EcoVerse: Jing Si Books & Cafe

A wonderfully unique way of creating a self sustainable lifestyle and network of heart centered friends who are helping the world on a global scale with love and compassion…

Couldnt say more nice things about this place. Designed as a non profit — they have teachings based on living a sustainable lifestyle, super friendly people, and awesome books. If you’re ever downtown, poke through. If more places were like this, we’d have a better world

A wonderful coffee shop with plenty of tables and chairs where you can hangout, talk with friends, read a book, use your laptop or mobile device. They accept donations only for the cofee, by the way, because it’s run by a foundation that promotes a green, planet-​friendly lifestyle. They also offer free classes onsite on ecology-​related topics some evenings. Very peaceful, zen-​like ambience. I especially like the fact that it’s located almost directly across from the entrance to the new San Diego Central Library. Go borrow a library book and take it over to EcoVerse to sit and read. Convenient public transportation right there, as well. It’s a coffee shop with a purpose, and that’s very special.

So ecoverse was a great experience. Mellow mood, interesting surrounding as an «indoor garden» complimentary coffee/​tea and the main guy sitting at the front desk is very attentive and answered any questions I had. Definitely a nice spot to relax, learn about what ecoverse is about and have a coffee.

Great little café with lots of love and happy people. Environmentally friendly friends who want to make the world a better place to live in. Tracy is a gem she runs the show here and is so sweet, loving and giving. After the class was over she showed us around and talked to is about plants that clean the air naturally from toxins. What a cool and interesting place to be at.
We went last night for the first time as our friend told us to come and check it out. We got to learn about urban gardening and some good tips too.
Warning check the ballpark schedule we went during a game it was $ 20 for parking and we missed part of the class.
Great location otherwise.
We made a recycled planter and planted a Peace Lily in it. Peace Lillie’s naturally clean the air from toxins.

Lovely place to chill out. Very mellow. Not a café in the traditional sense. More like a meditation/​reading room. Free tea or coffee, which they only ask for donation. They carry other things they do have prices on, such as environmentally friendly shopping bag (made of recycled materials), that folds into tiny pocket and books. I really love the chill atmosphere.

Upon entering, I felt a calming effect. Perhaps, it was the warm smiles? The beautiful artwork? The zen décor? The smell of freshly brewed tea? The soft music? Whatever the reason, I felt at home.
Pure. Authentic. Inspiration.
I recommend this café for rest, relaxation, revival, and reflection. They are spreading compassion and love … and GREEN LIVING!
Check them out for classes AND even sustainable books, cups, plates, chopsticks, bags and blankets made of recycled bottles.
This is worth a trip downtown and offers easy access from the trolley (so you can conserve on gas).

What a hidden gem! It’s hidden behind the new public library downtown, next to Petco Park. It’s a non-​profit café/​eco-​friendly bookstore with awesome little eco-​friendly trinkets and bags. They even have these cool metal lunch tupperwares for sale, which I could previously only find online.
Their organic coffee and tea is complimentary, they just ask for a donation, which I am more than generous to give. (Take that, Starbucks!) They had a robust Sumatra roast when I was there, and it’s honestly the best coffee I think I’ve ever had. Their drinks come in cool mugs and tall stylish glasses, which you turn back in when you’re done. Even the spoons are real… no plastic stirrers here!
To sum it up: quiet, great ambiance, free drinks, free WiFi. Give them some money for their effort and support THEIR work! Pay it forward. :)

Right across the street from the central library. It’s pretty much the only logical place to get tea/​coffee there.
Jing Si Foundation provides you with complimentary organic tea or coffee and asks for a donation.
Brilliant! Why won’t a lot of non-​profits do it?

I like the vibe of this spot. I attended one of their sustainable courses after an receiving an invitation on the use of recyclables as planters and such. The course ended up being the 3^rd in a series and I did not learn about hydroponics or indoor gardening but instead listened to the benefits and use of a food dehydrator. Still a good topic, just not what I was prepared for.
I gave three stars because I feel like the speaker could have answered some questions a little better and in more depth, maybe it’s a matter of language.
After studying sustainable lifestyles through other outlets, I have some knowledge of the field and I expect that this would be a good place for beginners but may not be informative enough for me. The educator seemed nice enough to be receptive to my input and so I would be willing to provide an update after a few more workshops.

Great asset to east village. Great atmosphere to study or hangout. Free tea and coffee. Very relaxed

As a remote working software consultant, Jing Si has been one of the places I go to do work for the past 8 – 9 months or so. I probably stop by here once or twice a week.
First off, the place is beautiful and relaxing. The staff is courteous and friendly. There’s an assortment of books and other items for purchase which promote healthy living and reduction in carbon footprint. It’s unique — I haven’t seen anything else quite like it in San Diego or NYC where I was recently staying at for a month.
Early on they had a menu of stellar hot and iced coffee drinks and smoothies. As well there was supposed to be a food menu. Unfortunately (for me at least) they went in the other direction and now only serve hot and iced coffee and tea — interestingly enough they they don’t charge for it anymore, it’s donation only.
So I’m docking a star for that, perhaps unfairly as I’m speaking to my own needs, but it’s not a place I can work at all day as I usually like to punctuate my day with a meal while I work, maybe a smoothie in the morning, etc.

What a lovely concept! We stumbled in here after a convention center stairs run, and were welcomed by two very nice men who encouraged us to have a glass of iced green tea (apparently it’s good to drink after a workout). When we tried to pay, they informed us that it is a donation-​only café — what?! I’m so happy to see that there are still good-​natured people/​organizations out there, and in a great location at that! We wandered around a bit and checked out their book selection and assortment of green products for sale — which were both quite good. We ended up buying a couple of things, and were on our way. We’ll definitely be back for a coffee or a nice sit and read/​study day. I truly hope this place is a success — San Diego could use more establishments (and people) with the giving nature and selfless attitude.

So I just discovered this place and came to study here with a close friend. Totally relaxing, chill vibe – not your typical coffee house though. It’s more zen in a way – walk in, look around, and you will know why. They served my coffee in a mug, there were only a few people in there, and it was a totally enjoyable experience. They do have internet and some fairly accessible outlets. I have a project involving reading an actual book (aside from huge ugly textbooks) and I think this is the perfect place to get my study groove on. The only problem is the hours. I wish they were a late night place because then I would spend far more time here, especially as it is right across the street from my school.
The people working were nice, the vibe was great, and it wasn’t overrun with tons of people or too noisy to work. I really liked how they served their coffee.

I’ve been enjoying Jing Si Café since it opened in 2012. I love the quiet, comfortable atmosphere for working during the day. They also have great espresso and tea. They are somewhat limited on their espresso menu, as they keep it simple. There is also no food, if I remember correctly. However, the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. They go above and beyond to make sure their customers are happy!

I have been coming to Jing Si since it opened in August. This is a great place to study or just hang out with friends.
First, the staff is wonderful.
* Always smiling.
* Greet you when you come in.
* You feel like family on the first visit.
Second, they have everything you need for camping out to read, or the hang out and chat
* Their couches/​table/​chairs are oh so comfy… and I love the cushions.
* There are a lot of outlets and they are very conveniently positioned
* Restrooms are clean
Third, they’re non-​profit.
* Yes, they have a message… live sustainably and help with the community… but they don’t push it on you
* Books and supplies are available for purchase, or just to thumb through if you’re curious… personally, I love the little phrase books
* They have some pretty neat gifts… they’re sustainable, of course! I bought some reusable chopsticks a few months ago, I can’t imagine how many disposable utensils I no long have to use… I’m serious, when you go there, check out the chopsticks… it’s so convenient, I’m surprised I haven’t seen this before
Finally, the coffee and tea is delicious.
* I’m big on sustainability… if I remember correctly, the coffee is fair trade and shade grown… amazing!
* AND it’s complimentary… it doesn’t get any better than that! … if you want something strong, get the iced dripped coffee… yum!

Jing Si Books & Café is an affiliation of Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation and you can tell when you enter in this oasis of peace and balance. Very neat, elegant and simple coffee shop-​store filled with mini books full of aphorisms of do-​good. I went there when passing by confused the place with a flower shop. I was graciously welcomed by Cydanni (she treated me so well giving me explanations to all my questions that I decided to come back the same day with a friend). Great coffee (come with cookies made by some Taiwanese nuns) and even better atmosphere, zen-​like, perfect to read a book or draw (like I do), or just sit and savor the coffee or tea and relax. I hope it does not become a chatty place or a camping place for students (I hope the future library will serve to that purpose). Even the TVs are showing all the good actions of the organization, nobody is trying to convince you to anything. Very welcoming place.

Yes! That’s the first thing that comes to mind when I think about going back to this place. This place epitomizes what downtown SD needs… culture and compassion. A great coffee shop that is run by an organization whose focus is compassion to every other human on the planet. They also focus on helping preserve the planet by selling recycled goods… shirts, bags, containers, coffee mugs, etc… all sorts of fun things.
Great organic ice-​dripped coffee yes… free wifi yes… tranquil atmosphere yes. The staff is always very helpful and willing to educate you on Buddhism if you are interested… I was… and I bought a few books from their bookstore. And the location is ideal… across the street from the new library.
I’ll be back… often.

My favorite place to get a soy latte in downtown san diego. The people who work here are really wonderful too; I’ve had great conversations with all of them. They also have great eco friendly products in the adjacent store. Get some re-​usable chopsticks, they’re so handy when you don’t have a fork.
This is a great study spot too, they’re really understanding to the law students. They let us stay past closing sometimes when we’re really getting work done. Overall wonderful place and wonderful coffee.
I’m hoping that they start selling food (i.e. grab and go salads) and possibly having a meditation session in the store portion. PLEASE?
Also, bring in your own container and they give you a discount on the coffee. (Which is already cheaper and fresher than starbucks)

The people are friendly and the atmosphere is great!
Get the ice-​dripped coffee. That stuff is CRACK!