Serious boba addicts, such as myself, know what it is like to have a perfect spot to satisfy the after school craving. Whether it is for catching up with friends, studying or grabbing a sweet treat, having a go-to boba shop nearby is never a bad thing. Luckily, SCHS has a variety of boba places with a 30-minute walking distance. Over the past month, I have dedicated myself to trying several of them, looking for the best drinks, snacks and ambiance.

Beastea is one of my favorites, and for a good reason. Located a 20-minute walk or a three-minute drive from SCHS, they have an extensive menu and a nicely-decorated shop, making it a good place to hang out with friends. The portion sizes are big for great prices, and their selection of drinks goes beyond just tea, including Vietnamese coffee, matcha flavors and refreshing fruit smoothies. They also serve delicious snacks, such as popcorn chicken, garlic fries and calamari rings, which is great for something more filling. Beastea is the ideal place for an after school snack.

Matcha Matsu stands out as another shop due to its high-quality ingredients, particularly their ceremonial grade Japanese matcha. Their menu consists of creative and unique drinks such as “drinkable mochi,” fruit infused teas and smoothies. With large tables and an aesthetically-pleasing interior, Matcha Matsu is also popular with college students for studying. Their signature drinks include the Matcha Tornado, Mango Yogurt Boba and Kyoho Grape Tea. This spot is perfect for anyone who likes cozy interiors and premium matcha, and it is only a 12-minute walk or a three-minute drive from SCHS.

Teaspoon is known for having some of the best and innovative flavors. Their signature drinks – including Silky Mango, Caramel Cream, Matcha Royale and Black Sugar Assam – are fan favorites. They also serve typical tea options, such as the House Milk Tea and Classic Thai Tea. Beyond drinks, Teaspoon offers desserts like mochi donuts, macarons and shaved ice. Teaspoon is a must visit for anyone who loves boba, if you’re willing to make the 5 minute drive or 21 minute walk.

Boba Pup is one of the most well-known boba spots near SCHS, mostly because of how convenient its location is. As the closest shop to campus, the five-minute walk is perfect for a quick treat after school. While the drinks are not as unique as other spots, they offer adorable, reusable glass cups with cute corgis on them in varying poses. The shop is often crowded with students after school. Boba Pup offers matcha, milk tea, and mango drinks. They also have desserts such as Labubu Pudding and Dubai Chocolate. The overall pricing is higher, reflecting the inclusion of reusable cups, but Boba Pup is a fast option for drinks.

Tan Cha is a great option for those who love cold foam toppings on their drinks. Specializing in a unique foam that changes depending on the drink, they serve their beverages in coffee cups rather than boba cups. The foam is refreshing, especially in the summer and autumn. I highly recommend the Tiramisu Milk Tea with the tiramisu foam and the Uji Matcha with premium cheese foam. They also have great flavor combinations – one of them being the Matcha Espresso Cocoa topped with cheese and Oreo. These unique flavors are popular and taste good, making Tan Cha a fun after school spot only an 18-minute walk and four-minute drive from school.

Santa Clara’s local boba scene offers something for everyone’s taste. These places are great for finding personal favorites. Whether you want popcorn chicken with a fruit drink at Beastea, premium ceremonial matcha at Matcha Matsu, interesting flavors and dessert at Teaspoon, cute corgi cups at Boba Pup or refreshing cold foams at Tan Cha, each shop has its own perks. They are perfect for getting a quick snack after school, hanging out with friends or trying something new.