Check out an array of fun, festive and spooky events and activities for all ages in North County, from pumpkin patches and haunted houses to corn mazes and trunk-or-treating.
CARLSBAD
Pumpkin Patch at Strawberry Fields — Come explore the pumpkin patch and marigold fields and walk among food vendors. Entry is $15 and free for children 4 and under. Tractor rides, corn maze, and animal visits are available for an additional cost. carlsbadstrawberrycompany.com/pumpkin
Patch open through Nov. 3, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in October
1050 Cannon Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Haunted Corn Maze at Strawberry Fields — Experience heart-thumping scares in the Haunted Corn Maze at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company, recommended for teens and adults. Entry starts at $25 per person. Visit carlsbadstrawberrycompany.com/pumpkin
From 7-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays in October and Nov. 1-2.
1050 Cannon Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Halloween Spooktacular at Carlsbad Plaza Paseo Real — Bring the family for a day of costumes, a live DJ, crafts, face painting, trick-or-treating, balloon art and more at Plaza Paseo Real in the courtyard next to La Costa Roasting. Entry is free. eventbrite.com/e/halloween-spooktacular-tickets-1025153029307?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Oct. 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
6941- 6985 El Camino Real Carlsbad, CA 92009
DEL MAR
Pumpkin Station at Del Mar Fairgrounds — Bring little ones to pick out the perfect pumpkin and enjoy attractions, including the miniature train ride, giant slides, a carousel, swing ride, Ferris wheel and more. Free entry and parking. Visit pumpkinstation.com/del-mar-pumpkin-station
Open daily through Oct. 27. Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday
15555 Jimmy Durante Blvd
ENCINITAS
Haunted Ghost Town at San Dieguito Heritage Museum – Nightly tours of a town haunted by a ghostly pirate ship await visitors at the Heritage Museum as the popular event returns for its second year via a partnership between Ovation Theatre and The Heritage Ranch. Less scary experience for young children from 5 to 6:15 p.m., followed by more spine-tingling tours for those 12 and up from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Adult entry is $28, children 10 and under $16.50. Visit hauntedtown.org
Oct. 18-20 and Oct. 25-27
450 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas, CA 92024
Safe Trick or Treat along Coast Highway 101 — Celebrate All Hallows Eve by trick-or-treating at local businesses along South Coast Highway 101 from Encinitas Boulevard to K Street. Enjoy Halloween activities along the way as well as games and music at the Lumberyard courtyard. Presented by the Encinitas 101 Mainstreet Association. Visit encinitas101.com/events
Oct. 31, 5 to 8 p.m.
ESCONDIDO
Fall Festival at Farm Stand West — Come celebrate 100 years of farming in Escondido with a fall festival featuring a pumpkin patch, hay rides, local produce, food and ice cream. Visit thefarmstandwest.com
Oct. 12-13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2115 Miller Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
Rancho Bernardo Pumpkin Farm — Bring little ones to pick out the perfect pumpkin and enjoy attractions, including the miniature train ride, giant slides, a carousel, swing ride, Ferris wheel and more. Free entry and parking. Visit pumpkinstation.com/pumpkin-farms/rancho-bernardo-pumpkin-farm
Open daily through Oct. 31. Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Oct. 10, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 11-31
13421 Highland Valley Road Escondido, CA. 92128
Tom’s Adventures Pumpkin Patch at North County Mall — Enjoy the Escondido location of the annual pumpkin patch at the North County Mall. Entry is free. Visit tomsadventuresllc.com
Monday-Friday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; weekends, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
272 E. Via Rancho Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92025
SAN MARCOS
San Marcos Harvest Fest — This autumnal festival all along North City Drive offers an array of food vendors, family-friendly activities featuring the Little Shepherds Nature Lab, live music and entertainment, and beer and wine options to enjoy. Visit smharvest.com
Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
251 North City Drive
Pumpkin Breakfast at San Marcos Community Center — Join the San Marcos Parks and Recreation Department for a pancake breakfast and carnival. Costumes are encouraged. Registration is $10 online only, with limited spaces. Visit san-marcos.net/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/11737/
Oct. 19, 7:30 to 11 a.m.
3 Civic Center Dr, San Marcos, CA 92069
Tom’s Adventures Pumpkin Patch San Marcos — Enjoy the annual pumpkin patch next to San Marcos High School. Entry is free. Visit tomsadventuresllc.com
Monday-Friday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; weekends, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
1360 Discovery Street, San Marcos, CA 92078
SOLANA BEACH
Halloween Carnival at Solana Vista Elementary – The Solana Vista/Skyline Halloween Carnival is back for its 67th year at Solana Vista Elementary School and is open to all community members. Come enjoy games, inflatables, raffles, pony rides, petting zoo, and a costume contest, as well as food from community partners and other delicious treats. All proceeds go toward supporting programs at both elementary schools. Visit cityofsolanabeach.org/en/events/solana-vista-and-skylines-67th-annual-halloween-carnival
Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
780 Santa Victoria, Solana Beach, CA 92075
Trick-or-Treat at Solana Beach Town Centre — Families are invited to a free community trick-or-treat event featuring local businesses. The event is located near the Marshalls. Costumes are welcome. Visit solanabeachtownecentre.com
Oct. 31, 3-5 p.m.
663-689 Lomas Santa Fe Drive Solana Beach, CA 92075
OCEANSIDE
Halloween Spooktacular Trunk or Treat at Mance Buchanon Park — Celebrate Oceanside’s car culture and Halloween at the same time with a trunk or treat at the soccer fields at Mance Buchanon Park. The free event is open to children 12 and under. Enjoy decorated cars, crafts booths, inflatables, and games from the Oceanside Parks and Recreation Department. Visit ci.oceanside.ca.us/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/1759/723
Oct 26, 2 to 5 p.m.
425 College Blvd, Oceanside, CA 92057
Fall Festivities at Mellano Farm Stand — Celebrate everything fall at the family-owned farm with a pumpkin patch, corn maze and farm stand on Thursday and Friday. Additional activities take place on the weekends, including tractor tours, kids crafts and games, food and drink, live music and vendors, a bounce house, gem panning and more. Entry is free. Visit mellanofarmstand.com/events
Thursdays-Sundays until Nov. 3, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
5714 North River Rd, Oceanside, CA 92057
RANCHO SANTA FE
Helen Woodward Howl-o-ween Harvest Family Festival — Come enjoy hands-on animal encounters, trick-or-treat stations, crafts, face painting, and a mini pumpkin patch at Helen Woodward Animal Center. All ages are welcome but recommended for families with toddlers and elementary-age children. Entry is $8.90 for adults, $17.75 for children, free for infants and those in strollers. Visit animalcenter.org/programs-services/education/howl-o-ween-harvest
Oct 12, 19, 26-27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
6461 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
VISTA
Tom’s Adventures Pumpkin Patch on West Vista Way — Enjoy the Vista location of the annual pumpkin patch at West Vista Way and North Melrose Drive. Entry is free. Visit tomsadventuresllc.com
Monday-Friday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; weekends, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
707 West Vista Way, Vista, CA 92083
Fall Fun Festival at Alta Vista Botanical Gardens — The 16th annual event will feature the annual scarecrow contest, kids’ activities, live music, a plant sale, craft vendors and a barbecue lunch. Visit altavistabotanicalgardens.org/fall-fun-fest.
Oct. 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
1270 Vale Terrace Dr
Fright Night on Main Street — Visit the downtown Vista corridor as it transforms into a land of Halloween fun for one night, with a haunted house, trick-or-treating, tractor rides, costume contests, and an artists’ market. Free entry, additional cost for the haunted house. Visit discovervista.com/fright-night
Oct. 25, 5 to 9 p.m.
Downtown Vista
Muscles on Main Trunk or Treat Car Show — The fourth annual Halloween Muscles on Main Street event will feature an impressive car show with trunk-or-treating, a costume contest, a scavenger hunt, and a live DJ in Vista Village. Visit musclesonmain.square.site
Oct. 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
25 Main St, Vista, CA 92083
