Claire de Lune Coffee Lounge   

Claire de Lune Coffee Lounge was established in 1997, but it seems like it's always been here. The establishment is a combination of fab interior design (it won the coveted Orchid Award), fine coffee, community fellowship, cigars (smoke 'em outside), sumptuous pastries and carefully prepared sandwiches, soups and salads. Housed in a vintage Spanish-revival building that fills with sun, Claire de Lune invites the busiest of bees to land for a leisurely morning or afternoon. It's always been a mystery as to just why "designer" coffee shops open at the relatively late 6AM. In San Diego, lots of folks are well on their way to work, school or the gym by then. Claire de Lune, bless 'em, opens at a considerate 4:30AM daily. Throughout the week, local musicians both well known and up and coming perform evenings on the wee stage. Local faves Eve Selis and Earl Thomas perform from time to time.