The Best Coffee Shops off HWY-99.

I have compiled a list of the best coffee shops along HWY 99. As someone who is often traveling through the Central Valley to the Bay Area or Southern California, one thing that I have found myself searching for frequently was coffee shops along the way that weren’t Starbucks. That is not to say anything is wrong with Starbucks (I have been a Gold member since 2011) I enjoy trying to find independent stores whenever possible. It doesn’t even matter if it is in the morning as a “wake me up” or in the middle of the day as a “pick me up,” the caffeine kick is a must.

Over the last few months, I have been on the hunt for the best coffee in the Central Valley. My go-to drink is a dirty chai latte, either hot or iced. I ranked each spot by ordering the same drink or something most similar. At each location, I asked which version was best, iced or hot, as a way to try out what they considered to be their best. I also took people with me each time and tried their drinks out. There are some places on this list that I have frequented for a few years, which has made me quite familiar with their menus, yet I still went back to compare the coffee with the others still fresh in my mind.

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“More espresso, less depresso.”

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Austin’s Coffee Crafters:

222 River Road Ripon, CA 95366

Further down the highway, in Ripon, this gem exists. There is truly not one thing I could critique about this establishment. I first came here from a recommendation I was given and since the first time I came, I have found myself here several times at this point and it never disappoints. The quality is in the hand-crafted drinks is the same regardless of who is working the bar and the pastries are always fresh and moist since they are delivered daily. This location is favored by so many in the community, it serves as a positive place to work from just as much as it serves it’s guest who are looking to hangout and catch up with friends. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.

Parking: Parking Lot

Wait Time: Short - Medium - Pastries come out quickly and drinks usually come out a few minutes after. Be mindful that the staff is also working a drive through which adds to the number of orders being received.

Menu Suggestions:

1. Blueberry Scone - Absolutely the best scone I have every had. Everything is made fresh, you are not eating any baked good that came from the freezer and needed to be defrosted before consumption.

2. Iced Dirty Chai Latte - Probably the best iced chai from this whole list. The only one that might be better is the one from Palo Santo Café.

3. Cinnamon Chocolate Biscotti - Moist enough to eat alone but not too moist that you can’t dunk in your drink. If you know what I mean. Note that this product is made with slivered almonds which is fantastic, for those without peanut allergies.

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Palo Santo Café:

6333 Oakdale Road, Unit I Riverbank, CA 95367

The family who owns this coffee shop also owns a Mexican restaurant next door. All of the desserts, pastries, and gelato are made freshly by the bakers in the back. This location is quite far from the highway yet still is off of one of the main “backroads” (depending upon your destination). I needed to include them simply due to them offering such high-quality goods. Palo Santo takes pride in giving its guests a high-quality experience. From the proper cup usage to the details in silverware, even the honey sticks, as opposed to cheap honey packets. You will begin to feel transported to a European coffee shop here. There are numerous gluten-free and keto pastry and dessert options available, which is a customer base that most cafes and coffee shops tend to neglect entirely. For anyone who walks through the door, your needs will be catered to with ease.

Parking: Parking Lot

Wait Time: Short

Menu Suggestions:

1. Dirty Chai Latte - Strong, great layer of foam, and perfectly tempered. Not too spicy.

2. Dandelion Tea - This tea can be hard to find in regular stores as it is considered more specialized. I was surprised to find it served here. This brand was incredible, mixed with a honey stick.

3. Salted Carmel Latte - It is as great as it sounds.

4. Churro Cheesecake - I am all about freshness when it comes to my baked goods; this was divine. A perfect ratio between the flakey pastry puff and the cream cheese base. The additional cinnamon-sugar topping made each bite truly make the fusion between the two desserts.

5. Gluten-Free Triple Chocolate Brownie - Get this warmed up then the chocolate will just melt in your mouth. Make sure to have a glass of water nearby because this is sweet!

6. Carmel Gelato - Creamy, caramel heaven.

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“My blood type is iced coffee.”

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Culture Coffee Bar:

This new location down off McHenry is the hottest, most chic coffee shop. Right in the heart of Modesto, this hot spot for young adults and working moms, is always busy. Come here after a workout next door, with your friends to catch up or on your way through town. An added bonus to this spot is their playlist - early 2000s classics.

Parking: Parking Lot

Wait Time: Short - Medium, depending on the time of day.

Menu suggestions:

1. Salted Maple Cold Foam Cold Brew - **Sub for oat milk. An incredible recommendation made by one of the ladies who worked the bar. I got it iced.

2. Cardi C Latte - Very similar to a chai latte because of the cardamom spice. There is no heavy layer of foam on top either.

3. Matcha Collagen Latte - If you like matcha, you will like this, no doubt. The added benefits from collagen makes this option more enticing.

4. Raspberry Lemon Poppy Seed Bread - With a strong lemon taste paired with a creamy raspberry topping, this pastry was heavenly in the middle of the day.

5. Breakfast Muffin - I can’t recall the exact name of the pastry. It was an egg, bacon muffin.

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La Mo:

310 E Main St Turlock, CA 95380

One of my favorite places to come! I have been coming here for years. The cafe is in the front-facing towards the street. Further behind is a Latin-American courtyard restaurant. The cafe always has the most carefully crafted drinks paired with drool-worthy food from the restaurant! All ingredients are locally sourced. Before heading over, make sure that it is open. Their hours are mid-day, making it close earlier than most places in the area. They are also closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Parking: Street

Wait Time: Short - Medium, depending on wether you are eating a meal or not.

Menu Suggestions:

1. Dos Huevos - The country potatoes are divine and the bacon strips are thick and not fatty.

2. Wedding Platter - Flavor bursts through the entire meal.

3. Machaca - This is a great brunch platter. It is hearty and filling. Usually it is enough for me too split with someone else or take home as left overs.

4. Iced or Hot Dirty Chai Latte - More on the mild side when it comes to the spiciness. The iced drink is extremely refreshing.

5. Hot Mocha Latte - **Sub with oat milk

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"Relationship status: Looking for a tall, dark, rich cup of coffee."

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Preservation Coffee & Tea:

1030 J St Modesto, CA 95354

Right in downtown Modesto, right off the highway, this small coffee shop serves up traditional drinks. Although the menu is small and straightforward, the quality of drinks is really second to none in the valley. Take advantage of the organic coffee option while visiting. A downside to this location is the lack of attention to the stability of the tables. Our drinks spilled over the edges when the tables were touched even in the slightest, which slightly tainted the experience. Be sure to check out the small upstairs section, to the right of the register. It is great place to gather with your small party and chit chat or even play cards.

Parking: Street

Wait Time: Short

Menu Suggestions:

1. Macchiato - This is a traditionally made drink making this pretty. strong very strong, if you are thinking it is going to be like a Starbucks drink, you will be very disappointed.

2. Dirty Chai Latte - It is quite spicy here so I tend to add some honey to sweeten up

3. Lemon Bar - Compared to other coffee shops it is most decadent. The pastries are delivered fresh every morning.

4. Hot Chocolate - I know this is not coffee or tea, but for those who are not big coffee drinkers this is worth trying. It is not a powdery concoction that makes you great spending your money.

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The Queen Bean Coffee House:

1126 14th St Modesto, CA 95354

This coffee shop is a quaint, remodeled house in downtown Modesto that now serves as one of the community's favored coffee spots. In high school, my friends and I came here after school. When I would come back for holidays from college, this is the spot where one of my girlfriends and I would come to catch up. Over the years the decor has changed, yet the heart has remained the same. There is plenty of outdoor garden seating, making the vibes on point for the spring and summer.

Parking: Street

Wait Time: Short

Menu Suggestions:

1. Iced Chai Latte - It is good. I put this location further down on the list because nothing sticks out, in comparison, to other spots on this list.

2. Lemon Bar - If it is fresh, then it is good. Typically the pastries are delivered at the beginning of the week, usually Monday.

   Personally not a fan of the sandwiches, they are sad like the ones you make when you are in a hurry at home. I think for the price, there could be more.

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“Too much morning, not enough coffee."

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Dutch Bros Coffee:

1201 W. Monte Vista Ave. Turlock, CA 95382

901 N. Carpenter Rd. Modesto, CA 95351

1220 Colony Rd. Ripon, CA 95366

Three locations off of Highway-99. This drive-through coffee chain, over the last few years, has really blown up. Despite the menu being quite limited with traditional coffee drinks, they are extremely popular. Here you can also find the highly sought after, Dutch Bros Blue Rebel energy drinks and freezes.

Parking: Parking lots for window orders. Primarily a drive through situation.

Wait Time: Medium

Menu Suggestions:

1. Golden Eagle - A vanilla and caramel twisted iced chai latte.

2. Nitro Infused Cold Brew

3. Picture Perfect Dutch Freeze - Carmel and chocolate freeze with drizzles.

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I hope you find this information useful! If you have any other suggestions of where I should or what I should try, please let me know. You can always reach me on my social media. Check out the links page or click on the social media icons at the top of the page.

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