Freaky Food
Celebrate Halloween Peanuts style with The Great Pumpkin Waffle. This seasonal treat is made with a signature blend of brown sugar, cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground cloves, and topped with toasted pecans and fresh whipped cream.
Date: October 31
Price: $10.75
222 Island Avenue, Downtown
Put your investigative skills to the test this Halloween at a spooky Murder Mystery Dinner. The event will include a chef-curated, prix-fixe menu, as well as a special punch bowl made for the occasion. Attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite musical artist from any era, and dinner themes include “Who Killed Biggie?” and “Who Killed Tupac?”
Date: October 29–31
Price: $50
1953 India Street, Little Italy
The modern donut shop will be teaming up with Kettner Exchange to present a “Murder Mystery” dining experience in collaboration with Murder Mystery Co. San Diego. The meal will include five courses prepared by Chef de Cuisine Nick DeVries with drink pairings by beverage director Steven Tuttle. Look for Halloween-themed plates, like Zom-baos with tenderbelly pork, coleslaw, and crispy onion; spooky Rat Tails, a Maine lobster dish topped with wild mushrooms; and the “It’s the Great Pumpkin” main course with braised short rib and roasted root vegetables. End the meal on a sweet note with the Haunted Graveyard, a chocolate, pumpkin, and caramel delight.
Date: October 31
Price: $125
2001 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy
At Nightmare on Mission Avenue, a portion of proceeds will benefit Casa de Amparo, supporting those affected by child abuse. Enjoy DJ-spun tunes from 9 p.m. to midnight. Cash and prizes will be given out for best costume and runner-up. Snack on a number of festive items added to their food and drink menus for the evening by Chef William Eick and bar manager Guy Marino.
Date: October 31
711 Mission Avenue, Oceanside
Kids 12 and under get one complimentary ice cream when they visit the restaurant on Halloween wearing a costume.
Date: October 31
6955 El Camino Real, Carlsbad
Creep into any of their San Diego locations to taste their Spooktacular Ramen, made with black noodles, original vegetable-soy based broth, an Impossible Meat Patty (vegan with the aroma and taste of beef), baby spinach, arugula, cherry tomatoes, and kabocha squash. Their Mercury Street location is also getting in the spirit with their Witches Brew, a sweet and sour punch concocted with berries and citrus, spiked with rum and orange liqueurs.
Date: October 27–31
Price: $15
Various locations
Family Frights
Indulge in Halloween festivities throughout October with free trick-or-treating and family costume contests. Enjoy the Spooky Coaster, Zombie Laser Tag, and Pirates Cove Mini Golf. The fun continues through November with Fall Fest as Belmont Park partners with San Diego Food Bank to offer a free ride with a donation of five canned food items, pie-eating contests, and more.
Date: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through October 28, October 31, and Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in November
Time: 5 p.m.
3146 Mission Boulevard, Mission Beach
In partnership with Liberty Station, San Diego Comic Art Gallery, Comickaze, and the Arts District Liberty Station, this family-friendly Halloween celebration will offer trick-or-treating throughout Liberty Station while enjoying music, live entertainment, a pumpkin photo area, and other festive frights. Liberty Public Market will be shaking up seasonal cocktails at Mess Hall Bar as well as spotlighting a pumpkin patch for Insta-worthy fall photos.
Date: October 28
Time: Noon–4 p.m.
2820 Historic Decatur Road, Liberty Station
Enjoy spooky fun for the whole family with carnival games, arts and crafts, music, refreshments, and more. The costume contest is open to both children and families in three categories: Best Child Costume, Best Parent/Kid Duo, and Most Creative. All proceeds raised will benefit Angels Foster Family Network, a nonprofit dedicated to creating safe, stable homes for infants and toddlers throughout San Diego County.
Date: October 27
Time: 2–4 p.m.
7510-7610 Hazard Center Drive, Mission Valley
Dress the whole family up for a spooky celebration this Halloween season at Corvette Diner. Start the day with some trick-or-treating, enjoy ghoulishly good music from a ‘50s Fright Night DJ, let the little ones go crazy with temporary tattoos and balloon animals, and be ready for a frighteningly fun costume contest at 2 p.m. where three lucky winners will win prizes.
Date: October 28
Time: 11 a.m.
2965 Historic Decatur Road, Liberty Station
At this open-air eatery and lounge in Carlsbad, kids can enjoy screenings of Halloween movies including the kid-friendly Casper at 6 p.m. and Beetlejuice right after. All week long, guests 21 and older can sip autumn-centric cocktails, like the October Sky, made with vodka, whisky, apple cider, cinnamon, and lemon.
Date: October 31
Time: 6 p.m.
3040 Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad
Take it to the top this Halloween with a one-of-a-kind outdoor movie experience atop the Manchester Grand Hyatt, offering stunning views of the city. Enjoy Halloween classics including Beetlejuice October 26, Hocus Pocus October 27, and Halloween October 31. Sit back in a comfy single deck chair and cozy blanket, coupled with a brew or wine, popcorn, or elevated movie fare like poke nachos or carne asada nachos. Plus, every guest gets headphones so you can hear the movie in the great outdoors.
Date: October 26, 27, and 31
Price: From $17
1 Market Place, Downtown
Scary Sips
At this new distillery and tasting room, guests can try the seasonal Pumpkin Spice Boozy Milkshake for $14. The blood of the Scorpion will be $9 all week, crafted with 619 Scorpion Pepper Vodka and blood orange and grapefruit juice.
3015 Lincoln Avenue, North Park
Rancho Bernardo Inn’s signature restaurant has conjured up a spooky fig specialty cocktail this year made with Maker’s Mark whiskey, fig and rosemary syrup, and charred smoking rosemary to garnish.
Date: Through October 31
Price: $12
17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive, Rancho Bernardo
Celebrate All Hallow’s Eve with a specialty cocktail, Speak of the Devil. The cocktail is a combination of dark rum, fresh lime juice, fresh grapefruit juice, Luxardo Maraschino liqueur, Orgeat syrup, and activated charcoal, garnished with grapefruit peel and Luxardo Maraschino cherry.
Date: October 31
Price: $11.50
2202 Fourth Avenue, Bankers Hill
The French restaurant in Kensington is whipping up a Jacques-O-Lantern cocktail made with Absolut vanilla vodka, Baileys Irish cream, and pumpkin spice liqueur, garnished with a dash of five-spice powder.
Date: October 31
Price: $14
4090 Adams Avenue, Kensington
This low-key eatery will be offering their Halloween-themed Ghoul Mule, concocted with Jameson Whiskey, fresh lime, bitters, and Red Bull Organics Ginger Ale, garnished with an eyeball gumball for the occasion.
Date: Through October 31
Price: $7
1030 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach
New English Brewing Co., a local San Diego brewery, will be featuring their Bloody Orange IPA, while kids can look forward to picking out some candy, so it’s the perfect affair for the whole family.
Date: October 31
Time: 5 p.m.
Price: $7.50
1110 Rosecrans Street, Point Loma
Harrah’s Resort Southern California
Enjoy one limited-edition spooky cocktail at the Funner, California resort. For a taste of something spooky, dare to try the Ghostarita, a blend of Ghost Tequila, Triple Sec, and topped off with blood orange syrup, lime juice, and a black salted rim. Seasonal brews also abound at SR76 Beerworks with the SR76 Blueberry Saison and the SR76 Oktoberfest.
Date: Through October 31
777 Harrah’s Rincon Way, Funner
Revel in a “Haunted House Spirits” Halloween pop-up featuring Erin Hayes, Brooke Arthur, and Andrew Calisterio of House Spirits Distillery. Guests can sip a selection of creepy cocktails including a Spooky Old Fashioned featuring House Spirit’s Westward American single malt whisky, vanilla rooibos syrup, and baked apple bitters.
Date: October 29
Time: 8 p.m.–midnight
4130 Park Boulevard, University Heights
At this island-style bar, sip themed cocktails such as The Thing, a shareable punch served in an iron cauldron with dry ice and a disembodied hand. They will also have the Voodoo Zombie, a cocktail made with activated charcoal and Juneshine’s hard kombucha Midnight Painkiller.
Date: October 29–November 4
Time: 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
3704 Mission Boulevard, Mission Beach
Mustangs and Burros at Estancia La Jolla
The hacienda-style resort honors Dia de los Muertos with festive cocktails at its signature restaurant. Curated by bartender Cory Jacklyn, the dining concept will offer six themed cocktails that play on the hotel’s Baja roots, as well as the culinary team’s annual “pilgrimage” to Jalisco, Mexico to hand-select barrels of Herradura tequila for the cocktail menu. Libations include the Bloody Maria, Dante’s Inferno, Manzana del Diablo, Devil’s Share, Angel’s Share, and GhoStreet.
Date: October 26–November 2
9700 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla
Get in the Halloween spirit with two festive cocktails: the Eye Candy and the Jack-O’-Fashioned, created by Primavera bartender Troy Bailey. The Eye Candy is made with Bulleit bourbon, Saint Germain, fresh lemon, ginger beer, and a float of bitters garnished with an edible eyeball made with a blueberry-stuffed lychee. The Jack-O’-Fashioned takes a seasonal twist on the classic Old Fashioned, made with Maker’s Mark bourbon, Demerara and orange bitters, garnished with an orange wheel, and lime zest fashioned to look like a pumpkin.
Date: October 31
Price: $12
932 Orange Avenue, Coronado
Eerie Events & Parties
Prefer joysticks over Pixy Stix on Halloween? Head to the Backyard Barcade, a video game-themed night that includes nostalgic, gaming-inspired décor. Enjoy $6 shot specials, as well as a costume contest at 8 p.m. for Sexiest, Most Original, and Best Group/Couple costumes.
Date: October 31
Time: 11 a.m.
832 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach
Head downtown to relive your favorite childhood stories—but with a different ending. Will Little Red Riding Hood escape the wolf? What happens to Jack and Jill after they fall down the hill? The festivities will include a DJ, entertainers, and plenty of dancing.
Date: October 31
Time: 10 p.m.
600 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp
In the spirit of Halloween, The Pearl Hotel’s eatery is putting on their annual Pumpkin Carving Contest, with contestants competing for a one-night stay at the Point Loma hotel. Attendees will receive a pumpkin to carve (plus all of the supplies) and a seasonal cocktail by Bar Manager TJ Majeske to enjoy while watching a Halloween-themed movie projected on the hotel’s poolside big screen. Second place winners will receive Happy Hour for Four Guests and third place winners will receive 2 Burgers and 2 Beer Flights.
Date: October 23
Time: 7–9 p.m.
Price: $15
1410 Rosecrans Street, Point Loma
Wear your best costume and join in on this party full of spooky surroundings at the Hotel del Coronado annual bash. This year’s theme is Legendary Screams from the Silver Screen, with a separate Kids Halloween Party during the event.
Date: October 27
Price: $155 (regular) $2,000 (VIP Lounge Tickets, including 6 attendee tickets)
1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado
Celebrate Halloween and a special birthday party with Paws on the Patio: Hyatt Hound’s 3rd Birthday Party. Expect a Halloween doggy costume contest with prizes for first, second, and third places and snack on food and drinks while benefitting the Rancho Coastal Human Society. The event will donate 20 percent of restaurant proceeds to the nonprofit. Happy hour with half-off appetizers, $6 draft beers, select wines, and cocktails will be available. Furry guests can even experience a true taste of San Diego’s popular craft beer scene with Your Best Buds Brew, offering special dog-friendly craft beer.
Date: October 28
Time: 1–4 p.m.
1 Market Place, Downtown
Enjoy a “Day of the Dead Party” as the club partners with Espolon Tequila to transform PB’s top party destination into a haunted house and backlight party. Look forward to sugar skull face painters and drink specials throughout the night. Costumes are strongly encouraged.
Date: October 31
Time: 7 p.m.–2 a.m.
860 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach
Kick off Halloween weekend with a block party and costume competition! This 26th annual Halloween celebration benefits San Diego LGBT Community Center and Hillcrest Business Association. Enjoy late night live entertainment, a costume competition runway, outdoor bars, and the best people watching in all of San Diego.
Date: October 27
Time: 6–11 p.m.
Price: Varies
Pride Plaza on Normal Street, Hillcrest
At the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa’s Rum Social, dine on small plates paired with “Cannibal Colada” libations, then show off your eye patches and creative attire during a pirate costume contest with a chance to win a prize. The Catamaran’s parrot resident, Chadwick, will also be in attendance and available for pictures. Keep the p-ARRRR-ty going with a cruise aboard the William D. Evans sternwheeler. At 7:30 p.m., Rum Social guests receive complimentary boarding on the Halloween cruise featuring multiple floors of DJs and drink specials.
Date: October 31
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Price: $35
3999 Mission Boulevard, Mission Beach
Join in on the Halloween festivities with this Party Under the Stars Halloween bash. Enjoy $5 drink specials, glam décor, and a costume contest for the best-dressed Hollywood star on October 28. Date: October 28 and 31
Time: 5 p.m.
721 Grand Avenue, Pacific Beach
At the original Miramar tasting room, Saint Archer’s Halloween Party will be celebrating their newest release: Citra 7 IPA. There will be food trucks, trivia, a Halloween costume contest, and specials on Citra 7 IPA, the new limited hop varietal Idaho 7 with the classic Citra.
Date: October 31
Time: 4 p.m.–close
9550 Distribution Avenue, Miramar
Follow the “second star to the right and straight on till morning” to find the Haunted Never-Never Land Halloween celebration. Special themed food and drinks will be available throughout the night, all of which will be based off a creepy version of Peter Pan’s Never-Never Land Island. Dance to the beats of a live DJ and don’t forget your costume.
Date: October 27
Time: 8 p.m.–close
555 Market Street, Gaslamp
Prepare for a Night to Dismember with a prom-themed Halloween party brooding with spooky allure for those who love a good slasher film, featuring spiked punch and a DJ spinning all night.
Date: October 27
Time: 10 p.m.
1108 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas
Don your finest masquerade outfit this Halloween and make your way to the Masquerade Karaoke Ball, where they’re awarding a Best Dressed Singer of the night. The event will also include $3 shots and drink specials for the occasion.
Date: October 31
Time: 9:30 p.m.
333 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp
Six blocks in East Village will transform for one spooky night this Halloween with immersive Halloween activations, cocktails, $5,000 costume contests, top DJs from around the world, and more.
Date: October 27
Time: 6 p.m.–midnight
Price: $35–$90
East Village
San Diego Halloween Guide 2018
