7 YEARS OF HIGH TIDE | SAVE THE DATE!
Seven years is a long time to keep the espresso dialed, the doors open early, and the community at the center of everything. It’s also something worth celebrating properly. This weekend marks 7 years of High Tide Coffee, and the celebration is happening right where it all started—at North Beach in San Clemente.
Since 2018, High Tide Coffee has been part of daily routines, weekend rituals, quick hellos, and long conversations. Morning surfers, parents after school drop-off, remote workers chasing good Wi-Fi and better coffee, visitors discovering the coast for the first time—it’s all been part of the mix. This anniversary weekend is about saying thanks in the most High Tide way possible: great coffee, good music, a little surprise, and an open invitation to hang out.
If there’s ever been a weekend to grab the crew and head toward North Beach, this is it.
Seven Years, One Neighborhood, Countless Cups
Here’s the thing. Coffee shops come and go. Menus change. Trends shift. What stays steady is the role a place plays in its neighborhood. From day one, the goal has been simple: serve high-quality specialty coffee in a space that feels easy, welcoming, and familiar—without feeling tired.
Being located at North Beach San Clemente means mornings start early and days stretch long. Salt hangs in the air. Boards lean against fences. Shoes are optional more often than not. Over the last seven years, the shop has grown alongside the neighborhood, staying rooted while still evolving. Better sourcing. More refined espresso. Food that makes sense whether it’s 7:30 AM or late morning drifting toward lunch.
Seven years in, the heartbeat is still the same. Show up. Brew well. Treat people right.
So… What’s the Plan This Weekend?
A birthday only comes once a year, and a seven-year milestone only happens once. That’s why this celebration runs two full days—Saturday and Sunday—with something happening from the early morning hours on.
It’s casual by design. No tickets. No complicated schedule. Just good reasons to stop by, linger a little longer, and maybe come back again the next day.
Here’s what’s lined up.
High Tide Sessions: Live Music, Early Mornings, Easy Vibes
There’s something about live music in the morning that just works—especially near the coast. For both Saturday and Sunday, the patio will be hosting High Tide Sessions, with live music from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
It’s the kind of soundtrack that fits a coffee cup in hand. Acoustic, mellow, unforced. The kind of music you notice without it demanding attention. Perfect for easing into the day, catching up with friends, or just sitting quietly and watching the neighborhood wake up.
Grab a seat outside. Stand and chat. Come straight from the beach. Come straight from bed. However it looks, it fits.
The Birthday Cake Latte (Yes, It’s Back)
Honestly, this is the one people ask about all year.
The Birthday Cake Latte only makes an appearance once a year, and this weekend is it. After that? Gone again. No extensions. No secret menu version. Just a short window to enjoy a drink that’s become part of High Tide birthday lore.
It’s celebratory without being over the top. Sweet, but balanced. Built on espresso that still holds its own, with flavors that feel nostalgic in a way that’s hard to pin down. The kind of latte that makes people smile halfway through the first sip.
If there’s ever a time to order something a little playful, this is it.
The Golden Ticket Hunt: A Little Chaos, a Lot of Fun
Now for the wildcard.
This weekend, 7 Golden Tickets total will be hidden around the shop. They might show up on a cup sleeve. A pastry bag. A piece of merch. There’s no pattern, no hint, no advantage—just a bit of luck and paying attention.
Find one, and it comes with legendary High Tide prizes. Think the kind of stuff regulars actually want, not filler. It’s a small way to say thanks, and a fun excuse to keep your eyes open while you’re ordering.
You know what? Even if you don’t find one, it’s still fun watching someone else realize they did.
Why This Anniversary Hits Different
Seven years isn’t flashy. It’s earned.
It means thousands of mornings opened on time. Espresso pulled again and again until it’s right. Conversations remembered. Orders learned. It means showing up during busy summers and quiet winters. During construction, storms, and everything else that tests a neighborhood business.
It also means being part of a bigger coffee conversation across Southern California. From Dana Point to Carlsbad, from Laguna Hills and Mission Viejo to Aliso Viejo, people are looking for coffee shops that feel local, not copy-and-paste. Places with outdoor seating that makes sense year-round. Spots that welcome dogs, families, and solo visitors equally. Coffee that’s taken seriously without being precious.
High Tide fits into that landscape while staying distinctly San Clemente. Coastal, casual, and quality-driven.
A Space Built for Gathering (Without Making It Weird)
Some places say they’re community-focused, but feel uncomfortable if you stay too long. Others are cozy but forget the coffee part.
The balance matters.
Over the years, the shop has become a natural gathering point. A quick coffee stop before work. A study spot mid-morning. A weekend meet-up spot where half the room knows each other by face, if not by name. Outdoor seating that works whether you’re with a dog, a stroller, or just a laptop and a long to-do list.
It’s not forced. It just happens when a place is consistent and people feel welcome.
Coffee Quality Still Comes First
Celebrations are great, but the coffee still has to show up. That hasn’t changed.
Every drink—whether it’s a simple drip, a carefully pulled espresso, or a seasonal latte—starts with attention to sourcing, roast profile, and balance. The goal isn’t complicated flavors for the sake of sounding impressive. It’s clarity. Reliability. A cup that tastes the way it should, every time.
That’s what keeps locals coming back. That’s what visitors remember.
Visiting for the First Time? Here’s What to Know
If this weekend happens to be a first visit, welcome. Expect a lively atmosphere, especially during the morning hours. Music on the patio. A little buzz inside. Smiles from people celebrating something that feels personal to them.
Parking is manageable. Outdoor seating fills quickly but turns over naturally. Ordering moves fast, even when it’s busy. The staff knows the rhythm.
Come as you are. That’s always been the point.
A Weekend That Feels Like San Clemente
This celebration isn’t about big speeches or formal events. It’s about capturing what makes San Clemente special—easy mornings, familiar faces, good coffee, and a reason to slow down for a minute.
Seven years in, High Tide Coffee is still doing what it set out to do. Serving the neighborhood. Staying consistent. Keeping things human.
This weekend just adds music, a birthday latte, and a few golden surprises to the mix.
Save the Date, Bring the Crew
Saturday and Sunday, January 03-04, 2026
Live music on the patio: 8:00–10:00 AM
Birthday Cake Latte: This weekend only
Golden Ticket Hunt: 7 tickets each day
Tag the coffee crew. Make a morning of it. Or swing by solo and see who you run into.
For updates, hours, and ordering ahead, visit the website or stop by in person at North Beach. Seven years strong—and the next cup’s already brewing.