Top Places to Trick-or-Treat in San Diego: 2025

Trick-or-Treat in San Diego: Best Halloween Events & Decorated Neighborhoods for Families

Looking for the best places to trick or treat in San Diego County? Whether you’re planning a costume contest run with your little ghouls or want to explore a haunted house or two, this guide has the top spots where families can safely celebrate Halloween in full costume and full fun. From historic neighborhoods to popular destinations like Liberty Station and Mission Valley, San Diego is packed with Halloween spirit — and we’ve rounded up the best Halloween events, pumpkin patches, and safe trick‑or‑treat options for the whole family.

So grab your treat bags, dress your little witches in their cutest costumes, and get ready for sweet treats all around town this October 31st.

Be sure to check out our Pumpkin Patch Guide and Halloween Events Guide for more spooky fun!

🏡 Top Neighborhoods for Halloween Decor in San Diego County

These neighborhoods go all out for Halloween and are a great place to see lights, haunted houses, and themed setups that draw families from all over.

🎃 Bressi Ranch (Carlsbad)

This popular destination is known for its over‑the‑top decorations, creative yard displays, and full haunted house setups. Peppertree Way is especially famous for being one of the best neighborhoods to experience Halloween fun. Families often come early to stroll, take photos, and soak up the ambiance of yard displays that rival theme‑parks. The sense of community runs strong — neighbors coordinate themes, music plays through speakers, and candy flows freely for most of the evening.

🕸️ Del Sur (Rancho Peñasquitos)

Themed blocks and fully decked‑out haunted homes line the streets of Via Montenero and Fair Hill. Del Sur is a great place for those who love coordinated community décor and lots of action. Some households even hire fog machines or actors to play spooky characters. Because of that, it’s not just trick‑or‑treating — it’s a full experience. If you have older kids or teens looking for a little extra thrill, this neighborhood hits the mark.

🧙 Harmony Grove Village (Escondido)

This quiet gem filled with Halloween spirit is especially friendly for younger trick‑or‑treaters. Trail Ridge Dr. and surrounding streets showcase spooky displays, making this a safe trick‑or‑treating favorite for families. The crowd is more relaxed, the decorations thoughtful, and the pace slower — allowing picture‑taking, costume parades, and easy movement with strollers or little ones. Bonus: plenty of space to park and less congestion than downtown options.

🧺 San Diego Trick‑or‑Treat Events for the Whole Family

These Halloween events are perfect for kids of all ages and hosted by local businesses in some of San Diego’s most loved neighborhoods.

🎃 Trick‑or‑Treat at Mission Valley
📍 Mission Valley Shopping Center
🕒 Friday, October 31 | 3pm – 6pm

This event gives families a streamlined trick‑or‑treating option, where participating stores display decals on their windows and kids can hop inside for treats and fun. It’s an ideal pick for those who want a one‑stop location combining shopping, fall festivity, and candy. The indoor/outdoor layout also means it’s more climate‑controlled — a plus if weather gets unpredictable.

🎪 Halloween in La Mesa Village
📍 La Mesa Blvd. (Spring Street)
🕒 Friday, October 31 | 4pm – 6pm

The annual event pulls in families from across the region with live music, stilt‑walkers, balloon art, and spooky organ concert moments. Local businesses line the street, open late, and participate with treats and games — making it a true community celebration. For families who want more than just candy, it’s a lively choice.

🧙 Trick‑or‑Treating at Del Mar Highlands
📍 Del Mar Highlands Town Center
🕒 Friday, October 31 | 4pm – 6pm

Here, kids can pick up a trick‑or‑treat map at the center’s Pop Jet Fountain and follow themed stations such as Ghostly Grounds, Candy Cane Kingdom, Dino Discovery Zone, Tropical Treasure Cove, and The Enchanted Deck. This kind of themed flow turns trick‑or‑treating into a mini‑adventure. A wonderful option for families looking for something a bit different.

🌙 Bayside Boo: Spirited Night by the Bay
📍 Seaport Village
🕒 Friday, October 31 | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Set the tone for the night by heading to Seaport Village. With sweet treats, spook‑tacular decorations, and Halloween beats under the moonlight, this is a popular destination for families and teens alike. Waterfront views, festive ambiance, and candy make it an evening to remember.

🧛 Creepy Candy Crawl in La Jolla
📍 La Jolla Village
🕒 Friday, October 31 | 3 – 6pm

Join the stroll through La Jolla Village, where children can visit participating local shops (look for balloons!) and receive treats from helpful merchants. It’s a gentle way to get into the holiday fun. With beautiful neighborhood surroundings and ocean breezes, it’s a great place to combine trick‑or‑treating with a post‑candy beach stop.

🍬 Encinitas Safe Trick‑or‑Treat
📍 South Coast Highway 101
🕒 Friday, October 31 | 5pm – 8pm

The downtown strip fills with little witches and ghouls, live music in the courtyard, kids’ games, and plenty of open shops catering to families. This is a solid bet if you’re after something fun, safe and close to home — especially for younger families wanting a mellow but spirited evening.

🧁 Carmel Mountain Ranch Trick‑or‑Treat
📍 Carmel Mountain Ranch Town Center
🕒 Friday, October 31 | 3 – 5pm

Specifically for kids 12 and under dressed in costume and accompanied by an adult, this event makes it easy to snag sweet treats without long waits. Participating businesses display a bright orange pumpkin in their window — a clear sign they’re ready for trick‑or‑treaters. Great for early evening fun.

👻 Village Walk at Eastlake
📍 Eastlake, Chula Vista
🕒 Friday, October 31 | 3 – 5pm

Families can pick up free treat bags, trick‑or‑treat at participating local businesses, and parents can grab coupon booklets from the merchant community. It’s a smart blend of family fun plus support for small local operations — double win.

🕷️ Halloween at Carmel Mountain Plaza
📍 Carmel Mountain Plaza
🕒 Friday, October 31 | 3 – 5pm

This plaza combines treat‑giving with a live 80’s band (80’z All Stars), making it a hybrid of trick‑or‑treating plus mini‑concert. They even ask for a canned food donation to support the local food bank — perfect for families looking to give back while they play.

🧙‍♀️ Grossmont Center Trick‑or‑Treat Festival
📍 Grossmont Center
🕒 Friday, October 31 | 2 – 4pm

A full‑on festival with free character visits, face‑painting, games and plenty of candy for the little ghouls and their grown‑ups. This event is ideal for families who want a spectral dose of fun before the sun sets.

Don’t Miss these events in 2026! ⤵️

🎃 Halloween at the Station
📍 Liberty Station
🕒 Sunday, October 26, 2025 | 12:00pm – 4:00pm

Liberty Station transforms into a Halloween hotspot with this free, family-friendly Halloween event. Guests of all ages can enjoy live music from a DJ, explore a Hollywood car show, tackle inflatable obstacle courses, and take part in festive crafts and hands-on activities. Of course, trick or treat stations will be scattered throughout Liberty Station, offering sweet treats from participating local businesses. A highlight of the day is the costume contest, where little witches and ghouls are encouraged to show off their Halloween spirit. It’s a great place for the whole family to celebrate together.

👻 Trick-or-Treat on India Street
📍 Little Italy
🕒 Sunday, October 26, 2025 | 3:30pm – 7:30pm

This annual event in Little Italy brings back a beloved San Diego Halloween tradition. Families will love strolling along historic India Street, where kids in costume can enjoy a safe trick-or-treat experience with sweet treats from dozens of participating Little Italy businesses. It’s a fun, walkable neighborhood known for its charm — making it one of the best neighborhoods to capture Halloween photos, show off your costumes, and soak in the community vibe.

✅ Tips for Making the Most of Trick or Treating in San Diego

• Arrive early for popular events: Many spots above begin trick‑or‑treating shortly after 3pm. Arriving early gives you a better choice of parking, shorter lines, and the first picks of candy.
• Dress for comfort and weather: San Diego County nights can dip cooler than expected. Costumes + layers = happy kids.
• Bring treat bags (or use the ones provided) and remember to check participating businesses for signage (decals, pumpkins, balloons) indicating they’re part of the event.
• Know your “end time” and plan accordingly: Many events wrap by 6pm, so set an exit time so it doesn’t drag on when kids are tired.
• Take advantage of photo‑ops: Neighborhoods like Bressi Ranch and Del Sur make for great backgrounds for costumes and festive snapshots.
• Support local: Stop by the businesses hosting the treats, and maybe pick up a snack or offer gratitude — it goes a long way.
• Safety first: Stick to well‑lit areas, stay on sidewalks, and remind little ghouls to only take treats from participating merchants.

San Diego County has something for everyone this Halloween. With so many events hosted by local businesses, this is the perfect time to support your community while enjoying Halloween fun with your little ghouls.

From costume contests to haunted trails, make this October 31st a night your family won’t forget. Conversations will be had, pumpkins will glow, and the candy will flow.

🧡 Stay safe, have fun, and don’t forget to tag your crew and share the photos — because memories like these are the absolute best part of fall.

Check out these Halloween Safety Tips from our partners at Safe Kids Worldwide.