Fall Festivities
ACROSS THE MONTEREY PENINSULA
Written by Morgan Eastwood
For Monterey Peninsula residents, fall means more than a season—it's a stretch of time that creates a distinct outdoor lifestyle. With pumpkins galore and stunning weather in September and October, it's hard to not stumble upon family friendly activities in every cranny of our cities, with something for everyone.
There's no place for fall activities on the Peninsula like the incredible Earthbound Farm Stand at 7250 Carmel Valley Road. The stand, (almost like a little village) which consists of an organic market and café, farm, and colorful gardens, is considered the locals' best kept secret and is a staple in almost every local family's weekly schedule. And during those autumnal months, it's especially magical. Certified organic pumpkins of every shape, size and color are piled as high as trees for visitors to pick out their own perfect one to take home. Their Fall Festival shares lively activities like corn husk doll making workshops, pumpkin carving demos, and music performances.
Another location for a plethora of pumpkins and family fun is The Farm in Salinas. The name is simple, but the choices are ample. The Farm is famous for its fresh-baked sweet or savory pies and other buttery baked goods, bountiful artisan gift shop and produce stand. But beginning in September, The Farm's delightful atmosphere is elevated even more with pony rides, hay rides, and a special train painted to look like a cow. Visitors can also grab snacks from local food trucks and pick pumpkins directly from their patch.
Non-profit organization MEarth, located adjacent to Carmel Middle School, exhibits The Glass Pumpkin Patch of Carmel annually over the second week of September. A long-time tradition of displaying the glass-blown art of award-winning local artists Nick Leonoff and Kevin Chong, the Glass Pumpkin Patch sells more than 1,500 intricately crafted pumpkins in a medley of colors, ranging from the size of a small tangerine to an enormous, well, pumpkin! A portion of the profits from the sales of the molten-glass gourds benefit MEarth, the Hilton Bialek Habitat, and their position as a major learning resource for young people about environmental stewardship. Also present at the event are a Kids Zone where children can partake in arts and crafts, local live music, and food prepared with the organic produce sourced right from MEarth itself.
Borchard Farms at 142 Rodgers Road in Salinas thrives during the fall months due to their time-honored legacy, wholesome atmosphere, and being "the home of the giant pumpkins." A local family run business for 70 years, it was Tom Borchard who discovered his love of growing massive pumpkins topping the scales at over 1,000 pounds and entering them into contests—winning many of them. Nowadays, visitors to the farm can buy or behold the big, beautiful pumpkins that are often painted or carved with eccentric faces. If you don't mind getting a little lost, step into the corn maze and wander off.
When Halloween rolls around, what better place to celebrate than right on the water? Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey is world-famous for whale watching, seafood and salt-water taffy, but a special event that flies slightly more under the radar is their Halloween on the Wharf celebration. This year's function, held on October 31 from 4-7 p.m., will welcome all ages for trick-or-treating, dancing to an expert DJ's tunes and a costume contest with a cash prize.
Whether you are seeking tunes, trains, tricks or treats, a thirty-minute drive in any direction will satisfy your every craving.
Read More in our Magazine, Monterey Coast Homes
