Something worth knowing about San Diego: the city has more than 80 independent coffee roasters, surpassing other major coffee capitals like Portland, LA, New York, and Chicago. As one of the fastest growing specialty coffee scenes in the US, San Diego is finally getting the recognition it deserves this April by hosting a major industry event.
The World’s Largest Specialty Coffee Event
World of Coffee San Diego 2026 lands at the San Diego Convention Center on April 10 and 11.
It's the first time the event has come to San Diego, and it's the biggest specialty coffee conference on the planet. For anyone who works in coffee or follows it closely, this is a significant moment. For the rest of us, including most of our own team at Lofty, it's a rare chance to see what drives the people who make the coffee you drink every day.
Here's what World of Coffee actually is, what's worth watching when you're there, and where to find Lofty at the show.
What World of Coffee Actually Is
World of Coffee is the flagship annual event of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), the world's largest coffee trade organization.
This year it comes to San Diego under its new name “World of Coffee.” Until 2026, it was called the Specialty Coffee Expo. The SCA made the change deliberately, signaling a shift toward a more international audience and a broader community than the event historically reached. San Diego as the host city fits that intention.
"It's the world's largest, most popular coffee conference. Anything in the supply chain that you can think of, from farmers and other roasters to bag manufacturers to K-Cup machine builders to robot baristas. It's a massive convention." – Lofty event lead
The event runs across two main days this year. Friday, April 10 draws primarily industry professionals. Saturday, April 11 is the most public-facing day of the show and the better choice if you're a coffee enthusiast coming for the first time.
What to Expect on the Show Floor
World of Coffee isn't just a trade show, it’s a place to expand your coffee knowledge. Here’s some of what you can expect:
- Discover and sample the best new coffees
- Attend hands-on workshops to elevate your skills
- Watch the World Coffee Championships
- Participate in guided coffee cupping sessions to sharpen your sensory skills
- And more!
The marquee event will be the World Latte Art Championship. Competitors work under time pressure to pour precise, intricate patterns in milk-based drinks.
"People go to dairy farms to get a certain milk mixture and freeze half of it with nitrogen to give you a creamy texture." – Lofty event lead
What sounds graceful gets complicated quickly. Even if you’re in the industry, you might not know there is this level of barista competition.
Find a complete schedule of events here.
Where to Find Lofty at the Show
Lofty is partnering with La Marzocco, among others, at the World of Coffee event. Here's where you'll find us pouring coffee and serving pour-overs:
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Friday, April 10
- 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM: Loring Roasters | Booth #3421
- 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM: Roaster Tools | Booth #3221
- 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM: La Marzocco | Booth #3135
Why San Diego Gets It Right
When we think of San Diego specialty coffee culture, passion comes to mind.
"The longer you work in the community, the smaller it gets. It’s a hard industry especially when you’re in one of the most expensive cities in the world." – Lofty event lead
San Diego has more than 850 coffee shops and the majority are considered local roasters. The small but growing community is producing high-caliber coffee comparable to larger coffee hubs. For instance, just last year our “Keeping it Classy” espresso earned a 92 with the Coffee Review (a large feat for an everyday blend).
Southern California is not dominated by large or global corporate brands which allows local businesses the opportunity to flourish and has led to many specialty coffee brands outperforming their size. We're one of them, and we've been here since 2011.
The roasters and entire coffee community in San Diego are going to show that we belong as a part of the global coffee community, and it’s estimated that this year's World of Coffee event will be the highest attended ever!
Extend the Experience at Our Cafes
Experience local specialty coffee culture at one of our San Diego Lofty locations.
Our goal is to continue to cultivate a destination where the atmosphere aligns with the SCA’s mission of connecting culture and commerce through community. Our original Encinitas location, featuring mostly outdoor space and limited outlets, encourages people to be present and focus on coffee and conversation.
See You At World of Coffee 2026
We've been part of this city's coffee community for over 15 years, and this is the first time the world's largest coffee event has come here. There's something that feels earned about that.
If you're attending the show, come find us on the floor. If you're not, stop by any of our cafes while you’re in town. This is our neighborhood. It's good to have the world visiting.
Tickets and registration for World of Coffee San Diego 2026 are available at https://usa.worldofcoffee.org/.
