The Best Halloween Events in San Diego
San Diego is known for its crystal clear waters, amazing weather, and even for being the most dog-friendly city in the United States, but a lesser-known fact is that San Diego has quite the spooky history. America’s Finest City is also one of the nation’s most haunted, and all of San Diego follows suit to celebrate. From haunted houses, hayrides, to spooktacular Halloween parties, San Diego is one of the best places to celebrate All Hallow’s Eve! If you’re looking for an unforgettable Halloween event in San Diego, you’re in luck.
Delving into San Diego’s Haunted History
Some of the most haunted places in the United States are right in our backyard – no better time to explore them than Halloween. The oldest neighborhood in San Diego, Old Town, is also home to loads of ghost stories and paranormal activity you can experience to this day.
Whaley House
Right in the heart of Old Town is the Whaley House, which has been dubbed the Most Haunted House in America. Many say these grounds were haunted before Thomas Whaley began building on the property. It was the site of one of the town’s most famous public executions of the thief Yankee Jim Robinson.
Shortly after building this home, the first brick building in California, the Whaley family started to experience a series of horrific events, which are attributed to it being haunted. If this story is right up your alley, we recommend checking out the Whaley House Haunted Evening Tour.
Hotel Del
The Hotel Del Coronado is known for its red rooftops and also as a filming location for this classic Marilyn Monroe movie, Some Like it Hot, but it is also in fact haunted.
Back in 1892, a woman in her twenties, Kate Morgan, checked into the hotel under a fake name. Five days later, Kate was found with a gunshot wound to the head on a staircase leading to the beach. The coroner said this was a suicide, though much skepticism still surrounds this finding.)
Kate Morgan’s spirit occupies her former guest room and haunts the hotel from time to time. Walk in Kate’s footsteps on a guided tour and learn more about her mysterious death and all the ghostly guest and employee encounters over the years on the The Del’s Haunted Happenings Tour.
Horton Grand Hotel
The Horton Grand Hotel is actually a fusion and restoration of two old hotels. Both built in 1886, the old Grand Hotel Horton and the Brooklyn Kahle Saddlery Hotel were about to be demolished so San Diego bought them in the 1970s for $1 each. Ten years later, the combined Horton Grand Hotel reopened in 1986. The entire building maintained the original structure and some of the guests from the 1800s still roam the hotel. Room #309 is particularly haunted as it was the final resting place of Roger Whittaker, a gambler who hid from his debt collectors in the armoire and was shot. Some say they’ve experienced the sound of footsteps, flickering lights, and even the armoire door opening and closing. Stay at the haunted hotel if you so dare!
Gaslamp Quarter
There are many more haunted destinations than just the Horton Grand Hotel. There are said to be many places packed with paranormal activity tied to the Gaslamp’s seedy past of brothels, booze, and even murder.
One of the best ways to explore all the creepy happenings in the “birthplace of California” is to go on a Gaslamp Ghost Tour. Haunted stops along the way include the Balboa Theater, which was once 1920s vaudeville performance house, the Davis-Horton House Museum, which is said to be the most haunted house in all of Gaslamp, Prohibition House, which is a 20s themed lounge located beneath the previous San Diego Morgue, and the Yuma Building, which was the first stop in the Great Raid of brothels in the early 1900s. You’ll get to hear about the strange supernatural encounters that people still experience currently at each of these stops. So much history and haunts in one tour!
Halloween Events to Experience in San Diego
We’ve rounded up some of the spooktacular Halloween events happening in and around San Diego — many of which are family-friendly!
The Mad Hatter Experience at the Grant Hotel
Take a ghoulish gastronomic tour of smoke-filled cocktails and “twisted bites” on Halloween. The Grant Grill Lounge will be serving up paranormal bar bites such as the Skull Popper cocktail prepared in a crystal skull, “Soil and Bones” Marrow and Root Vegetables, and the “Shrink Me” cherry float that will take you down Alice’s rabbit hole.
If you’re a giant foodie, reserve your space for the Mad Hatter’s 13-course dinner. Just like Alice, you will start your dinner off eating a “miracle berry” and enjoy some deceptively delicious meals served on a platter by the Mad Hatter!
The Mad Hatter Bar Menu: October 6-31 in the Grant Grill Lounge | 3:00 p.m-11:00 p.m.
The Mad Hatter Dining Experience: Saturday, October 28 at 8:13 p.m. | $$333.33
Movies at the Gaslamp Museum
Part of the Gaslamp & Chills Halloween extravaganza going down in October, you can enjoy creepy cinema at the Gaslamp Museum at “Movies at the Museum”. The movie comes with a soft drink and an exclusive candle-lit haunted tour of the Davis-Horton House. The movie lineup includes:
- 10/5 – House on Haunted Hill
- 10/12 – Carnival of Souls
- 10/19 – City of the Dead
- 10/26 – The Corpse Vanishes
Thursdays in October | Check-in at 6:45 p.m. | $10 tickets
Halloween At Hotel Del Coronado
The Hotel Del Coronado has a slew of Halloween events this year to get you in the spooky spirit! Here are just a few of them:
Halloween Pumpkin Carving:
What’s better than a day of pumpkin carving? Doing it beachfront of course! You’ll get to pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch and carve your own jack-o-lantern (no supplies needed!).
Oct 14, 21, 28-30 @ 5 pm | $30
Haunted Happenings Tours:
A tour devoted to Kate Morgan and all of the ghostly encounters guests and employees have had with her over the years.
Nightly | 45 minutes | Ages 12+ | $35
Feeling extra bold? Attend the Friday the 13th Tour & Séance
This 75-minute tour of the resort includes an exclusive tour of Kate’s actual room followed by a Victorian-styled séance.
Oct 13, 2023, 7:30pm & 9:30pm | $125
Ghost Roast
A ghoulish flair to a popular tradition at The Del. You can grab your friends and family and bundle up around the fire and read ghost stories as you roast s’mores. Reserve a fire pit for 1-hour including s’mores and ghost stories ready to read for your family and up to 10 guests.
Oct 1-31, Nightly – 5:30pm & 7:30pm | $210
Even more Halloween happenings at The Del:
Halloween Events for the Whole Family
SeaWorld’s Spooktacular Halloween Event
SeaWorld keeps it all in the family with its Halloween celebrations geared toward kids. Enjoy special Halloween shows, celebrate with Sesame Street characters, and other creatures during the SeaWorld Spooktacular, and be sure to dress your kiddos up for their visit!
- Select Days, September 16 – October 31
- Included with regular daytime park admission (kids free with purchase of adult ticket)
San Diego Zoo’s HalGLOWeen
Light up the night with the family in tow at San Diego Zoo’s beloved event HalGLOWeen. The 2023 celebration has been expanded to take place for 5 weekends in October. Grab the kids and head to the zoo to celebrate Halloween with fun activities and entertainment. Just a few of the events:
- The Skeleton Band playing Halloween hits
- Boo Crew meet-and-greet with scarecrow stilt walkers
- Python Path tour of the Reptile House after dark
- Boolahoops and other interactive kids’ activities at Centennial Plaza
- The Spiders’ Web – an acrobatic spider performance above the Explorers Basecamp
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in October | Activities start at 5 p.m.
Ages 11 and younger enter free.
LEGOLAND California Brick-or-Treat
LEGO® Monsters are taking over the kids’ Halloween celebration at LEGOLAND® California Resort. The epic monster party transforms the resort into a Halloween oasis with tons of candy, boo-free shows, and your child’s favorite monster LEGO characters. Admission to this event is included with a general ticket. A few activities you’ll encounter:
- Live Entertainment & Shows
- Limited-Time Attractions
- Character Meet & Greets
- Halloween Costume Contest
- Trick-or-Treating!
September: 16, 23, 30 (Saturdays)
October: 7 – 8, 14 – 15, 21 – 22, 28 – 29 (Saturdays & Sundays)
Spooky Activities at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Wicked Spooky Tea Party
The Fairmont brings a classy and whimsical touch to spook Halloween traditions. You can enjoy the Wicked Spooky Tea Party every weekend in October which includes finger foods and sinfully delicious finger foods. Be sure to bring your Halloween costumes!
Every Saturday & Sunday in October 2023 (starting October 7th) | 12 – 4 PM
$125/adult and $63/child exclusive of tax and gratuity.
Spooktacular Halloween Extravaganza
You won’t want to miss the Spooktacular Halloween Extravaganza either! On October 28th, bring your kids and your costumes for a memorable day at Grand Social. There are a slew of interactive stations for the kids to enjoy including experiments in the Mad Scientist’s lab, a visit with the friendly Witch in Candyland, and much more!
Saturday, October 28, 2023 | 5 PM
$50 per adult and $25 per child + tax and gratuity.
Cabanas are available for $300 and fire pits for $150.
Trick-or-Treating on India Street
Pack up your littles and head over to Little Italy for an evening of trick-or-treating. The shops at the Piazza della Famiglia in Little Italy will have giant buckets of treats waiting for your kids donning their adorable costumes.
October 27, 2023 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
10th Annual Howl-O-Ween Mutt Run
Calling all dog lovers! Celebrate Halloween with your fur baby by taking them for a 1k/5k walk. The best part about this (besides adorable dogs) is that all the proceeds go to the nonprofit CA Labs & More, who rescued over 2,000 dogs this year.
Dress up with your pup for the chance to win prizes and refresh yourself with a pint at the Mike Hess Beer Garden afterward.
Saturday, October 28 ·| 7:30 – 11 a.m. | free admission
Spine-Chilling Tours
As mentioned before, San Diego has a spooky history and tours available to explore every paranormal part of town!
Photo via Ghosts and Gravestones
Ghosts & Gravestones of San Diego
Take a seat on a trolley as the Ghosts Hosts guide you on a tour of some of the ghostly sightings and supernatural mysteries that surround San Diego’s most haunted locations. Gamblers, gangsters, and prostitutes lived and died in San Diego, and their spirits are thought to live on among us. You’ll explore the beautiful by day Pioneer Park and hear all about the spooky happenings at sundown, and you’ll walk through El Campo Santo Cemetery in Old Town, and end the tour at the most haunted house in America, the Whaley House.
September 26 – October 31 | $42.75
San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter Historic True Crime Tour
Consider yourself a crime junkie? If so, you’ll love this historic tour of crimes that took place right in the Gaslamp Quarter. Your lead detective will take you through Gaslamp giving you the lowdown on the grisly crimes that have taken place over the years in the area formerly known as Stingtree, and walk you by scenes of some of the most horrific murders in San Diego’s history at the haunted Horton Grand Hotel, The Old Spaghetti Factory, and Henry’s Pub.
Every day in October | tours at 11am, 1pm, 6pm, 7pm, & 10pm | $30 plus tax
The Del’s Haunted Happenings Tour
Learn what really happened at Kate Morgan’s 1982 visit to The Del and why her spirit still remains there on this guided tour. Follow in her footsteps learn more about her mysterious death and all the ghostly guest and employee encounters over the years.
60 minutes | $35 per person | Ages 12+
Haunted Houses and Attractions
Photo via Haunted Trail at Balboa Park
No need to drive to Los Angeles to attend Halloween Horror Nights! San Diego has its own share of haunted houses that will have you letting out blood-curdling screams.
Scream Zone Del Mar
They say a good scream is therapy for the soul, so consider yourself in full treatment at Scream Zone Del Mar. They have three haunted experiences to choose from this year — Labyrinth Manor, Stars of the Silver “Scream”, and the iconic Haunted Hayride. Be sure to book your tickets in advance, especially if you’re wanting to go on a weekend.
Opening hours:
- 10/5 – 10/7: 7PM-11PM
- Fri & Sat: 7PM-11PM
- Sun – Thu: 7PM-10PM
- Sun 10/22 & 10/29: 7PM-11PM
Tickets:
- Triple Haunt: Timed General Admission | $32.99
- Scream Pass: Express Line Entry | $47.99
Haunted Trail at Balboa Park
This haunted house actually takes place outside, which adds to the spooky factor, and it was named one of the top 5 haunted houses in America by CNN! Are you ready for a top-tier level of scariness? If so, you’ll make your way through a 3500 square foot eXperiment Maze where you will be haunted by scary fairytale characters. And then, get ready for a mile-long fright fest on the haunted trail. You’ll go through a graveyard, a Zombie Bus, a Clown House and other spine-chilling spots! Then you will embark on a mile-long haunted trail through a haunted graveyard, a Zombie bus, a Clown House, and other terrifyingly fun spots.
- September 22 – October 31 daily from 7 to 10/10:30/11 PM – find more details here!
- Time General Admission – enter line during your time window: $32.99
- Scream Pass Admission: flexibility and shorter lines $47.99
Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld
Starting 9/29, SeaWorld’s peaceful park is going to become a place of nightmares. There are terrifying creatures that will try to attack you through scare zones, there are horror houses to explore, and also devilishly delicious cocktails, beers, and spirits. You can even amp up the thrill factor with a nighttime rollercoaster ride. There’s no shortage of fear factor with 5 scare rooms, 5 haunted houses, and roaming ghosts and ghouls. There’s no safe place at SeaWorld San Diego during Howl-O-Scream!
- Select Nights Sept. 29 – Oct. 31 — more details here!
- Single-night Ticket: $39.99 (offer ends Oct. 11)
- Any-night Ticket: $52.99 (excluding Saturdays) | $62.99 including Saturdays
The Haunted Amusement Park
Set on the deserted grounds of the San Diego Amusement Park Marshal Scotty’s Playland, the fun carnival vibes are now replaced with horrifying screams. Make your way through the remains of a 1960s carnival and try not to get creeped out! The nearly 1–mile walk takes you under an old rollercoaster, through a 3D bumper car experience, makes you confront sideshow freaks, and make your way through the old attraction graveyard. This haunted amusement park also has a House of Horrors, a cemetery, and a slaughterhouse!
- September 29 – October 31, 2023, | tickets only sold at the door | FREE parking
- General Admission: $25
- Fast Pass: $35
Halloween Parties and Gatherings
Photo via Nightmare on Normal Street
San Diego is teeming with Halloween festivities to suit everyone’s fancy. From a pub crawl to a sunset cruise, here are a few of our favorite Halloween parties!
San Diego Halloween Zombie Pub Crawl
Get dolled up in your best Halloween costume and come enjoy a VIP experience at over 10 bars, lounges, and nightclubs in the Gaslamp Quarter. You’ll get drink specials, free welcome shots, and the chance to live it up with hundreds of other Hallows Eve lovers!
- Friday, Oct. 27, Saturday, Oct. 28, & Tuesday, Oct. 31 | starts at 6pm.
- Limited early bird special (ends Oct. 27): $15 with limited tickets available
- Discounted ticket special (ends Oct. 27): $25 with limited tickets available
- Standard ticket: $30
Nightmare on Normal Street
The party scene on Normal Street is what Halloween dreams are made of. On October 28, join the vibrant LGBTQIA+ community for an epic party. Nightmare on Normal will take over the Pride Flag Plaza at Normal and University Ave. There will be live entertainment, food trucks, DJs, a giant dance floor, and a costume contest for both humans and fur babies.
October 28, 2023 | 5 PM – 11 PM
The lineup:
- Massive outdoor block party with a Halloween dance party
- The famous costume contest judged by local celebs
- The Rich’s Nightclub-sponsored Main Stage with DJs and dancers
- Food trucks with spooktacular eats
Tickets:
- Early Bird General Admission: $25
- Early Bird VIP Pass: $50 (includes two cocktails, food credit, front-of-the-line access to get into the event, separate VIP Bar, private restrooms and private stage viewing.)
Pier Pressure San Diego Halloween Cruise
Party it up all night long aboard the Hornblower Inspiration. This trip on the mega yacht marks the 11th Annual Titanic Masquerade! With over 1200 people partying on the water in San Diego, this will be the biggest Halloween yacht party on the West Coast. Celebrate in style with 4 world-class DJs playing a diverse selection of music on 3 decks. Rock the boat with some of the top SoCal DJs.
Sat, Oct 28, 2023 9:00 PM – 1:00 AM PDT
Inspiration Yacht | 1800 N Harbor Dr – Grape Street Pier | 21+
Tickets:
- Price range: $39 (General Admission Early Bird) to $300 VIP
- Full ticket details can be found here!
No matter your age or affinity for thrills and chills, there are innumerable things around San Diego to do around Halloween. We hope you have a safe and spooktacular time!
Written by: Melissa
Melissa hails from San Jose, CA, and has been a San Diego local for five years now after a 10-year long pit stop in Los Angeles. In L.A., she began her writing career crafting digital content for a wide range of clients, including The Real Talk Show, Sharon Osbourne, Hank Azaria, Time Life, and Cardinal Financial. She’s excited to be able to use her passion for writing to introduce people to some of the best spots in San Diego, many of which she has already frequented or has on her ever-expanding list of things to do … In her spare time, she enjoys taking her puppy Milo to all of the best dog beaches in SD, grabbing a glass of wine or a cup of joe at new places, and hosting watch parties for The Bachelor/ette TV show.
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