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Fall Activities in San Diego

Just because summer has come to an end doesn’t mean the fun has to stop!

When autumn arrives and the summer beach crowds diminish, San Diego visitors and locals can relish in our gorgeous weather and enjoy a number of fun-filled Fall activities — America’s Finest City is packed with events and things to do all season long.

From apple picking to haunted houses and everything in between, this San Diego expert has rounded up some of our favorite fall activities in San Diego for you to enjoy!

Go Apple Picking in Julian

Say hello to fall with a day trip to the historic gold mine town of Julian——famous for its fall colors, U-pick apples, apple pie, and apple cider. Head to a U-pick farm to pluck apples from the trees, then make your way to downtown Julian and look through the adorable gift stores.

Miner’s Diner is a good place to grab lunch with the tots in tow. Before leaving, stop by a local pie shop for a freshly baked apple or pumpkin pie.

For more ideas and tips, check out our complete guide to apple picking in Julian!

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos in Old Town

The annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) will be celebrated in Historical Old Town on November 2nd & 3rd.

This free event will include the traditional candlelight procession on November 2nd starting at 6 PM, beginning at the entrance of the Old Town State Historic Park.

The procession will travel down San Diego Avenue to El Campo Santo Cemetery.

The celebration will continue throughout the weekend with street food, vendors, and family-friendly activities on San Diego Avenue.

Many Old Town restaurants will be providing special Dia de los Muertos menus and live music, along with activities for the entire family, including traditional face painting, mask making, and more.

This year on November 1st, you can also check out a free screening of “The Book of Life” starting at 7p.m.

Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND California

Starting September 14th, head to LEGOLAND California for Brick-or-Treat Party Nights for Halloween-themed fun, music, costume contests, the Brick-or-Treat Trail, and more! Fun events are held every Saturday and Sunday through October 31st.

Families will be able to watch tons of fun, live entertainment, and shows while getting into the Halloween spirit. Visitors are encouraged to come in costume!

Admission to Brick-or-Treat Party Nights at LEGOLAND California is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go San Diego® Card. For more information about this event and to purchase tickets, please visit the event website. LEGOLAND is located in Carlsbad, California, about 45 minutes from downtown San Diego and 30/35 minutes from La Jolla.

Check this out to find out more about what to expect before you visit LEGOLAND California!

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Haunted Happenings Tour at the Del

Step into the shadows of the past on this spine-tingling ghost tour through the legendary halls of Hotel del Coronado. Follow the eerie footsteps of Kate Morgan, the mysterious guest whose tragic 1892 visit left her spirit wandering the resort’s corridors every night at The Del. Along the way, you’ll hear chilling tales of ghostly encounters from both guests and staff, all while unraveling the haunted history that keeps visitors looking over their shoulders. Are you ready to discover the secrets that the hotel’s walls have kept for over a century?

Autumn at The Del is more than just ghostly whispers. Get into the seasonal spirit with a lineup of unforgettable experiences! Channel your inner artist at the beachfront pumpkin-carving workshops on select evenings the last week of October, where the ocean breeze adds a twist to your creativity. For a cozy thrill, gather around the fire for the “Ghost Roast” bonfire, where ghost stories are served alongside s’mores under the starry sky. Movie lovers can unwind by watching movies on the beach every night through the fall season. If relaxation is your goal, indulge in a luxurious spa treatment or take a leisurely stroll through the chic boutiques. And of course, no visit is complete without savoring the extraordinary dining options, where every dish is crafted with the same care that makes The Del a coastal icon. Whether you’re here for the thrills or the chill, Hotel Del Coronado offers autumn adventures like no other.

Celebrate at the Fall Back Festival in Gaslamp Quarter

Celebrate the history and culture of downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.

Go on an old-fashioned hayride, pan for gold, ride a pony, and more! This year’s Fall Back festival is on Sunday, November 3, 2024, in front of the Davis-Horton House on 4^th and Island Avenue. Fall Back is produced by the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation and helps to advance their mission of preserving the history and culture of the Gaslamp Quarter and providing a living history of San Diego

This festival will feature lots of fall-themed family-friendly fun, live entertainment, and educational content with a focus on the history of the Wild West in the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego.

Check out the San Diego Bay Food + Wine Festival

Enjoy some of the world’s best wine and culinary creations at the annual San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival. This is one of the biggest yearly festivals in San Diego, and visitors will enjoy cooking classes, tasting panels, celebrity chef dinners, and tons more.

Join in the gastronomical gala this November 2nd through 10th, 2024 — and this will be the biggest yet, with Hundreds of wineries, 80+ celebrated chefs, farmers and fisherman join this year’s line up. Explore the full schedule of more than 20 gourmet-infused experiences. It’s now the biggest culinary event to take place on the entire West Coast!

Visit a Local Pumpkin Patch

Once late September rolls around, a plethora of pumpkin patches open up around the County. Be sure to read up on our tips and tricks on where to find the best pumpkin patches in San Diego!

Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center is packed with old-school country charm, complete with family-friendly activities including hayrides, a bounce house, a petting zoo, pony rides, a straw maze, and a general store bursting with timeless treats like pumpkin fudge, dried fruits, chocolates, apple butter, and toffee.

This fall, the farm will open its famous pumpkin patch starting September 19th through October 31st, featuring a variety of pumpkins, gourds, and squash ripe for the picking. Admission is free, but be prepared to pay a little something for parking on the weekends throughout October. So, bundle up in your favorite fall wardrobe essentials, and enjoy all the pumpkin patch has to offer!

Over the course of the season, Bates will host many autumn-themed events including the Craft Fair Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 5th from 9pm – 5pm, featuring 80+ vendors, and the farm’s annual Scarecrow Contest on Oct. 12. The farm’s annual “Howl-o-Ween” doggie costume contest is set for Oct. 19.

Experience Balboa Park’s Halloween Family Day

San Diego’s Balboa Park offers its annual Halloween Family Day on October 26 this year from 10am to 4pm.

The region’s largest free Halloween carnival will be celebrating over a decade of giving families a fun and culturally inspired kickoff to their Halloween activities.

Over two dozen museums and cultural attractions will present free craft projects for kids, costume parades, and tons of spooky surprises while participating museums offer free admission to children 12 and under with paying adult.

Participate in Kids Free October

Throughout the entire month of October, San Diego County is all about the kids!

Check out all the cool, free kid events in October and start making plans for sensational fall activities in San Diego you won’t soon forget.

There are free admissions and deals for children at more than 100 participating attractions, restaurants, and hotels throughout the County. Kids Free San Diego includes big-name attractions, too, such as SeaWorld San Diego, LEGOLAND California, and the San Diego Zoo, along with don’t-miss spots like Birch Aquarium, Maritime Museum of San Diego, and the USS Midway.

See Some Nearby Fall Foliage

Believe it or not, it is possible to see some fall foliage here in San Diego County! Although we are blessed with nearly perfect weather year round and a seemingly endless summer, with just a little bit of a drive, you’ll be able to experience a taste of Autumn right here in Southern California. You just have to know where to look for it!

Head to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Palomar Mountain, or Mount Laguna to experience a wide range of reds, oranges, and yellows. At these higher elevations, oak and conifer forests abound, creating a gorgeous landscape that you won’t find in the city. Dense woodlands, high elevation, and remoteness combine to make these spots the ideal location for watching the leaves change colors!

Head to a Local Oktoberfest Celebration

Originally celebrated in early-1800s Germany in honor of the country’s royal family, Oktoberfest today is simply a reason for 6 million people to come to Munich to drink, eat, and be merry. The Munich celebration may have more than 150 years on us in San Diego, but that doesn’t mean we don’t know how to throw a party!

There are several Oktoberfests happening throughout the County this year, including Encinitas, La Mesa, El Cajon, Carlsbad, and Ocean Beach. It’s a great excuse to drink delicious German beer, have a couple of bratwursts, and enjoy the beautiful weather San Diego is known for!

Visit Knott’s Scary Farm or Spooky Farm

For a fun date night idea that’s just a bit north of San Diego (roughly an hour and a half, depending on traffic), head to Knott’s Scary Farm! On select nights from Sept 19 through Nov 2nd, you can experience the largest and most haunting Halloween experience in Southern California.

The totally transformed theme park features mazes and attractions, shows, “scare zones,” and more than 1,000 terrifying creatures lurking in the fog and hiding in every corner of the park. Plus, you’ll be able to ride all the usual thrill rides and roller coasters that you normally would — making this a truly awesome experience!

If the Knott’s Scary farm is, well, too scary, check out Knott’s Spooky Farm, which is more kid-friendly. The more tame autumnal celebration for Spooky farm starts Sept 26th through Oct 31 plus Columbus Day. Your little ghouls can trick-or-treat around the shops and buildings to collect sweet treats, plus enjoy even more kids’ Halloween activities. Families can join in on the Halloween fun as the park is transformed with themed décor and spooky surprises.

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Check Out the Annual Pacific Beachfest

On October 5th from 9am-7pm, head to Pacific Beach for a full day of action-packed fun, including a beer garden and so much more!

Going strong since 1997, the festival and will feature live music, an arts and crafts village, PB merchant sidewalk sale, beach volleyball tournament, Pro AM surf contest, Pacific Beachfest 5k, Best of the Beach Fish Taco Contest, food court, and beer garden.

The fest will take place on the Boardwalk from Diamond to Thomas St. Tip: parking is usually quite difficult, so either arrive early to ensure a good spot or take public transportation or an Uber!

For even more event ideas and fun activities, visit our San Diego events page or check out our various La Jolla guides! There are so many great fall activities in San Diego County and La Jolla.

Image credit: The image at the top of this article is copyright of LaJolla.com