Stay Golden Coffee Co., one of the most recent additions to Ventura’s wide variety of coffee spots, opened Sept. 16, 2024 and is located just outside of Lowe’s on Mills Road. The 1972 Shasta trailer converted into a mobile coffee shop has a retro exterior and a small but impressive menu, ranging from lattes to sandwiches to take on the go. Despite the unexpected location, the charming exterior and high quality drinks makes it absolutely worth visiting.

Iced Pumpkin Spice Horchata Latte with oat milk: 7/10

As one of the items on their seasonal menu, the combination of horchata and pumpkin spice initially caught my eye. The coffee roast was complemented nicely by the additional flavors without being too sweet or milky. However, the pumpkin flavor was underwhelming and overpowered by the spice of cinnamon. As an avid cinnamon lover, the drink was enjoyable, but to anyone who has a distaste for cinnamon or spice, it would perhaps be a bit overwhelming. I would best describe this drink as “autumn in a cup.”

Would I buy it again? Yes!

Mazapán Latte with oat milk: 6.5/10

This drink was without a doubt one of the most unique items I have ever seen sold throughout Ventura’s local coffee shops. De la Rosa Mazapán candy, a popular peanut candy, is melted in the coffee, giving it almost an overwhelmingly nutty flavor. The richness of the peanut marzipan blended well with the bitterness of the coffee, but as someone who prefers their drinks on the sweeter side, it was not really for me. My biggest complaint was the chunks of peanut bits from the melted mazapán, which collected at the bottom to become an unpleasant surprise among sips.

Would I buy it again? No

Iced Matcha Latte with oat milk sweetened with vanilla: 8.5/10

Surprisingly, this turned out to be my favorite of the drinks, even coming from a self-proclaimed matcha snob. It wasn’t too milky, which is one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to matcha or coffee, which also allowed the earthiness of the tea to shine through the sweetness of the vanilla. For those who enjoy the more bitter taste of matcha, this drink is sure to be a favorite. My only complaint is that it was a little chunky on the bottom, but the exceptional balance between sweet and earthy truly made up for it.

Would I buy it again? Yes!

Stay Golden Coffee Co. is truly a hidden gem, perfect for stopping by for a quick latte before running errands in the nearby stores or even sitting to enjoy a morning treat. The creative range of drinks and pastries, along with the charming aesthetic appeal of the trailer itself, proved Ventura’s latest mobile coffee shop to soon be a local favorite. Whether it’s to indulge in their exceptional matcha or try out a seasonal latte, Stay Golden Coffee is absolutely worth a visit.