Huge crowds are expected to make the trek to Half Moon Bay on Oct. 13 and 14 for the 42nd Annual Art & Pumpkin Festival.
To help you plan your visit, Patch brings you valuable tips, courtesy of the festival's production company, Miramar Events, to help make your trip to the "Pumpkin Capital of the World" a more enjoyable one.
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.
Traffic
Highway 92 will become very congested by 8 a.m. both days, so leave home early in the morning to get to the Pumpkin Festival on time.
Also, consider using an alternate route to avoid Highway 92. The best alternate route getting to Half Moon Bay from San Francisco or the north peninsula is to take Highway 1 (easily accessible from Interstate 280) and come down through Pacifica into Half Moon Bay. The option from the south is to take Highway 84 through Woodside and La Honda to Highway 1, then take Highway 1 north into Half Moon Bay. Another option from the south is to come up Highway 1 (easily accessible from Highway 17) from Santa Cruz.
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 Street 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 nonprofit 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.
Handicapped Parking
There will be specially-marked handicapped parking on Purissima Street between Correas Street and Kelly Avenue.
Street Closures
Main Street will be closed to traffic from Mill Street south to Monte Vista Lane throughout the festival weekend. Southbound Main Street will not be accessible from Highway 92 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Main Street will re-open on Sunday at approximately 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Departing town, Highway 92 eastbound will not be accessible from Main Street, from the north or the south. The only way to go eastbound on Highway 92 is from Highway 1.
Info-Line
650-726-9652
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