Here are the best ways to celebrate the fall season in San Diego.
Enjoy seasonal films beneath the stars at Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero. PHOTO BY ERIC SCIRE
Seasonal Movies at Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero
Skip a night at home with Netflix to catch a flick on the big screen at the sky-high Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero. Located atop the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, the outdoor theater has released its star-studded fall lineup. The fun begins Labor Day weekend during a three-day Summerween celebration featuring 11 classic and spooky Halloween films, ranging from A Nightmare on Elm Street to American Psycho. Highlights through Oct. 31 include showings of Scream (Sept. 12; Oct. 1, 12, 30), The Shining (Sept. 18), Edward Scissorhands (Sept. 23), The Nightmare Before Christmas (Sept. 30; Oct. 15, 28), Hocus Pocus (select dates between Oct. 2 and 31), Halloweentown (Oct. 15), Ghostbusters (Oct. 21) and The Exorcist (Oct. 29), among others.
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Belmont Park will be decked out for Fall Fest Sept. 9 to Oct. 31. PHOTO COURTESY OF BELMONT PARK
A range of workshops and festive programming for the whole family is available Sept. 9 to Oct. 31 at Belmont Park. Stop by Mr. Jack O Lantern's Pumpkin Patch (open daily); gather candy every Sunday in October during the park's free trick or treating; or listen to live music as you sip seasonal beers and the kids get glammed up with glitter tattoos and face painting. There's also Belmont Park's inaugural community 5k on Sunday, Sept. 17, where funds will benefit Team Parker 4 Life and its mission to support those affected by childhood cancer.
See eight-time Tony Award-winning play Les Misérables Oct. 3 to 15 at San Diego Civic Theatre. PHOTO BY MATTHEW MURPHY/MURPHYMADE
Broadway Fun at San Diego Civic Theatre
A slew of top-notch Broadway shows will take the stage at San Diego Civic Theatre this fall. Gather your fellow theater lovers to enjoy The Book of Mormon (Sept. 19 to 24); Les Misérables (Oct. 3 to 15); Spiderman: Into The Spider-Verse Live in Concert (Nov. 4); and Mamma Mia! (Nov. 7 to 12).
The ghost of famed guest Kate Morgan strolls the grounds at Hotel del Coronado. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
Halloween at Hotel del Coronado
Frightful fun awaits all month long at the historic Hotel del Coronado. First, take to the beach for a nightly Ghost Roast Oct. 1 through 31, where you’ll receive a visit from The Del’s resident ghost Kate Morgan while roasting s’mores at your private moonlit fire pit. For further background on the mysterious Miss Morgan, book a Room 502 Tour (Oct. 6, 14 or 28) or Paranormal Tour (Oct. 7 and 21) to find out why Kate checked in during 1892 and never checked out. Spook seekers will also enjoy An Evening with the Spirits Oct. 27, which will culminate in a Victorian-style séance. If you prefer treats to tricks, carve pumpkins with your loved ones on select dates between Oct. 15 and 30 on The Del’s Founders Lawn. Happy hauntings!
Colorful photo opportunites await to La Jolla Art & Wine Festival. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
Wine, dine and discover art from across the United States and Mexico at the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival on Oct. 7 and 8. Featuring the work of over 160 artists, this weekend attraction is not one to miss, with silent auctions, live entertainment, international wineries, local breweries and 15 pet adoption stations lining the streets of San Diego’s beloved beach town.
Celebrate Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 7 at One Paseo. PHOTO BY ENJET MEDIA
Festivities for the whole family await at One Paseo in Carmel Valley. First, on Saturday, Oct. 7, party the day away at Oktoberfest, where guests ages 21 and up will enjoy craft beers, German-inspired bites from The Butchery, live Hofbräuhaus music and the anticipated crowning of Mr. and Mrs. Oktoberfest from 2 to 6PM. Then, keep the good times rolling on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Sounds & Sips. San Diego Symphony will perform a complimentary 90-minute outdoor concert while you enjoy beverages and bites from the surrounding eateries. Finally, bring the whole family together Oct. 28 from 5 to 9PM for a special edition of Fall Moonlight Cinema. Bring chairs and blankets to watch a complimentary showing of Disney's Coco as you snack on kettle korn and other seasonal treats. There's also the seasonal return of One Paseo's vintage red Studebaker truck that's been decked out in fall decor to provide you with the perfect fall backdrop for a photo shoot with the family.
The 14th Annual San Diego Spirits Festival
The 14th annual San Diego Spirits Festival returns to the picturesque Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla for its annual two-day event, held from 3 to 7PM on Saturday, Oct. 7 and from 1 to 5PM on Sunday, Oct. 8. The ultimate celebration of luxury craft cocktails and spirits, the festival invites attendees to experience the latest trends and flavors in the world of spirits in a space that is creatively designed to showcase world-renowned brands and boutique distillers. Festival-goers can expect an impressive array of products and tastings from more than 65 premium spirits and craft cocktail brands, ranging from high-end spirits to ready-to-drink cocktails and seltzers. Guests will also enjoy artisanal bites from top local restaurants, including Beeside Balcony, Lobster West and more, as well as live entertainment from a flamenco guitarist, samba performances and belly dancers. Cheers!
Autumn Festival at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Open on select dates between Oct. 8 and 30, Autumn Festival invites wildlife lovers to dance the day away with the Not-So-Scary Scarecrows, listen to live music by The Bar Owls, navigate the twists and turns of the A-maze-ing Autumn Adventure, and enjoy a candlelight choreographed performance by moonlight at the Mombasa Lagoon.
The stars will descend upon America's Finest City for the 21st annual San Diego International Film Festival. PHOTO BY JASON DE ALBA
San Diego International Film Festival
Take movie night out of the house at the 21st annual San Diego International Film Festival Oct. 18 to 22. Taglined as “putting the fest back in festival,” this year’s production will feature over 100 films and events, such as the Night of the Stars Tribute and Culinary Cinema. Be sure to stop by one of the many panels and networking opportunities.
Fun for the whole family awaits at San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
Head to Encinitas' beautiful Botanic Garden to enjoy a lineup of fall fun. Take photos in the Hamilton's Children's Garden Oct. 12 through November for a picture-perfect backdrop filled with seasonal pumpkins. Then, bring the whole family for Fall Festival Family Day on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 10AM to 3PM. Dress up for the boo-tanical costume parade, dance to music by Billy Lee and the Swamp Critters, decorate mini pumpkins and plant your own ghost succulent. Don't forget to explore the Savage Gardens exhibit, on display through Oct. 29, featuring bats, spiders and skeletons hidden among the blooming foliage.
Murder Mystery Weekend at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
It will be a weekend to die for Oct. 20 to 22 at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad. Themed Till Death Do Us Part, three days of murderous fun invites guests to examine crime scenes and bribe suspects for clues to uncover who the crazed wedding guest is that's killing all the attendees. It all begins Friday, Oct. 20 with a cocktail reception on the Valley Promenade, followed by a glitzy Saturday night dinner at Bob's Steak & Chop House, and a culminating Sunday brunch at VUE, where the mystery will be solved. Guests can purchase tickets to individual events or bundle all three for a discounted rate, plus exclusive access to VIP Investigation Time at the Garden Pool on Saturday afternoon.
Let the little ones dress up for Halloween early during the 16th annual Trick-or-Treat on India Street on Oct. 27. PHOTO COURTESY OF OLIVE PUBLIC RELATIONS
16th Annual Trick-or-Treat on India Street
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of gathering candy on Halloween, and Little Italy is ready to welcome costumed creatures of all ages to its Trick-or-Treat on India Street event. Taking place Friday, Oct. 27, from 5:30 to 7:30PM, the annual gathering invites little witches, wizards and their families to get dressed up and stop by participating businesses to receive candies and treats. Maps of the haunts involved will be available at the Piazza della Famiglia. See you there!
Wednesday’s Wicked Black & White Ball
Head to Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa on Saturday, Oct. 28 for this night of mystery and mayhem. The 21-and-up event invites partygoers to enjoy unlimited bites and booze while donning their best dark attire—an ode to party host Wednesday Addams and the rest of her spook-tacular family.
Sip and eat by the water at the 19th annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival. PHOTO BY TEMECULA LIFE
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
Come hungry! San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival returns for its 19th year on Nov. 8 to 12. The largest food and wine festival on the West Coast, the four-day culinary extravaganza invites gourmands to celebrate San Diego's buzzing food scene alongisde the city's top chefs, Food Network stars, cookbook authors, winemakers and more. The star-studded lineup includes appearances by chef Roberto Alcocer of Michelin-starred Valle in Oceanside, Eric Bost of Michelin-starred Jeune et Jolie in Carlsbad and celebrity chef Claudette Zepeda, among many others.
Sails and Ales Beer Fest at Kona Kai San Diego
Discover sips from 35 local breweries on Friday, Nov. 10 at Kona Kai San Diego's third annual Sails and Ales Beer Fest. Epic views of the water will serve as the backdrop for the outdoor eating and drinking extravaganza, where guests can snack on soft pretzels, giant barbecue pork skewers, Asian-style spicy chicken wings, churros with Mexican chocolate, stout brownies and more. Plus, a portion of ticket sales will benefit the Seal Family Foundation, ensuring this is an evening you can feel good about.
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