WE KNOW HOW TO HAVE FUN 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!
PUMPKIN POLAR PALOOZA
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.
LEGOLAND BRICK OR TREAT
Now – October 31 – Brick-or-Treat Monster Party is bringing family-friendly fun with tons of candy, not-so-scary live shows, and silly monster LEGO characters! This event is included with tickets for select dates including September 14th, 21st, 28th, and Saturdays and Sundays in October.
GOFF FAMILY PUMPKIN PATCH AT LIBERTY STATION
Now – October 31 – The third annual Goff Family Pumpkin Patch at Liberty Station in October 2024! Located at the putting green just inside the North entrance and across the street from The Presley. Free admission and tons of fall family fun! You can even schedule a private party at the patch.
BATES NUT FARM
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 2024 the year to try it out!
Sunset Scripps Pier Walk
Now – April 2025 – Sunsets over the Pacific Ocean are the perfect time to explore the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier. It is typically closed to the public, but during select Saturdays and Sundays from now until April 2025 the Birch Aquarium naturalists offer guided walking tours along the 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.
The Ultimate Guide to San Diego Fun
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!
CORN MAZE SPEAKEASY
Now – November 3rd – Not only does Carlsbad Strawberry Company have one of the best pumpkin patches in North County, but they also have a hidden 21+ speakeasy tucked away in their corn maze! This 4th generation company offers tons of fun for all ages, from food trucks and games to petting zoos and tractor rides. For those feeling brave, they’ve even got a haunted corn maze with jump scares or a regular maze for everyone else. Plus, their pumpkin selection and photo ops are amazing!
PUMPKIN STATION
September 27 – October 27 – 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.
MOVIES IN THE PARK – SCOOB!
October 19th – Glen Park – Cardiff By The Sea. Bring your seating and picnic items and enjoy Scoob! A perfect opportunity to spend time with family and friends under the stars. You are allowed to bring your own blankets, low-backed chairs, food and drinks… All they ask is no glass containers. Activities begin at 5:30pm with the movie starting at dusk. Costumes are encouraged.
HALLOWEEN A-GLOW AT BIRCH AQUARIUM
Oct 25th & 26th – After the sun goes down, the aquarium lights up! Halloween Aglow is a family-friendly event that features 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.
SAN DIEGO ZOMBIE CRAWL
October 25 – November 2 – Welcome to SDZC – San Diego Zombie Crawl, Southern California’s #1 Halloween Club Celebration! In 2024, the biggest costume celebration continues with a 2nd weekend for Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a rich Mexican tradition. Come experience the one-and-only 5-day event! Kick off Fright Night at American Junkie and “crawl” into 20+ haunts with devilish treats, including WELCOME POTIONS, BODY PAINTING, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, DJ, DANCING & COSTUME INSANITY!
DEL MAR BING CROSBY SEASON
October 31 – December 1 – 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 will present superior racing Fridays – Sundays and Thanksgiving along with a lineup of engaging events during the four-week run. Thursday, October 31 – December 1, 2024.
SAN DIEGO BEER WEEK
November 1-10 – A 10-day celebration, promoting more than 150 independent craft breweries in 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 and affiliate members.
SAN DIEGO FLEET WEEK
November 1-11 – Experience San Diego Fleet Week, one of San Diego’s largest military events featuring military displays, high tech equipment in the Innovation Zone, active Navy & Coast Guard ship tours, live music, food and fun for the whole family… all while honoring and celebrating the men & women of our military.
CARLSBAD VILLAGE FAIRE
November 3rd – The Carlsbad Village Street Faire brings over 100,000 visitors to town twice a year for the largest one-day street faire in the nation. Catch all of the excitement November 3rd from 8am-4pm.
More Than Pink Walk
November 3rd – Join this Susan G. Komen 5K run/walk to raise awareness and help cure breast cancer. For more information on this fun and worthwhile San Diego event:
SAN DIEGO BAY WINE + FOOD FESTIVAL
November 3-10 – Enjoy some of the world’s best wine and culinary creations at the 20th annual San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival, where sailboats and sandy beaches serve as the backdrop for one of the country’s most talked about weeks in food. This is one of the biggest yearly festivals in San Diego, and visitors will enjoy cooking classes, tasting panels, celebrity chef dinners, and tons more. The festival was named the winner of 2019 USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice travel award contests for Best General Food Festival.
Botanic Garden Lightscape
November 15 – January 5 – Another dazzling year of Lightscape is around the corner! Now in its third year, the spectacular showcase will return from November 15, 2024 to January 5, 2025 at San Diego Botanic Garden (formerly Quail Botanic Gardens) in Encinitas. Enjoy the spectacular garden light show featuring the international Lightscape exhibition. Delight in a one-mile evening walk through the lighted garden filled with one million twinkling lights, as well as “cathedral” of lights, a laser garden, lantern trees and more. This is a special ticketed event with entry times every 15 minutes. Reservations required.
Ice Skating by the Sea
November 21 – January 5 – The Del, Hotel del Coronado. Where the ice meets the surf, enjoy the iconic outdoor ice skating rink at The Del. Take a spin on the rink while overlooking the Pacific Ocean and enjoy all of the holiday tradition that the historic venue offers. Be sure to reserve your tickets up front to avoid the crowds.
ENCINITAS HOLIDAY STREET FAIR
November 24th – Children’s rides, two stages of live entertainment and food and drink refreshments provide an attractive setting for the public and a great boon to our vendors. Remember to bring your own bag(s) to collect all your street fair shopping.
O’SIDE TURKEY TROT
November 28th – Come “move your feet before you eat” this Thanksgiving at Oceanside’s 19th Annual Turkey Trot 5-mile or 5K run/walk. Register & join one of the fastest-growing holiday traditions. Be sure to bring the entire family, as there will be races for everyone. The event offers a costume contest, the largest teams competition, fabulous live entertainment on the course, and finisher medals for all participants. The event has raised over $500,000 for non-profits that serve O’side residents.
The Ultimate Guide to San Diego Fun
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!
GOONIES THEMED SPEAKEASY LOUNGE
If you’re up for a little drive up the coast, The Lost Inferno located in San Clemente, OC is one of the coolest themed experiences that is being talked about! Wonder into the cave and have an adventure. You can definitely (and should) get lost here.
CANDLELIGHT CONCERT
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in San Diego. Tribute concerts featuring songs by Adele, Taylor Swift, Abba and more at CHAPEL under the gentle glow of candlelight.
MELLANO FARM STAND
Mellano Farm Stand is fun for the whole family! You’ll find tractor rides, fresh flowers and produce, food trucks, live music…and even pigs! This farm truly brings the farm-to-table vibe with its wholesome events and activities. Be sure to follow their social media for all the up-to-date events and activities – there is always something fun going on at the farm!
SAN DIEGO GULLS HOCKEY GAME
You’re guaranteed a night of excitement when you go and check out San Diego’s premier American Hockey League (AHL) team, affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks. With hockey season running from early October through early April, you can be sure to fit a game in your schedule.
GONE CAMPING
Go camping! What a better way to soak in fall than by a crackling campfire with smores and a lighthearted Halloween story before snuggling into your sleeping bag? Check out some of San Diego’s favorite campsites for families:
PVOLVE
Workouts that break your body down are over! Sculpt, strengthen, tone, and feel amazing with a one-of-a-kind workout that mixes functional movement with proprietary equipment to make you look and feel your best – all in a brand new Carlsbad studio that’s tailor-made to get you results.
U-PICK APPLE ORCHARDS
Take the whole fam bam and have bushels of fun apple picking at one of these glorious u-pick apple orchards:
JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP GARDENS
Peep the fall foliage at the Japanese Friendship Gardens. Especially beautiful in autumn, it is one of the best places to see fall colors near downtown San Diego. The Japanese maple trees turn brilliant shades of red at this time of year, and you’ll see other trees and shrubs turning bright orange and yellow. Kids love the koi, too.
FAMILY BIKE RIDE
Enjoy the cool weather by going on a family bike ride. Feel the wind in your hair and relive some childhood memories while riding bikes along some of the most awesome family-friendly bike paths.
TAKE A HIKE
Take advantage of the cool weather and take a hike! San Diego has plenty of off-the-beaten path hikes for the whole family to enjoy. Take a look at our fall faves:
COIN OP ADULT ARCADE
California’s premier adult arcade bar. Come along for cocktails, food, nostalgia and good times. 21+ up only.
SAN DIEGO’S 59-MILE SCENIC DRIVE
San Diego’s 59-mile scenic drive loops its way through the city’s charming neighborhoods and reveals our unique attractions and natural wonders. Enjoy sweeping, panoramic views of the coastline, the shimmering yacht-dotted bay, downtown’s skyline, Mexico and the surrounding mountains along the way. If you want to cover the entire trip in one adventure, carve out at least three hours, but we suggest doing parts of the tour on different days, so you can relax and make leisurely stops at various destinations.
SAN DIEGO GHOST TOUR
Brave a Haunted San Diego Ghost Tour. Ghosts tours via bus or walking if you are brave enough to make your reservation. Ride the coffin-on-wheels spooky style through San Diego to see the San Diego haunted houses, hotels, mansions, and graveyards. Reservations required.
STARGAZING
Bundle up and go stargazing. Look up at how the stars shine for you at one of these stargazing spots that are sure to put a twinkle in your eye:
MURDER n’MAYHEM
Join Murder n’ Mayhem for a 1-mile Historical True Crime Tour of the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego. You will walk through several eras in time as you explore interesting stories of history and true crime.
A couple more ideas that are fun and fall-friendly:
- 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.
Download our printer-friendly bucket list