THINGS TO DO IN SAN DIEGO
Fall has arrived and we are ready to pull out our cute boots and cozy sweaters! It’s also the perfect time to craft a bucket list of fun activities and outings for all ages to enjoy. One of the best things about forming a family bucket list is experiencing new things and creating family memories…from the little everyday treats, like filling your cart with the best pumpkin spice goodies of the season, to bigger adventures like the Encinitas Holiday Street Fair. We’ve curated an amazing list of activities for you that will make this an extra-awesome autumn.
Make sure to tell us which one was your favorite event – Enjoy!
Now – October 30 – A locally family owned business that hosts the best Family Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Tree Lot this side of the equator. 😉 Since 2016 they have worked their pumpkins off to bring you the most fun in our favorite season of the year. Their middle name is ‘FUN’ and they are here to help you make the best fall memories. All kinds of activities such as wagon rides, petting zoo, movie in the patch, carnival games, and more to help make the best fall memories.
Now – November 1 – Brick-or-Treat Monster Party is bringing family-friendly fun with tons of candy, not-so-scary live shows, and silly monster LEGO characters!
Now – October 31 – The fourth annual Goff Family Pumpkin Patch at Liberty Station in October 2025! Located next to the Loma Club putting green just inside the north entrance, right across the street from SparkCycle. Free admission and tons of fall family fun!
Now – October 31 – Pumpkin patch, hay rides, straw maze, pony rides, petting zoo, mechanical bull & more! Bates Nut Farm is one of the most popular pumpkin patches in San Diego County. If you haven’t been, make 2025 the year to try it out!
Now – December 2025 – Sunsets over the Pacific Ocean are the perfect time to explore the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier. You will learn about the structure’s history and research conducted at Scripps Institution of Oceanography through this interactive experience. For ages 9+ and minors must be accompanied by a paid adult.
September 27 – October 26 – Let the adventure begin at one of their multiple San Diego County Pumpkin Station locations. Complete with pumpkins, kiddie rides, giant slides, inflatable play centers, petting zoos, game zones, school tours, and party packages.
If you want to keep up with fun things to do in San Diego and stay up-to-date on the current real estate market, drop us your email!
Make sure to tell us which one was your favorite event – Enjoy!
October 25th – Glen Park, Cardiff-by-the-Sea – Bring your seating and picnic items and enjoy Hotel Transylvania! A perfect opportunity to spend time with family and friends under the stars. You are welcome to bring blankets, low-backed chairs, food, and drinks. All they ask is that you leave glass containers at home. Activities begin at 5:00 PM, with the movie starting at dusk. Costumes are encouraged!
October 24th & 25th – After the sun goes down, the aquarium lights up! Halloween Aglow is a family-friendly event featuring live music, a costume contest, trick-or-treat stations, and so much more. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about some weird and wonderful research being done at Scripps Oceanography. Advanced reservations are required, as the event is expected to sell out.
Welcome to SDZC – San Diego Zombie Crawl, Southern California’s #1 Halloween Club Celebration!
October 25 · 6:00 PM – November 3 · 2:00 AM
October 30 – November 30 – Racing returns each fall to the seaside oval. As another first-class summer season closes, it’s all about fall tidings and the Bing Crosby Season. This nostalgic season presents superior racing Fridays through Sundays, plus Thanksgiving, along with a lineup of engaging events during the four-week run. Thursday, October 31 – December 1, 2024.
November 7–16, 2025 – A 10-day celebration promoting more than 150 independent craft breweries throughout San Diego County. San Diego Beer Week is brought to you by the San Diego Brewers Guild, with participation from the region’s local craft breweries, allied members, and affiliate partners.
November 2nd – The Carlsbad Village Street Faire brings more than 100,000 visitors to town twice a year for the largest one-day street fair in the nation. Join the excitement on November 2nd from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and enjoy shopping, food, entertainment, and fun for the whole family.
November 2nd – Join the Susan G. Komen 5K Run/Walk to raise awareness and support the fight against breast cancer. This inspiring community event brings participants together to honor survivors, remember loved ones, and help fund research and programs dedicated to ending breast cancer.
November 7–9 – Enjoy some of the world’s best wine and culinary creations at the 21st Annual San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival, where sailboats and sandy beaches provide the backdrop for one of the country’s most celebrated food events. Visitors can enjoy cooking classes, tasting panels, celebrity chef dinners, and much more. This premier festival was named the winner of USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best General Food Festival.
November 14 – January 4 – Another dazzling year of Lightscape is around the corner! Returning to the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas, this spectacular showcase features a one-mile evening walk through a stunning display of one million twinkling lights. Guests will experience the internationally acclaimed Lightscape exhibition, including a cathedral of lights, a laser garden, lantern trees, and more. This special ticketed event offers entry times every 15 minutes, and reservations are required.
November 21 – January 4, 2026 – Experience the magic of Skating by the Sea at The Del, Hotel del Coronado. Where the ice meets the surf, guests can enjoy the iconic outdoor ice skating rink overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Take a spin on the rink while enjoying the holiday traditions of this historic beachfront venue. Advance ticket reservations are recommended to avoid the crowds.
November 23rd – Enjoy a festive day filled with children’s rides, two stages of live entertainment, and a variety of food and drink vendors. The Encinitas Holiday Street Fair provides a fun and welcoming atmosphere for families, shoppers, and visitors alike. Be sure to bring your own bags to carry all of your street fair finds and holiday shopping treasures.
November 27th – Come “move your feet before you eat” this Thanksgiving at Oceanside’s 19th Annual Turkey Trot 5-mile or 5K run/walk. Register and join one of the fastest-growing holiday traditions. Bring the entire family, as there will be races for everyone, plus a costume contest, team competition, live entertainment along the course, and finisher medals for all participants. The event has raised over $500,000 for nonprofits serving O’side residents.
If you want to keep up with fun things to do in San Diego and stay up-to-date on the current real estate market, drop us your email!
Experience the magic of Candlelight Concerts, where live music meets breathtaking venues in an unforgettable multi-sensory experience. Enjoy tribute performances featuring the music of Adele, Taylor Swift, ABBA, and more at CHAPEL, illuminated by the warm glow of thousands of candles. These unique concerts bring a fresh and intimate atmosphere to some of San Diego’s most inspiring locations.
Mellano Farm Stand is fun for the whole family! Enjoy tractor rides, fresh flowers and produce, food trucks, live music, and even farm animals. This charming working farm brings a true farm-to-table experience with seasonal events, activities, and family-friendly fun throughout the year. Be sure to follow their social media channels for the latest events and happenings—there’s always something exciting going on at the farm!
You’re guaranteed a night of excitement when you catch San Diego’s premier American Hockey League (AHL) team, the affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks. With hockey season running from early October through early April, it’s easy to fit a thrilling game into your schedule and experience the fast-paced action live.
Go camping! What better way to soak in fall than by a crackling campfire with s’mores and a lighthearted Halloween story before snuggling into your sleeping bag? Check out some of San Diego’s favorite campsites for families and enjoy a cozy outdoor adventure together.
Workouts that break your body down are over! Sculpt, strengthen, tone, and feel amazing with a one-of-a-kind workout that combines functional movement with innovative equipment designed to help you look and feel your best. Experience a fresh approach to fitness at Pvolve’s new Carlsbad studio, where every workout is built to deliver real results while supporting your body.
Take the whole family and enjoy bushels of fun apple picking at some of Southern California’s most charming u-pick apple orchards! Spend the day exploring scenic farms, filling baskets with fresh apples, and soaking in the beauty of the fall season. It’s the perfect family-friendly adventure for making lasting autumn memories.
Peep the fall foliage at the Japanese Friendship Garden! Especially beautiful in autumn, it’s one of the best places near downtown San Diego to experience vibrant seasonal colors. The Japanese maple trees transform into brilliant shades of red, while other trees and shrubs glow with bright orange and yellow hues. Kids will also love spotting the colorful koi fish throughout the garden.
Enjoy the cool weather with a family bike ride! Feel the wind in your hair and relive childhood memories while cruising along some of San Diego’s most scenic and family-friendly bike paths. It’s a simple, active, and fun way to spend quality time together outdoors.
Take advantage of the cool weather and hit the trails! San Diego offers plenty of family-friendly hikes that venture off the beaten path, making it easy to enjoy the beauty of the season together. From scenic overlooks to colorful fall landscapes, these local favorites are perfect for an outdoor adventure.
California’s premier adult arcade bar! Enjoy cocktails, delicious food, nostalgic arcade games, and unforgettable good times in a fun and energetic atmosphere. Whether you’re reliving childhood favorites or discovering new games, it’s the perfect destination for a night out. Guests must be 21 and over.
San Diego’s 59-Mile Scenic Drive winds through the city’s charming neighborhoods, showcasing iconic attractions, stunning coastal views, and natural wonders along the way. Enjoy panoramic vistas of the Pacific coastline, the yacht-filled bay, downtown’s skyline, Mexico, and the surrounding mountains. While the full route can be completed in about three hours, it’s best experienced at a leisurely pace with stops to explore the many destinations along the drive.
Brave a Haunted San Diego Ghost Tour if you dare! Choose from guided walking tours or spooky bus adventures that take you through some of San Diego’s most haunted locations. Ride the famous coffin-on-wheels and explore eerie houses, historic hotels, mysterious mansions, and chilling graveyards while uncovering the city’s ghostly legends. Reservations are required.
Bundle up and go stargazing! Discover the beauty of the night sky at some of San Diego’s best family-friendly stargazing spots. From dazzling constellations to breathtaking views of the Milky Way, these locations offer the perfect opportunity to look up, slow down, and enjoy an unforgettable evening under the stars.
Join Murder n’ Mayhem for a one-mile Historical True Crime Tour through San Diego’s iconic Gaslamp Quarter. Travel through different eras of the city’s past as you uncover fascinating stories of local history, notorious crimes, and intriguing mysteries. This guided walking tour offers a unique blend of true crime and historic storytelling in the heart of downtown San Diego.
• Spoon up some hot cocoa or make hot chocolate kits and gift them to your neighbors or teachers. As the outdoor temperatures slightly dip, our bellies will more than welcome a warm and chocolatey treat.
• Order some fresh, seasonal produce and make a big pot of autumn-inspired soup to enjoy as a family.
• Have a picnic in the park. Grab your car keys, picnic blanket and a yummy sack lunch and go enjoy one of San Diego’s many beautiful parks.
• Indulge in everything pumpkin spice. Transition from summer to fall like a true San Diegan and pack your surf-loving crew and all of your favorite fall-inspired goodies and head to a family-friendly beach… because we know that in San Diego, we don’t stop going to the beach just because summer is over.
We appreciate you visiting our site and hope you find it informative. Of course, nothing beats personal attention from a real estate expert. Please contact us with any questions and let Colucci & Co. Realty Group guide you home.