‘TIS THE SEASON FOR ALL THINGS PUMPKIN IN HALF MOON BAY, CA
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.
Within the series on Half Moon bay you’ll learn about 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.
- EVENTS -
39th Annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off
October 10, 7 – 11 a.m.
Pumpkin growers from California, Oregon and Washington descend upon Half Moon Bay with their colossal pumpkins to vie for the coveted title of heaviest pumpkin. Last year Ron Root’s hefty 1,535-pound Atlantic Giant crushed the formidable field of sixty heavyweight growers under the worldwide media spotlight, taking home the coveted title and $10,210 in prize money ($6 per pound plus another $1,000 special prize for the biggest pumpkin from California). This year, he’ll compete to defend his title. In a pay-by-the-pound system, the winners receive $6 per pound for the champion pumpkin. A special $500 prize will be awarded to the “most beautiful pumpkin” as judged by the audience based on color, shape and size.
41st Annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival
October 15 & 16, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay celebrates its bountiful fall harvest with a fantastic lineup of rustic pumpkin patches, harvest-inspired crafts, home-style foods, expert pumpkin carvers, the Great Pumpkin Parade, a bone-chilling haunted house, a titanic weigh-off of champion pumpkins, a pie-eating contest, pumpkin carving, costume contests, a pancake breakfast, a five & 10K run/walk and three stages of blockbuster entertainment. New this year is the iPumpkin, the official mobile application of the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival. iphone and ipad users can download the application for free. Admission to the festival is free.
A special hospitality station hosted by the Community United Methodist Church will feature live music and tables and chairs for festival goers to rest their feet. Inside, parents will find a nursing and changing station.
Pumpkin Run
October 16, 8 a.m.
Join in the fun with the Pumpkin run! Run or walk a 5k course or take on a 10k. Kids can even get in on the action with “Kid’s Fun Run.” Each runner will receive a t-shirt, pumpkins and breakfast. The run starts and ends at Hatch Elementary School, 490 Miramontes Road. Registration for adults is $25 until October 13th at which point it goes up to $30. Kids under 12 and seniors over 65 are $15. To register go to www.seniorcoastsiders.org or www.active.com.
