October Fun in San Diego
October is my favorite month (and not just because it’s my birthday month, haha)! The weather is usually starting to turn and I’m ready to get outside and enjoy the cooling temperatures! There are so many fun things to do around San Diego this time of year! Below are my “top 5” favorite things to do this month:
1. Take a Day Trip to Julian. Most people will go to Julian in September for apple picking (including me, haha), but if you go mid-October the crowds aren’t as crazy, the weather is cooler, and there’s still plenty to do. There are several wineries and cideries open for tastings (Julian Hard Cider is one my favorites), tons of shopping to choose from, and (of course) several bakeries to get a slice of apple pie (my favorite is the Julian Pie Company – get the boysenberry apple). The drive is also beautiful!
2. Visit a haunted house. I’ll be honest – I don’t go to these as much as I used to (my one friend who loves the haunted houses as much as I do moved to Seattle… yup, talking about you, Cheryl). However, they are still on my list of “favorites”. The big three in San Diego are:
The Haunted Trail at Balboa Park (Best Overall) Balboa Park is the perfect environment for a scary “walk in the woods”. I’m not sure if they still do it, but walking through the old school bus is terrifying!
Scream Zone at the Del Mar Fairgrounds (Best for Families and Easiest to Get To):. There’s plenty of parking and traffic isn’t usually an issue (not the case for the Trail and Hotel). Scream Zone also has the best options for some of the younger crowd with the haunted hayride (not nearly as scary as some of the other options), as well as food trucks and carnival games. I enjoyed bringing my kids here when they were younger vs. going downtown.
The Haunted Hotel (The Scariest). This is by far the scariest of the options (but SO fun), and definitely not for the faint of heart. The lines are usually very long, so I’d highly recommend paying extra for the “front of the line” pass. Unfortunately, the Haunted Hotel is closed for 2023.
3. Go to a Pumpkin Patch. There are several throughout the county, but the biggest is probably Bates Nut Farm (or Nates But Farm as my brother used to call it). They have acres of pumpkins to choose from, corn mazes, petting zoos, crafts, and an adorable county store. It can usually get pretty crowded on the weekends, so go early! For a less crowded option, my family also loves the Pumpkin Station in Rancho Bernardo. It’s not as far of a drive, it’s less crowded (especially if you go on a weekday afternoon), and the pumpkins are a little less expensive… it’s also on the way to fun thing #4 below!
4. Visit a winery. Did you know Escondido has over 20 wineries? Most of my favorites are in the Highland Valley area – about 10 minutes off the freeway. One of my favorites right now is Mia Marie. Jeff and I just became members a couple of months ago and love everything we’ve tried! The staff is super friendly, the views are beautiful, and there’s plenty of seating. They have pre-packaged charcuterie options, or feel free to bring your own food to nibble on! They also usually have live music Friday - Sunday, and food trucks on certain weekends.
5. Kids Free in October. For the month of October, several museums and parks are free to children, with a paying adult ticket. A few of my family’s favorites are included – The San Diego Zoo, the Birch Aquarium, and the Science Center. It’s a great time to explore these places at a reduced cost!
