Southern California’s Coffee, Cars + Culture: A Morning at FourTillFour

If you ever find yourself cruising down the 101 through Encinitas with the windows down and salt in the air, make sure you pull off for a quick stop that might just turn into an entire morning. Right off the coast highway sits FourTillFour, an open-air coffee shop with a gravel floor, a wood deck, and an unmistakable energy that blends surf town chill with car enthusiast culture.

The first thing you’ll notice isn’t the menu, it’s the vibe. This isn’t your typical grab-and-go café. There’s a vintage VW rally car parked in the center of the space, acting almost like a sculpture. Around it, open seating invites you to slow down. Locals and visitors alike linger over coffee, laptops open or deep in conversation.

It’s casual. It’s welcoming. And it’s got soul.

I lived in Encinitas for nearly a decade, and while the town has evolved like everywhere else, it still moves at a slower, more thoughtful pace. That’s part of what makes FourTillFour feel so rooted even though it was only established in 2014, it feels like it’s always been here. Maybe it’s the design: simple, raw, and unpolished in the best way. Or maybe it’s the people. You can tell right away that this place wasn’t just built, it was curated by someone who gets it.

That someone is Nico, the owner and heartbeat of the shop. His passion for “cars and coffee” isn’t just something he says, it’s built into the DNA of the place.

FourTillFour is more than a café.

It’s a hub for a private car community that revolves around classic builds, custom restorations, and high-end sports cars. On every last Saturday of the month, the lot becomes a spontaneous car show, early 911s, pristine Defenders, even the occasional Ferrari, all parked casually as if they just rolled out of someone’s garage down the street.

But even if you’re not a car enthusiast, this place delivers. The oat cappuccino is easily one of the best in North County balanced, smooth, and served with care. Pastries rotate, the staff is friendly, and there’s free Wi-Fi if you’re looking to post up and work for a bit (or scroll through photos of the cars parked ten feet away).

Encinitas has always had this way of blending surf, style, and street culture in a way that feels effortless. FourTillFour captures it without trying. It’s the kind of place that people find it because they’re supposed to.

So whether you’re heading out for a morning surf, passing through town on a coastal road trip, or just looking for your new favorite weekend spot, FourTillFour is worth the visit. Stay for the coffee. Stay longer for the culture. And don’t be surprised if you leave inspired to start a new build.