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. 26 and runs through Nov. 1. The Haunted Hotel features terrifying special effects and illusions that are hauntingly real. Through Nov. 1, closed Mondays and Tuesdays except Oct. 27 & 28.
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. 26 through Nov. 1, clossed Mondays and Tuesdays except Oct. 27 & 28.
The Scream Zone:
It won't be the same old scares when the ghosts, goblins and ghouls return to The Scream Zone. Among the new features for 2008:
New blood-curdling scenes in the House of Horror. Test your bravery in the Doll House & Factory, the Funeral Home Room, the Electrocution Room, Chaos Hallway and Freaky Farm & Barn, plus the new surprises in the Moving Floor Room, the Killer Clowns Room, and the Butcher Shop. This attraction is not recommended for children younger than 10.
Haunted Hayride! 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.
2008 dates: Friday & Saturday, Sept. 26-27, Friday-Sunday, Oct. 3-5, Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 9-12 & Oct. 16-19, Nightly, Thursday, Oct. 23 through Saturday, Nov. 1.
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, intergenerational, 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 18, 19, 25, 26). Night Haunt: October 17, 18, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31. . 8235 Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92126
National Comedy Theatre Halloween Spooktacular
The National Comedy Theatre, San Diego’s nationally acclaimed improvisational comedy show, will be presenting its annual “Halloween Spooktacular” on Friday, October 31st and Saturday, November 1st at 7:30 & 9:45, with an additional “Midnight Show” on Saturday, November 1st at 11:45 p.m.. The National Comedy Theatre is located at 3717 India St. in San Diego. For additional information, call 619.295.4999.
Ghostly Good Times at Plaza del Pasado in Old Town
At Plaza del Pasado in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, the month of October will be filled with Ghost Tours, Trick-or-Treating, and a host of other Halloween celebrations. In addition, Zirc Ubu Circus will give a free performance on Saturday, November 1 at 6:30 p.m. in the main park plaza. Their performance, Phantasmagoria, will feature stilt walkers, acrobats,balancing jugglers, the human pin cushion, and fire breathers.
Halloween celebrations for the entire family include ghost tours with spirits of the past, trick-or-treating, ghost story of "Old Town's Legend of Sleepy Hollow."
Ghost tours are on 10/17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30. Registration at park Visitors Center. 6:30-7:30PM. 10/31 (7-8PM) Tours start at flag pole in main plaza. Trick-or-Treating is on 10/31 (4-6 PM) at retail and restaurant locations. Ghost Story is on 10/31 (6:30-7PM) on Main plaza. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, located at San Diego Avenue and Twiggs Street.
Ghost Sightings:
There are several places where ghosts have been claimed to have been sighted. Here are a few suggestions to get spooked:
The Whaley House:
The Whaley House is one of only two "haunted" houses registered in California. Located in Old Town, from swinging cleavers hanging on the kitchen wall to the scent of lavender perfume, ghost sightings in the Whaley House are documented.
El Campo Santo Cemetery:
Located blocks from the Whaley House, the cemetery's 477 gravesites include hanged thief Yankee Jim Robinson, as well as the founder of Tanner Theatrical Troupe, another Whaley House "resident."
Click here to read about Day of the Dead celebrations in San Diego.
