Do you love Halloween so much you could…scream? There are plenty of ways to scare up a good fright, eat and drink themed menu items, and of course wow with your—and your pet’s—costume.
Haunted Houses
The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park
No average walk in the woods, the mile-long trail is sure to give you a jolt from all the hidden characters staked out along its length. If you love all things Birdbox and Stranger Things, grab your running shoes and hit the park. (No pregnant women, infants, or children being carried. Not recommended for kids under 10.)
Date: Sept. 27–Nov. 2, 2019
Price: $25–$40
6th & Juniper at Marston Point
The Scream Zone at the Del Mar Fairgrounds
This is not the place to take your sweetheart for a low-key haunted house. This night will have your significant other running in the opposite direction saying, “Sorry babe, you’ll only slow me down!” (Teens and above are OK, but this is too scary for wee ones.)
Date: Sept. 27–Nov. 2, 2019
Price: $21–$75
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.
So you watched Haunting of Hill House on Netflix and now you want to visit an actual haunted house? You’re in luck: the Whaley House Museum is home to a family who still roams the halls in their ghostly form. Spend a few hours with the Whaleys…if you dare.
Date: Oct. 24–31, 2019
Price: Prices vary by event
2476 San Diego Ave.
Devilish Drinks
This is a party the witches of Hocus Pocus would love. Don your most creative witch-wear for the Westgate Hotel’s costume contest and sip on some tasty teas while cackling maniacally (yes, best cackle and best costume win wicked prizes).
When: Oct. 19, 2:30 PM–5:00 PM
Price: $69 Adults, $40 Children ages 4–12, Complimentary ages 3 & under
1055 2nd Ave.
All you need is $25 and a thirst for unlimited local craft beer for this one (but hey, why not rock your Joker costume?). The rooftop bar where you will be quaffing Maui Brewing, Ale Smith, and Stone Brewery suds is equipped with fire pits, games, and a pool and hot tub.
When: Oct. 26
Price: $25
616 J St. #101
Family Friendly Frights
Activities to keep you and the little ones entertained for the whole night, including a workshop to make a pumpkin from recycled containers, a not-too-scary storytelling session, and a station to learn all about squid.
When: Oct. 25, 26, 27: 6–9 p.m.
Price: Pre-Purchase & Birch Aquarium Members: $20, Public: $25; Walk-Up/Door – All tickets: $30
2300 Expedition Way
Halloween Trick-or-Treating at The Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch
Bring your little ghosts and witches out to bounce the afternoon away in the bouncy castle and get their face painted. Trick-or-treat your way from store to store, haunted by live music.
When: Oct. 27, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Price: Free
13490 Pacific Highlands Ranch Parkway
SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular
SeaWorld hosts trick-or-treating from 2:30 p.m. to close, along with a Sesame Street daytime parade, the Spooktacular Pumpkin Hunt, and a costume party. Plus, the sea lion duo Clyde and Seamore have prepared a special pinniped performance.
When: Oct. 21–27
Price: Free with admission
500 Sea World Drive
Stroll on over to the San Diego Zoo where there will be live organ music and a 4D movie showing all night long. Whether you want to boogie-woogie at the bubble party or watch acrobats perform a spooky revue, it’s the place to be.
When: Oct. 11–13; 18–20; and 25–27
Price: Free with Admission
2920 Zoo Drive
Hazard Center’s Mall-O-Ween Monster Mash
Enter the Hazard Center Mall’s costume party for a chance to win a spooktacular prize and enjoy arts, crafts, and carnival games. All proceeds benefit the Angels Foster Family Network, a nonprofit that provides safe and loving homes for children in San Diego.
When: Oct 26
Price: Costume contest is free to enter
7610 Hazard Center Drive
Even Fluffy will want to join you and the kids at this creepy costume contest for wickedly great prizes for the categories of best overall costume, best kid costume, and best pet costume.
When: Oct. 31
Price: Free
3040 Carlsbad Boulevard
Parties
San Diego Halloween Zombie Crawl Meets Day of the Dead
Ever wondered where zombies go on bar crawls? Now’s your chance to find out. There’s no cover charge and over 10 drink tickets as you zombie walk from bar to bar in search of brains…err, tequila shots.
When: Oct. 25–26, & 31
Price: $35–$39
628 5th Ave.
Enter a ghoulish world of glow and whoa, complete with contortionists, stilt walkers, and sword swallowers at Mavericks Beach Club’s black light Halloween party.
When: Oct. 31
Price: N/A
860 Garnet Ave.
A week of parties starts with a kickoff event on Oct. 26, carries on with Espolon Tequila’s Day of the Dead Party on Oct. 30, and finishes off on Halloween with a raffle and party with DJ Will Duka.
When: Oct. 26, 30, & 31
Price: N/A
600 Fifth Ave.
Union Kitchen & Tap Halloween Parties
Venture into the Gaslamp for $5 Bearded Lady Cocktails to go along with the American Horror Story: Freakshow theme. If you want a more classic cocktail hour, make your way up to Encinitas for the Haunted Hollywood Nights celebration on Saturday, “Scaryoke” on Sunday, and a party with spooky specials on Halloween night.
When: Oct. 26, 27, & 31
Price: N/A
Encinitas: 1108 S Coast Hwy 101
Gaslamp: 333 Fifth Ave.
Terrifying Tunes
Feel the bass at this festival fit for witches, monsters, and Harley Quinns. Experience the monstrous music of T-Pain, Trey Songz, LA Riots, and more. Get dressed in your most ghoulish garb for the costume contest, because you could be walking away with $3,000 cash.
When: Oct. 26
Price: $45–$125
Entrance to festival located at 6th and Island in the Gaslamp District
Fall into the rabbit hole and wake up in the Hard Rock Hotel’s own version of Wonderland: seven rooms with over 15 DJs spinning spooky tracks through a sea of 4,000 costumed party-goers. Are you ready to go mad?
When: Oct. 26
Price: $60–$70
207 5th Ave.
Uncorked and Movie Under the Stars
For this Halloween edition of Uncorked and Movie Under the Stars, there will be screenings of the classics, The Addams Family, Death Becomes Her, and Hocus Pocus. Grab your wine, grab your seat, and get ready for some freaky films.
When: Oct. 16, 23, 30
Price: Free
1642 University Ave. #100
Freaky Food
The spooky ramen comes complete with black noodles and a vegan broth made with black garlic oil topped with all of the ghoulish goods: crispy fried tofu, kabocha pumpkin squash, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and baby bok choy.
When: Whole month of October
Price: N/A
At All Locations: Convoy Street, Mercury Street, Hillcrest, East Village, North Park
Louisiana Purchase Culinary Collective Murder Mystery Experience
This is your chance to play real life Clue while eating a delicious five-course meal with even more delicious drink pairings. Who killed who in the bayou? It’s up to you to find out!
When: Oct. 29
Price: $189
2305 University Ave.
“PAW-lloween” Activities
Prep your pup for the party of their life at the San Diego Humane Society (San Diego campus) where they get to mingle with other mutts and participate in a costume contest. Free human and dog treats available too.
When: Oct. 25
Price: $10
5500 Gaines St.
Let your dogs run free in the off-leash dog park at Mavericks Beach Club and enter them into a “paw”some costume contest to win a prize. There will be doggy trick-or-treating and some great swag.
When: Oct. 30
Price: Free
860 Garnet Ave.
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