Sept. 23 was the first day of fall, but San Diego started getting in pumpkin spice mode weeks prior. Many local businesses have updated their menus for the season, and we’ve rounded up 16 pumpkin spice destinations — whether you like the flavor a latte or you’re gourd with the occasional treat.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters | Locations vary
This local coffee chain has some tricks that go beyond the classic pumpkin spice latte (PSL). On its seasonal menu, you’ll find cold foam and the “Dirty Pumpkin” that mixes pumpkin and mocha.
Better Buzz Coffee Roasters | Locations vary
Here’s the tea, pumpkin flavors aren’t reserved for coffee at this chain. You can get a PSL or cold brew with pumpkin cold foam, but a pumpkin chai sounds equally cozy.
Pop Pie Co. + Stella Jean’s | Locations vary
Pumpkin pie is back on Pop Pie Co.'s menu, but the fall classic is taken to another level when it’s blended with Stella Jean’s ice cream and transformed into the Pumpkin PiesCream.
Wolfie’s Carousel Bar | Little Italy
As fall comes back around, this trendy restaurant is serving up a Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini made with vodka, coffee liqueur, cold brew, house-made pumpkin spice syrup, and nutmeg.
Spill the Beans | Gaslamp Quarter + Seaport Village
The Basic Witch is back — an iced latte made with the cafe’s pumpkin pie sauce. In fact, you can add the seasonal sauce or pumpkin spice cold foam to any drink for 50 cents.
Donut Bar | Downtown San Diego
Chef Santiago Campa found a way to pump up Donut Bar’s award-winning cruller by making the Pumpkin Latte French Cruller. It’s topped with pumpkin mousse and comes with a pipette filled with pumpkin crema.
Salt & Straw | Locations vary
October brings the Scoops & Skulls Series to the menu, and that includes Jack o’ Lantern Pumpkin Bread ice cream that has real pumpkin bread in the recipe.
House of Black Coffee | Locations vary
This chain calls its PSL “Bae-sic,” but it comes topped with pumpkin-spiced caramel whipped cream — or, dig into a pumpkin crêpe, muffin, or slice of bread.
S3 Coffee Bar | Grantville
If you love PSLs, this coffee shop takes it to the next level with the Pumpkin Cookie Butter Latte (or Pumpkin Cookie Butter Cold Foam). It pairs perfectly with the Falling For You Toast made with pumpkin cream cheese, sliced almonds, and cinnamon.
Bear Buns Bakery | Serra Mesa
You’ll fall in love with the Maple Pumpkin Muffin, made from scratch daily at this sweet spot. And seasonal pumpkin drinks are back that pair perfectly, including the Pumpkin Vietnamese Coffee.
Lofty Coffee | Locations vary
Whether you’re relaxing with a PSL or sipping a Pumpkin Pie Cloudy (Kyoto cold brew, pumpkin syrup, cream, and a graham cracker dust), the Pumpkin Spice Donut makes the perfect companion.
Hammond’s Gourmet Ice Cream | North Park + Point Loma
Keep it cool with a scoop this shop’s Pumpkin Cheesecake ice cream. We recommend getting an ice cream cone flight, because there are always many flavors to try.
Broken Yolk | Locations vary
This Pacific Beach-founded biz has people flipping out for breakfast, and the chain has pumpkin spiced it up for the season. Its PSL is back, but pumpkin spice pancakes are also on the menu.
Blackmarket Bakery | Locations vary
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a Basic Witch Tart, made with a chocolate shell, pumpkin spice, and toasted meringue. Or, start off your morning with a Chai Pumpkin Scone.
Arely’s French Bakery | Clairemont
This family-owned French bakery is putting a seasonal twist on its croissant. The Pumpkin Spice Filled Croissant is pumped full of pumpkin spice cream and topped with cinnamon, chocolate, and more pumpkin spice cream.
Point Loma Tea | Liberty Station
This tea shop has a seasonal menu filled with fall flavors, but the “Pumpkin Pie-Fruit Infusion” and “Pumpkin Spice-Rooibos” have really caught our eye.
