There’s something especially fun about celebrating Halloween in San Diego. Instead of bundling up for chilly fall weather, you can spend the day at the beach, visit a pumpkin patch in the afternoon, and head to a spooky Halloween event after the sun goes down.
From family-friendly trick-or-treating at San Diego’s biggest attractions to haunted trails, glowing nighttime celebrations, pumpkin patches, and seriously scary experiences for adults, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween in San Diego.
If you’re visiting San Diego in October 2026, add these Halloween activities to your itinerary.
1. Celebrate Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND California
For families with younger kids, Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND California Resort is one of the best Halloween events in San Diego County.
Located in Carlsbad, LEGOLAND transforms for select dates from September 19 through November 1, 2026, with Halloween decorations, LEGO monsters, live entertainment, costume contests, photo opportunities, and plenty of candy.
Kids can dress in costume and make their way through trick-or-treat stations throughout the park while still enjoying their favorite LEGOLAND rides and attractions.
2026 dates: Select dates September 19–November 1
Location: Carlsbad
Best for: Families with young children
Haustay Tip: Make a weekend of it! Stay in one of our Carlsbad vacation rentals and spend another day exploring Carlsbad Village and the beach.
2. Experience HalGLOWeen at the San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo gets a colorful Halloween makeover during its annual HalGLOWeen celebration.
Held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout October, HalGLOWeen begins at 5 p.m. and keeps the Zoo open until 9 p.m.
Expect glowing entertainment, live music, costumed characters, interactive activities, acrobatic performances and plenty of Halloween surprises throughout the evening.
Even better for families visiting San Diego in October: children ages 11 and younger receive free admission to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park throughout the entire month when accompanied by an adult with valid admission.
When: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October
Activities begin: 5 p.m.
Best for: Families and younger kids
3. Go Trick-or-Treating at SeaWorld Spooktacular
For Halloween fun without the big scares, head to SeaWorld San Diego’s Halloween Spooktacular.
The family-friendly celebration takes place Fridays through Sundays from September 11 through November 1, 2026.
Kids can come dressed in costume and enjoy trick-or-treat stations, a festive pumpkin patch, character encounters, dance parties, Halloween entertainment and seasonal photo opportunities.
New for 2026, SeaWorld is also debuting an all-new Baby Shark Halloween Show exclusively at SeaWorld San Diego.
The daytime Spooktacular festivities are included with regular park admission.
2026 dates: Fridays–Sundays, September 11–November 1
Location: Mission Bay
Best for: Families and younger children
4. Brave Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld San Diego
Once the sun goes down, SeaWorld’s family-friendly Halloween celebration turns into something completely different.
Howl-O-Scream San Diego returns on select nights from September 11 through October 31, 2026, with haunted houses, scare zones, live entertainment, themed bars, hidden speakeasies and nighttime coaster rides.
Among the 2026 haunted attractions is an all-new I Know What You Did Last Summer: The Final Catch haunted house.
Unlike SeaWorld Spooktacular, Howl-O-Scream is designed as an intense Halloween experience and isn’t intended for young children. It also requires a separate event ticket.
2026 dates: Select nights September 11–October 31
Event begins: 7 p.m., with ticket holders able to enter beginning at 6 p.m.
Best for: Adults and older teens who love a good scare
5. Walk the Haunted Trail of Balboa Park
Ready for something genuinely scary?
The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park returns September 25 through November 1, 2026.
This longtime San Diego Halloween tradition combines two haunted experiences: a 3,500-square-foot Experiment Maze followed by a mile-long Haunted Trail winding through the trees of Balboa Park’s historic Marston Point.
The outdoor setting makes this one particularly creepy after dark.
2026 dates: September 25–November 1
Location: Balboa Park
Best for: Adults, teens and horror fans
Haustay Tip: This is one of San Diego’s most popular Halloween attractions, so purchasing tickets ahead of time is a good idea, particularly for October weekends.
6. Visit a San Diego Pumpkin Patch
It wouldn’t be fall without pumpkins, even when it’s 75 degrees and sunny outside.
San Diego County has plenty of pumpkin patches where you can pick out the perfect pumpkin, snap fall family photos and enjoy classic seasonal activities.
If you’re staying with Haustay in North County, you don’t have to travel far.
Carlsbad offers seasonal pumpkin fun, including Pumpkin Palooza, which runs September 12 through October 31, 2026. The area also offers plenty of fall activities that make it easy to combine pumpkin picking with a day at the beach or dinner in Carlsbad Village.
Bring the kids, pick your pumpkins and take them back to your vacation rental for an evening of pumpkin carving.
7. Get Spooked at Jurassic Fright in Carlsbad
For something a little different, head to the Carlsbad Strawberry Company for Jurassic Fright.
Running from September 18 through November 8, 2026, this seasonal Carlsbad attraction adds some prehistoric thrills to Halloween season.
It’s also conveniently located for guests staying in one of our Carlsbad or Oceanside vacation rentals, making it an easy addition to a North County San Diego Halloween getaway.
2026 dates: September 18–November 8
Location: Carlsbad
Best for: Families and visitors looking for Halloween fun in North County
8. Explore San Diego’s Haunted History
Halloween is the perfect excuse to discover the darker side of San Diego history.
One of the most famous places to start is Old Town San Diego, an area filled with historic buildings, old cemeteries and plenty of local ghost stories.
The legendary Whaley House has long been associated with tales of paranormal activity and is one of San Diego’s most famous historic attractions.
Spend an evening exploring Old Town, take a ghost-themed tour, and finish the night with dinner and margaritas at one of the neighborhood’s Mexican restaurants.
It’s a fun Halloween activity for couples, groups of friends and families with older children who prefer ghost stories to haunted-house jump scares.
9. Celebrate Día de los Muertos
Halloween season in San Diego also overlaps with beautiful Día de los Muertos celebrations held throughout the region.
The Mexican holiday honors loved ones who have passed through colorful altars, marigolds, music, art, food and community gatherings.
SeaWorld San Diego will incorporate Día de los Muertos festivities into its seasonal celebration October 31 and November 1, 2026, with large Catrina statues and traditional ofrendas.
You can also look for community celebrations throughout San Diego County as November 1 and 2 approach.
Taking part in a Día de los Muertos celebration is a wonderful way to experience another side of San Diego’s rich Mexican and Southern California culture.
10. Have a Halloween Beach Night
Only in San Diego can your Halloween plans include the Pacific Ocean.
After a full day of pumpkin patches and Halloween activities, slow things down with an evening at the beach.
Pick up dinner from a local restaurant, watch the sunset and head back to your vacation rental for pumpkin carving, Halloween movies and candy.
Guests staying in Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas or Solana Beach have easy access to some of North County San Diego’s best beaches and coastal communities.
And if you’re traveling with kids, Halloween night itself can be surprisingly fun near the coast. Many local neighborhoods and village areas host seasonal activities, so check community calendars as your trip approaches for 2026 trick-or-treating events.
Make a Halloween Weekend Out of It
One of the best things about Halloween in San Diego is that you don’t have to choose between a fall getaway and a beach vacation, you can have both.
Spend your morning walking along the beach, visit a pumpkin patch in the afternoon and end the evening at one of San Diego’s Halloween celebrations.
October also brings comfortable weather and plenty to do throughout the region, making it a great time to plan a Southern California getaway.
Whether you’re bringing the kids for Brick-or-Treat, heading to Howl-O-Scream with friends, exploring San Diego’s haunted history or simply looking for a relaxing fall weekend near the ocean, there’s something happening for every kind of Halloween fan.
Stay Near the Best Halloween Activities in San Diego
Turn your Halloween plans into a coastal getaway with Haustay Vacation Rentals.
With vacation homes in Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas, Solana Beach and throughout North County San Diego, Haustay makes it easy to enjoy the area’s Halloween festivities while staying close to the beach.
Choose a spacious home for the whole family, stay within walking distance of the coast, and enjoy your own kitchen and living space for pumpkin carving, Halloween movie nights and all that trick-or-treat candy.
Ready for a spooky San Diego getaway? Browse Haustay Vacation Rentals and start planning your Halloween trip today.
