Why Motoring Coffee is the Coolest Cafe in San Francisco
If you live in SF, then you must know the frustrations that come with finding SF cafes to work in! There’s either no outlets or like 2 outlets in a cafe, they close too early, and some of them don’t even have wi-fi. Well, let me tell you: you won’t have that problem at Motoring Coffee.
Aside from its aesthetically pleasing decor and dedication to using cars as a focal point of the decor without being too masculine/cheesy, you’ll find plenty of outlets, plenty of seating areas, fast Wi-Fi, and a 4PM closing time. If that’s too early for you, then perhaps a membership would be your best option, as you’ll have direct access to the HQ (right behind the glass doors) and can work there for longer and be a part of their exclusive members only events.
What is the Motoring Club, and is it different from Motoring Coffee?
Motoring Club is a members only club founded by Michael Rapetti. The New York native who had a passion for cars, telling stories, and building a community of like-minded people moved to California to start the club that we now know today.
TMC was founded in 2019 and is rooted in Los Angeles. The original clubhouse (pictured above) was located in Marina Del Rey, but in early 2023, they expanded their LA HQ into a larger space in Santa Monica. This new location includes the public-facing ‘Motoring Coffee’ shop and a retail store for car enthusiasts.
Members of The Motoring Club can enjoy exclusive deals and services such as vehicle storage (LA only) among other benefits tailored for car lovers. If you’re a fan of long drives up and down the Pacific Coast, TMC hosts a plethora of rallies that you can join in on! The club is a place where members can bond over their shared passion for cars in both a social and professional setting.
BUT you don’t need to be a car enthusiast or know a lot about cars or even own a luxury/classic/super car to join. For me personally, I just loved cars and looking at them, and have always loved the aesthetic that TMC embraced. My perfect day in LA (when I lived there) was getting my morning coffee at Deus Ex Machina (a motorcycle brand with a cafe located in Venice) and driving over to TMC to get some work done while F1 was playing in the background. For me, it was a great way to meet new people, look at the cars I wanted to own one day (’96 Defender or a ’93 Rover or an old Porsche), and have a dedicated workspace without having loud chatter in the background.
If you’ve ever dreamed of combining your love for cars with a community space where you can also enjoy a good cup of coffee, then The Motoring Club might be the perfect fit for you. If you want to become a member, let them know that I sent you so you can get the founding members rate!
One of the Best Coffee Shops to Work in San Francisco
Motoring Coffee is definitely one of the best unique cafes in San Francisco and I recommend it for anyone who loves to work out of cafes, needs a break from the usual WFH routine and wants to work next to a gorgeous car, wants to be a part of a community, and a place to chat about goals and aspirations with close friends on a Sunday morning. This is the place where you can silently read your newspaper, drink a flat white, and be grateful for another day in the life.
Visit Motoring Coffee, Now Open
Doors are wide open for your visit this season. You’ll see me there!
