Bippity boppity boo—we blinked, and suddenly it’s autumn.
For the love of lattes, we hope you haven’t been camped outside your neighborhood Starbies waiting for pumpkin spice season to arrive, because we’ve got local options for you to trick-or-treat yourself with.
If you’re more into craving than carving when it comes to pumpkins, celebrate with these fall-inspired drinks and eats.
The Fall Buzz
Pumpkin spice lattes at Avotoasty
(Courtesy of @avotoastysf)
Do you wait all year for that sweet pumpkin syrup to hit your coffee and spice up your season? If you are a PSL fan, how about trying the fall basic—err, classic—served up in an actual pumpkin? Avotoasty serves their pumpkin spice lattes in the real deal (you can also get one sans pumpkin, but why?). They also have pumpkin matcha, a collagen pumpkin smoothie, or, if you are feeling boozy, a pumpkin spice espresso martini. // 1796 Union St. (Cow Hollow) or 175 Bay Pl. (Oakland), avotoasty.com
Looking for another way to sip your season? Head to Original Joe’s in North Beach and order yourself a matcha martini made with vodka, matcha, pumpkin spice Rumchata, and vanilla. // 601 Union St. (North Beach), originaljoes.com
Half Moon Bay is famous for its pumpkins, from the patch to the annual festival, and this year the coastal community’s local brewery is also in on the fun. Whether you are pre- or post-patch, enjoy a can or pint of Pumpkin Harvest Ale from Half Moon Brewing Company. // 390 Capistrano Rd. (Half Moon Bay), hmbbrewingco.com
Leave the Oven Off
Pumpkin spice cookies at Noe Valley Bakery
(Courtesy of @noevalleybakery)
These spots are doing all the fall baking for you.
Noe Valley Bakery serves it when it comes to seasonal treats (think King Cake for Mardi Gras), so it should come as no surprise that their fall menu’s pumpkin spice offerings are no exception. Their tasty treats include things like pumpkin bread with cream cheese topping, pumpkin cheesecake, and pumpkin spice muffins. // 4073 24th St. (Noe Valley) or 28 W Portal Ave. (West Portal), noevalleybakery.com
Mariposa Bakery is also making pumpkin muffins and a pumpkin spice tea loaf that is worth indulging in. // 5427 Telegraph Ave., D3 (Oakland) or 1 Ferry Bldg Plaza (Embarcadero), mariposabaking.com
If pumpkin pie is what you seek, head to Three Babes Bakeshop, which is offering up a classic pumpkin pie along with a version with a graham cracker crust. // Pre-order pickups at 2797 16th St (Mission), Saturdays 8am-2pm at Ferry Building Farmers Market (Embarcadero), threebabesbakeshop.com
Arizmendi, ever the reliable source for a seasonal treat, has a gluten-free pumpkin-praline muffin this year that will knock your socks off. // Multiple locations including 1331 9th Ave. (Inner Sunset) and 1504 Shattuck Ave. (Berkeley), arizmendibakery.com
I Scream, You Scream
Pumpkin cheesecake ice cream at Bi-Rite Creamery
(Courtesy of @biritecreamery)
Let’s be honest—people will be heading to the pumpkin patch no matter how “gourd-ous” the weather outside. That’s why nothing says fall in the Bay Area like a clear, warm day and a scoop of ice cream. Whether you prefer it in a cup or a cone, Bi-Rite Creamery’s pumpkin cheesecake ice cream will absolutely send you. // 3692 18th St. (Mission), biritemarket.com
Just craving classic pumpkin? Look no further than the original Swensen’s (1999 Hyde St., Russian Hill) or Mitchell’s (688 San Jose Ave., Noe Valley).