Our Story
About Coastal Granny's
A husband-and-wife micro-roasting project born from curiosity, community, and a love of the wildest coffees in the world.
How It Started
From a Barbecue to an Aillio Bullet
Ryan started roasting on a barbecue in the backyard — just him, a bag of green beans, and a stubborn curiosity about what makes great coffee tick. It wasn't a business plan. It was a way to access the interesting lots — the rare, experimental ones that always come in 22 lb minimum shipments and are impossible to buy by the bag.
One roaster led to another. He worked his way up to an Aillio Bullet drum roaster, studied under Scott Rao, and started building direct relationships with producers doing groundbreaking work — including Edwin Noreña, a legend in experimental processing who consistently puts out lots that redefine what coffee can taste like.
By day Ryan is an environmental engineer for an aerospace company. Roasting is a passion project — one that grew because he genuinely loves nerding out on coffee and sharing it with people who might never otherwise get to try these lots at a fair price.
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Meet Kelly
The Cart, the Brand, and the Community
Kelly spent years in program management and health coaching — running diabetes prevention, prenatal, and smoking cessation programs. When her company changed their remote policy, she took it as a sign. She started cooking at home, launched a coffee and matcha cart, and Coastal Granny's took on a life of its own.
Now she runs the cart full time — doing pop-ups, private experiences, and events all around San Diego. Ryan roasts for her. She brings the coffee to the people. Every drink she serves starts with a bag Ryan pulled fresh from the drum.
The brand is hers. The roasting is his. The whole thing is theirs — and it's built on the idea that exceptional coffee should feel accessible, fun, and genuinely worth talking about.
What We Stand For
Roasted to Order
Every batch is pulled from Ryan's Aillio Bullet drum roaster fresh — no warehouse stock, no stale beans.
Experimental Processing
We specialize in co-ferments, carbonic macerations, and rare processing techniques that push flavor to its limit.
Traceable Origins
We source from producers we know by name. When Ryan loves a lot, he tells you exactly who grew it and why.
Community First
Pop-ups, private tastings, and local events across San Diego. Coffee this good is meant to be shared.
“I really just like roasting so that I can try fun new coffees and nerd out — and share them with people.”
— Ryan McLaughlin, Roaster
Meet the Duo
A husband-and-wife team obsessed with exceptional coffee and real community.
Ryan McLaughlin
Micro-Roaster & Green Buyer
Environmental engineer by day, obsessive coffee nerd by everything else. Ryan sources green beans from producers he knows by name, roasts every batch to order on his Aillio Bullet, and genuinely believes coffee can be a vehicle for storytelling. His current obsession: experimental co-ferments and rare natural process lots.
Kelly McLaughlin
Brand, Events & Pop-Ups
Kelly is the face of Coastal Granny's in San Diego. She runs the coffee and matcha cart, books private experiences, coordinates pop-ups, and makes every guest feel like they're getting something special — because they are. The brand vision is hers, and it shows in every cup she serves.
Find Us in San Diego
Catch the Cart
Kelly runs pop-ups and private experiences all around SD. Follow along to catch the next one, or book a private event for your next gathering.