Each year, the Half Moon Bay Coastside is transformed into an autumn wonderland oozing with fall goodness. During the season, the pastoral coast is blanketed in pumpkin patches that would make the Peanuts gang proud, teeming with orange gourds, hayrides, and spooky haunted houses.
The pumpkin capital of the world is also home to an annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival where fall fanatics can marvel at expert pumpkin carvers, sip pumpkin beer, and feast on pumpkin mac n’ cheese. Whether you plan to carve a frightful jack o’ lantern or bake a wholesome pie, you’ll find the perfect pumpkin at the following spirited patches.
Andreotti Family Farms
The Andreotti family has been farming the Coastside since 1926. In addition to providing a cornucopia of vegetables throughout the year, they host a Pumpkin Patch on their farm in the Fall, featuring an abundance of reasonably priced gourds to choose from. There’s also a You Pick Sunflower Field that starts flowering near the end of summer. Antique farm equipment adds to the atmosphere and reminds you that you’re on a real working farm.
800 Cabrillo Highway North, (650) 720-0428
Arata’s Pumpkin Farm
Fall and Halloween activities abound at this this idyllic farm situated six miles south of Half Moon Bay. Get lost inside the Minotaur’s Labyrinth, a delightfully complex, 2-acre hay maze that changes every year. Bring a friend to grab onto as you cautiously inch your way through the spine-tingling Haunted Barn. Kiddos can delight in more mellow thrills including a petting zoo, pony rides, and a fun hayride through the corn stalks.
185 Verde Road, (650) 726-7548
Bob’s Pumpkin Patch
Linus van Pelt would adore this expansive, leafy patch that sprouts pumpkins grown on site. Grab a wheelbarrow, and head out into the patch to search for the Great Pumpkin. The traditional pumpkin patch also features haystacks, pens of cute pigs and goats, and a farm stand stocked with fresh produce and local honey.
Cabrillo Highway (Hwy. 1), five miles south of Half Moon Bay, (650) 726-4567
Farmer John’s
Little red wagons stacked with exotic pumpkins greet you at this favorite stop along Highway 1. In addition to plump carving pumpkins, Farmer John offers a wide selection of cooking pumpkins for your seasonal pies and dishes. Little ones will get a kick out of scaling haystacks, hiding in teepees, and sitting atop a snazzy John Deere tractor.
850 North Cabrillo Highway, (650) 726-4980
Farmer’s Daughter
“See Our Giants Pumpkins” announce the roadside signs approaching this cute patch with tidy rows of pumpkins backed by a sea of verdant Brussels sprouts. Three prized, giant gourds sit atop haystacks, while a corn stalk-flanked teepee invites playful kids and Instagram pics. Swing by the farm stand for an assortment of local jams and produce including fresh stalks of Brussels sprouts.
Cabrillo Highway at Denniston Creek Road (across from Half Moon Bay Airport)
Lemos Farm
The Western-themed grounds at this festive farm bustle with amusement park worthy attractions and rootin’ tootin’ fun. Kiddos can ride ponies, catch air at bouncy houses, and cup their hands full of feed for hungry baby goats. A popular train ride chugs passengers through a mini western town populated with festive characters. Beware the haunted house that’s crawling with things that go bump in the night (they’ll turn the lights up and the scares down for kiddos).
12320 San Mateo Road, (650) 726-2342
Pastorino Farms
Old-fashioned fun is the name of the game at this crowd-pleasing patch with an atmospheric train ride, pumpkin pie slices, and oodles of pumpkins. Tucked into a barn, you’ll find a wondrous shop brimming with crafty Halloween goodies and home decor. Don’t miss the haunted house that’s suitable for brave kids. Bonus: Pastorino is located directly across from Lemos Farm with guides to coordinate safe, timed crossings across busy Highway 92.
12391 San Mateo Road, (650) 726-6440
