Not looking for big scares? Spooktacular is your speed. | Photo via SeaWorld San Diego
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’sfamily-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 make your way out of the darkness in the 3,500-sqft “eXperiment Maze.”
Pablo Francisco Live | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 8 p.m. | The American Comedy Co. | $10 | Live stand-up from the comedian who’s appeared on “MADtv” + Howard Stern. 🎤
North Park Thursday Market | Thursdays | 3-7:30 p.m. | North Park Main Street, 3939 Iowa St. | Browse through local vendor tents offering fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, and apparel. 🥑
San Diego Comedy League Show | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 7-9 p.m. | Mic Drop Comedy | Free | Laugh along at this comedy competition. 🏆
Friday
“Soul” | Fri., Sept. 23 | 5:30 p.m. | La Mesita Park | Free | Check out the games + vendors before the movie starts at sunset. 🎬
Flogging Molly + The Interrupters | Fri. Sept. 23 | 6:30 p.m. | North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre | $30+ | Two different rock sounds unite for one epic show. 🎸
Saturday
CRSSD Festival | Sat., Sept. 24-Sun., Sept. 25 | 12-10 p.m. | Waterfront Park | $175+ | Two days of festival music by artists like Duck Sauce + ARTBAT. 🔊
Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen | Sat., Sept. 24 | 8 p.m. | Balboa Theatre | $46+ | The Freddie Mercury vibes are strong with this tribute show starring Patrick Myers. 👑
Sunday
Encinitas Oktoberfest | Sun., Sept. 25 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Mountain Vista Drive, between Wandering + Rambling roads | Free | The 26th annual fest features local artisans, a biergarten, music, dancing, rides + an international food court. 🍻
Iron Maiden | Sun., Sept. 25 | 6:30 p.m. | North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre | $62+ | The “Legacy of the Beast World Tour 2022” comes to Chula Vista. 🎸
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
This 3-minute online allergy quiz was designed by allergists to give you the best recommendation for treating your unique allergy symptoms. | Photo provided by Picnic
At SDtoday, we love everything about fall. Almost everything — cozy sweaters are great, but we could do without the inevitable spike in allergies. (And no, it’s not just you — allergies are much worse these days.)
But you don’t have to suffer in sneezy, itchy silence. Picnic is a one-stop shop for allergy treatment, with individually customized plans that combine over-the-counter and prescription med solutions so you can live your best San Diego life unbothered.
San Diego City Council voted unanimously to increase water rates by 3%, beginning Jan. 1, 2023. The county’s Water Authority attributes the raise to costs associated with operating its desalination plant in Carlsbad + the prices of equipment changes. 💧 (NBC 7)
San Diego County awarded $4.3 million of its $10 million fund to address homelessness to Oceanside, Vista + the City of San Diego. Oceanside received over $3.2 million to build a navigation center with shelter and health resources. Other cities can apply for remaining money to support future projects. 💸 (The Coast News Group)
Environment
The US Navy + The Port of San Diego signed an agreement for a credit-based program that will encourage the use of shore power — as opposed to carbon-intensive fueling methods — to address climate change. The funding will then be used to electrify the agencies’ power supplies and support new infrastructure. ⚡ (KPBS)
Travel
Gas prices in San Diego County are pumping up again. Yesterday, the average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline rose 6.4 cents to $5.479. This number is 9.8 cents greater than a week ago + 18.5 cents higher than a month ago, but 89.4 cents below the county’s all-time high of $6.373. ⛽ (KPBS)
Development
The City of San Diego will convert the Pacific Inn Hotel & Suites near the Embarcadero into a shelter for seniors experiencing homelessness. The project will begin housing individuals in a month or two, after completing renovations, and the lease will run through June 2023 with two possible one-year renewals. 🛏️ (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Opening
Get ready to spot a real YETI. The drinkware + outdoors brand will open its first California store at The Forum in Carlsbad Sat., Sept. 24. The new shop will host a grand opening event from 12-3 p.m. in partnership with Solento Surf Festival. Together, they will offer games and in-store tastings by Solento Tequila.
Open
Getting everything you need for wine night in one spot soundsrosé — and that’s the goal at Little Victory Wine Market. The new store at 960 S. Coast Hwy 101 in Encinitas has a 240-bottle selection and everything you need for the perfect charcuterie board. 🍷 (Eater San Diego)
Community
We officially have a name for the rhino recently born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The male calf has been dubbed Neville — after a South African doctor that positively impacted the donor’s life — and received his name in time to celebrate World Rhino Day today. 🦏 (ABC 10)
Plan Ahead
We’re preparing to tune into the Imperial Beach Symphony by the Sea, returning to Portwood Pier Plaza on Sat., Oct. 1, at 6:30 p.m. The free event features the San Diego State University Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestraaccompanied by the sound of the ocean + the sunset. 🎼
Rank
San Diego is buzzing from the news that it ranked No. 12 on WalletHub’s best coffee cities in the US, and Chula Vista comes in at No. 68. The list uses various metrics to assess its order — like the number of affordable coffee shops, the cost of a pack of coffee, and the percentage of adult coffee drinkers. ☕ (WalletHub)
Biz
Can we take you behind the scenes? This little blurb is called a Text Ad, and it’s one of the many ways that brands local to San Diego (and beyond) can reach you through advertising in SDtoday. Learn more about how advertising (which helps keep this newsletter free to you) works here.
Hey, business owners, ask yourself this question: “What’s my forecasted cash flow over the next 12 months?” Can’t answer?Check out this video with Trainual CEO Chris Ronzio to learn how small businesses can take control of their finances + build a more mature operation.*
Trending
Amazon’s “Thursday Night Football” broke records for new Prime memberships last week, with more sign-ups over a three hour periodto view the Chiefs-Chargers game than on Prime Day, Black Friday, or Cyber Monday. Tonight’s game? Steelers vs. Browns. Join the party with a 30-day free Prime Video trial. 🏈 (CNBC) *
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Another MCAS Miramar Air Show takes off. | Photo by Corporal Jessica Y. Lucio
Buckle up, the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar Air Show is soaring back Friday, Sept. 22-Sunday, Sept. 24.
The event is billed as the world’s largest military air show and celebrates Miramar’s history with the US Marine Corps (USMC). The area is home to military aircraft that help train Navy pilots (hello, “Top Gun”).
Feel the need — the need for details?
The schedule runs from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and will feature high-flying demonstrations from the USMC’s F-35B, SOCOM Paracommandos, and the US Navy Blue Angels.
All attendees are invited to Postflight Parties for more entertainment, food, and drinks.
Parking is limited; arrive early or consider using a ride-share service.
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Michael.
Editor’s pick:Good morning, San Diego. My dad recently visited me in San Diego for a trip full of firsts, including his first Padres game. According to him, Petco Park is better than Fenway Park, and he praised Hodad’s for its burgers. I suppose it doesn’t hurt that the Friars beat the Cardinals. ⚾
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