A map of the best pumpkin spice lattes to be found near you! Rosalia D’Acquisto / Daily Nexus

Happy fall quarter Gauchos! It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Pumpkin Spice Latte season! Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte made its debut back in October 2003, and in the 21 years since its creation, it has revolutionized fall coffee trends. In 2014, the popularity of the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) skyrocketed as a result of hundreds of social media posts across Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr that poked fun at the drink and the “basic” drinkers who eat, breathe and sleep Pumpkin Spice.

Before the leaves had even started to change, the barrage of annual marketing began as Starbucks unveiled this year’s fall menu on Aug. 22. Yet, it’s hard to deny the success of Starbucks’ seasonal marketing strategy. ABC reports that the coffee giant sells about 20 million PSLs each year.

Despite the difficult kiss goodbye to Californian summers, fall ushers in a sense of comfort and nostalgia that the flavor profile of a PSL mirrors. The harmonious union of sweet and spice in a PSL is pure comfort in a cup.

Although the Starbucks PSL is a beloved nationwide classic, I wanted to seek out the best PSLs offered at local coffee shops here in Santa Barbara. I conducted a review of eight local spots and now have officially determined the best four local PSLs. 

I began my quest at Old Town Coffee & Roasters, located in the heart of Old Town Goleta. I was met with a sign outside announcing the return of the fall classic and as I entered the building it was Halloween decor galore. I ordered an iced PSL with almond milk, and when the owner overheard my order, he chimed in with a smile, saying he loved my order. He added that he had never considered the genius pairing between the sweet almond milk and pumpkin spices. To my relief, the Pumpkin Spice flavoring was not artificial but rather featured a uniquely sweet spice. Old Town Coffee’s PSL was delightfully creamy with hints of vanilla which was a great way to start the PSL season. The ironic thing about California fall is that as I had my first PSL of the season, it was still well over 80 degrees outside. 

“Howdy Fall” sign spotted outside of Old Town Coffee & Roasters. Rosalia D’Acquisto / Daily Nexus

Later, I returned to Old Town Coffee & Roasters to try the hot version of their PSL. I sensed the annual agonizing fall quarter cold creeping in and this hot PSL provided immense relief from my symptoms. Old Town Coffee & Roasters set the bar quite high, but it was time to explore other shops.

Once the beginning of the school year rush calmed down, I made my way to an I.V. classic: Cajé. In the past, I have not been particularly impressed with any of their non-seasonal lattes, but I wanted to give it another fair shot. Cajé, interestingly, does not advertise their PSL on the menu at the I.V. location. I noticed a small sign to the right of the register and giggled when I saw it promoted their “Spring Special” of a strawberry matcha. Some Cajé barista is clearly longing for spring. Or maybe they are just from Australia. 

Nevertheless, I asked the barista about their fall seasonal drink options and he assured me that they did have Pumpkin Spice available! I suppose I’ll call their PSL a sort-of-secret menu item. I’m personally a fan of slightly bitter and strong lattes, so Cajé’s PSL was right up my alley. There was definitely an emphasis on spice instead of creamy sweetness with this latte, and I really loved it!

This next PSL spot is home to not only incredible coffee, but also to outstanding specialty donuts. I present to you, Hook & Press Donuts! Located in downtown Santa Barbara, Hook & Press Donuts is a prized local favorite, they are currently celebrating their sixth consecutive year being crowned Santa Barbara Independent’s best donuts in town. Some of their autumnal donut delights include: pumpkin cheesecake, apple cider crisp, pumpkin s’mores, pecan pie and more! I was so thrilled to secure one of the last pecan pie donuts of the day to pair with my PSL. 

I knew Hook & Press Donuts’ donuts were phenomenal, but the PSL truly surprised me. Rather than being overpoweringly sweet, the PSL rather had a silky and warm spice to it. I definitely will be returning to Hook & Press before the end of spooky season to try another one of their fall donuts and of course a PSL to pair!

If you haven’t had enough Pumpkin Spice and everything nice yet, our final PSL destination is an absolute must-try. With two prime locations, one in the Funk Zone and one next to the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, Dart Coffee Co. takes the cake for the coffee spot with the best views. 

Last week, I stumbled upon Dart Coffee Co.’s latest Instagram post that advertised their “hauntingly delicious” PSL. One of my friends that I met studying abroad was visiting Santa Barbara for the weekend, so I dragged him down to Dart Coffee Co. with me. Before his sip of Dart’s PSL, he was of the opinion that these drinks are widely overrated. As he tried my PSL, he grew a smile on his face, and that’s when I knew Dart Coffee Co. had successfully changed his perception of “basic” PSLs. 

Dart’s PSL was quite similar to the bitterness of the Cajé PSL with an added hint of vanilla cream. I’ve always appreciated the exceptional quality of Dart’s coffee and they maintained this with their newest seasonal creation. It’s hard not to love a delicious coffee drink with a view of the sunny Santa Barbara Harbor and I have to say, Dart Coffee Co. was my favorite. 

Fear not, these local PSLs will all remain on the menu for a few more weeks. As we enter the last two weeks of October, if you find yourself in need of a cozy nudge of nostalgia and festivity, I hope these PSLs can provide that fulfilling fall feeling for you. 

A version of this article appeared on p. 14 of the Oct. 24, 2024 edition of the Daily Nexus.

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