https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/10/06/insider-guide-where-to-eat-drink-and-play-in-half-moon-bay/ > Half Moon Bay, the scenic, agricultural strip of San Mateo County coastline, draws city dwellers for countless reasons: big-wave surfing, harbor kayaking and world-class seafood, to name a few. > Now is a particularly popular time to visit. Every autumn, this rustic beach town transforms into the pumpkin capital of the world, with farms and pick-your-own pumpkin patches swathed in orange. It all culminates on Oct. 19 and 20 with the 49th annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival downtown.