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.
Want to add your business or seasonal experience to the Ultimate Guide to Fall & the Holidays? Click here to learn more.
Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll find in each section of the guide.
Looking for something specific? Use the links below to jump straight to the fall fun you’re looking for! Explore Fall Events for local festivals, fairs, and seasonal happenings, head to our Pumpkin Patch Guide for the best spots for pumpkins, hayrides, farm fun, and family photo ops, or browse Halloween Events for kid-friendly trick-or-treating, spooky fun, and community celebrations throughout San Diego.
Click the buttons to navigate to that part 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 feature your Fall or Halloween themed event Click the link to submit your event to our community calendar!
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory presented by San Diego Junior Theatre
📆 October 23, 2026–November 8, 2026
📍 Casa del Prado Theatre
The world-famous Willy Wonka is opening the gates to his mysterious factory, but only to a lucky few. Young Charlie Bucket and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a life-changing journey through Wonka’s world of pure imagination including chocolate waterfalls, nutty squirrels and the great glass elevator, all to be revealed by Wonka’s army of curious Oompa-Loompas. Based on the famous novel by Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory features an original score composed by Marc Shaiman and contains songs from the motion picture including “The Candy Man,” “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket,” “Oompa Loompa Song,” and “Pure Imagination.”
- Pajama Night is Friday, October 30 at 7pm.
- PLUS! Will you be the lucky patron who finds the golden ticket at your performance? Get your tickets to the show and find out!
- ASL-Interpreted performance ASL-Interpreted performance on Saturday, November 7 at 2pm.
All ages are welcome | Anticipated running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes, including intermission. | Groups of 15 or more get $16 tickets with code GRP79 at checkout. Must purchase a minimum of 15 tickets for discount to apply.
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Poway Fall Festival
Vista’s First Dia de Los Muertos Family Festival
Harvest on the Promenade
26th Annual Fall Back Festival
Día de los Muertos Celebration
Santee Lakes Spooktacular and Trunk-or-Treat
SDPD Western Division: Trunk or Treat
Trunk or Treat x Newbreak Tierrasanta
Bayside Boo – Spirited Night by the Bay
San Diego Halloween Party Cruise
Check out the Top Places to Trick-or-Treat in San Diego: 2026
Family-Friendly Events in September & October
San Diego Restaurant Week at Oceana Coastal Kitchen
KPBS Kids Event: Daniel Tiger
Girls in Aviation Day
McDonald’s of Southern California Presents ‘Noches de Lucha Libre’
Fun Animal Friday: Foxes
McDonald’s of Southern California Presents ‘Noches de Lucha Libre’
FREE Back-to-School Community Event
San Diego VegFest
KFW SoCal 6th Annual Fashion Show – THE EDIT
Fall Family Portrait – Mini sessions
Wildfire Preparedness Safety Fair
Jimbo’s Garden Workshop: Strawberry Banana Snake
San Diego Oktoberfest Party Cruise
Art Glass Guild Show and Sale
Vista’s First Dia de Los Muertos Family Festival
Nanotechnology 2026
2nd International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics
International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics 2026
International Nursing Leadership Conference 2026 USA
Harvest on the Promenade
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of San Diego 5K
Celebrate the Craft at The Lodge at Torrey Pines
10th Annual National Cannabis Research Conference (NCRC) In Conjunction with the National Interdisciplinary Cannabis Symposium (NICS)
MT@ISB Presents THE WIZARD OF OZ
An Evening with Celtic Thunder 2026: Celebrate your Favorite Songs
World Congress on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
World Congress on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Neuroscience 2026
Mental Health 2026
4th International Conference on Diabetes, Obesity, Dietetics and Endocrinology 2027
Events
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Fall Family Portrait – Mini sessions
Fall holiday minis are live, specific locations and times are available, spots do fill up and link in the below. https://book.usesession.com/s/e1_YVdgWNz
$400
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
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.
