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Jamba Juice

4 star rating
based on 32 reviews

Category: Juice Bars & Smoothies  [Edit]

Neighborhood: Laurel Heights
3480 California Street
(between Laurel St & Locust St)
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 440-0338
Price Range:
$
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

32 reviews for Jamba Juice

Review Highlights   

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"…Passion faster than you can say femme boost but it's not the best fuel for…" (in 5 reviews)
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"And free parking structure nearby." (in 8 reviews)
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"…Boost Smoothie, with one free extra (energy, thank you very much) herbal…" (in 4 reviews)
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Photo of Veronica P.

 

39

54

Veronica P.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
6/8/2009

Came here on a Saturday afternoon for my strawberry/banana protein smoothie and found it to be a great experience! Got parking right in front and there was not a long wait. The staff was super friendly - the girl at the register gave me her opinion on which boost I should take, and then the guy who made my smoothy was also in a great mood.

In and out in less than 10 minutes, used 1 quarter for parking, nice neighborhood and my craving was fulfilled. I will be coming back to this location versus inner sunset where it is always busy =)

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Photo of Rae W.

 

3

27

Rae W.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
1/26/2010

I love this Jamba, always fresh , thick and smooth! The Blueberry & lemon bread rocks too!

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Photo of Linda L.

 

222

92

Linda L.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
11/16/2008

can you say quick hands!
I was in and out of this jamba in 8 minutes exactly!
It was impressive to have the clerks address my needs and complicated order for 4 with ease.  They acted like true professionals and I told them they need to get raises OR start their own catering business of jamba juices!  They were friendly and lively.  It brightened up my day even more when they told me about a "secret menu" but that didn't intrigue me as much as the merchandise that was in their bookshelf.  They have a good selection of merchandise there.

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Photo of Mrs F.

 

11

295

Mrs F.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
11/22/2008

I'd like to compliment the staff at this Jamba Juice for fast, efficient, pleasant service.  

I have never had Jamba Juice before.  I received a gift card this year and never used it because I'm not a juice/smoothie person.  

I've tried all their sugar- and dairy-free smoothies with the free added protein/vitamin extras and I quite like it!  I don't want to know the calories.

I am liking Jamba Juice.  It's nice once in a while.

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Photo of Ixchel M.

 

14

90

Ixchel M.

San Francisco, CA

2 star rating
1/5/2009

The cashier was friendly, but the guy who made my smoothie wasn't so great.  My strawberry banana protein smoothie tasted mostly of protein and my friends drink tasted mostly of OJ even though it supposedly had five other ingredients.  

I was also really put off by the loud manager in the corner who was scolding her employee not only in front of other staff, but customers as well.  Be professional and take that kind  of talk behind closed doors.  I'll be taking my smoothie action elsewhere from now on.

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Photo of Katie Anne N.

Elite '10

202

537

Katie Anne N.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
8/3/2008

They've raised their prices slowly and sneaky. But if you love smoothies and looking for a meal replacement (the original will get you full), then grab a Jamba Juice. They usually have the Buy One Get One Free coupons that are a pretty good deal.

This location is pretty good. The cashiers are nice and the drinks come out fast. You hardly have to wait!

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Photo of Alan T.

 

78

191

Alan T.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
12/1/2008

Matcha Green Tea with the Energy Boost!  YUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMM!!!

Just don't come here around 3 or 4 pm on a weekday.  That's when all the kiddies show up fighting for a position in line with you!

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Photo of Chrissy L.

Elite '10

70

122

Chrissy L.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
3/30/2009

I'm not a huge Jamba fan or smoothie fan for that matter, but this morning I got their oatmeal and it was fabulous. $3 for a big cup of oatmeal with warm berries & brown sugar. It didn't taste instant like the stuff at starbucks! I was out of the door in just a couple of minutes with a yummy breakfast.

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Photo of Michael K.

 

24

20

Michael K.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
5/24/2008

This Jamba Juice is better than the one in the newly built Westfield Mall. Take it from me, when you walk in, these kids jump right to the counter and make sure they get you the super-duper healthy smoothie you've been craving all day. They're hungry and motivated and super fast when it comes to making the smoothies.

The service is amazing compared to similar establishments. There are several tables inside so you're able to sit down and enjoy your drink before you head home or back to your place of work.

I see lots of kids coming here after school, but mostly they're from the private prep schools in the area, so you will have no problem.

The boosts are free as in most Jamba Juice locations, but this particular Jamba Juice does tastings of new products every once in a while.

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Photo of Jeff M.

 

255

306

Jeff M.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
2/16/2007

So it might not be as insanely healthy as you might think, but still, it's a hell of a lot better than the microwavable taquitos I'd otherwise be eating.

As for this location, I've been there several times, all around lunchtime, and today was the longest I've had to wait, and even that was probably a total of six minutes from entrance to exit.  I could have done without the loud-ass doctor, still in fully-buttoned lab coat, attempting to have a useful conversation on his phone with a structural engineer about what to do about the fourth floor loft, but he piped down a little when I turned and stared at him.  Seriously, was Laurel Village always this fucking annoying?  Be careful, Noe Valley, for this is your future if you don't act soon.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have 88 ounces of blessed Citrus Squeeze to ingest.

(BTW: Jamba smoothies are insanely easy to make at home.  Just eyeball the ingredients and toss 'em in a blender.)

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Photo of Celeste M.

 

159

363

Celeste M.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
9/2/2006

I really like Jamba Juice, but I cannot stand the people that work at this location. *CHAT, CHAT, CHAT!!!* The workers love to chat, not with costumers, but with each other. I have waited at the counter, trying to get someone's attention so that I can order my drink, but the two employees just went on talking about how drunk one of them was the night before. Chatting with coworkers is fine, but there's a time and place for that like during a lunch break and not when they are suppose to be working.

Anyway, I always get the Orange-A-Peel (orange juice, nonfat fro-yo, strawberries, bananas with ice) OR the Citrus Squeeze (pineapple juice, oranges sherbet, strawberries, bananas with ice) along with a warm apple cinnamon pretzel. I love the citrus flavor and the thickness of both smoothies :-)!

My stomach is sensitive so I never get the free boost. Tried the energy boost once and my tummy was not happy.

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Photo of Susy C.

Elite '10

462

732

Susy C.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
1/11/2007

This location is... OKAY.
I only went here when I worked @ Peet's across the street.
The parking sucks. Why? It's all metered and full of yuppie soccer moms. Then again, what do you expect in Laurel Village?!

My disdain for them lowers the star rating.. Oh, and this place is always closed when im nearby. I think they close at like 6 or 7pm. Boooooooooooooooo

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Photo of Josh K.

Elite '10

61

242

Josh K.

Somerville, MA

4 star rating
5/27/2007

A few weeks ago, I was playing some great tennis in the city.  As to be expected, we started to attract a few spectators and eventually a crowd.  I heard the whispers from afar.  One guy said to another,  "Don't these guys remind you of the hard fought 1994 Australian Open Match between Todd Martin and No. 1 Pete Sampras, where Sampras won 7-6, 6-4, 6-4."  (Alright, so maybe these guys were actually giggling and betting on whether I would return an eighth consecutive serve into the net or just hit the ball over the fence all together but the weather was great and a good afternoon of tennis)

As you have read this story of tennis legends in the making, you might be wondering, "How does this relate to Jamba Juice?"  Good question.

After a great afternoon of tennis, I needed something that would quench my thirst but be more filling than Gatorade. This is when I remembered that just the day previously, I had found a coupon to Jamba Juice mixed in with my mail for a free small fruit smoothie.

I was expecting a long line at Jamba Juice since the weather was amazing.  The Jamba Juice was packed but the service was very efficient and the staff seemed well trained.  I enjoyed my Mega Mango fruit smoothie.  It wasn't overly sweet and at the same time, still flavorful.

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Photo of Tyrrhenian F.

 

4

5

Tyrrhenian F.

San Francisco, CA

2 star rating
1/12/2009

I visited by myself today and bought two drink.  The person who made my drink left half of the paper on the straw before handing me the drink.  The lady training told her trainee, "I don't like to leave this cover on the paper.". She pulled it off which made no sense since I was obviously taking the drink to someone. So after a production to get another straw, spilled drink all over the top to change straws, and no apology or explaination for why she would put her hands on my straw...  I left.  If that's the kind of unsanitary stuff they'll do in front of me... I don't want to imagine what's happening when I can't see.

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Photo of Hunter G.

 

14

186

Hunter G.

Davis, CA

4 star rating
2/5/2008

What's not to like about Jamba Juice? Every location is identical. Same flavors, same decor, same perky high school student staff. You always know what to expect. Check your mail every-so-often and you'll find a coupon for a free smoothie! Gotta love it. Even now they have not angered me like Starbuck's has with a store on every corner and sometimes two. Sometimes I feel like they might be portals though. You walk into one Jamba Juice and you come out at another location.

The other day I walked through this portal in the rain to get a smoothie for my sick sister. I love her.

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Photo of Jessica D.

 

208

266

Jessica D.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
12/22/2006

I'm down with throwing back a Caribbean Passion faster than you can say femme boost but it's not the best fuel for a body. No offense meant to the Jamba-loyal but just because you blend it it doesn't make it healthy.

You wouldn't eat 14 strawberries and a banana in a sitting with a pint and a half of yogurt...that's all I'm saying.

It's just fruit though, right? So a bit of a guilty pleasure once in awhile is a good thing and probably better than the caffeine quivers.

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Photo of Monika M.

 

29

591

Monika M.

San Francisco, CA

1 star rating
2/1/2008

Okay, so I'm on a mission now.

My favorite smoothie place, Surf City Squeeze, got put out of business by Jamba Juice, and now I'm annoyed that I can't get anything other than the double J.

When I first moved to San Francisco several years ago, I was so excited to have a chain like Jamba Juice offering healthy alternatives on every corner. Now that I can't find anything else, though, I'm a little miffed. Tired of all the same flavors, I decided to take JJ up on their "substitute any fruit" offer. I asked for a banana smoothie with nothing else. I've now tried it at different JJs, sometimes with juice, sometimes with nondairy mix, sometimes with the sherbet...as many different ways as I could. Here's the thing, though--it doesn't taste like banana. It tastes like chemical supplements, no matter what they mix with it. Now I can't have any jamba juice smoothie without tasting that chemical taste. It's really unfortunate, but I just want something that's really just fruit.

The kicker for me was seeing that JJ is dominating in Kona on a recent trip to Hawaii. On an island where mangos, papayas, oranges, bananas, persimmons, lemons, and all kinds of other fruit grow outside your window, they make the same formulaic chemical smoothies. Very sad.

For now, I'll stick to my blender and a good produce selection.

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Photo of christa m.

 

3

10

christa m.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
11/19/2005

Nothing makes this Jamba Juice any more spectacular than the rest of the Jamba Juices in the world. Friendly employees, chilly citrusy scent, free samples of new flavor concoctions, bathroom entrance with a key, next door to Starbucks and the movie theater...

You know, come to think of it, the movie theater being next door is pretty convenient.

Bonus points for location! (And free parking structure nearby!)

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Photo of Bob D.

 

6

4

Bob D.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
8/27/2007

I've been here 4 separate times (3 in the AM, one in the late afternoon) -- I've never experienced a line longer than 2 other people, parking's been simple and the crew has been almost a little too chipper, but I find that's usually the case at Jamba.  That said, I generally appreciate the energy the staff brings, I just wish the music were a little quieter Saturday or Sunday mornings when I'm in there to cure my hangover...

Strawberry Surf rider

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Photo of Gourmet G.

 

116

2110

Gourmet G.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
11/6/2005 1 photo

Delicious, allegedly nutritious, supposedly energizing, and definitely addictive fruit smoothies, enhanced with vitamins and minerals, high in potassium and low in sodium. Just don't let the healthy-for-you hype lull you into incorporating this into your diet on a regular basis - a 24-ounce serving of the Mighty Cherry Charger, for example, contains 490 calories, 103 grams of carbs, and a whopping 85 grams of sugar (which explains all that energizing). That they're over-priced is another good reason to cut back on consumption.

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Photo of Boner J.

 

2

39

Boner J.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
6/15/2009

It's a Jamba Juice. The service is fast, the prices are the same at all Jambas (pretty reasonable), and you get what you came for - a massive sugar load in the guise of healthy eating. Having this near my house is going to be a major problem in my breakfast budget.

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Photo of Jonathan B.

 

44

35

Jonathan B.

Daly City, CA

5 star rating
9/25/2008

I stopped by this jamba after dropping off some signs to a customer. in fact i see her review right below me..HELLO. anyway the service was great..speed was key here. lots of people in line but it moved smoothly. I asked for a white gummi bear and they made it without asking any question like some of the others do 5 stars, i was happy.

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Photo of Katherine C.

 

5

201

Katherine C.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
8/7/2008

I love Jamba Juice. I think that this is one of the better locations even though I've only been to this one once. The staff is nice and gets your drinks to ya in no time.

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Photo of Shane P.

 

13

90

Shane P.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
7/1/2008

I stop here almost every time on my way back from my orthodontist appointment.  Let me just say, Jamb should be a meal replacement, and not seen as a "healthy snack."  There are plenty calories, fat and sugar in their drinks...but don't let that deter you.  I've yet to find a drink that I haven't liked.  Try their new breakfast blends with granola!  YUMMMMMMMY!

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Photo of Deb T.

 

49

223

Deb T.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
5/7/2005

This is the easiest way to get your health on whilst trying to blend in with the up-and-coming, young-family Laurel Heights crowd.  How better to get your fruits and vitamins than packed into a single, delicious smoothie?  It's the drink that eats like a meal.  They have three sizes to perfectly slake thirst of any size, and they welcome you to bring your own mug, which I can always get behind.  And you don't have to wait in line forever like at the downtown ones.

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Photo of grumpy d.

 

1

12

grumpy d.

San Francisco, CA

2 star rating
6/29/2008

I realize that pimply high school kids are probably a cheap & abundant source of labor, but why does this particular Jamba Juice have to hire the most obnoxious snots with the worst attitudes?

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Photo of Michael T.

 

48

211

Michael T.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
5/6/2005

This place is just great.  Period.  I have any number of friends who won't even think of visiting the Bay area without stopping in for one of their smoothies, and prefer to have one every day if it can be managed.  My regular is the Power Boost Smoothie, with one free extra (energy, thank you very much) herbal boost.  Admittedly, the smoothie is a culinary concoction that's somewhat hard to enjoy when the weather isn't sunny and warm, which perhaps explains why I think I went here more when I lived in Oakland, but one of these vitamin-infused babies will have you feeling great by the time you finish it and it's often a great alternative pick-me-up when you just don't want the coffee jitters.  They also have some fairly tasty baked goods, including soft pretzels and an intriguing little thing called a "pizza bar."  Yum...

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Photo of O K.

 

27

289

O K.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
6/21/2005

This is the best Jamba Juice. The Strawberry Dreamin' smoothie is the best (strawberries, vanilla frozen yogurt)... wow.. so creamy!! Get one to go with your A.G. Ferrari panini next door :) oh no they got rid of the peanut butter moo'd!! minus one star :(

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Photo of Daniel P.

 

1

30

Daniel P.

Redwood City, CA

4 star rating
4/22/2007

id give JJ 5 stars for not the fricking yups that are constantly in this joint.  I go here every once in a while cause it's basically the closest JJ to where i reside.   I do like JJ, but a word to all the god damn yuppie moms and their strollers that are bigger then the average car carrying rotten, loud, disgusting rats; GET THE HELL OUTTA THE WAY!!

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Photo of jj w.

 

0

18

jj w.

San Francisco, CA

2 star rating
7/7/2009

disappointing. the 2 smoothies i got were watery and pretty much melted to juice within 20 min. first time at this location but i've had many jamba juice smoothies that are typically very thick from being frozen.

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Photo of Alycia M.

 

0

17

Alycia M.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
11/23/2008

Best Jamba Juice in the city, hands down. The employees are wonderful and very helpful. And in regards to the person that gave it two stars because of their lack of their secret menu - I'd like to point out that all the Jesus based Jamba Juice's originated in SOCAL. There are over 100 different drinks on the secret menu. If the employees knew all of them by heart, I'd say start paying them more than minimum wage.

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Photo of R T.

 

0

7

R T.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
1/19/2008

Yummy smoothies, friendly staff, its great!

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