Where to go and what you need to know for the full Half Moon Bay pumpkin patch experience in 2021
Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Patches 2021
When asked about things to do in Half Moon Bay, people who don’t know Half Moon Bay very well think of one thing: pumpkins. Pumpkins, pumpkin patches, and the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival (now bumped to 2022). And while it’s true, Half Moon Bay is called the “pumpkin capital of the world,” we coastsiders don’t spend much time thinking about that.
But it is autumn. And whether you come to the Coastside via Highway One or Highway 92, you’ll see our streets are dressed in orange again. Sure, you can get a pumpkin just about anywhere this time of year. But that won’t get you the full experience.
For that, drive this way.
Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Patches on Highway 92
Lemos Farm
A family favorite forever, Lemos Farm is a cowboy-themed mini-amusement park with popular pony rides, chug-along train rides, hay rides, bouncy houses, baby goats, petting zoo, and more.
In October, along with a pumpkin patch, a haunted house adds to the family-friendly fun. You can also expect live music, Halloween activities, and plenty of family photo opportunities.
Tickets for special activities are required and also available online to save time. Lemos is open all year long, and always draws crowds, especially around the holidays.
Lemos is located across from another pumpkin place on Highway 92: Pastorino’s (see below).
Lemos Farm: 12320 San Mateo Road (Hwy. 92), (650) 726-2342.
Hours: Daily 9am – 5pm.
Prices: Pumpkin patch passes $15 (get them in advance on their website before they sell out).
Pastorino Farms
Pastorino’s is a retail plant and flower nursery that’s open year-round. The place really comes alive in October. Families go there not only for the spacious pumpkin patch, but for the ponies, hay rides, train rides, face painting, giant slides, jumpers, farm animal petting pen, weekend haunted house.
Check out the barn for pumpkin pie slices, Halloween crafts and treats.
As mentioned above, Pastorino’s is right across the highway from Lemos Farm, but with better parking. Guides are available for timed crossings.
Pastorino Farms: 12391 San Mateo Road (Hwy. 92), (650) 726-6440.
Hours: Daily 9:30am – 5:30pm.
Prices: Pumpkins $3 and up, pony ride $10, petting zoo $5, haunted house $5, hay ride $4.
Repetto’s Pumpkin Patch
Repetto’s has a large pumpkin patch with good prices on Highway 92, next to HV produce. You may be familiar with Repetto’s cut flowers (different location).
Their traditional collection includes the basics: “Better then Sugar” pumpkins (for baking pumpkin pies), Tiger pumpkins, gourds, minis and baseball pumpkins. And fresh cut flowers, of course. Their little corn maze is fun for kids.
Repettos Pumpkin Patch: 12950 San Mateo Road (Hwy. 92), (650) 726-6414.
Hours: Daily 9a-6pm (or sometimes later).
Prices: Pumpkins $5 and up; corn maze $2.
Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Patches on Highway One
Andreotti Family Farms
If you love real working family-owned farms as much as we do, Andriotti’s is an absolute must for annual pumpkin (and sunflower) shopping every autumn. The Andreotti family has been farming on the Coastside since 1926, and the farm is now managed by second generation farmers Dino and Terry Andreotti and their kids Frank and Haley.
HMB locals are familiar with Andreotti’s year-round farm stand, around the corner on Kelly Ave., but the seasonal pumpkin and u-pick sunflower patch is on Highway One just south of — and often confused with — Farmer John’s pumpkin patch right next-door. The two side by side make it our favorite first stop for a total experience of HMB pumpkin shopping (and you only have to park once).
Andreotti’s offers a lot more than meets the eye. Along with the most beautiful fancy pumpkins we’ve ever seen (grown on their farm), they have a u-pick sunflower field and several Halloween events, including a Fall Harvest Fest and Haunted Corn Maze Nights. Make reservations in advance on their website.
Andreotti Family Farms: 800 Cabrillo Highway North (Hwy. 1), (650) 922-0141.
Hours: Patch open daily 9am – 6pm; Fall Harvest Festival Saturday, October 9th, 10am – 6pm; Haunted Corn Maze Nights
Fridays & Saturdays October 22, 23, 29, 30, 6pm – 9:30pm.
Prices: Various reservation prices for pre-order on their website, depending on your plans.
Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm
Now owned by “the Dannys — local coastsiders Danny Lopes and Danny Bretao — Farmer John’s has been a Coastside fixture for a long time. Favorite activities, like the teepees, Berner Day, the old tractor and hay rides, are still a thing, they promise. But stay tuned for a few new tricks amid the haystacks.
As mentioned above, Farmer John’s is just to the north of Andreotti’s on the west side of Highway One. Grab one of their little red wagons (so photogenic) and shop among the variety of pumpkins for holiday decorating or autumn baking.
Farmer John’s: 850 North Cabrillo Highway (Hwy 1), (650) 726-4980.
Hours: Daily 9am – 6pm.
Prices: Pumpkins are $1 and up.
Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Patches Off the Beaten Path
Arata’s Pumpkin Farm
Two words: Minotaur’s Labyrinth. If you’ve driven to Half Moon Bay from the south during the fall, you’ve probably seen the elaborate two-acre hay maze. And yes, the maze changes every year, so you’ll want to go back for more. (Tickets available on location or in advance on their website.)
They have pumpkins, of course. But Arata’s, established in 1932, features so much more. Give yourselves time to enjoy the six-acre corn field, pumpkin river, haunted barn, and hay rides.
For the littlest pumpkin shoppers, Arata’s provides train rides, guided pony rides, a petting zoo, and a playground with a miniature version of their hay maze.
Arata’s has some pretty nice picnic areas throughout the farm where parents can chill out and have a snack between escapades.
Arata’s Pumpkin Farm:185 Verde Road, (six miles south of Half Moon Bay), (650) 726-7548.
Hours: Sun. – Thurs. 9am – 6:30pm, Fri. – Sat. 9am – 10:30pm.
Prices: Pumpkins $5 and up; hay ride $7, petting zoo $8, pony ride $10, haunted barn $10, train ride $5, hay maze $20 ($30 evening), all access pass $35/adults, $45/kids.
Bob’s Vegetable Stand & Pumpkin Farm
Some say Bob’s pumpkin patch, five miles south of town (across from the Cowell-Purisima Coastal Trailhead), has the best priced pumpkins, though we haven’t done the research to know for sure. Some of their pumpkins are available for pickin right from the vine where they grew.
Not a lot going on here other than pumpkin picking. We do like the wheelbarrows they make available for collecting your pumpkins. They do have fun haystack decorations and farm animals in pens that kids seem to enjoy visiting. Since Bob’s is a bi south of town, you may find less traffic.
As always, you can enjoy the fresh seasonal produce and local honey featured at their farm stand.
Bob’s Vegetable Stand & Pumpkin Farm: Cabrillo Highway (Hwy. 1), five miles south of Half Moon Bay, (650) 726-4567.
Hours: Daily 9am – 6pm.
Prices: Pumpkins from $1.
Just Pumpkins
A few other pumpkin patches dot the coastline this time of year on the way to Half Moon Bay, including a can’t miss pumpkin patch at the corner of Hwy. 1 and Hwy. 92.
These may not offer the whole experience you’ll find at the places mentioned above. But you’ll still have the opportunity to pick a nice pumpkin, and maybe enjoy a few other things as well.
The Farmer’s Daughter produce stand is a popular stop for weekend visitors all year long, featuring local produce, honey and jams. In October, you’ll also find added rows of pumpkins for picking. Giant pumpkins are displayed on straw bales to catch your attention from Highway One. Across from Half Moon Bay Airport, this patch is a bit north of town, so you may avoid some traffic.
The HV Produce Stand, on Hwy. 92 next to Repetto’s (mentioned above), doubles as a pumpkin patch in October. Good prices, various colors. And they have a small, free corn maze for small children.
Cozzolini’s and 4-C’s, better known for their Christmas trees on Hwy. 92, also sell pumpkins in October.
Half Moon Bay Halloween: Know Before You Go
Here are three savvy tips for pumpkin shopping in Half Moon Bay:
- Bring Cash or make reservations in advance.
- Avoid weekend pumpkin shopping if you can to avoid traffic.
- If you must visit on a weekend, get there early (or late).
