San Diego is the poster child for a lot of things: amazing surf breaks, carne asada burritos, annoyingly perfect weather year-round. But when it comes to experiencing a When Harry Met Sally kind of fall, the city sometimes falls short. Luckily, there’s a solution to the problem of having to wear flip flops and board shorts in mid-October: a cup of coffee.
Some of San Diego’s most loved local coffee shops are standing up to the eternal summer vibes with unique autumnal drinks that can help you feel a bit cozier, regardless of the UV. And I don’t mean just your classic PSL—these cafés are going a step further with their creative concoctions. Here are 10 festive favorites.
Toasty Ghosty Latte
Clairemont Coffee
Clairemont Coffee is a cozy, woman-owned and -operated neighborhood joint located at the top of the Bay Park hill. Amid the shop’s colorful murals, local art, and hanging plants, you can sip one of seven unique, fall-themed drinks. A couple include the Candy Corn Latte (with honey, caramel, and brown sugar) and the Boogieman Matcha (which blends matcha and blueberry). But the real winner is the Toasty Ghosty Latte, made with vanilla bean, white chocolate, and marshmallow. If you’re lucky, you might just get a little, white marshmallow-fluff ghost painted on the inside of your cup.
Dirty Pumpkin with Salted Maple Cold Foam
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters
At Dark Horse Coffee’s several San Diego County locations, “Dirty Pumpkin” is more than just a risky costume idea. The drink blends together mocha and pumpkin, which you can (and should) top with the brand-new salted maple cold foam for a full cornucopia of fall flavors. If you’re more of a night owl, you can still enjoy your sip under the moonlight, as the shop’s South Park outpost doesn’t close until 9:30 p.m.
Cold Brew with Apple Butter Cold Foam
Genteel Coffee
If you’re a fan of minimalistic, cool-toned, plant filled spaces, Genteel Coffee in North Park is your dream come true. Despite its pinky-up name, Genteel is a laid-back neighborhood gathering spot where you can cool down the warm fall weather with a cold brew topped with apple butter cold foam. The perfect blend of rich java and sweet-tart apples, it’ll make you feel like you’re walking through an apple orchard in Ugg boots.
Cranberry Chai Sparkling Cider
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
What began as a humble coffee shop in the Bird Rock neighborhood has now grown to be a favorite local chain with eleven locations around the county. This fall, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters brought back its classic spiced pumpkin latte, as well as sparkling cranberry chai and sparkling apple cider teas to enjoy if you still want to hold onto iced-tea season. The sparkling cranberry chai—concocted with housemade chai concentrate and real cranberry juice—is a personal favorite and tastes like a fizz-ified Thanksgiving (in the best way).
Black Sesame Chai Cold Foam Cold Brew
Jaunt Coffee Roasters
You may run out of breath ordering this drink at Jaunt Coffee Roasters, but it’s worth the wordiness. While the cold brew is terrific on its own (not too acidic or bitter), what knocks my socks off is the black sesame chai cold foam. It’s sweet and a little spicy—honestly, I could eat it with a spoon. Next time, Jaunt, skip the glass. I’ll just open my mouth and you can pour the cold foam right in.
The Original Market Spice Latte
Seven Seas Roasting Co.
There are several versions of the classic Seattle-based, cinnamon-orange Market Spice tea, but Seven Seas Roasting Co. took matters into its own hands with a one-of-a-kind, Market Spice–inspired blend of warm fall spices made in house. Baristas combine the mix with the coffee shop’s signature espresso, a touch of cinnamon, and freshly grated orange zest on top. You can also enjoy other fall menu items, such as the Dark Chocolate Raspberry Mocha, Pumpkin Pie Smash Latte, and Toasted Toffee Viennese.
Not Your Basic PSL
S3 Coffee Bar
If you’ve been reading this list and keep saying to yourself, “Sounds good, but it still doesn’t feel enough like fall to me,” I raise you S3 Coffee Bar’s pumpkin spice latte—served in a real, carved-out pumpkin. This isn’t the most practical way to drink a hot coffee (especially without spilling), but logistics be damned, coffee in a pumpkin might just inspire a world of new beverage containers. I vote vodka in a potato next.
To Die For
Selva Coffee House
Maybe you’re not a fan of fall and instead wish you were sipping a drink on a tropical island somewhere. Fair enough. Any diehard summertime lovers can escape the gloomy season by heading to Selva Coffee House, located inside Terra Bella Nursery. You get the best of both worlds at Selva: You’ll be surrounded by lush greenery while chugging one of nine fall-themed drinks, such as the To Die For. Pumpkin syrup, espresso, milk, pumpkin cloud cream, and graham cracker crumbles come together for this deliciously sweet and cozy drink.
Roasted Japanese Pumpkin Latte
Provecho! Coffee Co.
I’m nothing if not a convenience lover, but there’s something to say about harvesting your own vegetables from the garden and roasting them for soups, stews, and… coffee? Latino-owned coffee roastery Provecho! Coffee Co. is shoving a big, orange hand in the face of artificial pumpkin syrups by roasting its own kuri pumpkins and kabocha squash in its outdoor stone-floor pizza oven. The result is a rich, slightly earthy cup of coffee that you can top with pumpkin cold foam and pair with a pumpkin concha.
Slow Dance
Mnemonic Coffee
Mnemonic is one of the new kids on the SD java block—it’s only been open since summer 2023. But the queer, woman-owned coffee and zero-proof drink shop has quickly become a neighborhood favorite, located just west of Balboa Park. Mnemonic released four seasonal drinks, but one that you won’t find anywhere else is the Slow Dance. The sip has a cold brew concentrate base and is mixed with Topo Chico, molasses (wait, hear me out), spiced simple syrup, and a dried orange garnish. Not only does it pack a punch with fall flavors and caffeine, it matches the Halloween color scheme.
