Five local stops in pursuit of fall in a cup.

There are two kinds of people in October.

The people who have already had three pumpkin spice lattes...

…and the people who are pretending they don't like pumpkin spice while secretly wondering where they can get one.

We don't judge.

Around here, fall isn't just about changing leaves and pumpkin patches. Sometimes you experience the season one cup, one pastry, or one ridiculously good fall treat at a time.

So this week, Sierra Life Guide went looking for pumpkin spice.

Not at every coffee shop in the county.

Just a few local places worth checking out when you're craving a little cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin, caramel, or whatever else makes a coffee taste like October.

This is where we'd start.

Revive has fully embraced fall this year with a seasonal menu that includes a Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Latte—pumpkin spice, brown sugar cinnamon, and creamy white chocolate—and a Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew topped with pumpkin-spice cold foam.

And those aren't even the only fall drinks.

There's also a Harvest Latte, Cookie Butter Latte, Maple Pecan Latte, S'mores Latte, Hot Apple Cider, and more.

Honestly, ordering may be the hardest part.

Our pick: The Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Latte.

Because apparently someone decided a pumpkin spice latte wasn't decadent enough and added cinnamon roll.

We're listening.

Sonora • Jamestown • Soulsbyville • Columbia

If you're looking for your pumpkin spice fix without getting out of your car, this is where the search gets interesting.

Day-O has been a foothills coffee staple for years, with locations scattered throughout Tuolumne County.

Their menu changes, seasonal drinks come and go, and that's exactly why we'd stop and ask:

“What's your fall drink right now?”

Maybe it's pumpkin spice.

Maybe it's something completely different.

That's part of the fun.

And if you've got a favorite Day-O seasonal drink, we want to know about it.

Our move: Don't order the same thing you always get. Ask the person at the window what's new.

You might find your new fall favorite.

Schnoogs is another stop where the pumpkin spice search isn't necessarily about finding a giant orange sign announcing FALL DRINKS.

It's about the combination.

Organic coffee.

Scratch-baked pastries.

Scones.

Something warm.

Something sweet.

And a place where you can actually sit down and enjoy it.

Schnoogs describes itself as “Sonora's Living Room,” and honestly, that's a pretty good description for this particular mission.

Our move: Ask what's new or seasonal in the pastry case, then pair it with your favorite coffee.

Because sometimes the best pumpkin-spice experience isn't actually in the cup.

It's sitting next to it.

Here's where we bend the rules a little.

Because the Search for Pumpkin Spice doesn't have to be exclusively about coffee.

The Sugar Shack is a longtime Twain Harte stop for breakfast, baked goods, and sweet treats, and fall is exactly the right excuse to see what's coming out of the bakery case.

Look for seasonal pastries, cinnamon, apple, pumpkin, or whatever the bakers are playing with.

Our move: Get something warm and sweet, grab your coffee, and take it outside.

October in Twain Harte is pretty good company.

And if pumpkin spice isn't on the menu?

You still got breakfast.

We call that a successful expedition.

Sonora

Okay, this one is intentionally different.

Indigeny Reserve isn't a coffee shop.

It's a 160-acre apple ranch, cidery, and distillery—and October is apple season.

Walk through the orchard.

Enjoy the fall scenery.

Pick up some fresh apples.

Grab a cider.

And then go home and make the pumpkin-spice latte yourself.

Or better yet, make an apple-and-pumpkin dessert and invite somebody over.

Because sometimes the best local food experience isn't something you order.

It's something you bring home.

Here's your assignment:

Over the next couple of weeks, visit three local spots and try something you've never ordered before.

It doesn't have to be pumpkin spice.

It could be apple.

Maple.

Cinnamon.

Caramel.

Chai.

Or something so strange that you have to order it just to find out what it is.

Take a picture.

Tell us what you ordered.

And, most importantly...

Tell us if it was actually good.

Because somebody has to do the research.

We're willing to make that sacrifice.

Seasonal menus can change quickly, and some fall drinks and pastries may only be available for a limited time.

So, check with the shop before making a special trip—and if you find something we missed, hit reply and tell us.

The Search for Pumpkin Spice is still underway.

Until next Thursday,

Jerad
Sierra Life Guide
Your Guide to the Best of Sierra Living.

Where have you found the best fall drink or treat in the Sierra? We want the intel.