The Nomadic Playwright aka Places I’ve Written Plays: A Living Journal Entry

Pictured above: New York Public Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, The Rose Main Reading Room

I get bored pretty easily, so one way to combat that is to find new and different places to write at. And here is a gallery of some of them.

LOL… looking at the images above made me think that I should have renamed this website, The Nomadic Playwright. A lot of these spots are from Northern California, but I loved the energy I took in and put on the page in NYC. Aside from the usual coffee shops, I’ve even added a couple of the hotels, restaurants, and a bar where I found some of the muses to help me find a story! Putting this list and photos together has actually made me “starve” to find and post more places which I’ll definitely do in the future!

Key: 🔌 = outlets | 🛜 = wi-fi | ☕️ = coffee | 🧋= boba/tea | 🍺 = alcohol | 🥐 = breakfast/pastries | 🥪 = sandwiches/hot food

Northern California

Major Chains

• Starbucks 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪
  • Alameda, Bay Farm Island, 980 Island Dr, Alameda, CA 94502
  • Alameda, South Shore Center, 2210-J, South Shore Drive, Alameda, CA 94501
  • Alameda, 720 Atlantic Ave, Alameda, CA 94501
  • San Ramon, 6000 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon, CA 94583
  • Union City, 32240 Dyer St, Union City, CA 94587
  • Vacaville, 180 Nut Tree Pkwy, Vacaville, CA 95687
• Peet’s Coffee 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪
  • Alameda, 1365 Park St, Alameda, CA 94501
  • Alameda, 1901 Webster St, Alameda, CA 94501
  • Berkeley, 2124 Vine St, Berkeley, CA 94709
  • Emeryville, Public Market Emeryville, 5959 Shellmound St Suite 85, Emeryville, CA 94608
  • San Francisco, 2080 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94123
  • San Jose, 1295 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126
  • San Leandro, 1500 E 14th St, San Leandro, CA 94577
• Philz Coffee 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐
  • Castro Valley, 3359 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley, CA 94546 (added 2024/01/29)
  • Davis, 521 2nd St, Davis, CA 95616
  • Fremont, 39000 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont, CA 94538
  • Oakland, 6310 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
  • San Francisco, 5 Embarcadero Ctr, San Francisco, CA 94111
  • San Francisco, 4298 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114

Alameda

• Alameda Free Library, Main Library, 1550 Oak St, Alameda, CA 94501 🔌 🛜
• Alameda Island Brewing Company, 1716 Park St, Alameda, CA 94501 🛜 🍺
  Located in the heart of Downtown Alameda, Alameda Brewing has been brewing up a storm since 2015. Bringing the best of the island to you, we are dedicated to serving up authentic and timeless craft beer to you. Cheers to the next decade of brewing excellence!
• Beanery of Alameda, 1650 Park St, Alameda, CA 94501 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪
  Casual cafe inside Alameda Natural Grocery serving espresso drinks, sandwiches and baked goods.
• Blue Dot Cafe & Coffee Bar, 1910 Encinal Ave, Alameda, CA 94501 (added 2023/05/25) 🔌 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪 Light-filled cafe serves up breakfast & lunch fare, plus bakery treats & espresso in a cheery space.
• Borders Books, 2245 S Shore Cntr Alameda, CA 94501 (Closed)
• Cafe Jolie, 1500 Webster St, Alameda, CA 94501 (added 2024/06/04) ☕️ 🧋 🥐
  Cozy spot for classic French-American dishes along with live music on the weekends.
• China Villa Restaurant, 891-A Island Dr, Alameda, CA 94502
  Casual spot for traditional Chinese eats, including vegetarian dishes, plus beer and wine.
• Coffee Cultures, 1926 Park St, Alameda, CA 94501
  Casual coffeehouse serving espresso drinks and pastries, plus wine and beer.
• Firebrand Bread, 707 W Tower Ave Suite B, Alameda, CA 94501 (added 2024/03/29) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪
• Gate 6 Garden, 1417 Webster St, Alameda, CA 94501 (added 2024/11/16) 🛜 ☕️ 🧋
• Jay’s Coffee Teas and Treats, 1414 Encinal Ave, Alameda, CA 94501
• Lazybird Coffee, 930 Central Ave, Alameda, CA 94501 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪
• Little House Cafe, 1640 Park St, Alameda, CA 94501 (Closed)
• The Local, 1333 Park St, Alameda, CA 94501 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪
• Panera Bread, 2249 S Shore Center Drive Ste 330, Alameda, CA 94501 (added 2023/06/23) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪
• SIGNAL Coffee Roasters, 1536 Webster St, Alameda, CA 94501 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐
• Spritzer’s Cafe, 734 Central Ave, Alameda, CA 94501 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪
• Wescafe, 1518 Webster St, Alameda, CA 94501 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪

Benecia

• Drift Coffee Shop, 370 1st St, Benicia, CA 94510 (added 2023/06/23) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪
• One House Bakery, 918 1st St, Benicia, CA 94510 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪

Berkeley

• Artís Coffee, 1717 Fourth St B, Berkeley, CA 94710 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋
• Baker & Commons, 2900 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705 (added 2024/12/19) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪
• Cafenated Coffee Company, 2085 Vine St, Berkeley, CA 94709 (added 2024/06/25) 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪
• Cafenated Coffee Company, 2960 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705 (added 2024/07/09) 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪
• Caffé Strada, 2300 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
• Casa Latina, 1805 San Pablo Ave Berkeley, CA 94702 (added 2024/06/10) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪
• CoRo Coffee Room, 2324 Fifth St, Berkeley, CA 94710
• Doe Library, UC Berkeley, Campanile Way, Berkeley, CA 94720
• Heyma Yemeni Coffee, 1122 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702 (added 2024/12/03) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐
• Victory Point Cafe, 1797 Shattuck Ave. Ste A, Berkeley, CA 94709

Castro Valley

• Cafe 4, 20600 John Dr, Castro Valley, CA 94546
• Pampas Cafe, 22222 Redwood Rd, Castro Valley, CA 94546 (added 2024/01/11)
• Posh Bagel, 20665 Rustic Dr, Castro Valley, CA 94546 (added 2024/06/06) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪

Concord

• Gratitude Coffee Bar, 1655 Willow Pass Rd B, Concord, CA 94520 (added 2023/08/07) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪

Emeryville

• Barnes & Noble, 5604 Bay St, Emeryville, CA 94608 (added 2024/12/17) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐
• Public Market Emeryville, 5959 Shellmound St, Emeryville, CA 94608 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪

Fremont

• Slap Face Coffee & Tea, 37324 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA 94536 (Closed)
• Suju’s Coffee & Tea, 4949 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont, CA 94538 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪

Hayward

• The Dirty Bird Lounge, 926 B St, Hayward, CA 94541
• Eon Coffee, 24970 Hesperian Blvd #2440, Hayward, CA 94545
• Seafood City, 24536 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA 94545 (added 2024/05/17) 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪

Monterey

• Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop, 660 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940
• Plumes Coffee & Tea, 400 Alvarado St, Monterey, CA 93940
• Tidal Coffee, 400 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪

Menlo Park

• Cafe Zoe & Neighborhood Pizza Guy, 1929 Menalto Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025 (added 2024/08/21) 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪 🍕

Moss Landing

• The Power Plant Coffee, 7990 CA-1, Moss Landing, CA 95039 (added 2024/08/01) 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪

Napa

• brewed. 865 Factory Stores Dr, Napa, CA 94558

Oakland

• Ain’t Normal Cafe, 5701 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618 (added 2024/06/27) 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐
• Bicycle Coffee, 364 2nd St, Oakland, CA 94607
• Big House Beans, 4770 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609 (added 2024/11/08) 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐
• Caffe Chiave, 4045 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 9461 (added 2024/08/12) ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪
• Charlie May Coffee & Tea House, 11200 Golf Links Rd #G, Oakland, CA 94605 (added 2024/06/28) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐
• Damask Rose Coffee, 6606 Shattuck Ave., Oakland, CA 94609 (added 2023/06/01)
• Farley’s East, 33 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94612
• Highwire Coffee Roasters, 1111 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607 (added 2024/12/16) 🛜 ☕️ 🥐
• Hudson Bay Cafe, 5401 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618 (added 2024/01/11)
• Kefa Coffee, 422 29th Ave, Oakland, CA 94601 (added 2024/02/29)
• Kinfolx, 1951 Telegraph Ave Suite 4, Oakland, CA 94612 (added 2024/06/19) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪
• La Farine Bakery, 4094 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611 (added 2024/03/12) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🥐
• Mohka House, 2139 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94602 (added 2025/04/09)
• Mother Tongue Cafe & Bar, 308 41st St, Oakland, CA 94609 (added 2024/12/17) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪
• Paddington Cafe, 1952 Mountain Blvd, Oakland, CA 94611 (added 2024/11/18) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐
• Paradise Park Cafe,  6334 San Pablo Ave, Oakland, CA 94608 (added 2024/04/12) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪
• Starter Bakery, 5804 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618 (added 2024/03/14)
• Timeless Coffee, 4252 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611 (Closed)
• World Ground Cafe, 3726 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619 (added 2024/11/15) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪
• Zocalo Coffee, 101 Clinton Ln, Oakland, CA 94606 (added 2024/01/27)

Pleasant Hill

• Latte Da Espresso & More, 1902 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Pleasanton

• Inklings Coffee and Tea, 530 Main St, Pleasanton, CA 94566

Redwood City

• Coffeebar Redwood City, 2020 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063 (added 2024/02/26)
• Mademoiselle Colette, 2401 Broadway, Redwood City, CA (added 2024/05/20) ☕️ 🥐 🥪
• SweetU Cafe & Catering, 1201 Radio Rd UNIT 150, Redwood City, CA 94065 (added 2024/03/11)

Richmond

• Catahoula Coffee Co., 12472 San Pablo Ave, Richmond, CA 94805 (added 2025/01/26) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪

Rocklin

• Origin Coffee & Tea (now Pause Coffee House), 2168 Sunset Blvd, Rocklin, CA 95765

Sacramento

• The Coffee Garden, 2890 4th Ave, Sacramento, CA 95818 (Closed)
• Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown, 300 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814
• Seasons Coffee Roasters, 2420 N St Suite 105, Sacramento, CA 95816 (added 2024/03/28)
• Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel, 1230 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814
• Temple Coffee Roasters, 2200 K St, Sacramento, CA 95816
• Temple Coffee Roasters, 2829 S St, Sacramento, CA 95816
• Tupelo Coffee & Roasting, 5700 Elvas Ave, Sacramento, CA 95819 (added 2025/02/09) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋

Salinas

• The Beerded Bean, 210 Main Street, Salinas, CA 39301 (added 2023/05/27)

San Francisco

• Abanico Coffee Roasters, 2121 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (added 2024/02/23)
• Brew Cha, 3420 18th St #001, San Francisco, CA 94110 (added 2024/03/05)
• Cafe Da Fonk!, 300 De Haro St #330, San Francisco, CA 94103 (added 2024/08/30)
• Compton’s Coffee House, 1910 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115 (added 2023/06/15)
• David Rio Chai Bar, 1019 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103
• Farley’s Coffeehouse, 1315 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94107
• J. Paul Leonard Library, San Francisco State University, 1630 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132
• L’s Caffe, 2871 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (added 2024/11/16) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪
• La Lucha Coffee Bar, 1598 Sanchez St, San Francisco, CA 94131 (added 2023/05/24)
• Noe Cafe, 1299 Sanchez St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (added 2023/05/24)
• Westfield San Francisco Centre, 865 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103

San Jose

• Caffe Bene, 181 E Tasman Dr #80, San Jose, CA 95134 (added 2024/06/22) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪
• Crema Coffee Roasting Co., 1202 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126
• Lookout Coffee, 2135 S Winchester Blvd STE 100, Campbell, CA 95008 (added 2024/07/22) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐
• Roy’s Station, 197 Jackson St, San Jose, CA 95112

San Leandro

• Happy Lemon, 699 Lewelling Blvd Ste 35, San Leandro, CA 94579
• Hippies Brew, 699 Lewelling Blvd Ste 182, San Leandro, CA 94579 (added 2024/03/02)
• Sabino’s Coffee Shop, 1273 MacArthur Blvd, San Leandro, CA 94577 (added 2024/03/10)
• San Leandro Community Library, 300 Estudillo Ave, San Leandro, CA 94577 (added 2025/01/19)
• Zocalo Coffee, 645 Bancroft Ave, San Leandro, CA 94577 (added 2023/06/17)

San Lorenzo

• Frodo Joe’s Coffee & Tea, 17665 Hesperian Blvd, San Lorenzo, CA 94580

San Mateo

• Kaizen & Coffee, 2337 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94403 (added 2023/05/31)

Santa Cruz

• Cat & Cloud Coffee (Abbott Square), 725 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (added 2023/06/07)
• 11th Hour Coffee, 1001 Center St #1, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (added 2023/06/07)

Union City

• Caffé:in, 1788 Decoto Rd, Union City, CA 94587 (added 2024/04/06) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪
• Hippies Brew, 3900 Smith St, Union City, CA 94587 (added 2023/05/27) 🔌 🛜 ☕️
• Seafood City (Food Court), 31840 Alvarado Blvd, Union City, CA 94587 (added 2024/05/17) 🧋 🥐 🥪
• Suju’s Coffee & Tea, 1752 Decoto Rd, Union City, CA 94587 (added 2023/11/19) 🔌 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪

Vacaville

• Journey Coffee Co., 896 Alamo Dr B, Vacaville, CA 95688 (added 2025/02/09) 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪

Walnut Creek

• Caffè La Scala, 1655 N Main St UNIT 110, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 🛜 ☕️ 🧋 🥐 🥪

Chicago

• American Writers Museum, 180 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601 (added 2023/05/19)
• Cafe Deko, 800 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614 (added 2023/05/22)
• Dulce De Leche Cafe, 3441 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 (added 2023/05/17)
• Te’Amo Boba Bar, 2169 A S China Pl, Chicago, IL 60616 (added 2023/05/18)
• The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640 (added 2023/05/20)

Hawaii

• Club Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk, 227 Lewers St, Honolulu, HI 96815
• Kona Heaven Coffee, 75-5805 Ali‘i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 (added 2024/02/13)

New York

• The Bean, 54 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003 (added 2022/08/16)
• The Drama Book Shop, 266 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018 (added 2022/08/10)
• Ground Central Coffee Company, 155 East 52nd Street, 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10022 (added 2022/08/09)
• LaGuardia Airport, Queens, NY 11371 (added 2022/08/16)
• maman, 230 Park Ave, New York, NY 10169 (added 2022/08/10)
• New York Public Library – Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, The Rose Main Reading Room, 476 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018 (added 2022/08/11)
• Pause Cafe, 3 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002 (added 2022/08/15)
• Think Coffee, 1 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10003 (added 2022/08/16)

_{Count as of 2025/04/12: 146}