Halloween is creeping up on us and Patch has the lowdown on what’s going on. A wide variety of events are offered in the county—from family-friendly to 21-and-up. Here’s our San Diego County Guide for Halloween 2012.
EAST COUNTY
The Spring Valley Community Center will host its 10th annual Halloween Festival from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31. The free event will feature games and a costume contest. For more information, call the center at 619-479-1832.
Santee’s Pathways Community Church will hosts its “Trunk or Treat” Halloween event at Wednesday, Oct. 31. The event will allow attendees to go to each car’s trunk in the parking lot to receive candy. For more information, call 619-449-1269.
Burn some calories by taking part in the Spooktacular 10K-5K Run-Walk at 7 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. The Halloween run will take place at Lake Murray and will feature costume contests. Find more information here.
The Charley Brown Children’s Center in La Mesa will host its Fall Festival from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26. The free event will feature games, foods and other activities. For more information, call 619-265-2698.
Mt. Helix Academy in La Mesa will host its annual Halloween Carnival from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. The event will feature costumes and plenty of games. Find more information here.
NORTH COUNTY COASTAL
The San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy will have a spooky makeover on Saturday, Oct. 20 ,and Sunday, Oct. 21. The annual “Not-So-Scary-Estuary”—catered to children age 2-12—will feature crafts, trick or treating on the “haunted” nature trail and plenty of lessons about the conservancy. Find more information here.
Del Mar Fairgrounds has converted into the annual “Scream Zone.” The haunted fairgrounds is open through Wednesday, Oct. 31, and offers a haunted hayride, a House of Horror and plenty of food. Find more information or purchase tickets here.
La Costa Meadows Elementary School will host its 26th annual Halloween Carnival 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. The family-friendly event will feature a haunted house, rides, games and more. Find more information here.
San Diego’s favorite North County amusement park is getting in the scary mood—LEGOLAND California is offering a “Brick-Or-Treat Trail” featuring treat stations at the park as well as a costume contest. Find more information here.
Halloween on Elm in Carlsbad will take place 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. The free family event will feature activities, carnival games, costume contests and the farmer’s market booths. Find more information here.
Encinitas will host a “Safe Trick or Treat” event from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31. The event on South Coast Highway 101 from Encinitas Boulevard to K Street will feature music, activities and plenty of candy. Find more information here.
“Howl O’Ween” is 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, along Leucadia’s Highway 101 business district. The family event will feature a pet parade, contests and prizes. Find more information here.
Heritage Park in Oceanside will host a “Halloween Hi Jinks” from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23. The event will feature a parade, games and more. Find more information here.
NORTH COUNTY INLAND
Bates Nut Farm’s Giant Pumpkin Patch is open for the season. The farm—which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekends—offers various pumpkins, corn stalks and activities through Nov. 25. Check out the calendar of events here.
The Community Church of Poway will host its 27th annual Fall Festival from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. The event will feature a car show, a carnival and pre-holiday shopping booths. For more information, call 858-748-3304.
Find old-fashioned fun at the “Once Upon a Halloween” event at Old Poway Park. The event is 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, and will feature a haunted house, storytelling and carnival games.
Rancho Bernardo Inn will celebrate Halloween from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, and Saturday, Oct. 27. The event will feature a haunted house, trick or treating and a costume contest. Find more information here.
Join the Rancho Family YMCA for its annual spooky event at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26. The event, which requires pre-registration, will feature a haunted trail, arts and crafts and plenty of snacks. Find more information here.
Venture through Dos Picos County Park in Ramona for a guided “haunted trail” hike. The hikes will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, and Saturday, Oct. 20. Interested participants should meet the “spirit guide” at the restroom building where the light is. For more information, contact kyle.icke@sdcounty.ca.gov
SOUTH COUNTY
The Coronado Community Center will host a Halloween extravaganza from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26. The event will feature carnival games, food and dances. For more information, call 619-522-7342.
Need more doors to knock on Halloween? The businesses on Orange Avenue will pass out candy to trick-or-treaters Wednesday, Oct. 31.
The Coronado Public Library will have a party from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26. The party will feature a costume contest, carnival and campfire show. For more information, call 619-522-7390.
St. James Lutheran Church will host a “Trunk or Treat” event at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31. The event will allow locals to trick-or-treat the safe way while playing games. Find more information here.
Imperial Beach’s annual Boulevard Boo will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21 at Veterans Park. The event will feature music, carnival games, a cake walk and a candy hunt. Find more information here.
CITY OF SAN DIEGO
Dive into some fun at SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular through the end of October. The home of Shamu is running Halloween shows and trick-or-treating opportunities to guests. Find more information here.
Get spooked at San Diego’s historic Balboa Park with the annual Haunted Trail. Stroll down a mile-long trail filled with creatures and fun through Oct. 31. Find more information here.
Visitors can also find fun at the 9th annual Halloween Ball at Balboa Park’s The Prado at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31. The event will feature 20 bars, four entertainment stages and more. Find information here.
Hit up a block party at the annual San Diego Monster Bash on the party will feature three stages and 10 bars in the historic Gaslamp Quarter. Find more information here.
Any events missing? Add them as comments, or post them to our calendar on our EVENTS page.
