Things to Do in San Diego in October 2025: Festivals, Family Fun & Halloween Happenings

October is one of the most magical months in San Diego. The weather is warm but comfortable, the summer crowds have thinned, and the city is alive with fall festivals, cultural events, and Halloween fun. From pumpkin patches to jazz concerts, apple picking to haunted trails, here’s your ultimate guide to things to do in San Diego in October 2025.

Festivals & Cultural Celebrations

Taste of Rancho Santa Fe

📅 Sunday, October 5, 2025 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
One of North County’s most anticipated culinary events, the Taste of Rancho Santa Fe brings together top wineries, breweries, and restaurants for an afternoon of fine food, wine, and community. Hosted on the lawns of The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, this elegant event benefits local charities through the Rancho Santa Fe Rotary Foundation.
🔗 Taste of Rancho Santa Fe

La Jolla Art & Wine Festival

📅 October 4–5, 2025
📍 Girard Avenue, La Jolla
The La Jolla Art & Wine Festival is one of Southern California’s premier cultural events. Featuring more than 160 juried artists, wine and beer gardens, live music, and a family art center, this festival draws thousands of visitors each year. Proceeds support local public schools.
🔗 La Jolla Art & Wine Festival

Carlsbad Oktoberfest

📅 October 5, 2025
📍 Holiday Park, Carlsbad
Enjoy bratwursts, craft beer, Oompah music, and a lively community celebration at Carlsbad’s oldest Oktoberfest tradition.
🔗 Carlsbad Oktoberfest

San Diego Italian Film Festival

📅 October 1–11, 2025
📍 Balboa Park & other venues
This festival brings Italian cinema to San Diego, with international premieres, documentaries, and cultural conversations.
🔗 San Diego Italian Film Festival

Family-Friendly Fun

Kids Free San Diego

📅 All October
Throughout October, kids 12 and under get free admission to more than 60 attractions — including the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND California, and dozens of museums.
🔗 Kids Free October

HalGLOWeen at the San Diego Zoo

📅 Every Friday–Sunday in October, 5–9 PM
The Zoo lights up after dark with glowing installations, costumed performers, and family-friendly Halloween entertainment.
🔗 HalGLOWeen

Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes

• Bates Nut Farm (Valley Center) – San Diego’s most famous pumpkin patch, plus hayrides and a petting zoo.

• Carlsbad Strawberry Company – Family pumpkin patch and a haunted corn maze for thrill seekers.

• Suzie’s Farm Fall Festival – Organic pumpkins, food trucks, and live music.

Halloween Activities in San Diego

The Haunted Hotel Disturbance

📅 Select nights in October
📍 Mission Valley
San Diego’s longest-running haunted house delivers immersive scares, multiple haunted mazes, and new storylines each year.
🔗 Haunted Hotel

The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park

📅 September 27 – October 31, 2025
📍 Balboa Park
This mile-long outdoor haunted experience winds through twisted trails and spooky sets — one of San Diego’s most iconic Halloween events.
🔗 Haunted Trail

SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream

📅 Select nights in October
📍 SeaWorld San Diego
A terrifying after-dark event featuring haunted houses, scare zones, and live shows (best for teens & adults).
🔗 SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream

LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat

📅 Saturdays in October
📍 Carlsbad
A not-so-scary Halloween festival with trick-or-treating, live entertainment, and LEGO-themed fun for families.
🔗 LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat

Seasonal Escapes

Julian Apple Days

📅 All October
📍 Julian, CA
Just an hour from San Diego, Julian is the county’s fall escape. Apple orchards, cider tastings, and famous pies make October the perfect time to visit.
🔗 Visit Julian

Lobsterfest at Tuna Harbor Dockside Market

📅 October 8, 2025
📍 598 Harbor Lane, San Diego
Kick off spiny lobster season at Tuna Harbor, a working fishermen’s dock near the USS Midway Museum. Buy fresh seafood straight off the boat, sample gourmet lobster dishes, and enjoy San Diego Bay views.

🔗Lobsterfest

October by the Coast: Del Mar, La Jolla & North County

October is also one of the best months to enjoy San Diego’s stunning coastline — warm water, golden sunsets, and fewer crowds.

Del Mar

• Fall Sidewalk Sale in Del Mar Village – Shop coastal boutiques with seasonal discounts.

• Seagrove Park Picnics – A prime sunset-viewing spot in October.

• Del Mar Dog Beach – With summer gone, it’s the perfect time for locals to enjoy this dog-friendly beach.

La Jolla

• Kayak Tours at La Jolla Shores – Explore sea caves and kelp forests while the ocean is still warm.

• Birch Aquarium at Scripps – Kids go free in October, making this a family favorite.

• La Jolla Playhouse – Catch an acclaimed performance at one of San Diego’s top theaters.

Carlsbad & Encinitas

• Moonlight Beach Bonfires – A local favorite for crisp fall evenings.

• Carlsbad Trails – Great for walking and biking in the cooler autumn weather.

• Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas – Book a coastal staycation with oceanfront dining and spa specials.

Rancho Santa Fe (inland luxury, minutes from the coast)

• Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa – A Forbes 5-star resort offering seasonal spa treatments and outdoor dining.

• Equestrian Trails – Residents enjoy horseback riding through scenic fall landscapes.

Plan Your October in San Diego

From pumpkin patches to lobster fests, Oktoberfest to haunted trails, San Diego offers something for everyone in October. Whether you’re drawn to family-friendly fun, cultural celebrations, or coastal escapes, this month is the perfect time to experience America’s Finest City.

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