Is there parking near Sine Wave Cafe in Ocean Beach?

Ocean Beach has street parking and nearby lots, though spots can be tight during peak brunch hours on weekends. Arrive early or plan for a few extra minutes hunting for a spot—it's worth it, but not a seamless pull-up-and-walk situation.

Can I work here with my laptop?

Yes. The wifi is fast, the space is comfortable, and locals treat it as a legit work spot. People camp out with laptops regularly, so bring your charger and settle in for a few hours without feeling rushed.

What should I order on my first visit?

Start with their matcha (it's a neighborhood favorite) and the smoked salmon toast or breakfast sandwich—both consistently praised. If you're there early, grab the banana bread; people go back specifically for it. The rosemary syrup in their drinks is a creative touch that works.

Is Sine Wave Cafe good for kids?

Absolutely. It's marked as kid-friendly and has a casual vibe that works for families. The outdoor seating helps if you need space, and the food—breakfast sandwiches, pastries—appeals to most kids.

Yes, dogs are welcome on the patio and outdoor seating areas. It's a pet-friendly spot, so your dog can hang while you drink coffee in Ocean Beach.

Are there vegetarian and vegan options?

Yes—vegetarian options are listed as available. The matcha, chai lattes, and toast-based dishes work well for plant-based diets, though you'll want to ask about specific preparations and any non-dairy milk swaps they offer.

What's the best time to visit to avoid a wait?

Weekday mornings and early afternoons are your sweet spot for a quick order and a seat. Weekend brunch is popular, so expect crowds if you go Saturday or Sunday around 10 a.m.–noon.

Sine Wave Cafe — Restaurants in Ocean Beach, San Diego

“Sine Wave Cafe builds drinks around syrups nobody else in OB is making—rosemary, lavender, chamomile—then backs them up with a kitchen that poaches eggs to order.”

Where Newbreak feeds the pre-surf rush with bagels and speed, Sine Wave slows the morning down with care that borders on fussy. They're making rosemary syrup for matcha, chamomile tea with lavender syrup and lemon for a caffeine-free option that actually tastes like something, chai with enough cinnamon bite that the spice people actually notice it. The coffee comes from a shop that knows what they're doing—visitors from Switzerland said so, which feels like the European stamp of approval that matters.

The food operates on the same wavelength. Breakfast sandwiches come built to order, the calzone's a move if you want something handheld that isn't a burrito, and they're smoking their own salmon for toast that includes feta and sun-dried tomatoes instead of the usual capers-and-onions routine. The banana bread apparently causes return trips. Someone's in the kitchen doing BLT variations with cream cheese, arugula, and poached eggs—not groundbreaking, but it's the kind of substitution that shows they're thinking past the menu defaults.

The wifi works, which matters because this place doubles as a workspace that doesn't rush you out after one drink. Outdoor seating exists for the dogs and the people who can't sit inside on a 72-degree day. It's comfortable enough that you'll stay through a second cup, which is the whole point of the syrup program—they want you thinking about what's *in* the drink, not just what caffeine vehicle gets you through the morning.

Parking's the usual Santa Monica Avenue situation—circle until someone leaves. Come early if you're working, come midday if you just want the chicken sandwich without the laptop crowd.