Pumpkin Season at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

Decked out in fall harvest fashion, the Northern California resort highlights an array of seasonal offerings from pumpkin cooking classes to pumpkin-infused treatments in The Ritz-Carlton Spa.

For those with a palate for pumpkin, the resort's chefs showcase locally grown pumpkin varieties from Farmer John's Pumpkin Farm in Half Moon Bay in Navio and The Conservatory. Sunday Brunch also highlights the great gourd with such taste-tempting dishes as pumpkin soup, pumpkin risotto, and pumpkin desserts, as well as other sweet and savory selections. Served Sunday, October 4, 11, 18 and 25, Pumpkin Sunday Brunch is $109 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity.

Pumpkins are also highlighted in demonstration-style In the Kitchen cooking classes on Saturday, October 4 and 25. The classes showcase seasonal fare sourced from the renowned farms surrounding the resort. Guests learn creative ways to incorporate pumpkins into a menu, while also discovering the many varieties of pumpkins and the best use for each. In the Kitchen classes are $85 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity and are held in Navio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The classes include a three-course lunch with wine.

Pumpkins are not only a tasty treat; they also are nourishing to the skin. Throughout October, The Ritz-Carlton Spa features a luxurious Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Facial that utilizes a pumpkin enzyme mask. High in beta carotene and vitamins A and C, the mask leaves the skin smooth, plump and hydrated. The 90-minute facial is $245 weekdays and $260 weekends. Guests also enjoy a Pumpkin Pie Sugar and Spice Manicure or Pedicure featuring a warm wishes vanilla foot soak from San Francisco Salt Company followed by a delightful Route One Pumpkins invigorating pumpkin pie spice sugar scrub. To top off the relaxing treatment, guests enjoy an application of Route One Pumpkins Orange Spice Shea. The 60-minute pedicure is $85 and the 30-minute manicure is $55.

Guests can also enjoy the Rejuvenate You experience that includes the 60-minute Pumpkin Pie Sugar and Spice Pedicure. The two-night package also includes lunch for two in The Conservatory and a one hour private tennis lesson. The package starts at $995 per night.

Guests will not want to miss the 45th Annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, held October 17 and 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Festival features a pumpkin weigh-off, a special display of heavyweight champion pumpkins, three stages of entertainment, the Great Pumpkin Parade, a Haunted House, harvest-inspired crafts, homestyle foods, and expert pumpkin-carver Farmer Mike. Festival admission is free.

Visit website: https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/HalfMoonBay/Default.htm