From the Renowned Annual Art & Pumpkin Festival to Farm Fresh, Pumpkin-Inspired Cuisine, This Gorgeous Coastal Area Pays Homage to their Beloved Gourd

Half Moon Bay, CA truly shines during the fall season. A vibrant coastal town located approximately 40 minutes south of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay is widely recognized as the pumpkin capital of the world with more than 3,000 tons of pumpkins produced each year by local growers. Bountiful fields are rich with brilliant orange pick-your-own pumpkins, pumpkin beer is on tap, homemade pumpkin gnocchi is on the menu and specialty pumpkin spa experiences offer the perfect seasonal indulgence.

Below is a summary of pumpkin-related events, dining experiences, spa treatments, and more in Half Moon Bay. Please also visit www.visithalfmoonbay.org for everything visitors need to plan their trip – from information on cozy inns and luxury coastal resorts, to 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.

- CULINARY NEWS –

Pumpkin Ale

Half Moon Bay Brewing Company will release its Sixth Annual Mavericks® Harvest Pumpkin Ale, a pale ale made with over 120 pounds of locally grown, roasted and spiced Sugar Pie pumpkins added to the brew kettle. This unique beer will be available on tap at the restaurant and at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival. Throughout the fall season, delicious pumpkin crab bisque, cheese ravioli with prawns in roasted creamy pumpkin sauce and homemade pumpkin pie and gingersnap crust pumpkin cheesecake will be on the menu. 390 Capistrano Avenue, Princeton-By-The-Sea, (650) 728-BREW, www.hmbbrewingco.com.

Pumpkin Goat Cheese

Now through the holidays, Harley Farms, home to award-winning goat cheese, is offering their special Pumpkin-Spice Fromage Blanc, a low fat, creamy textured cheese available in their gift shop. They have a delicious recipe for pumpkin cheesecake available so be sure to ask!  205 North Street, Pescadero, (650) 879-0480, www.harleyfarms.com.

Pumpkin Brazzle

Brazzle Berry, Half Moon Bay’s newest ice cream and yogurt shop, is embracing the season with pumpkin ice cream and pumpkin frozen yogurt, as well as pumpkin muffins and pumpkin fudge. For all those spirited costumers who come in costume during October 29-31, Brazzle Berry will offer special discounts, giveaways and promotions, with top prizes going to the most unique, humorous and best costumes. Strawflower Shopping Center, 80 N. Cabrillo Hwy, Suite M, (650) 712-1222, www.brazzleberry.com.

Pumpkin Prix-Fixe

Indulge in a three-course pumpkin tasting menu at Cetrella, renowned for seasonal, farm-fresh California Mediterranean cuisine. On the menu: Cinderella pumpkin soup with goat cheese cream and sage, the pork osso buco with parisienne gnocchi, pumpkin nage and pomegranate gremolata, and pumpkin gnocchi gratinee with heirloom root vegetables. For dessert guests can enjoy hazelnut crème brulee with poached pear and candied pumpkin. $25 per person; available Tuesdays -Thursdays from 5:30-7 p.m. throughout October. 845 Main Street, (650) 726-4090, www.cetrella.com.

Seaside Pumpkin Delights

Sam’s Chowder House, known for fresh, off-the-boat seafood and stunning views of the Pacific, is featuring several pumpkin specialties throughout the month of October including roasted sugar pie pumpkin soup, served with sweet shrimp, mascarpone and toasted pumpkin seeds. Also on the menu is roasted chicken with pumpkin gnocchi, sides of roasted sugar pie pumpkin and pumpkin mouse with ginger-molasses cake. 4210 North Cabrillo Highway, (650) 712-0245, www.samschowderhouse.com.

Pumpkin Treats

For an array of sweet pumpkin indulgences stop by Moonside Bakery & Café, filled with homemade treats. From pumpkin mousse cake and pumpkin cheesecake, to pumpkin cupcakes and danish with pumpkin and cream cheese filling, the sweet selection is endless. Moonside Bakery’s special menu will even include pumpkin pancakes. These seasonal desserts are available through November. 604 Main Street, (650) 726-9070, www.moonsidebakery.com.

Pumpkin with Italian Flair

For contemporary Italian cuisine created from the bounty from Half Moon Bay’s farmers, artisans and fishermen, head to celebrated Pasta Moon. Throughout the month of October, guests can feast on laced battered quintale pumpkin served with apple butter and pumpkin seed pesto, apple blossom pumpkin gnocchi with Harley Farms goat cheese, dried cranberries, purple sage and duck confit, and pumpkin risotto with day boat sea scallops wrapped in pancetta, lacinato kale and lemons. Guests who save room for dessert can enjoy pumpkin gelato with seckle pear and vin santo. 315 Main Street, (650) 726-5125, www.pastamoon.com

Frozen Pumpkin

For those who like a creamy dessert, Nano’s Yogurt Shack, well known for their unique and delicious yogurt flavors, will be serving up pumpkin yogurt. 523 Main Street, (650) 726-2182.

Pumpkin Cooking

Helping at-home bakers keep in the pumpkin spirit of Half Moon Bay, Toque Blanche has everything they need including pumpkin cake pans, pumpkin cookie cutters and pumpkin oil.  604 Main Street, (650) 726-6559, www.mytoque.com.