As you might have heard, the fall season is arguably the best time to visit The San Francisco Peninsula. The cool, crisp air and colorful vegetation is best experienced in a warm sweater. From a sea of orange pumpkin patches and farms to picking wild sunflowers, seeing breathtaking fall foliage on hikes and visiting cozy restaurants with fall-themed menus - there are countless ways to experience autumn here on the Peninsula. Plan a visit and indulge in all your favorite fall activities and pumpkin-flavored sweet treats. Whatever your interest is, here are a few great ideas to start planning your fall getaway.
Pumpkin Patches and Farms on The San Francisco Peninsula
Here is where the fun begins! Open daily starting September 5, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm is one of the most popular pumpkin farms in Half Moon Bay. The farm offers more than 60 varieties of pumpkins and squash that are perfect for carving or baking pie! Farmer John's Pumpkin Farm is located just off Highway 1 at 850 Cabrillo Hwy and is a great place to take the family.
Meanwhile, Lemos Farm specializes in family-friendly activities, which turns this farm into “Halloween Palooza” with a haunted house, Ghost Train, and tons of pumpkins from which to choose! You have likely already seen the activities at Lemos Farm from the road if you've driven the stretch of Highway 92 between Half Moon Bay and Skyline Blvd (Route 35). While they have events year-round, Lemos Farm comes alive in a special way during holiday seasons.
Also located in Half Moon Bay, just off Highway 1, Arata’s Pumpkin Farm is another great spot to visit with the family this fall. Get lost in their six-acre corn field, stroll along the pumpkin river, and enjoy a full day of fall fun.
Since the peak season for sunflower picking is between September and October, there is plenty of time to experience these gorgeous sunflowers at Andreotti's Family Farm. The 2025 U-Pick Sunflower season will run run through mid-November. With the fall season quickly approaching, Andreotti Family Farms has several other fun events planned for this cozy season. As always, their Pumpkin Patch will be open to the public in October, and the sunflower field will be turned into a fun corn maze. Visiting the farm makes for a perfect outdoor weekend outing with the family.
Looking for more seasonal spots? Check out our full list of U-pick and pumpkin farms in the area!
Fun Family Activities This Fall
Plan a visit to the beautiful Filoli! Located in Woodside, Filoli is offering a wide variety of events. As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, Filoli transforms into a vibrant autumn escape filled with festive flair and seasonal delights perfect for all ages.
Celebrate the harvest at Taste of Fall, get creative with Fall Wreath Flora Parties, and step into a spooky wonderland of glowing trails, wandering shadows, and playful frights during Nightfall™! Whether you're strolling through golden gardens, sipping cider, or crafting autumn memories in the redwoods at TROLLS: Save the Humans, Filoli invites you to make this fall unforgettable. Be sure to also check out our events page for more fun seasonal events.
Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Celebrations and Events
Celebrate pumpkin season in the Pumpkin Capital of the World! The 53rd Annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is back again this year on the weekend of October 18-20, 2025, from 9 am to 5 pm. The contest and supporting festival occur on Main Street in Half Moon Bay. Pumpkin growers will gather for an opportunity to compete for the heaviest pumpkin at this incredible annual event. The winner will take home a $9 per pound reward for their champion mega pumpkin and a special $30,000 grand prize will be awarded if a pumpkin breaks the world record. The standing threshold is currently 2,703 pounds set at a 2021 weigh-off in Italy.
The grand champion pumpkin (along with the top four overall) will be on display at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 18-19, 2025. This iconic festival is free for everyone and will feature nonstop entertainment, live music, pumpkin carving, harvest-inspired fine arts and crafts, and so much more!
Annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off
Fall-Inspired Menus
Over in Half Moon Bay, the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company is offering their popular Pumpkin Harvest Ale. This full-bodied Amber Ale is made with locally grown sugar pie pumpkins roasted with a secret blend of spices, which result in a subtle pumpkin pie spice flavor balanced by a biscuit of maltiness. Their menu also typically offers seasonal favorites such as pumpkin soup, pumpkin cheesecake, and other specials made from local squashes. They are open for take-out and outdoor dining on their beautiful patio overlooking Pillar Point Harbor!
Pumpkin Harvest Ale at HMB Brewing Co.
Any cheese lovers out there? Harley Farms Goat Dairy in Pescadero is home to award-winning goat cheese! Harley Farms is also open for tours, where guests can tour the grounds, meet the goats, and learn more about how to make cheese and run a successful dairy farm. Keep an eye out for seasonal specialties such as the Pumpkin-Spice Fromage Blanc, a slice of deliciously creamy cheese with a pumpkin flair. Harley Farms is open daily from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and tours are available.
For wine lovers, you can indulge in Wicked Good Wines this October at the Secret Wine Bar located at The San Francisco Wine School. Explore devilish reds, ghostly whites, and rebellious classics — all with a playful twist. Don’t miss the chance to test your palate with creative candy pairings on select dates throughout the month. A hauntingly delicious experience awaits!
Pumpkin Glass Blowing in Half Moon Bay
Are you looking to take home a beautiful glass pumpkin? Plan a visit to Half Moon Bay Art Glass this fall and check out hundreds of one-of-a-kind glass pumpkins available for purchase, each one personally handcrafted by owner, Douglass C. Brown, who works year-round to create this spectacular display. Interested in making your own pumpkin? You can make your own glass pumpkin or one of eighteen different other hot glass projects at Half Moon Bay Art Glass. Classes are on the weekends and sometimes Friday based on demand.
Douglass C. Brown, owner of HMB Art Glass
See all that The San Francisco Peninsula has to offer! Download our visitor guide today and start planning your trip!
