But to me, Halloween is still a kid's holiday, a day to eagerly anticipate, to plan on a scary costume and collect lots of yummy candy. Never mind we rarely get a handful of kids trick-or-treating in the neighborhood anymore - a sad commentary on our society.
Yet, what do you do if you want to celebrate in the Halloween festivities but fall in the "I'm too old to trick-or-treat and don't want to expose myself to amateur hour with the boozers in the bars" category? Well, there are still some fun - and hopefully scary - things to do around San Diego. Here are some suggestions:
Haunted Hotel (Gaslamp District, Market Street):
In the Gaslamp District, the Haunted Hotel is is where horror movies come to life - movies like Hostel, Saw II and Texas Chainsaw Massacre, from past years. Find out what films will fright you this year, and it all begins on Sept. 25 and runs through Oct. 31. The Haunted Hotel features terrifying special effects and illusions that are hauntingly real. Open through Oct. 31, closed Mondays and Tuesdays except Oct. 26 & 27. Doors open at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays. Tickes are $14.99. You can purchase tickets online or at the door. 424 Market St., San Diego, CA, 92101.
The Haunted Trail:
Located in Balboa Park, The Haunted Trail is San Diego's only all-outdoor haunted attraction. It is a stroll through the park, that you will never forget. The horror of fairy tales comes to life at the Haunted Trail, something not even the Brothers Grimm could make up. Experience outdoor terror that is simply too big to house indoors! Begins Sept. 25 and runs through Oct. 31, clossed Mondays and Tuesdays except Oct. 26 & 27. Open at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays. Tickets are $14.99. You can purchase tickets online or at the door. Located just east of 6th & Juniper in Balboa Park, one block south of Laurel Street bridge.
The Scream Zone:
It won't be the same old scares when the ghosts, goblins and ghouls return to The Scream Zone. Featured this year:
New blood-curdling scenes in the House of Horror: New this year is the New Orleans Crypt and Graveyard, the Dinner Party Gone Mad and many other surprises. This attraction is not recommended for children younger than 10.
Haunted Hayride: (Starts Oct. 2) Board the open-sided haywagon for a creepy trip through the haunted barns on the back side of the Del Mar Race Track. Terrifying fun for the family or anyone brave enough to come along for the ride! (May not be appropriate for small children.)
The Chamber The Chamber is a twisting maze with frights around every corner. As you find your way through, you must navigate San Diego's longest Spining Tunnel of Terror, and the abode of La Llorona, a visiting ghost from Mexico who has lost.
2009 dates: September 25 & 26 (House of Horror & The Chamber only)
October 2, 3 & 4
October 8, 9 10 & 11
October 15, 16, 17 & 18
October 22 - 31
7:00 p.m.-midnight, Fridays & Saturdays
7:00-11:00 p.m., other days (when open)
Mira Mesa Monster Manor:
In just a few years, this community project has become as much a Halloween tradition as all the others. And it's pretty impressive: A 4,000 square foot Halloween haunted house is a drug-free, alcohol free, all-ages, entertainment experience for San Diego. It is designed and operated completely by volunteers. They even have a "Lite Frite" for younger ones who don't want nightmares (October 17, 18, 24, 25, 31). Night Haunt dates: October 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29. 30, 31. Night Haunt opens at 7 p.m. and closes when the crowd stops rolling in. Admission is $12 per guest, of any age. Night Haunt is not recommended for people under the age of 13. Guests under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. 8235 Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92126
The public is invited to get the scare of their lives at North County's very own haunted house in Escondido. Located at the very scary, old Antique Emporium building at 333 E Grand Ave in Escondido, the 15-room "Grand Haunt" will be open the entire month of October, excluding Mondays & Tuesdays.
The 2,500 square foot haunt is filled with ghosts and ghouls, a mad scientist and funeral parlor, including live actors, automatic scare tactics, smoke and mirrors made to scare the wits out of visitors.
Regular admission is $10, with a special $15 front-of-the-line pass and "Lights-On" hours for younger children for only $5. "Grand Haunt" will be open Wed & Thursday 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday & Saturday 5 p.m. to midnight with special "Lights-On" hours on Saturdays and Sundays from 3pm-5pm. Tickets can be purchased online at www.grandhaunt.com
National Comedy Theatre Halloween Spooktacular
The National Comedy Theatre's annual Halloween Spooktacular features scenes and games that we've never done before, creepy themes to all of the suggestions, death defying sketches - including one where a performer's head is submerged in a bucket of water for the entire scene, and the weirdest ending to a comedy show you that you have ever seen. This year, the shows will be on Friday, October 30th and Saturday, October 31st at 7:30 & 9:45 p.m. with an additional midnight show on Saturday at 11:45 p.m. Tickets are just $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors.
Click here for more HAlloween and Day of the Dead celebrations in San Diego.
