From Italian presses to mochas and double-skinny lattes, we locals love to get our coffee on.

What’s better is enjoying our favorite liquid boost in a cool café that gives us a break from a hectic day; a place to socialize with friends and poetry-reading strangers, or to simply relax and contemplate life amid overstuffed house chairs and buzzing laptops.

San Diego cafés and coffee houses are abundant, but some stand out from the caffeinated crowd. From the county-wide Living Room chain, to the trendy Influx and homey Café 976 in Pacific Beach, discover the top ten coffee houses in San Diego.

Caffe Calabria - North Park
After tasting coffee from around the country, Caffe Calabria's founder Arne Holt became committed to bringing the finest quality of coffee to San Diego. Holt and his company continue to offer exceptional coffee and fine foods, and also visit coffee farms throughout the world to help match dollars to build schools, buy supplies, and sustain coffee-producing communities. caffecalabria.com (pictured main)

Java Jones Coffee House - East Village and Pacific Beach
Java Jones sources, roasts and brews the finest coffees that are both socially and environmentally friendly, and sells only 100% organic and 100% fair-traded coffee. Check out the Coffee for a Cause selection, where proceeds benefit a variety of organizations, including Special Olympics. javajonescoffeehouse.com

Influx - Golden Hill
A modern coffee house inspired by European culinary traditions, Influx offers handmade danishes and croissants, organic sandwiches on freshly baked bread, gourmet salads, and the finest coffee and espresso in a minimalist, sleek urban setting. And, it is argued that Influx makes the best red-velvet cupcake in San Diego. influxcafe.com (pictured left)

Pannikin Coffee and Tea - San Diego
With locations in Leucadia, Del Mar, La Jolla and East Village, this family owned and operated coffee house offers organic, shade grown, and fair-trade produced coffees and proprietary tea blends from around the globe, and has been doing so since 1968. Browse the shelves of tea, coffee accessories, and books for adults and children, and don't miss live music here on Friday nights. pannikincoffeeandtea.com

Café 976 - Pacific Beach
Located a few blocks from the sand in Pacific Beach, Café 976 is a 1920s converted beach house that is considered one of the coolest coffee shops in town. The café’s European-style wooden deck and patio is surrounded by a large garden where surfers, students, soccer moms and professionals all come to hang out in a casual, relaxed environment. cafe976.com

Living Room Coffeehouse - Point Loma
The newest Living Room Coffeehouse took over the white Victorian house that used to be Cafe 1018. This colorful, intimate coffee house is a great place to study or chat, and the extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner menu (along with signature desserts) offers something for everyone. Be sure to check out the live music here on Saturday nights. livingroomcafe.com

Mystic Mocha - University Heights
Mystic Mocha is a unique café that has won over coffee hearts throughout San Diego. Although the size of a walk-in closet, Mystic Mocha's décor is creative, the staff is friendly, and the menu offers tasty cuisine. Don't miss their selection of spicy chilaquiles, and be sure to try one of their 25 signature mochas. myspace.com/mysticmochacafe

Cafe Bassam - Banker's Hill
This rustic coffee house is a local favorite in large part to its relaxed, yet sophisticated atmosphere and the old world vibe that is present throughout. Enjoy an espresso among the countless antiques on display, high-rise ceilings, dark woods and a large selection of loose leaf teas available for purchase, each displayed in their own glass jar. Their soy lattes are argued to be the best in the city. cafebassam.com

Claire De Lune - North Park
Located on the corner of University and Kansas Street in the heart of North Park, this two-story antique coffee lounge with high ceilings, comfy couches and wall-to-wall artwork provides a hip place to relax, work, listen to music, and enjoy some of the best coffee in town, along with homemade pastries, soups and sandwiches. clairedelune.com (pictured below)

Maryjane's Coffee Shop - Hard Rock Hotel
Located inside the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, Maryjane’s offers American cuisine with a contemporary twist. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with indoor and outdoor seating, this cafe serves up grub and piping hot coffee until 3am on the weekends. Don't miss Sunday Brunch starting at 6:30am, featuring a live DJ and a build-your-own-Bloody-Mary bar.

What’d we miss? Leave your comments below or contact us with new updates on cool San Diego coffee houses.