San Diego celebrates spooks and spirits this Halloween with a wide variety of activities.  Whether you are seeking tame  fun for a little one or are looking for some  adult Halloween thrills, you can find  it in San Diego.

Here are San Diego attractions offering some serious  fun this Halloween:

Bates Nut Farm

When people think of San Diego they seldom think of scare crow contests, farm animals,  and hay rides.  All this and more awaits visitors to Bates Nut Farm just 45 minutes from Downtown San Diego in Valley Center California.  This pumpkin patch has it all…a general store full of nuts and old fashioned candy, a hay bale maze, a cute skit about how pumpkins grow, and of course tons giant pumpkins.  A visit to Bates Nut Farm is a Halloween tradition for many families in San Diego.  For directions and information about special events visit https://www.batesnutfarm.biz/.

Brick or Treat, Legoland California

Legoland Brick or Treat

Legoland California throws a great party for every occasion and Halloween is no exception.  By day, you  can enjoy the fascinating Halloween themed models that adorn Castle Hill  and gather some treats at the Brick or Treat trail. For optimum Halloween fun you have to visit on a Brick or Treat night.  We went last year and the kids had a blast. Since Legoland usually is never open after dark, just being in the park late is a treat.  The year we visited there were free balloon animals, pirates singing alphabet songs, and drummers drumming on trash cans.  The costume contest draws plenty of entries and is just crazy.  This year they have added a dance party with a dance contest. If you buy your tickets on line you get an exclusive online discount that includes a second visit to the park for free!  For more information click here.  Legoland passholders get to attend Brick or Treat nights for free by reserving a pass online.

Ghost Walks in Old Town San Diego

Old Town San Diego contains many original buildings from the early days of San Diego.  Old Towns Most Haunted offers “real” ghost tours of San Diego for a fee.  During the month of October, however, the historical park offers also  free ghost walks with a more historical bent.  On Halloween the historic Whaley house, billed as the most haunted house in the nation is open all night.

Sea World Spooktacular

Seaworld gets into the Halloween spirit with spooktacular Halloween themed animal shows,  trick or treating among the sea creatures, and even cookie decorating!  Come in costume or as you are to the Sea World Spooktacular weekends October 3rd- Nov 1st.

Wild Animal Park: Pumpkins at the Park

My family plans to enjoy Pumpkins at the Park at the San Diego Wild Animal Park sometime in the next few weeks.  We are looking forward to making some Halloween crafts and joining in the Trick or Treat scavenger hunt.  There will also be enrichment for many of the animals at the park and a Conservation Cake Walk.  Children are welcome to attend Pumpkins in the Park in costume every Saturday and Sunday Oct 1th-Nov 1st.

The Scream Zone

If you are looking for some adult Halloween thrills head over to the Scream Zone at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.  You can tour a terrifying House of Horror, cuddle up with your signficant other on the Haunted Hayride, or get lost in The Chamber, a maze that passes through the house of La Llorona, Mexico’s famous wailing woman.

Happy Halloween!

Photo Credits:

Photos of Girl with Pumpkin, Legoland, Bates Nut Farm, and Old Town Ghost taken by Bridget Smith

Otter Photo Courtesy of the Sea World

Pumpkins in the Park Photo Courtesy of the Wild Animal Park

Scream Zone Photo Courtesy of the Scream Zone