Beach. We will serve high-quality coffee and espresso, fresh-baked baguette sandwiches and pizza, as well as beer and wine. The style will be counter-service, seat yourself. Ultimately, we see ourselves as a coffee shop first and eatery second. We believe this area needs a place where you can get a coffee and a bite to go, or spend hours connecting with friends or doing computer work.
Our plans are to renovate the existing building. The building will stay in its current spot, and remain one story. We will create an outdoor patio space, including a zone for kids. Because it’s the right thing for the neighborhood and the patrons, we will also be keeping the parking lot intact, though it will be a parking lot for the cafe, not a paid lot.
We understand that there has been a lot of chatter and, in some cases, rumors circulating about the project. We want to take this opportunity to be transparent and address some of the concerns we have heard:
There will not be a “Rooftop Bar”: We want to be clear: a rooftop bar is not part of our plans. Candidly, we think a rooftop deck would be an amazing place to enjoy a coffee or beer, but that is a major undertaking (with clear opposition). The ABC application does not include any permitting for a rooftop; nor do the building plans— they’re focused solely on updating the existing building. If we were to pursue a rooftop deck in the future, all of the neighbors would be alerted as part of a separate permitting process. We understand the concerns around noise and late-night activity associated with bars. We also do not want our neighborhood to turn into PB, reflected in the fact that we are not a bar, but a restaurant serving beer and wine without liquor.
Hours of operations and noise: Our planned hours of operation are 7 AM to 9 PM. We are not planning to operate a late-night business or nightclub. We aim to be open early for coffee and close at a time that respects our neighbors and the residential nature of the area.
We want to acknowledge the fact that our alcohol permit requested the ability to serve alcohol until 11 pm. We had received the advice that it is always better to request longer hours than you intend to operate, in case of special events or circumstances. We regret following this advice. We never intended to stay open until 11 pm, and completely understand why this would be concerning. We would be happy to amend the alcohol permit.
Live entertainment: Our ABC license application includes a check box for live entertainment, which is standard for a restaurant license that serves alcohol. This can include things like trivia, live music, an indoor DJ playing relaxed music at a comfortable volume, or even a neighborhood band putting on a community-driven live show during acceptable hours. We are not planning regular live music that would create a nightclub vibe. Any potential entertainment would match the laid-back cafe atmosphere.
The transition of the property: The seller of the property marketed the lot for the development of a mixed-use apartment complex. That seller leased the building to Trinidad Motors on a month-to-month basis while sorting out his plans. Because this is a passion project for us, we are prioritizing creating this cafe above maximizing profits. If this were just about money, we would build apartments. We understand that Angel and Trinidad Motors have been a valued part of the community, and we agree that Angel is a class act. We’ve done our best to give Angel ample time for a smooth transition, and have been very appreciative of his professionalism.
Mural on Trinidad Motors: We appreciate the community’s connection to the existing mural and we love it too. Unfortunately, to bring the building up to current safety codes, we will need to rebuild the wall on Trinidad Motors’ Southside. We value public art and would love to get input from the community on ideas for a new mural that reflects the spirit of Sunset Cliffs. We see this as an opportunity to create something new and engaging for the neighborhood.
We understand that change is hard. We hope to earn your trust, starting with the informational Q&A we are holding on April 6, 2025 at 11am on the south side of the property, 1404 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. We hope to see you there.
We truly believe that Daylight Coffee will be a positive addition to our community, a place where neighbors can connect and enjoy the unique beauty of Sunset Cliffs. We look forward to becoming a part of the fabric of this wonderful neighborhood. If you have any further questions, concerns or ideas, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at daylightsunsetcliffs@gmail.com.
Again, please join us this Sunday for more information:
JOIN US FOR A PUBLIC Q&A
APRIL 6, 2025 @ 11AM
1404 Sunset Cliffs Blvd
Sincerely,
Jenna, Spencer, and Justin
Sounds like such a cool spot – thanks for sharing!
sounds like a great addition to the neighborhood!
OB resident here – thanks for providing more information on this project and considering the local residents. It’s great to hear that you are keeping the spirit of OB and Sunset Cliffs in mind when creating this new neighborhood coffee shop. Personally – I’m excited about being able to stop on my morning walks to enjoy a coffee in this location!
Thank you for sharing your plans for the space! I live down the street and would love to have a coffee shop close by. I’m excited for this new meeting space.
OBcien here – thank you for your explanation! Seems like it’ll be a great addition.
I really like the sounds of this! As a remote worker, this feels like just the kind of spot I need to spend during work hours
Why does a coffee shop need to serve beer and wine until 11pm with live entertainment? After all this is what it states on your ABC application that you yourselves submitted to get your liquor license?
Did you even read their article? It clearly states:
“Hours of operations and noise: Our planned hours of operation are 7 AM to 9 PM. We are not planning to operate a late-night business or nightclub. We aim to be open early for coffee and close at a time that respects our neighbors and the residential nature of the area.
We want to acknowledge the fact that our alcohol permit requested the ability to serve alcohol until 11 pm. We had received the advice that it is always better to request longer hours than you intend to operate, in case of special events or circumstances. We regret following this advice. We never intended to stay open until 11 pm, and completely understand why this would be concerning. We would be happy to amend the alcohol permit.
Live entertainment: Our ABC license application includes a check box for live entertainment, which is standard for a restaurant license that serves alcohol. This can include things like trivia, live music, an indoor DJ playing relaxed music at a comfortable volume, or even a neighborhood band putting on a community-driven live show during acceptable hours. We are not planning regular live music that would create a nightclub vibe. Any potential entertainment would match the laid-back cafe atmosphere.”
I appreciate the owners’ transparency even in the face of all this unnecessary negativity and am ready to welcome them to the neighborhood!
The article says that their planned hours of operation will end at 9 PM. Plus, having a place for neighbors to connect and, every once in a while, listen to live music earlier in the day sounds awesome! I can’t stay up late anyway :)
I don’t know the authors and have nothing against them at all. I just have a couple of thoughts.
I think it is a shame to see another service business, like the garage that many people used, and replaced it with a place to drink expensive coffee. It’s almost as if Point Loma has annexed part of OB.
Communities need to be made up of many things, including service businesses, to be real communities. OB has lost much of that. When once people could get a lot done in OB, they now have to go elsewhere. At least the customers of Trinidad Motors will have to. People who have older cars that need mechanics like Trinidad’s don’t drink expensive coffee.
I looked up the sale of the building, $2.8 million. Perhaps a commenter with some business experience can explain here if this business plan makes good sense considering that building price. And, the money they are putting into remodeling as they explained here. It just seems questionable to me, but I am not a businessperson.
“People who have older cars that need mechanics like Trinidad’s don’t drink expensive coffee.”
That’s kind of broad Geoff. Many of us purchase expensive coffee, beers, food at restaurants, etc because we aren’t dealing with the payments of a new vehicle.
That may be true of a few people but my statement is true for the majority of people who have older cars they have to keep repairing. So, you have an older car, do you use it for daily commutes or for working?
I suppose neither of us know what’s the case for “most” people, but I think it’s fair to assume it largely depends on the area. I live right where Hillcrest and NP meet, and plenty of people here drive old vehicles but still splurge on at least some luxuries. I’ve always thought of OB being similar in that regard. How well this place does we’ll see since as others mentioned there are already tons of coffee places.
I drive a ’99 Ford Ranger.
I would certainly consider a restaurant a service. A lot more people in the neighborhood will eat at a restaurant or cafe than benefit from the auto shop and a restaurant is a more sensible inclusion within a residential neighborhood anyway. Little Lion isn’t open for dinner and Sunny’s is the only place here to get dinner, which is basically take-out only. As I think they stated, from a business perspective it seems like it would be a lot better to build housing, but I doubt that’s something you would prefer based on all the articles I’ve seen here before? By the same logic I doubt an auto body shop makes more business sense than a restaurant?
A restaurant is not a “service,” it is an entertainment choice. By service, I meant hardware stores, shoe repair places, seamstresses, flower shops, and garages. They service “needs,” not unnecessary “choices.”
Did you ever wonder why there aren’t more dining options in that area? It has always been that way probably because it is all residential except for one block. There isn’t much there to draw enough traffic to a business like that. It’s what I said about what makes a community. It’s a place people go for a variety of things, and, to eat.
The automotive business was doing fine until they were made to leave, so it made sense.
You have obviously never worked in the “service industry” if you don’t think a restaurant is a service.
And there are plenty of people with old cars in OB that enjoy a good cup of coffee or some live music every once in awhile.
And, you are a poor judge of people. I worked in gas stations for five years. A gas station is a necessary service, a restaurant is not.
“a good cup of coffee or some live music every once in awhile.” If it’s only “every once in a while,” it won’t help this business. You can get good cups of coffee all over OB. And, they did not say they were hosting live music.
?Restaurants and coffee shops are essential to the fabric of OB, serving as communal living rooms where residents gather, celebrate, and support one another. For those with limited space at home (many of us live in simple abodes), these establishments provide accessible venues to host friends, mark special occasions, or simply unwind after a challenging day. The familiar faces and spontaneous interactions found in these spaces foster a sense of belonging and strengthen community bonds. By offering environments conducive to social engagement, they play a pivotal role in cultivating the vibrant and interconnected spirit that defines OB.?
Beyond their social function, these establishments contribute significantly to the local economy and cultural landscape. They create jobs and often showcase regional culinary traditions, enriching the community’s diversity. Furthermore, many host events and performances, providing platforms for local artists and fostering cultural exchange. Restaurants and coffee shops are not merely places to dine; they are vital hubs that nurture relationships, celebrate diversity, and sustain the communal heartbeat of Ocean Beach.?
As mentioned above “We are not planning regular live music that would create a nightclub vibe. Any potential entertainment would match the laid-back cafe atmosphere.” So this can be taken as that live music has not been ruled out, just that if they do have it, it will fit within the community. I welcome more places to meet my neighbors and engage with my community. Plenty of other places in OB to get my old car worked on (2007, 200,000+ miles and still running).
This is one of the more delusional curmudgeonly comments from you bud. Restaurants are 100% without a doubt a service. Full stop. They prepare and serve food for people who may not have other means of preparing it themselves and those who do, but would like to take advantage of a SERVICE. Now I know you won’t be able to resist some type of snarky reply trying to claim why you’re always right, so I’ll just leave you with the NAICS definition directly from the bureau of labor statistics when it comes to restaurants. Good day sir.
“Industries in the Food SERVICES and Drinking Places subsector prepare meals, snacks, and beverages to customer order for immediate on-premises and off-premises consumption. There is a wide range of establishments in these industries. Some provide food and drink only; while others provide various combinations of seating space, waiter/waitress SERVICES and incidental amenities, such as limited entertainment. The industries in the subsector are grouped based on the type and level of SERVICES provided. The industry groups are full-SERVICE restaurants; limited-SERVICE eating places; special food SERVICES, such as food SERVICE contractors, caterers, and mobile food SERVICES; and drinking places.”
Well, you still are missing the difference between “necessary” service” and “choice service.”
You said it in your comment. “They prepare and serve food for people who may not have other means of preparing it themselves and those who do, but would like to take advantage of a SERVICE.”
That’s the key, whether or not a person, who can prepare their own food food CHOOSES to use a service. Restaurants are choices, not necessities. If your are not a mechanic, a seamstress, a cobbler, you have no choice, you need a necessary service.
Try or understand the subject instead of thinking up insults.
I know… correcting Geoff Page is a fools errand. Have fun with your necessary services bud.
Happy to see that the rooftop bar rumors have been cleared up. I can’t wait to see what they do with the location.
That’s right next to Lil Lion; they serve coffee & food.
I could not be more excited for a community space near the cliffs that serves my needs. Specifically coffee and beer. I also think we need more family friendly spaces that everyone can enjoy. I can’t wait to see Daylight see the light of day
Couldn’t agree more!
I wonder if the two will get involved in a coffee and food war.
/s/ Chris Kennedy
I can think of a million other ways to spend 2,800,000, I was opening manager at pannikin in La Jolla while an undergrad at UCSD, the year I worked there I think I got a real life Phd in human nature, employees quitting without notice, employee theft, screwing each other in the bathroom, endless clogged toilets, crap on the toilet seat, on the floor, in the sink, yep, on the walls, guests who would bring their own coffee cup and thermos and take our creamer, stir sticks, sugar, and sit outside all day not spending a dime, keyboard warriors who brought their own coffee and sat outside all day, guests who would steal anything not nailed down, art off the walls, toilet paper, plates, silverware, coffee cups, ADA lawsuit, workers comp., harassment lawsuits, I stayed a year because I was a coffee connoisseur, and really liked the owner Bob, I don’t think the place made a nickel in profit, they made money by selling their beans wholesale, the worst was the bathrooms, you can guess what a public bathroom looks like that has 15-20 people using it every hour, customers are entitled, you never win with them, especially with Yelp. Good Luck
There are plenty of mechanics in Ob but not a lot of places to eat next tot the cliffs. This is a needed addition to that part of town! I’ll be a customer as soon as they open.