Ultimate Guide to Fall in San Diego

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Crisp mornings, cozy vibes, and pumpkin spice everything — fall in San Diego may look a little sunnier than other places, but it’s still packed with seasonal magic! Whether you’re searching for family-friendly festivals, planning a hike to soak in golden sunsets, or craving a warm fall treat, we’ve rounded up the very best of the season for you.

Our Ultimate Guide to Fall in San Diego includes everything from scrumptious seasonal eats and local events to pumpkin patches, hiking trails, and more. It’s designed to help you stay close to home while making the most of every autumn moment.

🍁 And the best part? This guide has you covered all the way through Thanksgiving, so you can keep the fall fun going for weeks to come.

Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll find in each section of the guide:

  • Fall Events – Local festivals, fairs, and seasonal happenings
  • Pumpkin Patches – The best spots for pumpkins, hayrides, and family photo ops
  • Halloween Events – Kid-friendly trick-or-treating, spooky fun, and community celebrations
  • Hikes – Trails perfect for cool-weather exploring and leaf-peeping vibes
  • Scrumptious Treats – Where to find pumpkin-flavored goodies, cider, and more
  • And More! – From cozy cafés to family outings, we’ve packed in plenty of inspiration

Want to feature your Fall or Halloween themed event  Click the link to submit your event to our community calendar!

Use the buttons below to navigate to that section of the guide.

Kids FREE October

All month long, kids 12 and under receive FREE admission with a paid adult to more than 50 of San Diego County’s favorite museums, historic sites, aquariums, gardens and more. Many are even free for the whole family!

Kids also get to eat, stay, and play for free with dozens of deals on hotels, activities, attractions, restaurants and more. Plan your trip today at SanDiego.org and get ready to explore!

✨ Want to keep these family-friendly events on your calendar so you never miss a moment? Hit the subscribe button below!

Halloween Events

🍂✨ From festive autumn gatherings to family-friendly Halloween celebrations. 🎃 Whether you’re looking for spooky fun or unique seasonal experiences, discover the best fall happenings for families right here.

Wicked Spooky Tea

October 4 @ 12:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Celebrate the spirit of Halloween with a delightfully haunting twist on the timeless tradition of afternoon tea. Indulge in a bewitching array of sweet and savory delights, artfully crafted to surpris...

👻🐾 Barks & Boos: A Howl-O-Ween Yappy Hour 🎃🐶

October 15 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Show off your pup’s best Howl-O-Ween look in our Costume Contest—spooky, silly, or stylish! Get ready for a spooktacular evening at Wild Hare Bar Garden for our Halloween-themed Yappy Hour on th...

Hauntfest on Main

October 17 @ 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The annual Hauntfest on Main is an exciting family-friendly Halloween themed event held in Downtown El Cajon, on East Main Street and the surrounding areas by Magnolia and Ballantyne. This family frie...

26th Annual Spooktacular Event: The Super Dentists

October 25 @ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
We’re thrilled to announce our 26th Annual Spooktacular Event! When: Saturday, October 25th from 11am-2pm Where: The Super Dentists, Eastlake Office Admission: Free and open to the public! This exci...

Halloween at the Station

October 26 @ 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Liberty Station invites the community to join us for a free, family-friendly Halloween celebration! Gather in Ingram Plaza for live entertainment with a DJ set, a Hollywood car show, inflatable obstac...

Fun Animal Friday: Spiders, Hissing Cockroaches, & Bearded Dragon

October 31 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Celebrate Halloween at the Museum and meet spiders, hissing cockroaches, and a bearded dragon with EcoVivarium on Friday, October 31, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Plus, kiddos wearing Halloween costu...

Halloween in La Mesa Village

October 31 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
7th ANNUAL HALLOWEEN IN LA MESA VILLAGE Trick-or-Treating - Pet Costume Contest & More Friday, October 31, 2025 from 4 – 6 p.m. WHAT: The La Mesa Village Association (LMVA) invites the community...

Fall Festivals & Events

🍂✨ From festive autumn gatherings to family-friendly Halloween celebrations. 🎃 Whether you’re looking for spooky fun or unique seasonal experiences, discover the best fall happenings for families right here.

25th Annual Mira Mesa Street Fair

October 4 @ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
The 25th annual Mira Mesa Street Fair will be held on October 4, 2025. Enjoy live music and other entertainment on two stages, a Fun Zone with inflatables and other attractions for kids and teens, and...

Farm Stand West Fall Festival

October 11 @ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

2025 San Marcos Holiday Market

October 12 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday, October 12 | 9 AM – 5 PM All Along North City Drive, San Marcos, CA 92078 Get ready to fall into fun at our Annual San Marcos Harvest Fest! Join thousands of locals and visitors for a vibran...

The Grand Ave Fall Festival (Escondido)

October 19 @ 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
The Grand Avenue Festival is held annually each Fall and is over 30 years old.  It's located on Grand Avenue between Escondido Blvd and Ivy Street in beautiful Historic Downtown Escondido.This year's...

Family-Friendly Events in September & October

There is no shortage of FUN to be had this fall. We’ve rounded up the best family-friendly events in San Diego in September & October!

KPBS Kids Event: Elinor Wonders Why

October 3 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Follow your curiosity and ask questions with Elinor from Elinor Wonders Why! Join us Friday, October 3 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. for storytime, crafts, and a costume character photo opportunity.*...

Gilmore Girls Day at Kids & Coffee

October 5
Bring the whole family for a Gilmore Girls - inspired day! Sip on a themed drink, dress up as your favorite character, and celebrate your favorite fall re-watch with us! Please note: a reservation is ...

The Climb San Diego

October 5 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
We will be coming together as a community to celebrate mothers climbing out of the darkness of perinatal mental health disorders. We will have bubbles, sidewalk chalk, a coffee cart, face painting, an...

Jimbo’s Garden Workshop: Date & Pretzel Spiders

October 10 @ 11:00 am - 11:30 am
Enjoy a special garden workshop in the Trudy Bronner Discovery Garden with local, seasonal ingredients from Jimbo’s! Today’s recipe: Get in the spooky spirit and create delicious spiders with orga...

2025 San Marcos Harvest Fest

October 12 @ 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
San Marcos Harvest Fest 2025 🍂 Sunday, October 12 | 9 AM – 5 PM All Along North City Drive, San Marcos, CA 92078 Get ready to fall into fun at our Annual San Marcos Harvest Fest! Join thousands o...

The Play Exchange

October 20 @ 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Join the Children’s Museum of Discovery for a morning of connection and collaboration as we explore how hands-on experiences and developmentally appropriate practices can be used to promote emotiona...

Disney | Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas In Concert

October 24 @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
The San Diego Symphony Orchestra will present Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Live-to-Film featuring a screening of Disney’s timeless holiday classic with GRAMMY®-winning compo...

Outdoor Education Elevated Event

October 25 @ 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Join us for the 2nd Annual Outdoor Education Elevated Fundraiser at Mountain Meadow Preserve on Saturday, October 25, 2025. This family-friendly event will feature yoga, guided hikes, educational pres...

Blippi: Join the Band Tour! 

October 25 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
C'mon and join Blippi to make music in your hometown in the brand new live Blippi: Join the Band Tour! Blippi along with Meekah, their singing and dancing buddies, musicians and YOU will explore how ...

CoComelon: Sing-Along LIVE!

November 8 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
CoComelon: Sing-A-Long LIVE $33-$102 including fees (face value $27.50-$85). CoComelon: Sing-A-Long LIVE is the perfect way to make memories you’ll cherish for years to come! Join Ms. Appleberry, JJ...

Dancing on Tiptoes: A Musical Exploration of Melody, Movement, and Mood

April 25, 2026 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
For this exciting U.S. première, Art of Elan affiliate artists bring to life selected works from Collective Wisdom, an album that explores how music might help people during hard times. Originally re...

Fall & Holiday Photography Events

📸✨ Capture the magic of the season with fall-themed photography events and holiday photo sessions. From cozy autumn backdrops to photos with Santa, these family-friendly experiences create keepsakes you’ll treasure year after year.

Get Outdoors: 8 Hikes to Check Out this Fall

AllTrails.com: Photo by: Araceli Ramirez
Sep 18, 2023

Fall Hikes In and Around San Diego

1. Pumpkin Rock Trail

Where: Vandermolen Drive, Crestview Dr, Norco, CA 92860

Rock Trail is an easy 1.7-mile hike in Norco, California. The trail features a 15-foot tall pumpkin, horses, and scenic views at a total elevation of 1,165 feet. There are bathrooms located near the parking lot. Dogs are allowed on leashes.

2. Sunset Trail

Where: Laguna Mountain Recreation Area – 10678 Sunrise Hwy, Descanso, CA 91948

The Sunset Trail is a scenic coastal hiking trail located within the beautiful Laguna Coast Wilderness Park in Laguna Beach, California. This trail offers hikers a breathtaking opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the Southern California coastline.

3. Volcan Mountain Trail

Where: Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve – 1209 Farmer Road at Wynola Road, Julian, CA 92036

Enjoy this 4.8-mile out-and-back trail near Julian, California. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 39 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

4. Lake Cuyamaca Loop Trail

Where: 12551 CA-79, Descanso, CA 91916

Head out on this 2.9-mile loop trail near Julian, California. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 57 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, running, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. You’ll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren’t allowed on this trail.

5. Palomar Observatory Trail

Where: Co Hwy S6, Palomar Mountain, CA 92060

Enjoy this 4.6-mile out-and-back trail near Palomar Mountain, California. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 7 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, running, and walking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

6. Boulder Loop Trail

Where: 3024 La Honda Dr, Escondido, CA 92027
Enjoy this 4.0-mile loop trail near Escondido, California. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 53 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

7. Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve

Where: 12020 Black Mountain Rd, San Diego, CA 92129

This preserve features a variety of trails suitable for all ages. The most popular trail is the Waterfall Trail, which leads to a seasonal waterfall – a magical sight during the fall months. The gently sloping terrain and shaded areas make it a great family choice.

8. Iron Mountain Trail

Where: Highway 67, Poway, CA 92064

The Iron Mountain Trail offers a moderate hike with rewarding panoramic views of the San Diego area. In the fall, the weather is comfortable, and the surrounding hills may feature some seasonal color changes. It’s a bit more challenging than the others but still suitable for older kids and active families.

*All references below can be found on AllTrails.com. AllTrails was founded on the idea that we’re all made better by spending time in nature. Today, we continue to be driven by the desire to share the outdoors with as many people in as many places as possible — and to do so responsibly and respectfully. 

Fall Favorites: Savory Eats, Sauces, Sweets & Beers

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Sweet Silver Lining
(Available Online)

San Diego home baking biz specializing in cake bites, birthday party smash cakes & Italian rainbow cookies. Made with homemade natural vanilla extract.

LOCATION: Online via Instagram DM or Text. Free delivery on orders of $30+.
PHONE: 917-640-3783

Fall guide

As the consistent winner of San Diego’s Favorite Dessert, Sugar Mamma Caramels remain a local favorite. Their mission is to make high quality, hand-crafted, small batch caramels using no additives or preservatives. They make their caramels to order, filling requests for one bag or 2,000 bags!

LOCATION: Pick up available at Sugar Mamma Headquarters in charming Talmadge, San Diego.
PHONE: 619-301-9956 

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Janie’s BBQ Sauce
(Available Online)

Discover the irresistible blend of sweetness and stickiness that sets Janie’s BBQ Sauce apart. Made by a local San Diego family with a whole lot of love, it’s a flavor sensation like no other. Try their Original or Habanero 🌶  varieties in 16oz or 32oz bottles, and take your holiday grilling, marinating, and dipping to the next level.

LOCATION: Online via Instagram DM

Petite_Madeline.0-2

Homegrown bakery, blocks from Oceanside Pier. Always made from scratch. Baked Goods, Breakfast, Lunch, Desserts, Espresso, and Mimosas!Offering specialty cakes and wholesale with a 1-2 week lead time required.

LOCATION: 223 N Coast Highway Oceanside, CA 92054
PHONE: 760-231-7300

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Elizabethan Desserts is nostalgic, American comfort food with an elegant touch. They only use the finest ingredients like real butter, heavy cream, premium chocolate, and local eggs. You won’t find shortening based frostings; synthetic dairy based whipped topping or commercial mixes in our food.

LOCATION: 114 El Camino Real, Encinitas, California 92024
PHONE: 760-230-6780

Azucar.12

Azúcar is the fulfillment of a life-long dream for Vivian Hernandez-Jackson. Vivian has combined her classical French training with her Cuban roots to develop a unique product line of desserts and pastries that combines traditional favorites with new flavors and designs.

LOCATION: 4820 Newport Avenue San Diego, CA 92107
PHONE: 619-523-2020

Seasonal Beers

San Diego Moms Favorite Pumpkin Beers

speedwaystout
Speedway Stout
AleSmith Brewing | 12%

AleSmith Brewing’s Speedway Stout’s ominous, pitch-black appearance has become a hallmark of this modern-day classic. Chocolate and roasted malts dominate the flavor, supported by notes of dark fruit, toffee, and caramel. A healthy dose of locally-roasted coffee added to each batch brings out the beer’s dark chocolate flavors and enhances its drinkability. Despite its intensity, Speedway Stout’s fine carbonation and creamy mouthfeel make it very smooth and surprisingly easy to drink. This beer ages very well and will continue to mature for many years to come.

Oktoberfest_4
Oktoberfest
Leinenkugel’s Beer | 5.1% ABV

A proud German heritage shines through in our homage to arguably the world’s greatest festival. A traditional Märzen-style beer, our Leinenkugel’s® Oktoberfest has a toasted malt flavor and subtle, spicy hop notes that make it perfect for celebrating fall in true German fashion. So let your steins runneth over.

Pairs with: brats, spaetzles, pork chops, soft pretzels and spiced apple cake.

 

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Punkin Ale
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery | 7% ABV

The pumpkin beer you’ve known and loved since 1994! Named after the seriously off-centered southern Delaware extravaganza Punkin Chunkin, Punkin Ale is a full-bodied brown ale with smooth hints of pumpkin and brown sugar thanks to our brewers using real pumpkin meat, brown sugar and spices.

As the season cools, this is the perfect beer to warm up with.

Want to feature your Fall or Halloween themed event  Click the link to submit your event to our community calendar!