A Quick Guide to the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival

Want to go to the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival this weekend? Here are a few key things to know if you're going:

What, where, when: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on Main Street in Half Moon Bay. Admission is free. Parade, with Grand Marshal J.T. Snow of the S.F. Giants, is at noon Saturday.

Traffic/directions: Getting there is probably the biggest challenge. With access primarily being Highway 92 west, a windy mountain road without any passing lanes in that direction, it can take an hour or more just to travel a few miles at peak times, which on festival weekend may be as early as 8 a.m.

According to festival experts, the best alternate route is Highway 1 via Interstate 280 or, from the south, Highway 84 through Woodside and La Honda to Highway 1. Another option is to take Highway 1 from Highway 17.

Public transit: SamTrans Route 17 serves Half Moon Bay from Pacifica along Highway 1. Click here for a route map and more info.

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 St. 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 non-profit 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.

Get the App: New this year is the ipumpkin app, which features a map, entertainment schedules, special deals and more.

For more info: Call 650-726-9652

Read more Patch stories about the festival here:

http://halfmoonbay.patch.com/groups/arts-and-entertainment/p/8-new-attractions-not-to-miss-at-the-pu...

http://halfmoonbay.patch.com/groups/arts-and-entertainment/p/check-out-the-new-half-moon-bay-pumpkin-festival-video

http://halfmoonbay.patch.com/groups/holidays/p/where-to-pick-your-own-pumpkin-in-half-moon-bay

http://halfmoonbay.patch.com/groups/lifestyle/p/its-time-to-celebrate-all-things-pumpkin-in-half-moon-bay

http://halfmoonbay.patch.com/groups/arts-and-entertainment/p/san-francisco-giants-player-named-pumpkin-festival-parade-grand-marshal

http://halfmoonbay.patch.com/groups/deb-wongs-blog/p/pumping-up-for-pumpkin-fest-2013

http://halfmoonbay.patch.com/groups/announcements/p/pumpkin-festival-poster-design-contest

http://halfmoonbay.patch.com/groups/opinion/p/young-actors-workshop-readying-the-haunted-barn-for-pumpkinfest

Share your pumpkin festival tips in the comments below!