Here are the best ways to celebrate Halloween in San Diego.
Meet sea-friendly creatures during SeaWorld San Diego's kid-friendly Spooktacular event. PHOTO COURTESY OF SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO
Howl-O-Scream and SeaWorld Spooktacular
Make a spooky splash at SeaWorld San Diego, when the park is transformed by night with haunted houses, scare zones, spooky entertainment and terror-filled rides Sept. 29 through Oct. 31 for Howl-O-Scream. Pick your poison at sinister bars throughout the park and toast to a night that's sure to raise hairs. If you prefer treats to tricks, bring the little ones along for fun during the day at SeaWorld Spooktacular. Enjoy a Halloween dance party, hay rides, photo opportunities with costumed characters, a themed candy trail for trick-or-treating and the brand-new O.P. Otter's Spooktacular Surprise theater show.
If spine-tingling fun is what you're after, head to Murrieta to experience ScareScape, a brand-new attraction featuring haunted mazes, VIP experiences, entertainment and more. Open on select nights between Sept. 29 and Oct. 29, the outdoor attraction thrills with four phobia-inspired mazes and a VIP Sideshow Spirit Lounge, where creepy cocktails, swamp creatures and a fortune teller await.
Head to Legoland California Resort for this signature Halloween event that takes place on select dates through Oct. 29. It's all about fun for the whole family during the annual Monster Party featuring not-so-scary characters, live entertainment, themed rides and plenty of trick-or-treating. Let the little ones dress up and explore the Wacky Witch Trail and Lord Vampyre's Fangtastic Forest as they collect treats, or dance the night away at The Monster Rock Off and Lord Vampyre's Very Important Monsters Dance Party.
The ghost of guest Kate Morgan strolls the grounds at Hotel del Coronado; PHOTO COURTESY OF HOTEL DEL CORONADO
Halloween at Hotel del Coronado
Frightful fun awaits all month long at the historic Hotel del Coronado. First, head 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 as you roast s’mores at your 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. Thrill 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!
Halloween 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. Omni La Costa will also offer a Spook-Easy Bar Crawl on Saturday, Oct. 28. Reserved for guests 21 and up, the night begins at Edge Pool and invites guests to show up in their best costumes. Tickets include themed cocktails, appetizers and Halloween-themed experiences at five restaurants throughout the resort's grounds. Finally, if you're looking for fun for the whole family, try Hazel's Spooky Stories and S'mores. Guests can reserve a private fire pit on the Bar Traza Terrace, roast s'mores, listen to spooky campfire stories and receive a special visit from resident hummingbird, Hazel.
Party at Side Bar all weekend long. PHOTO COURTESY OF SIDE BAR
Pirates of The Gaslamp Quarter at Side Bar
Round up your mateys at Side Bar, where the watering hole is throwing a pirates-themed Halloween party Oct. 25, Oct. 27-29, and Oct. 31. Dance the night away to sounds from Kevin Kon and Kaos, and dress in your best costume to find the hidden treasure. Book a VIP table by emailing [email protected].
Seasonal Movies at Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero
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. A map of the haunts involved will be available at the Piazza della Famiglia. See you there!
Head to Bahia Resort Hotel at 9PM on Friday, Oct. 27 to board the William D. Evans Sternwheeler for a night of frightful fun in San Diego’s Mission Bay. Two live DJs will set the mysterious mood for the night ahead as you pick your poison from the drink- and snack-filled cash bar. Ghouls and gals must be over 21 to attend and reservations are required. Plan your costumes wisely—this party is sure to make waves.
Glow N Float Pumpkin Patch at Belmont Park
Belmont Park's Plunge waterpark will be transformed with hundreds of floating pumpkins for this family friendly party on Friday, Oct. 27 from 5:30 to 8PM. Bring the kiddos for a swim, games, prizes, treats and plenty of fun in a glowing, neon setting.
The Rooftop Bar's Annual Halloween Party
Enjoy a sky-high Halloween party at The Rooftop Bar at Mission Pacific Hotel from 6PM to 1AM on Saturday, Oct. 28. DJ Zochibeats will spin as craft cocktails and light bites are served. The Rooftop Bar will be transformed into The Overlook Hotel from The Shining, where you can snap pics with a cutout of the famous Grady twins, and the dance floor will open with a ceremony paying homage to Eyes Wide Shut. Expect service to be inspired by the Droogs from 1971's A Clockwork Orange, and dress to impress—a costume contest is on deck!
Halloween Happenings at Hilton San Diego Bayfront
From Oct. 27 to 31, the Hilton San Diego Bayfront will be known as the Hilton BOOfront! First, toast to the Halloween season at Hudson & Nash, where the waterfront cocktail lounge will offer specialty sips. Gin lovers should try The Witch Dr. while tequila fans will enjoy Mary's Bloody Margarita served in a spooky skull glass. On Oct. 28, enjoy a screening of Hocus Pocus, and on Oct. 29, dress your pups up for the hotel's costume contest that's open to guests and the public. Held from 11AM to 1PM, the event will be hosted in partnership with San Diego Humane Society and offer participants 20% off lunch at The Pool Club. The grand prize pup and owner will win a free overnight stay at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. Spook-tacular!
You're cordially invited to Estancia's Wicked Black & White Ball on Oct. 28. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
Estancia's Wicked Black & White Ball
Head to Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa from 7 to 10PM on Saturday, Oct. 28 for this night of over-the-top spooky fun. Enter a world of delightful darkness, where disturbingly delicious food and beverage offerings, freakishly fun performaces and other haunting surprises will have you feeling the Halloween spirit. Tickest start at $115 per person and are available here.
Dress in traditional Catrín costuming at Downtown Chula Vista Association's annual Día de los Muertos Celebration. PHOTO COURTESY OF DOWNTOWN CHULA VISTA ASSOCIATION
Día de los Muertos Celebration
Join the Downtown Chula Vista Association on Saturday, Oct. 28 for its Día de los Muertos Celebration. Known as “day of the dead,” the Mexican tradition honors late loved ones through live music, festive fare and more. Stroll along Third Avenue to discover store discounts, food samples, crafts for the kids, live music and dance performances, themed photo opportunities and more. Join the fun by dressing in traditional Catrín costuming, and honor your loved one by placing a photo of them on the community altar. There will also be a 7PM screening of Guillermo del Toro’s Book of Life in the Memorial Bowl.
Sip The Skull Popper cocktail at Grant Grill & Lounge during the month of October. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE US GRANT
The Mad Hatter Experience at The US Grant
We're all mad here! Belly up to the bar at The US Grant's Grant Grill & Lounge to indulge in themed cocktails and bites throughout the month of October. Then, book a reservation on Saturday, Oct. 28 for a 13-course tasting menu that will be served to just 13 diners—at 8:13PM. Tricks and treats abound! Preview the menu and get on the list here.
HomeStart's Hallo-Wine Fall Festival
Celebrate the fall season at this favorite outdoor event, taking place this year at a private estate on Lomaland Drive behind Point Loma Nazarene Campus. On Saturday, Oct. 28 from 3 to 6PM, guests will enjoy gourmet hors d’oeuvres, boutique wines, handcrafted beers and spirits from local businesses as they help raise funds for programs that provide critical assistance to vulnerable children and families in San Diego.
Hit the dance floor for OMA Rising at The Seabird Resort on Saturday, Oct. 28. PHOTO BY KEVIN MIJARES
OMA Rising at The Seabird Resort
Celebrate the arrival of the Hunter's Moon while supporting the Oceanside Museum of Art at its fundraising gala, OMA Rising. Taking place Saturday, Oct. 28 from 5 to 11PM at The Seabird Resort in Oceanside, the gala will include a sunset cocktail reception, fine art installations, live entertainment, a Hunter's Moon-themed dinner, and live and silent auctions. End the night on the dance floor as The Ivy League performs and interactive art displays are revealed.
Lumi's Nazo 9 is a mysterious box of sashimi selected by the chef that's unveiled tableside with spooky dry ice. PHOTO COURTESY OF LUMI
Scareshine Costume Lunch at Lumi
Gather your favorite guys and ghouls at Lumi in the Gaslamp Quarter for its Scareshine Costume Lunch, taking place on Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29 from noon to 3PM. The afternoon affair invites guests to dress up, drink spooky cocktails in take-home glassware and indulge in Lumi's sushi-forward cuisine as a live DJ plays Halloween tunes.
On Thursday, Nov. 2, join chef Roberto Alcocer for a special Día de los Muertos dinner at his Michelin-starred restaurant, Valle. Tucked within Oceanside's Mission Pacific Hotel, Valle will dazzle celebrants with an all-black, six-course tasting menu featuring Alcocer's grilled caramelized onion tart with Kaluga caviar, wagyu picaña with black mole and black beans, and corn silk ashes creme brulee with roasted corn ice cream to finish. Upgrade your experience with the optional 400 Conejos mezcal and wine pairing package.
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