Bianca Ontiveros  |  Contributing Writer

The holiday season is finally here. Christmas music is filling the air, but the season of dreadful finals has also arrived. During this time, it is hard to find a comfortable place to study. All of the nearby coffee shops and libraries are packed. The outlets are all being used and a lack of table space makes it quite difficult to study. We end up running into our friends in those places, too, so chances are we end up talking instead of actually studying.

The perfect solution to this issue is a short bus ride on Foothill Transit’s 187 route to Arcadia. Visit the coffee shop Taza on the corner of Huntington Boulevard and Santa Anita Avenue. It’s a nice getaway but still close to campus. If you do not have a car, the bus ride is about 30 minutes. If you do have one, this is maybe a 10-minute drive on the 210 freeway.

There are three options for customers to find a relaxing spot to sit inside the shop: individual tables, bar stools or wooden benches. The diversity of furniture and decorations makes you feel like you’re not just in a coffee shop but at home. There is mostly natural lighting, with big windows on one side of the shop creating a lively vibe. The other side of the shop has dark walls with dim lighting giving off a warmer, cozier feel. Taza is an all-around great getaway for some hardcore studying but feeling as if you are in your living room.

Another option is to sit outside on bench tables with the amazing mural the owner painted overlooking them. Arcadia County Park is across the street and visible from the barstool windows if you care to take a stroll or get some fresh air. If that is not your idea of a good break, take a quick trip down Santa Anita Avenue to the mall and do some comfort shopping or grab a bite to eat.

Though this is a quick escape from campus and its overly packed coffee shops, what really pulled me in was the menu. Truly one of the best lattes I have ever had was at Taza. The latte had the perfect amount of flavor and espresso; neither was overpowered by the other, but a perfect balance to give you a flavorful caffeine kick. This is also a tasty place to grab breakfast. Apart from the many pastry choices, you can get a cinnamon or vanilla waffle with ice cream or other toppings. The waffles are delicious, especially served with one of the espresso options.

No matter the reason to get out of Azusa, Taza; A Social Coffee House is the right place to go.