The best fall and Halloween things to do this weekend in San Diego: 10-12

Seasonal and Halloween activities and events are everywhere in San Diego County now that autumn is here.

This guide to weekend events includes haunted houses, Oktoberfest, fall festivals and more.

Friday

Jurassic Fright at Pumpkin Patch: Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in Oct. 3 through Oct. 31 at 1050 Cannon Road. There’s a haunted corn maze, marigold fields, bounceland, Jurassic Fright, a tractor ride and sheep, goats and rabbits. Admission is $15; free for kids 3 and younger plus fees for activities. Visit carlsbadstrawberrycompany.com/pumpkin.

OB Oktoberfest: Ocean Beach Oktoberfest is Oct. 10-11 at the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier parking lot, 5099 Newport Ave. The two-day event will feature Oktoberfest-themed contests and games, a Mr. & Mrs. Oktoberfest competition, a traditional stein-holding contest and pretzel toss along with brat eating and live music on two stages. The beer garden will feature traditional German brews, local beer, wine and spirits. There will be two-for-one beers until 5:30 p.m. Oct. 10 and until 1 p.m. Oct. 11. Proceeds will benefit the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association, The Peninsula Alliance and The Warrior Foundation Freedom Station. Hours are 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Oct. 10 and noon to 11:30 p.m. Oct. 11. Tickets are $15 at the door. VIP tickets are $64-$69 in advance. Visit oboktoberfest.com.

Brick-or-Treat: LEGOLAND California holds its Brick-or-Treat Monster Party on weekends in October with entertainment, dance parties, live music, costumed entertainers and trick-or-treating. The party is included with park admission. As part of its Halloween season celebration, there will be costumed characters, décor and seasonal treats daily through Oct. 31. Visit legoland.com/california/things-to-do/seasonal-events/halloween.

Pumpkin Station: Festivities include a carousel, rides, giant slides, a Ferris wheel, a train jump, a petting zoo and a play center, along with a pumpkin patch from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Sept. 26 through Oct. 26 at 15555 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Ticketed attractions include mechanical rides, giant slides, a jumpee activity, petting zoo and antique carousel. Tickets are $5. Free admission and parking. Visit pumpkinstation.com.

Haunted Hotel: The historic grounds of the Olivenhain Meeting Hall will be transformed into a Haunted Hotel Friday and Saturday nights from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 10-11, Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25 at  423 Rancho Santa Fe Road. There will be spooky scenes ranging from a Haunted Swamp, Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory and a Witches’ Lair to a Candy Mystery Trail. Actors are Scouts, ages 11 to 17. There will be games at the carnival and refreshment to purchase. Tickets are $8; cash and credit are accepted at the door. The event is a fundraiser for Scout Troop 2000. For questions, email troop2kcommunityoutreach@gmail.com.

Oktoberfest hosted by veterans: The Coronado Veterans of Foreign Wars group hosts an Oktoberfest with German food, music and beer from 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 11 at VFW Post 2422 at 557 Orange Ave. Highlights include live music by The Beer Mugs, a stein holding competition, potato salad contest (drop off by 3 p.m.) and best dressed contest. Food includes Pork Jager schnitzel, grilled bratwurst, sauerkraut, mashed potato souffle and butter cookies with cinnamon apple chutney. Entry donation is $10; food plate is $20 and $5 for beer. VFW bar will be open. Tickets sold at the door. Proceeds benefit the Coronado Marine Corps League Detachment. Visit vfwpost2422.org/index.html

Day of the Dead cantina pop-up bar: A Día de los Muertos celebration is arriving at Cafe Coyote in Old Town. The Mexican restaurant’s bar area is converting into a Day of the Dead cantina pop-up bar, which will have marigold followers, sugar skull décor and themed drinks from Oct. 10 through Nov. 2. Also part of Cafe Coyote’s Día de los Muertos celebration, there will be ofrendas face painting,  mask making, live music and giveaways on Nov. 1 and 2 and a candlelight procession on Nov. 2 and 5 p.m. 2461 San Diego Ave., San Diego. 619-291-4695, instagram.com/cafecoyoteoldtown 

Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival: The Farm Stand West is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 1- 31 at 2115 Miller Ave. and Fran’s Pumpkin Patch is open noon to 5 p.m. at 1980 Summit Drive Oct. 1- 31 at 2115 Miller Ave. A Fall Festival is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 11-12 at Farm Stand West with local artisans and vendors, hayrides, pumpkin patch, face painting and kids play area. Free admission and parking. Visit thefarmstandwest.com.

Scarecrow Days: The annual Fallbrook Scarecrow Days are Oct. 1-31. Scarecrows will be displayed at businesses and residences throughout Fallbrook.  A Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt is Oct. 8-31. The volunteer ScareCREW group provides hands-on scarecrow building workshops Oct. 2-4 and Oct. 9-11. A Scarecrow Kids Corner is at the Fallbrook Farmers Market with fall crafts, games and an art contest for kids from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Visit fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org.

Pumpkin picking: Pick a pumpkin from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays Sept. 26 through Nov. 2 at The Vineyard, 1924 E. Mission Road. Free admission, weekday specials and special events on weekends, including beer, wine, food trucks and live music. Visit fallbrookpumpkinpatch.com.

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Rancho Bernardo Pumpkin Farm: Check out a train ride, a corn maze, a petting zoo, a tractor hay wagon and a pumpkin farm, along with sunflowers from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 26 through Oct. 9 and until 7 p.m. Oct. 10-31 at 13421 Highland Valley Road. Admission is free; tickets for attractions are $5 each. Some attractions close early. Check the website at pumpkinstation.com/pumpkin-farms/rancho-bernardo-pumpkin-farm.

Howl-O-Ween at SeaWorld: Howl-O-Scream is a nighttime Halloween event for mature audiences (separately ticketed), featuring haunted houses, scare zones, live performances and coasters on select nights through Nov. 1. SeaWorld’s family-friendly Spooktacular features trick-or-treating included in park admission, a pumpkin patch and other family festivities. The Halloween-themed Howl-O-Sprint 5K run/walk is at Oct. 19 for all ages featuring a course that goes through different animal and marine life exhibits. There is also a 1-mile Kids Fun Run. Costumes encouraged, without masks. Visit seaworldsandiego.com.

Mr. Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin Patch:  A variety of pumpkins are for sale from jack-be-little pumpkins to 50-pound pumpkins Oct. 3 to Nov. 2 at 3901 Clairemont Dr. Highlights include games and activities, such as pumpkin bowling, pumpkin decorating, bounce houses, haunted house and farm animals. Visit mrjackolanternspumpkins.com.

Pumpkin Station: A pumpkin patch is open from 1 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday Sept. 26 through Oct. 31 at the Mission Valley Mall, 1640 Camino Del Rio North. Highlights include slides and jumpers, rides, a petting zoo and pumpkins. Visit mission-valley.com/events.

Evening in Bavaria: San Rafael Parish will host its annual Oktoberfest, “An Evening in Bavaria,” from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at 17252 Bernardo Center Drive. The event features a German band, German food, children’s entertainment and a raffle. Admission is $20, in advance; $25 at the door and $10 for ages 6 to 18; free for children 5 and younger. Call (858) 487-4314.

Cutwater Ghost Ship Halloween cocktails: The Cutwater Tasting Room & Kitchen in Miramar is morphing into a Halloween escape with its ghost ship pop-up activation. Guests can try The Eclipse mixes Cutwater vodka, cold brew coffee, cinnamon brown sugar, a coffee liqueur and pumpkin spice cold foam. Also, the venue is turning into a speakeasy ghost ship. The public can purchase $25 tickets to enter the speakeasy room, which has pirate-inspired décor, a welcome beverage, rotating weekly cocktails and a live barrel tapping demonstration with a rum pour in a take-home glass. Now through Oct. 31. 9750 Distribution Ave., San Diego. 858-672-3848, cutwaterspirits.com/tasting-room

Rancho BEERnardo Festival: The annual event for ages 21 and older is set for 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 11 at Webb Park, 16826 Bernardo Center Drive, hosted by the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club. VIP admission is 1 to 5 p.m. Highlights include live music by two bands and more than 35 participating breweries, wineries and distilleries along with food vendors, specialty mocktails, photo booths and games. Tickets are $65 to $90 (VIP); $10 for designated driver; $10 for food ticket. Proceeds go to the Rotary’s charity programs. Visit ranchobeernardofestival.com.

Frankenstein’s Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab: Inside Toxica Cantina in the Gaslamp Quarter is a temporary Halloween-themed pop-up bar. Frankenstein’s Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab is a 90-minute experience with a table reservation, an interactive welcome cocktail or mocktail, a Halloween shot, music, a costume contest and prizes. The bar is furnished to resemble a laboratory, with staff wearing lab coats, drinks served in beakers and testing tubes, and Halloween decorations, including a Frankenstein statue. Plus, there is a mad scientist giving tarot card readings. Frankenstein’s Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab is open evenings, Wednesdays through Sundays in October and on Nov. 1. 431 E St., San Diego. $22-$29.88. frankensteinsbar.com 

Saturday

Pumpkin train rides: The Campo Railroad Museum is offering its annual Pumpkin Express Halloween Celebration on Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 4-26. Ride decorated vintage 1920s rail cars through the San Diego County mountains. Walk through the themed display building with Halloween scenes and haunted train cars. Ride a train to a pumpkin patch where kids can pick pumpkins to decorate. Trains leave at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. from the Campo Depot, 750 Depot St. Tickets are $18.95-$39.95. Reserve at psrm.org/pumpkin.

Sip & Scare Trains: Campo Railroad Museum will run Sip & Scare Trains for adults over age 21 at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday nights. Tickets are $49.95-$64.95 and include one cocktail and a journey through the new haunted attraction, The Lost Train of Dr. Deadtrack. Reserve at psrm.org/sipnscare.

Spookeasy: The annual Halloween party is from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Oct. 11 at the illuminated secret gardens of St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, a nonprofit  that serves folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Highlights include DJ, glowing dance floor, costume contest, craft cocktails and gourmet bites along with haunted scavenger hunt. Tickets are $39 and open to ages 21 and older. RSVP at https://spookeasy.org/

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Mellano’s Fall Festival: Mellano Farm Stand is holding its Oceanside Fall Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October at the family farm, 5714 N. River Road. Highlights include tractor rides around the farm, a corn maze, a pumpkin patch and pumpkin painting, along with music, local vendors, children’s crafts, panning for gems and a farm stand full of farm fresh flowers and produce, including local honey. Visit mellanofarmstand.com.

Howl-O-Ween festival: Helen Woodward Animal Center hosts its Howl-O-Ween Harvest Family Festival from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 11, 18, 25 and 26, featuring hands-on animal encounters, trick-or-treat stations, a free pumpkin patch, festive games, crafts, face painting and photo booth. The cost is $17.75 for kids participating and $8.90 for adults age 18 and older. Reserve a spot at animalcenter.org/programs-services/education/kid-events. There are also Howl-O-Ween Harvest Adventures with up-close animal encounters, fall crafts and STEM-aligned lessons, for groups by appointment Oct. 1 to Nov. 10; email education@animalcenter.org.

Fall Fest: City Farmers Nursery holds a Fall Festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 11 at 3110 Euclid Ave. The nursery will host 30 local craftspeople and artists, including potters, bakers, painters and welders, selling handmade items. At 10 a.m. there will be the 40th annual zucchini and pumpkin growing contest with a “King Zuke” trophy for the winner, followed by the crowning of the junior gardener winner of the pumpkin growing contest (ages 3-16), at 11 a.m. At noon, there will be free games and prizes for children. Free admission. The Nursery has a pumpkin patch and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Visit cityfarmersnursery.com.

HalGLOWeen: The San Diego Zoo hosts a Halloween-themed family extravaganza with entertainment, food, dance parties and interactive festivities starting at 5 p.m. weekends in October. Highlights include Boo Crew, Spider’s W.E.B., Python Path, Spooky Spectacles, a Boolahoops dance party, featured creatures and Dr. Zoolittle’s Tricks & Treats among other attractions. Visit zoo.sandiegozoo.org/halgloween.

Fall Festival with scarecrow contest: Alta Vista Botanical Gardens’ 17th Fall Fun Festival is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct 11 at 1270 Vale Terrace Drive in Brengle Terrace Park. The event includes pumpkin decorating and other activities for kids, music, plant sale and garden shop along with barbecue lunch sold by Amigos de Vista Lions. There will be a scarecrow contest (entry fee is $5) and parade of scarecrows. Free admission to the gardens during the festival. Visit https://www.altavistabotanicalgardens.org