Fall is my favorite season! I love spring and summer too but fall just feels cozy and comfortable and the foliage colors are beautiful.
Pumpkins, pansies, football and sitting by a fire just makes me happy and I finally get the urge to "bake" something! I actually "celebrate fall" with warm cinnamon rolls, a cup of hot chocolate or spiced teas. This time of year I love to make homemade soups and chowders.
On our recent trip to California we discovered that the little coastal town of Half Moon Bay also celebrates fall in a big way! The climate is perfect for growing gigantic pumpkins
-some over 1,000 pounds!
They have an annual Art & Pumpkin Festival complete with parade and the largest pumpkin contest. The 41st festival is next weekend and what a great family venue it will be! We were there a little too early for the festival but the little town was all a buzz getting ready for the big event! Everyone told us about it and made sure we got a personal invitation.
What a great small town to live in!
-some over 1,000 pounds!
They have an annual Art & Pumpkin Festival complete with parade and the largest pumpkin contest. The 41st festival is next weekend and what a great family venue it will be! We were there a little too early for the festival but the little town was all a buzz getting ready for the big event! Everyone told us about it and made sure we got a personal invitation.
What a great small town to live in!
We have decided to plan another trip keeping this is mind. We discovered this charming little historic area of Main Street which parallels Coastal Scenic Highway 1 and had fun shopping and dining along the picturesque street.
I took some fun photographs along
downtown Main Street. A picture of the corner grocery...
A great outdoor cafe filled with art and pumpkins!
Tile mosaic of Half Moon and a
signature pumpkin.
signature pumpkin.
Hand painted and decorated pumpkins. I especially like this couple..her hair is made from spray foam insulation and he is wearing the cap from the spray can. How fun is that?!
The City Jail with the Haunted House in the background...can jails be cute?? This one is!
A purple garden cottage shed in the front
yard of an artist's studio.
Mexican heather in full bloom.
Beautiful old church from the 1800's.
A great indoor courtyard with beautiful hand painted murals. We noticed how many wonderful artists display their work indoor and out in this beautiful area of inspiration!
An old spooky butler greeted us at the door of this gift shoppe.
Another great mural...this one depicts all the landmarks around Half Moon.
Fabulous flower filled boxes in front of Pasta Moon-
a great Italian restaurant!
Side yard of a Victorian home on Main Street covered in bougainvillea..love the fuchsia pink!
Harvested pumpkin patch on the outskirts of town.
Big brussel sprouts in the next field
ready for harvest.
We had a lovely stay at the Ritz-Carlton at Half Moon Bay -really a dream spot on the California coast! Bag pipes played at sunset as we sat with blankets next to the firepit listening to the ocean waves crash....
I love fall!
I'm linking this week with
The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sundays
Susan's Outdoor Wednedays
and Tootsie's Fertilizer Friday
The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sundays
Susan's Outdoor Wednedays
and Tootsie's Fertilizer Friday
I love Half Moon Bay and I love the pumpkin festival every year! However, I don't love the traffic traveling over Hwy. 92 so I go over a few days early. Things are set up and, while the festival activities aren't yet taking place, I still get to enjoy the atmosphere and not be in the crowds. I'll post some pictures from this year!
ReplyDeleteI love this post, and I would love to go to this town for the harvest festival. I believe they do a festival around Christmas, too. Great photos. xo,
ReplyDeleteThat looks absolutely wonderful!!
ReplyDeleteI thing Half Moon Bay is one of the most charming places on the Pacific Coast. Your post brings back memories of visits there. Thanks for sharing. Dianne
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming little town...
ReplyDeletethank you for letting me comment :) i haven't been there since i was kid, as mentioned above, the traffic is real nightmare... but its fun! your pics are great~
ReplyDeletethe hotel looks fabulous~
Sonia,
ReplyDeleteOh I adore Half Moon Bay!! It is so beautiful this time of year!!
I would love your thoughts on my Autumn decor so far, oh and I have a new giveaway as well!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Looks like you had a wonderful visit! I love the mosaic:@)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun town you visited! Thanks for sharing your memories.
ReplyDeleteThose are beautiful shots of fall. I cant imagine a pumpkin that weighs 1,000 pounds. I wonder how many pies you could make with that?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos in California, and in your home. I would love to sit with you for a cup of hot chocolate and a cinnamon roll!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Beth
What a wonderful post! Super sweet town and thanks for getting me into the Fall mood! :)
ReplyDeleteThe brussel sprout field is such a cool picture. I don't think I have ever seen a field of brussel sprouts before. These looks like a very fun festival.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your beautiful photos! I used to live in California and would visit Half Moon Bay often. I was never there at the Pumpkin Festival, but always wanted to go. Your post brought back memories. It's so beautiful there!
ReplyDeleteCindy
That looks like such a beautiful place to visit!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your prayers for Lucas.
Carolyn
Oh how fun. I would love to listen to the bagpipes and the ocean at the same time. I'm glad you stopped by Behind the Gate and I got to meet you!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Gayle
Thanks for taking us along to Half Moon Bay. I think that I need to make the trip! Cherry Kay
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! My brother and SIL were just there as well. How I would love to visit again! :)
ReplyDeleteHope you have a wonderful week!
~ Zuzu
Wow those are a lot of pumpkin harvests and lots of brussel sprouts! And the artworks are very beautiful too, i guess you really had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful festival. Love the cornucopia full of pumpkins! The sunset with bagpipes sounds dreamy!
ReplyDeleteGreat post full of great shots.
Just beautiful! So sorry to be so late in getting to visit but I'm glad you chose to be a part of Seasonal Sundays this past week and hope you'll join me again this week.
ReplyDelete- The Tablescaper
What a fun post! I love the way your photos capture the beautiful autumn colors and the delightful touches of whimsy. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteComing to you from The Tablescaper. Half Moon Bay is one of my favorite places to visit. Nothing like it here in the Midwest. Never been to the pumpkin festival, but looks like this would be a great time of year to go. Your photos are fabulous.
ReplyDelete