PUMPKINS ABOUND ALONG THE HALF MOON BAY COASTSIDE, CA

There is no better place to celebrate the wonders of the fall season than along the Half Moon Bay Coastside. Fondly regarded as the pumpkin capital of the world, this beautiful coastal region, located 45 minutes south of San Francisco, produces more than 3,000 tons of pumpkins every year. Visitors will delight in the area’s brilliant orange pick-your-own-pumpkins and scenic backdrop of rich fall colors. The local menus are brimming over with pumpkin-inspired delights such as pumpkin cheese, pumpkin spice lattes, and even pumpkin beer on tap!
 
Below is a summary of pumpkin-related events, dining experiences, spa treatments, and more along the Half Moon Bay Coastside. To plan a trip, visit www.visithalfmoonbay.organd also download iCoastside to access information on the region’s cozy inns and luxury coastal resorts, renowned restaurants, farm visits, golfing, wine tasting, fishing, whale watching, surfing and much more.
 
Special Note: All locations are in Half Moon Bay unless otherwise noted.
 

– EVENTS –

11th Annual Hand-Blown Art Glass Pumpkin Patch
Oct. 6 - 7, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 
Half Moon Bay Art Glass will transform the grounds of La Nebbia Winery into a glistening glass pumpkin patch featuring the work of glass blower Douglass C. Brown. This artistic installation will feature hundreds of one-of-a-kind glass pumpkins available for purchase, each one personally handcrafted by Brown, who works year-round to create this spectacular display. La Nebbia Winery will be open for guests to partake in wine tasting and to purchase bottles of wine, while bocce ball courts offer fun for everyone. For those who wish to create their own piece of art, HMB Art Glass is offering several classes year around. Classes start as low as $40 + tax for kids 6 years old and above. Ask for the "NewClient50" special rate for up to 50% off website pricing. La Nebbia Winery, 12341 San Mateo Road on Hwy. 92, (650) 283-5626, www.hmbartglass.com.
 
16th Annual Bernese Mountain Dog Day (free!)
Oct. 7, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Farmer John’s pumpkin patch is sponsoring the 16th Annual Mountain Dog Day! Last year, there were over 130 Bernese Mountain Dogs who visited Farmer John’s pumpkin patch. Berner friends will be accompanied by John’s Bernese, Miss Cora, along with her cousin Miss Chloe who will welcome their old and new pals. Farmer John will be ready to give hayrides for his furry friends. 800 North Cabrillo Highway, (650) 726-4980, www.farmerjohnspumpkins.com. 
 
45th Annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off (free!)
Oct. 8, 7 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Superstar Gourd Growing Greats and their hard-to-believe, titanic orange orbs gather for the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay. A special $30,000 bonus mega-prize will be awarded to any grower who breaks the world record at Half Moon Bay, considered the "Super Bowl of Weigh-Offs." A host of veteran growers contend for the coveted title, the $30,000 world record prize and thousands in additional prize money. In a pay-by-the-pound system, the winner will take home a hefty $7 per pound for the champion mega-pumpkin. Superstar grower Joel Holland’s mighty 2,363-pound weigh-off champion mega-gourd obliterated a formidable field of heavyweight contenders in winning the 2017 Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off. The grand champion gourd (along with the top five overall) will be on display at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 13-14. IDES Grounds, 735 Main Street, (650) 726-9652, www.miramarevents.com. 

48th Annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival (free!)
Oct. 13 & 14, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  
Half Moon Bay celebrates its bountiful fall harvest and autumn splendor with a special weekend filled with enormous heavyweight champion pumpkins, four stages of blockbuster entertainment, the Great Pumpkin Parade, a bone-chilling Haunted House, harvest-inspired crafts, home-style foods, artist Peter Hazel sculpting a monster 10,000 pound pumpkin, expert pumpkin carver Farmer Mike shaping pumpkins into one-of-a-kind masterpieces, photos with the grand champion mega-gourd, pie-eating and costume contests, pumpkin carving for fun, and so much more! With so much to see and do, visitors can use iPumpkin, the official mobile application of the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, to navigate their way through the festival. Main Street, (650) 726-9652, www.miramarevents.com.