Pies that are worth the dough.
shampa’s pies
Pacifica
Just a block from the ocean and an eight-minute walk from the Pacifica Municipal Pier is Shampa’s, a humble shop with big-personality pies. They go the extra mile here, spicing up pecan pies with a splash of bourbon, elevating the chocolate cream with Guittard semisweet dark chocolate and embellishing lemon chess pies with a strawberry garnish. The organic “sugar-pie” pumpkin pie, a seasonal favorite, is only offered a few months out of the year and combines locally-sourced pumpkins with a tantalizing spice blend of cinnamon and nutmeg. Shampa’s also has a wholly unique ginger-sweet potato option that will live on in your memory. Talk about pie-oneers. 1625 Palmetto Avenue. Open Wednesday through Sunday.
the creamery
Palo Alto
Everyone knows that diners serve the best pie. It’s certainly true of The Creamery, a staple in downtown Palo Alto since 1923. This slice of Americana with its ruby-red booth seats and checkered floor is the real deal. The reigning favorite here is the ample apple with lofty pie shell domes blanketing four pounds of Granny Smiths. But you can also find pumpkin, cream, blueberry, cherry, chocolate and pecan flavors as well. The Creamery’s pies end up on many a Thanksgiving table, and the diner’s team peels roughly 45 cases of apples by hand every November so locals can celebrate the season in style. 566 Emerson Street. Open daily.
pie ranch
Pescadero
Pull off of Highway 1 at this picturesque farmstand and you’re bound to leave with an armful of tasty pies. Pie Ranch teams up with Santa Cruz’s Companion Bakeshop to produce pies packed with seasonal local ingredients from Coastside farms. This fall, find rich, satisfying pumpkin pie made with squash from Brisa Ranch in Pescadero, one of Pie Ranch’s many partners in sustainable farming practices. And if you’re not a fan of pumpkin, have no fear. Just head for one of the custard pies, available year-round, in decadent flavors like pecan, walnut and chocolate chess. 2080 Highway 1. Closed Tuesday.