Spring at the Farm

It's easy to forget that farming once drove the economy of Silicon Valley. Although almost every community hosts a weekly farmer's market, actual working farms are not a common site while cruising along the 280. (For a good list of local farmer's markets, check out www.bayareaonthecheap.com/shop/bay-area-farmers-markets).

However, there are a couple of local gems make themselves open to the public, and these are always a hit with both kids and folks looking for wonderful farm fresh produce, or just some time in the open space.

Along with its regular programming, Mountain View's Deer Hollow Farm offers three special days Spring Farm Tours for 2011: March 19, April 16 and May 21. Visit the animals in their pens, meet the newborns and pop in to the Nature Center. For details, go to www.fodhf.org

With morning and afternoon farm tours, and programs such as Milk Mania and Cow Wow, Hidden Villa in Los Altos is also a fun spot for children to get some hands on experience down on the farm. Check out the programs at www.hiddenvilla.org

Where is the Pumpkin Capital of the World?

Half Moon Bay is a great day trip anytime - a wide beach, impressive surf, a sweet Main Street filled with independent shops, and great hiking, coastal walks, state parks and bike paths in either direction along Highway 1. October brings an added incentive: Half Moon Bay bills itself as the "World Pumpkin Capital", and with over a dozen pumpkin farms dotted around the scenic town, it is easy to see why. You'll find a good map at www.explorer1.com/halfmoonbay/pumpkin-map.htm. And while there are plenty of traditional options to keep kids amused - hay rides, haunted houses, pony rides and the like - there are lots of options for adults too.

The 40th annual Art and Pumpkin Festival (www.miramarevents.com/pumpkinfest) will once agian fill historic Main Street October 16 & 17. Arata Pumpkin Farm offers a truly spectacular two acre hay maze that attracts as many adults as kids - and even more after hours, when it can be reserved for a truly challenging moonlit labyrinth. And Bob's Pumpkin Farm provides a respite from the busy activity-style farms with excellent produce, fresh pumpkins to pick, and lovely views of the Pacific (don't believe the map link on Yelp - the farm is actually about 5 miles south of Half Moon Bay, not smack in the middle of the town).

There is much, much more to explore - and, as you may have noticed, it is never too early to get into the Halloween spirit here in the Bay Area! One final tip: go early. By weekend afternoons through October, traffic snakes its way all along highway 92 heading into town.