If you are both a coffee lover and in search of a place off the beaten path, I recommend a visit to Stumptown Coffee. 

Stumptown is located in the industrial arts district and is directly adjacent to the LA River (a gritty and long concrete storm runoff drain that is finally being turned back into an actual river). As a place for urban hipsters who work, live, and create nearby, Stumptown comfortably fits in with its non-genetically modified and fair trade coffees and selection of certified organic coffees. And generally, Stumptown is a fun, creative, and welcoming space (just today I noticed that since my most recent visit, a sign had been placed in the window ensuring all were welcome regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or gender identity). There isn’t much indoor seating, but there is outdoor seating, and customers often get the coffee to go. 

You don’t have to love coffee to appreciate Stumptown. They roast and grind their coffee beans on site, which adds to the novelty. And their baked goods feature a wide variety of unique and creative pastries that exceed what you would normally find at a Starbucks or Coffee Bean. These include things like their miso butterscotch white chocolate chunk cookie. 

All in all, a great place to get a good cup of coffee.