All Things Pumpkin in Long Beach

You’re simply out of gourd if you think pumpkins are just something to carve and place on your porch. These days, the fruit (squash, actually) is incorporated into all manner of drinks, dining items and yummy treats. In Long Beach, that means blended pumpkins, chilled pumpkins, pumpkins for pets, pumpkins for kids, pumpkins waiting at the end of the train line. So. Many Pumpkins. Here are just a few places allowing you to uniquely get your pumpkin on.

PUMPKIN PIE

Laurie’s Pie Bar (450 Pine Ave), located in Downtown Long Beach, produces of some of the city’s best, most inventive pies–sweet and savory–and, of course, do an exceptional pumpkin pie. You can buy a whole pumpkin pie or by the slice or include as part of a “Frankenpie” made up of any six different pie flavors of your choosing. You can also get their Pet Pie Bites treats for dogs made from all-natural pumpkin, baked into one of the famous pie crusts.

PUMPKIN CURRY

Thai District (149 Linden Ave), one of the most popular restaurants in the East Village Arts District, is a two-story spot with a large outdoor dining area, known for creating an intimate atmosphere as well as delicious, traditional dishes. One of those dishes is their Kabocha Curry, made with Japanese pumpkin as well as Thai basil and spiced pepitas.

PUMPKIN PATCH

The pumpkin patch at El Dorado Frontier (7550 E Spring St) theme park is about a lot more than picking out pumpkins. You arrive there via the park’s famously fun train, once there you are surrounded by not only gourds, but plenty of decorations and characters in Western costume that not only make for a lot of fun, but also some wonderful memories and photos.

Credit: El Dorado Frontier

PUMPKIN SPICE

One of the clear signs that fall has arrived is the arrival of pumpkin spice concoctions of all stripes at all manner of coffee outfits. One of the more unique outfits is Carmen’s Gypsy Coffee Bar (5790 Second St) located in the groovy turquoise truck regularly parked in a car wash parking lot. As unique as their setting is their pumpkin offerings, including a blended Polar Pumpkin Spice Latte and a Chilled Pumpkin Spice Latte. Cool.

PUMPKIN CANDY

The aptly named Candy Warehouse (2520 Mira Mar Ave) features more than 6,000 varieties of candy in an eye-dazzling, color-drenched space. They not only offer all of your favorite candies–nostalgic to bulk to seasonal–but also have lots of pumpkin-themed candy treats, like pumpkin Peeps, pumpkin gumballs, pumpkin taffy, pumpkin lollipops, even a healthy snack mix of edamame, cranberries, almonds and pumpkin kernels.

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About the Author
Steve Lowery
Steve Lowery is a longtime local. Over the years he has written for the Los Angeles Times, ESPN, and others. If you're looking for the hidden gems of Long Beach, Steve is your go-to.
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