Pumpkintime is Primetime in Pumpkintown. Autumn is a magical time of year on the fertile, picturesque coast around Half Moon Bay.

Stunningly beautiful vistas of seaside farm country with rolling fields of orange, scarecrows, and pick-your-own pumpkin patches. It's the perfect time of year to celebrate the iconic symbol of autumn and Half Moon Bay does it in a singularly spectacular way. Every year, massive crowds make the annual trek to the “World Pumpkin Capital” for the epic HALF MOON BAY ART & PUMPKIN FESTIVAL, October 17-18, 2009.

Year after year, festival goers enjoy a memorable experience with the special display of massive weigh-off champion pumpkins, the remarkable “Picasso of pumpkin carvers” sculpting and shaping a monster 1,000+ pound pumpkin, three stages of blockbuster entertainment, everyone's favorite home-spun parade, harvest-inspired crafts, the tastiest pumpkin pie on the planet, enchanting events and contests for the whole family, and the never-ending search for the Great Pumpkin waiting to be picked from one of the rustic pumpkin patches dotting the coast.

Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Admission is free.

How To Get There
Half Moon Bay is 25 miles south of San Francisco and 45 miles north of Santa Cruz on Highway 1. The best way to get to Half Moon Bay from the north is to take Highway 1 South from Highway 280 through Pacifica, Montara, Moss Beach, and El Granada into Half Moon Bay.

From the East Bay, travel west on Highway 92 over the San Mateo Bridge. Continue west on Highway 92 past Highways 101 and Interstate 280 to Main Street in Half Moon Bay.  Half Moon Bay is 7 miles west of Interstate 280.

From the South Bay, take Highway 101 or Interstate 280 North to Highway 92 West.  Take Highway 92 West to Half Moon Bay.

The Pumpkin Festival grounds are located on Main Street in Half Moon Bay between Spruce and Miramontes Streets. The grounds are approximately a half-mile in length, beginning just south of Highway 92.

Pets - Pets are not allowed at the festival. The City of Half Moon Bay will be enforcing its ordinance prohibiting pets on the festival grounds. Please be kind to your animals, and leave them at home.

Parking - There are several acres of parking at the south end of Main Street, where Higgins-Purissima Road intersects with Highway 1. There will also be parking at Metzgar and Main Street, Half Moon Bay High School (Main St. just north of Hwy. 92), at Seymour St. and Highway 1, and at the Community Center/Shoreline Station complex, located just north of Kelly Ave. on Highway 1. Many of these parking areas are operated by local non-profit groups who charge a nominal parking fee. There is also free parking on several side streets. Police will be citing for illegal parking, so read signs carefully.