The cowboy-themed farm on Highway 92 has opened the Coastside’s first laser-tag course, the newest step in the farm’s quest to create itself as a family-fun tourist destination … and hopefully sell more pumpkins.
The business has built a hay-bale arena on the western side of the farm for as many as 14 paying combatants to scramble, shoot and “kill” each other with zaps from their pistols. It’s a Star Wars-style showdown taking place in Half Moon Bay.
 Bob Lemos holds a toy gun used for Laser tag, a new offering at his attraction on Highway 92 just east of Half Moon Bay. |
Laser tag was first unveiled in 1979 and involves players equipped with harmless infrared guns and head sensors who try to shoot one another while avoiding getting hit themselves. Under Lemos farm rules, it’s five hits and you’re out.
The farm is hoping to attract birthday parties, youth sports teams and other groups to come out, play a game of laser tag and then maybe get some parents to buy the farm produce.
“Just doing agriculture isn’t enough to support a family and farm,” he said. “If you don’t have the people coming out, you can’t sell Christmas trees and pumpkins.”
Before the pumpkin season this year, Lemos plans on holding laser tag games in the back of his property at his Christmas tree farm. He explained that laser tag players can use the trees for cover, and the players will unknowingly help the farm by stomping out most of the weeds. And maybe, he said, they’ll also want to buy a Christmas tree.
Farmers near Half Moon Bay have long lamented that basic agriculture just doesn’t pay the bills anymore. Many have resorted to tourist gimmicks, although the practice remains contentious between the farmers and the larger community. By far, the most vocal criticism of tourist farms comes during pumpkin season, when the seven-mile drive over Highway 92 slows to a crawl.
Every farmer has to ask how far is too far, said John Muller, owner of Farmer John’s Pumpkin Patch.
“For the Highway 92 farmers, they get first crack at everyone coming over the hill, so they keep building entertainment while some of us hold onto tradition,” Muller said. “My personal feeling is you don’t want to set yourself up to where it looks like you’re a carnival.”
South of town, the Arata Pumpkin Farm constructed an elaborate hay maze to draw motorists on Highway 1. The same maze doubles as a site for dance parties.
Many farms go all out during the annual pumpkin season, bringing out bouncy castles, air slides and other features designed to pull in more tourists and sales.
Back in the late ’70s and early ‘80s, Lemos and Pastorino farms were both expanding to draw more tourists off Highway 92. Lemos remembers taking a gamble and renting some local ponies from a nearby ranch. It instantly tripled pumpkin sales, he said, and there was no going back. The farm soon installed a petting zoo, followed by a hayride two years later. In 1995, Lemos constructed a full network of tracks for a train ride.
Now with a laser tag course, Lemos insists his business strategy is still based on running a farm, not an amusement park. Laser tag, just like the other features, is there to supplement the farm during tough times, he said.
Laser tag at Lemos farm is available on a drop-in basis on weekends for $10 per person. Private parties can rent the laser tag course for $15 a person anytime during the week. For more information, call Lemos Family Farm at 726-2342.
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