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Has the pumpkin spice craze jumped the shark? With everything from pumpkin spice lattes and teas to pumpkin spice Oreos and protein powder now taking over coffeeshops and grocery store shelves, some people are beginning to roll their eyes at America's obsession with the autumnal spice. But, love it or hate it, pumpkin spice season is in full swing. If you'd like to explore some local alternatives to the Starbucks latte, click through the gallery. There are plenty of ways to (pumpkin) spice up your life in Sonoma!
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Breathe in. Brighten up your home with the smell of pumpkin spice. Hella Candles is a local online shop that makes soy candles from recycled wine bottles (how very Wine Country of them!) and various seasonal scents. Their Pumpkin Spice in PJs has the right amount of spice without being overwhelming. (Photo by Shana Bull)
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Skip the latte. Why spend money on a latte when you can get the same flavor from the farmers markets in Santa Rosa and Sonoma? Local spice shop Berkman Spices just started selling their pumpkin pie spice rub at the Santa Rosa Original Farmers Market, the Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers Market, and at Oliver’s Market. (Photo by Shana Bull)
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Sugar, spice and everything nice. Sift Dessert Bar makes pumpkin spice macarons in a light orange shade that taste of cinnamon, clove, and star anise. The colorful French cookies can be found at Sift locations in Cotati, Petaluma, and Santa Rosa. (Photo by Shana Bull)
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Fall fashion finds. Head to the Healdsburg Square and visit OSKA. The boutique fashion shop sells handmade purses from Sonoma County designer Adelle Stoll. Stoll's purses and necklaces are made from leather and wool felt, and each color is inspired by life in Northern California. This Fitch Crossbody Saddlebag in Pumpkin Spice felt was named after Fitch Mountain. (Photo courtesy of AdelleStoll.com)
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Fried bits of pumpkin pecan heaven. City Garden Doughnuts & Coffee in Santa Rosa just added a pumpkin latte and pumpkin spice pecan doughnuts to their lineup. The latte is made with puree from pumpkins from a local farm and the brioche-style doughnut uses the extra goodness in their seasonal doughnuts. Looking for more delicious donuts? We've rounded up our favorite spots for fried bits of heaven here. (Photo by Shana Bull)
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Pumpkin pretty. The Beauty Spot in Santa Rosa, a full-service salon and skin studio, offers a pumpkin facial that moisturizes skin dehydrated from dry fall weather. A new trend in hair color is pumpkin spice balayage, which creates copper colors with soft highlights. (Photo courtesy of The Beauty Spot Santa Rosa)
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You’re toast. Brew, a coffee shop and beer bar in downtown Santa Rosa, recently added pumpkin pie french toast with vanilla bean frosting to their menu - pair it with a glass of wine on the patio. (Photo courtesy of Brew Coffee and Beer)
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Dress the pumpkin part. Ooh La Luxe, a boho-chic boutique with stores in downtown Santa Rosa and Petaluma, has dedicated space for autumn clothes in all fall shades, including the burnt orange pumpkin spice color. (Photo courtesy of Ooh La Luxe)
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Thanks a latte. Everyone knows that Starbucks started the pumpkin spice latte craze, but there are other Sonoma County coffee shops that offer the sweet treat. Blue Beagle in Wikiup serves a pumpkin pie latte, made with real pumpkin puree. (Photo courtesy of Blue Beagle Coffee)
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Summertime pumpkin. Thai restaurants all over Sonoma County serve pumpkin curry dishes all year round. This pumpkin curry from Thai Orchid Cuisine in Healdsburg allows you to add a different kind of spice to your pumpkin meals. (Photo by Shana Bull)
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Oh my gourd. Of course, no Thanksgiving table is complete without a slice of pumpkin pie. Noble Folk in Healdsburg, Criminal Baking in the SOFA district of Santa Rosa, Crisp Bake Shop in Sonoma and Petaluma Pie Company make some of the most delicious seasonal pies. (Pumpkin pie from Crisp Bake Shop, photo by Sarah Deragon)
