At the same time, 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 but 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, I don't want to mix it up with the boozers in the bars, or I don't know anyone who is throwing a party" category? Well, there are still some traditional fun - and hopefully scary - things to do around San Diego. Here are some suggestions:
Reminder: Keep your pets safe at Halloween. Read more here.
Haunted Hotel (Gaslamp District, Market Street):
The Haunted Hotel, located downtown in the Gaslamp District, is the longest running haunted house in San Diego. It was named by Haunt World Magazine as one of the top 13 haunted houses in America and has been featured in “America Haunts IV” on The Travel Channel in 2009. The horror filled nights run through Halloween.
This year, see where the Hellevator takes you, explore Freddy Krueger's workshop, and you'll go crazy in rooms inspired by Legion and Shutter Island. Meet the night riders on the moving Subway and try to escape the virus outbreak in our Zombie office. Open Sept. 23 through Oct. 31, closed Mondays and Tuesdays except Oct. 25 & 26. Doors open at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays. Tickets are $15 to $17. 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.
This year The Haunted Trail features an additional maze called "The eXperiment". For five extra bones you can find out what happens when Mother Nature takes her eye off the ball for even just a second. Runs Sept. 23 through Oct. 31, closed Mondays and Tuesdays except Oct. 24 & 25 & 31. Open at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays. Tickets are $15 - $17. 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. This attraction is not recommended for children younger than 10.
Haunted Hayride: (Starts Oct. 2) Board the open-sided hayride 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.
2011 dates:
Friday, Sept. 30, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 1-2
Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 6-9
Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 13-16
Every night, Oct. 20-31
7:00 p.m.-midnight, Fridays & Saturdays
7:00-11:00 p.m., other days
Triple (Combo) Haunt: House of Horror, Haunted Hayride & The Chamber — $27.99
Double Haunt: The Chamber plus House of Horror or Haunted Hayride — $18.99
Single Haunt: House of Horror or Haunted Hayride — $14.99
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 22,23,29,30). Night Haunt dates: October 14,15,21,22, 23, 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 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 28th and Saturday, October 29th at 7:30 & 9:45 p.m. With an additional MIDNIGHT SPOOKTACULAR on Saturday, October 29th at 11:45 pm. 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.
