San Diego has a lot to offer at the end of October, in addition to mellow weather and spectacular outdoor activities. Many family-friendly fright fests, haunted houses, mazes, historically haunted tours, and trick-or-treat parties for kids make San Diego a fun Halloween destination for all ages.
Pumpkin Patches (mid-September–October 31, 2024)
In October, San Diego comes alive with pumpkin patches aplenty. The Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch is a must-visit, boasting thrilling tractor hayrides, a charming straw maze, pony rides, and a bustling petting zoo. Live entertainment adds to the excitement from noon to 3 pm, while BBQ, kettle corn, food trucks, rock climbing, and bounce fun keep kids entertained. Other patches dot the region, including those in Valley Center, North Inland, Ramona's Mountain Valley Ranch, East County, and Lakeside. Lakeside's Oma's Pumpkin Patch is a standout, offering hayrides, a challenging hay bale maze, a petting corral, kid-powered games, and a vast play area featuring the climbable Cottonseed Mountain. For a different experience, head to Children's Nature Retreat in East County, where a 6-ft hay maze promises adventure for all ages.
Haunted Trail at Balboa Park (September 22–October 31, 2024)
Balboa Park, a prominent urban cultural hub in San Diego, encompasses the renowned San Diego Zoo. Come Halloween, the park transforms with The Haunted Trail, beckoning visitors on a spine-chilling journey through its darkest corners. This one-mile trek winds through a haunting grove of twisted pines and gnarled oaks, promising an array of frights along the way. Daredevils can explore the Ghoul Bus, the Birdbox Cabin, and Merlin’s Forest. Notably, these attractions, including The Haunted Trail & eXperiment Maze, are not suitable for children under ten. General admission starts at $32.99, with parking free in Balboa Park.
San Diego Zoo HalGLOWeen (October 2024, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays)
The San Diego Zoo is a hot spot during the final three weekends of October, brimming with illuminated excitement, thrills, and smiles. Visitors can groove to Halloween tunes, twirl glowing hula hoops, frolic amidst bubbles, marvel at acrobats and flamingo puppets, or join the cupcake walk. A highlight for little ones is the Bubble Dance Party, featuring glow-in-the-dark bubbles, held from 5 to 9 p.m. And be sure not to miss capturing a snapshot with all the Zoo Characters decked out in their Halloween attire.
Various zones within the zoo host a range of spooky delights: on Front Street, enjoy the Skeleton Band, Boo Crew, and Python Path; at Centennial Plaza, partake in Boolahoops; Wildlife Explorers Basecamp offers encounters with Featured Creatures, The Spiders' W.E.B., and The GLOW-Go's; while Outback presents the Spooky Revue, Boo Crew with Zoo Characters, Dusty Keys, and more. Festivities kick off at 5 pm, with most events free of charge.
Halloween in Miniland (September 14–October 27, 2024, on selected dates)
Halloween at Miniland in San Diego Legoland is a spook-tacular event running throughout September and October. Legoland emerges as the ultimate destination for Halloween festivities, boasting an abundance of live entertainment and shows. From the Brick-or-Treat extravaganza to the Monster Party featuring Halloween heroes, villains, and LEGO-themed delights, there's something for every Halloween enthusiast. Don't miss the Costume Contest presented by Disguise and the opportunity to visit trick-or-treat stations stocked with over a million pieces of candy. Additionally, kids adore the AstroBash Dance Party and the Not So Spooky Halloween Sleepover within the park. LEGOLAND Theme Park tickets start at $79.
SeaWorld's Halloween Spooktacular (September 15–October 29, 2024)
In October, SeaWorld emerges as a beloved destination in San Diego, offering families a spectacular Halloween experience. The park comes alive with silly and spooky live shows and presentations, alongside engaging Halloween activities and festive trick-or-treating amidst vibrant decorations. Don't miss the uproarious Clyde & Seamore's Big Halloween Bash or the delightful Sesame Street Halloween Parade. Join in on Halloween dance parties and be mesmerized by singing pumpkins scattered throughout the park. Trick-or-treating hours span from 2:30 p.m. until Park Close, with all guests encouraged to dress up in costumes.
But as darkness falls, a chilling transformation takes place: Terror Reawakens - Howl-O-Scream returns to SeaWorld San Diego, morphing the once peaceful park into a realm of sinister thrills. Experience the exhilarating family fun by day and the bone-chilling terror by night for a truly unforgettable Halloween adventure.
Parties and pub crawls (October 27–31, 2024), San Diego Zombie Crawl (October 25, 26, 31, 2024)
During Halloween, adults in San Diego have an array of treats to enjoy. Dive into the San Diego Halloween Pub Crawl, spanning over ten bars and nightclubs, offering exclusive drink specials and free welcome shots at select venues. For an unforgettable experience, join the San Diego Zombie Crawl, featuring a guided route, access to over 25 premier clubs, welcome shots, and food specials in the Gaslamp.
Attend WCKD Village, one of the city's most ominous adult Halloween parties, or explore the Monster Halloween Bash in East Village, where six blocks are transformed into a WCKD Village with four concert stages, hosting a diverse lineup of hip-hop, EDM, and more. Another must-visit is Nightmare on Normal Street, promising a thrilling night filled with ghouls, goblins, monsters, and spine-tingling frights.
