– COMMON GROUNDS | COFFEE AND COMMUNITY –  

The functions and forms of coffee shops encompass the creativity of the hospitality sector and venue design as community gathering spaces to share common grounds, literally and figuratively, which enhance and advance community, and, consequently, human-centered and community-centered design for impact.  

This event includes a “shop tour” through various geographic communities in San Diego County curated with versatility, and intentionality to feature multi-functional spaces, as an insightful and experiential social that acknowledges and appreciates the delightful attributes of coffee shops, from craft to design to engagement, which meaningfully impact the community.

Program plans subject to change, as well as spontaneity and serendipity during the event.  Additional tour information may be forthcoming to registered guests.

Thank you in advance for cooperation, consideration, and understanding regarding event circumstances.  Sincere gratitude in advance to enthusiasts, for supporting this occasion, as well as San Diego Design Week 2025, and the theme, Design for Impact.

Alla Salute (Cheers, to health, in Italian)!

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2025

– PART NO. 3 – 

1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
La Jolla*

*Walking tour through select coffee shops (commencing at Il Giardino di Lilli, 7467 Girard Avenue, San Diego, California 92037)

2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 
Surf Lounge 
763 Turquoise Street 
San Diego, California 92101 

3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
MRKT SPACE*
2202 Avenida de la Playa 
La Jolla, California 92037

*Hosted light refreshments 

4:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 
CRAFT CAFÉ
1439 El Prado
San Diego, California 92101

[Family-Friendly]

Arrivederci e grazie  (Goodbye and thank you, in Italian)!

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PLEASE NOTE:

• An abundance of regional coffee shops and neighborhoods remain worth exploring not part of this small-scale official tour
• Hosted light refreshments provided where specified, hosted light refreshments include beverage and/or food, as well as additional refreshments at registrant expense
• Family-friendly options where specified, as well as accompanied minors with registrant welcome to any activity per registrant discretion and responsibility
• Hosted transportation not included, hosted parking expense not included, as well as registrant consideration of parking availability advised 
• Walking tours optional per registrant interest and comfort, registrant preparation and discretion advised, as well as walking tours intended as concise pass-through of venues and experience neighborhoods 
• Self-guided participant experiences of Rancho Santa Fe Cars and Coffee and Little Italy Mercato, respectively
• Registration capacity limited to ten participants per tour part to respect establishments while open to the public, as well as kindly respect registration and cancel in advance upon change of plans
• If online registration at capacity, on-site attendees may replace good-faith cancellation and absent registrants, although no guarantee of participation
• Tour guide identifiable by blue shirt from Design Forward Alliance, official presenter of San Diego Design Week

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Cover Photography:

Anonymous

Common Grounds
“Common Grounds 06”, 2024

Endless Quest
Laguna Beach, California