San Diego is getting a makeover, and it’s horrifying. Halloween is over a month away, but we’re not tricking you when we say that some of our spookiest attractions have already risen from the dead. So, we’re treating you to a roundup of the biggest scares you can find (or avoid with other fall festivities).
Howl-O-Scream
The fear has reawakened at SeaWorld San Diego with the return of its Halloween fright fest — bringing scares, screams + attractions. The separately-ticketed event will give guests access to five haunted houses, six scream zones + two scAREAs. Be prepared for adult-level thrills and themed cocktails to help with the nerves.
🎃 Now open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through the end of October + additional hours for Thursdays in October and Halloween.
Younger guests can enjoy SeaWorld’s Spooktacular with trick-or-treating, shows, a hay maze + decorations — included with admission on Saturdays + Sundays through Halloween.
The Scream Zone
The Del Mar Fairgrounds transforms into the Scaregrounds with the return of this terrifying tradition. This year, brave souls can venture through three haunted attractions: “Haunted Hayride,” “Hell-Billy Hootenanny” + “The Passage.”
🎃 Tickets are on sale, but opening day is Thurs., Oct. 6, with dates through Halloween.
The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular
Guests shouldn’t fear the fun at Sesame Place’s family-friendly celebration. For its first Halloween season, the park is offering scavenger hunts, trick-or-treating, photo ops, and shows + dance parties.
🎃 The event is included with admission on weekends through Sun., Oct. 30.
The Haunted Trail
This Balboa Park event can’t stay buried for long. The Ghoul Bus is back to take guests through a mile-long “Haunted Trail” where they will find some unfriendly guests. Then, you can find your way out of the darkness in the 3,500-sqft “eXperiment Maze.”
🎃 The Haunted Trail returns Fri., Sept. 23, with dates through Halloween.
The Haunted Hotel Disturbance
Thinking of checking into this Mission Valley hotel? You’ll be with creepy company. Three displays occupy this space: “The Haunted Hotel,” “Stars of the Silver SCREAM” + “3-D Freak-Fest,” and CNN has ranked it among America’s best haunted attractions.
🎃 This destination opens on Fri., Sept. 30 through Halloween, though it’s closed some Tuesdays and every Monday other than Halloween.
Haunted Corn Maze
The 1.5-mile corn maze at Carlsbad Strawberry Company can be confusing, but it gets extra twisted on weekends in October. Your feet and heart will be racing until the end — thanks to the spooky experience put on by the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation.
🎃 Tickets are $25, every Friday + Saturday night in October starting Sat., Oct. 1.
Brick-or-Treat
LEGOLAND is dressing up with scares for the whole family. The seasonal celebration features a new 4D movie, trick-or-treating, live shows, costume contests, and spooky displays — so frightening, you’ll need to remind yourself they’re just bricks.
🎃 Included with admission Saturdays through the end of October + Sun., Oct. 30.
Now entering: Sinister Trails
Gif via @sinistertrails
Sinister Trails
Scary news coming out of Encinitas: This new, haunted maze isn’t clowning around when it comes to horror. You might see the circus performers during your trip, but these ones will have you screaming — not laughing. And that’s not the only company you’ll be trying to avoid. You might also encounter zombies and a creepy cult along the way.
🎃 You have until Halloween to escape this attraction — or join the Groovy Palooza festival is coming on Sat., Oct. 22.