Pumpkin Season at Half Moon Bay, CA
Pumpkin Picking, Pumpkin Ale, Pumpkin Facials Draw Crowds
Oct 12, 2009
Driving along Highway 1 in the Fall on California's Central coast south of San Francisco, the land on either side glows orange. No wonder. This is the pumpkin capital of the world, with 3,000 pumpkins grown locally and a pumpkin fest that draws thousands of families each October.
The Annual Weigh-Off for Heaviest Pumpkin
The first big event is the Annual Pumpkin Weigh-Off, where growers from California, Oregon and Washington bring their biggest, one lonely pumpkin per truck. They are competing for the title of heaviest pumpkin. In 2008, two-time champion Thad Starr took the prize with his record 1,528-pound Atlantic Giant. The winner earns $6 per pound. A prize is also given for "most beautiful pumpkin" as judged by the crowd, based on color, shape and size.
The Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival
This year the Festival will be held Oct 17-18, 2009. It's part farmer's market, pumpkin patches, Fall crafts, pumpkin foods, artful carvers and a Great Pumpkin Parade. There is also a pie-eating contest, costume contests and three stages for music. It's all held along Main Street. There is no charge.
Family Activities Include U-Pick Pumpkin Patches
Families love searching the pumpkin patch for their own perfect squash. They will want a big one for the front porch, another for pies and maybe one with a weird shape for a jack-o-lantern. The fields can be found all along Highway 92 and Highway 1, near the village of Half Moon Bay. Here are three farms and pumpkin patches.
The Lemos Family Farm has activities for children such as pony rides, a petting zoo, and tractor and train rides. It's at 12320 San Mateo Road.
The Tunitas Creek Family Farm has pumpkins galore, but also goats, chickens and rabbits. It's at 333 Tunitas Creek Road.
Pastorino Gifts & Plants – this family-run farm boasts hayrides, train rides, ponies, pet and feed farm animals, giant slides, and on the weekends, kids can enjoy a haunted house and face painting. Its'
at 12391 San Mateo Road.
Pumpkin Ale
In October, the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company will release their Pumpkin Harvest Ale, brewed with malts and pumpkin. Guests can find it at the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company restaurant and the Art and Pumpkin Festival on October 17 & 18. The company is located at 390 Capistrano Avenue , Princeton-By-The-Sea, four miles north of Half Moon Bay.
Pumpkin Goat Cheese
During the Fall season Harley Farms, make of fine artisanal goat cheeses, is offering their special Pumpkin-Spice Fromage Blanc, a low fat, creamy cheese available in their gift shop. Ask for their recipe for pumpkin cheesecake. The farm is at 205 North Street, in Pescadero,
Half Moon Bay is a fun place to visit any time of year, but it really comes alive in October, when the fields are a sea of bright orange, and tasty pumpkin treats are available at every turn.
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