23 Fun Things To Do In San Diego In October (2023)
Want to know all the best things to do in San Diego in October? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know!
Fun Things To Do In San Diego In October
Below are some of the fun things to do in San Diego in October from festivals to theme park holiday events to the scariest Halloween events and more.
1. Howl-O-Scream at Sea World San Diego
Sea World also hosts it’s own night time event called Howl-O-Scream, which happens on select nights from September 15th – October 29st.
During the day time park hours there are kid friendly activities.
2. Brick-or-Treat at Legoland California
Since Legoland is a kid oriented park, it’s Halloween event is entirely kid-friendly as well.
There is tons of candy, shows, characters, and more.
3. Julian
Julian, California is a great place in Southern California to see Fall foliage.
It’s an old Gold Rush town just east of San Diego.
They are known for their apples, so definitely do some apple picking while you’re there and bring home some apple pies.
If you click the link above, it goes to another blog post on our site of the Best Things To Do in Julian in the Fall.
4. Haunted Trail Of Balboa Park
Christopher of EcoMotionCentral.com, shares “for Halloween enthusiasts, I’d recommend the Haunted Trail of Balboa Park.
It’s a mile-long trail through the park that’s filled with spooky surprises.”
Opening night is September 22nd.
Be sure to check out the eXperiment Maze and the Haunted Trail while you’re here.
5. Bates Nut Farm
Christopher of EcoMotionCentral.com, also shares, “in my opinion, you can’t miss the opportunity to visit the local pumpkin patches.
Bates Nut Farm is one of the best, with a massive pumpkin patch, hayrides, and a corn maze.”
The pumpkin patch opens Saturday, September 16th.
6. Halloween Movie Screenings at Rooftop Cinema Club in San Diego & LA
They show films seven nights a week at their venues in San Diego, the LA Arts District, Downtown LA, and El Segundo.
This year’s schedule for October has not yet been released, but here is what they did last year:
Throughout the month of October, they’re having a Halloween Vibes celebration featuring films like:
Films for all ages – Hocus Pocus, Coco, Hotel Transylvania, Cruella, Monsters Inc, Coraline, Halloweentown, The Nightmare Before Christmas
Halloween Classics – Halloween, The Craft, Beetlejuice, The Addams Family, Ghostbusters, Practical Magic, The Mummy, Scary Movie, Friday the 13th, Edward Scissorhands, It
Horror/Thriller Movies – The Ring, Scream, American Psycho, The Silence of the Lambs, Final Destination, Zombieland, Get Out, The Conjuring, The Shining, Misery, The Cabin in the Woods, The Blair Witch Project, I Know What You Did Last Summer
Click for more information on Rooftop Cinema Club’s Halloween movie screenings!
7. The Pearl Halloween Movie Screenings In San Diego
“If PSL and Pools are your vibe, swing by the Pearl in San Diego during the “cooler” months for themed dive in movies!
Pumpkin carving and Casper in October, the Grinch during the holidays, and more!
Check out the “Happenings” page for the full schedule.”
8. Legacy Weekend
Liberty Station, the former Naval Training Center (NTC), has a rich history of service to the country and continues to serve the community as a successful adaptive reuse project.
2023 marks the 100-year anniversary of Liberty Station and the destination is celebrating with Legacy Weekend on Sunday, October 29, 2023 from noon to 4 p.m. in Ingram Plaza.
This is event will also include traditional elements of the annual Halloween at the Station event!
The festivities include trick-or-treating throughout Ingram Plaza, live entertainment, a costume contest, fun prizes, crafts, inflatables, recognition of the oldest living NTC recruit and the burial of a time capsule to be opened in 25 years.
All ages are encouraged to come decked out in their most elaborate costumes including a military-themed contest for each age division as well.
Throughout the fall, guests can also visit the new USS Recruit Exhibit to experience the former training vessel or participate in the Historic Walking Tour that highlights the rich, military history of the former Naval Training Center turned community hub.
9. Kids Free October in San Diego
San Diego Tourism Authority shares, “The 12th Annual “Kids Free San Diego” is returning in October with special savings and fun for the entire family.
During the entire month, San Diego hotels, restaurants, attractions, museums, tours and transportation companies are offering families with kids 12 and under a variety of deals from complimentary attraction and museum admission to free meals as well as welcome amenities at area hotels.”
Additionally, All October, kids cruise FREE on any Sea Lion Adventure tour or soon to be announced new 90 minute Best of the Bay tour.
Pass by Seaport Village, Shelter Island, Coronado Island, Point Loma, Cabrillo National Monument, and more, while learning about local environmental efforts to protect the wildlife in the area.
Interested families can use promo code “KIDSCRUISEFREE2023.”
10. The Cutwater LaBARatory Speakeasy Experience
You can enjoy fall cocktails and eat delicious food with your friends.
They also have a speakeasy and you can take tours of the distillery.
The speakeasy experience includes:
“🧪 Welcome cocktail in a specialty take-home glass, 🔮 Access to an exclusive cocktail menu updating weekly from our very own Mad Scientists, 🧪 Radioactive cocktails , and 🔮 Mystery test tube R&D spirit samples”.
11. HalGLOWeen At San Diego Zoo
Tadas from Minimalistic Linen shares, if you’re more inclined towards traditional festivities, the San Diego Zoo hosts “Halgloween” on weekends in October, filled with glow-in-the-dark fun and performances.
Activities begin at 5 pm.
12. Autumn Festival At San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Tadas from Minimalistic Linen also shares, “the San Diego Zoo Safari Park also celebrates with its Autumn Festival, featuring live bluegrass music and seasonal delights.
This festival takes place on weekends in October.
13. Zombie Crawl
Tadas from Minimalistic Linen also shares, “the Gaslamp Quarter comes alive with the Zombie Crawl, a must-attend for adults.”
This event takes place on 3 separate nights in October – Friday, October 27th, Saturday, October 28th, and Tuesday, October 31st, all from 6 pm – 2 am.
14. La Jolla Art & Wine Festival
Tadas from Minimalistic Linen also shares, “the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival, scheduled for the second weekend of October, promises a blend of art, wine, and entertainment.”
15. The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular At Sesame Place
San Diego Tourism Authority shares, “Sesame Place celebrates Halloween with not-so-scary fun at The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular from September 16-October 29.
Children are encouraged to dress in their costumes and stop at trick-or-treat spots throughout the park.”
16. Belmont Park Fall Festival
San Diego Tourism Authority also shares, “Belmont Park presents its Fall Festival at the Boardwalk September 9 – October 31.
There will be activities and treats for both kids and adults, with trick-or-treating throughout the boardwalk, live music, and fall flavored snacks and drinks.
The park will also host its first community 5K on September 17 to raise awareness for childhood cancer.”
17. Ghosts And Gravestones Frightseeing Tour
Shreya from LowestFlightFares.com shares, “The Ghosts and Gravestones Frightseeing Tour is to die for, well, not literally of course.
Try the all black “Doom buggies” ride for a heart-throbbing experience.
Starting at $39, the trip has more frightful things to explore.
The tour is currently ongoing so catch up and hurry for a ballistic experience.
Located on Old Town Trolley Tours.”
18. Haunted Amusement
Shreya from LowestFlightFares.com also shares, “Don’t miss The Haunted Amusement at the historically famous Marshal Scotty’s Playland.
Screams of terror have now replaced the laughter of joy.
This full blown halloween carnival has the spooky feel of the 1960’s.
Try the crashing experience of bumping cars with 3D glass for out-of-the world sight.
Stay Close while exploring the Truly Haunted House of Horrors, cemetery and slaughterhouse, you definitely don’t want to be swept away by terrifying creatures.
Available from Sept 29 – 31 Oct for $25 – $35 at Marshal Scotty’s Playland, 14011 Ridge Hill Road, El Cajon, CA 92021.”
19. Taste Of North Park
“Experience a fun-filled day of North Park’s Best Restaurants, Craft Beer, Cider, Kombucha, Wine and shopping at North Park’s eclectic boutiques all set to live music, art and a walkabout through North Park!
Join us Saturday, October 7th from 11AM to 3PM for the Taste of North Park featuring over 40 Tastes located within North Park businesses!
Tickets start at $30 for Beverage Taste only, $45 Food only or $65 for Food & Beverage.
Must be 21+ for Beverage Tasting.
Tickets can be purchased here.”
20. SDFD Mustache Madness
“On Thursday, October 19th, Mavericks Beach Club will be hosting their biggest charity event of the year, the SDFD Mustache Madness.
The event includes live music, mustache contests, passed apps and drinks, one-of-a-kind silent auction items, raffle prizes, and much more, all in support of Firefighter Aid.
Firefighter Aid’s mission is to provide charitable assistance to firefighters and their families in times of need and to promote awareness of firefighter health and safety issues, and the impacts they have upon their families and communities.
The event takes place from 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Tickets, which are $20 with 100% of proceeds going to Firefighter Aid, can be purchased here!
21. Duck Dive Harry Potter Trivia
“Pacific Beach’s Duck Dive will be hosting Harry Potter themed trivia on Wednesday, October 25th!
Gear up for Halloween and brush up on your knowledge of the beloved Harry Potter, as teams compete for themed prizes.
Trivia will be hosted by Sunset Trivia, and Duck Dive will be offering specialty cocktails during the event.
Trivia begins promptly at 8PM and reservations, which can be made by calling the restaurant, are encouraged. 858-273-3825″
22. Oktoberfest In El Cajon
The first weekend is September 29th – October 1st and the second weekend is October 6th – 8th.
Oktoberfest takes place from 4 pm – 10 pm on Fridays, 12 pm – 10 pm on Saturdays, and 12 pm – 9 pm on Sundays.
This event is hosted by the German American Societies of San Diego.
Enjoy live music from a real German band and all your favorite German foods and beers.
23. Infinite Energy At Encore Event Center
“International fire and lightning entertainment company SkyFire Arts presents “Infinite Energy,” an electrifying, transformational event where science, technology, art, and magic converge.
On October 7, 2023, from noon to 1 a.m., the Encore Event Center in San Diego will come alive with Tesla coil lightning performances, interactive workshops, flow arts, dance, DJs, merchants, and food vendors during this family-friendly experience.
SkyFire Arts signature experience features giant Tesla coils that create 7-foot-long arcs of crackling electricity on stage.
Performers dance with half-a-million volts of high-frequency electrical current pulsing at 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit, over half as hot as the surface of the sun.”
More Fun Things To Do In Southern California In The Fall
Below are more fun things to do in Southern California this Fall.
🎃 Fun Things To Do In Anaheim In October
Anaheim has a variety of things to do in October from spooky escape rooms to Dia de los Muertos festivals, theme park special events, and more!
🎃 Fun Things To Do In Los Angeles In October
October is a great time of year to visit LA.
There are festivals for just about anything you could imagine.
Plus so many Halloween events like haunted hayrides, pumpkin trails, and more.
🎃 The Best Things To Do In Southern California This Fall
For even more ideas, check out our list of all the best things to do in Southern California this Fall.
We’ve got events, festivals, Oktoberfests, Fall foliage towns, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Things To Do In San Diego In October
Below are the most frequently asked questions we see about things to do in San Diego in October.
✔️ Is October A Good Time To Go To San Diego?
Yes, October is generally a good time to visit San Diego, as it offers pleasant weather with mild temperatures and less crowds compared to the peak summer months.
✔️ Do People Go To The Beach In October In San Diego?
Yes, people do go to the beach in October in San Diego.
The weather remains pleasant during this month, and while it might not be as hot as the summer months, it’s still suitable for beach activities.
The beaches in San Diego continue to attract visitors, both locals and tourists, for relaxation, surfing, and other outdoor activities in October.
✔️ What Is San Diego Like In October?
San Diego in October typically experiences mild and pleasant weather.
The temperatures are comfortable, ranging from the mid-60s to low 70s Fahrenheit (around 18-23°C).
It’s a transition month from summer to fall, so you can expect fewer crowds and a quieter atmosphere compared to the peak summer season.
The skies are generally clear, making it a good time for outdoor activities like visiting the beach, hiking, or exploring the city’s attractions.
Conclusion: Things To Do In San Diego In October
From haunted trails to Oktoberfests to a variety of festivals, there are plenty of things to do in San Diego in October.
