On the San Francisco Peninsula, watch the fishing boats at Pillar Point Harbor just north of Half Moon Bay and walk the Baylands. It's a charming little seaside town, if a bit heavily touristed.

The busiest time of year is the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival in the middle of October....

On the San Francisco Peninsula, watch the fishing boats at Pillar Point Harbor just north of Half Moon Bay and walk the Baylands. It's a charming little seaside town, if a bit heavily touristed.

The busiest time of year is the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival in the middle of October. While seeing the emerald green coast dotted with bright orange pumpkins is quite a sight, the festival itself has become overblown. (Excepting of course, the great pumpkin weigh-off, which is a miracle. Just a freakin' miracle. Where else can you see a 1,000-pound pumpkin?)

The drive from Half Moon Bay north to San Francisco on Highway 1 is breathaking. Montara State Beach, between Half Moon Bay and Pacifica is a lovely place to stop and admire the azure water, even if it is to cold for people to swim without a wetsuit. It's also a great place for dogs to romp.

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