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Fright is Might in the World of Haunted Attractions
It takes courage to leap into most businesses, but it takes a fearless, burning drive to make a business of scaring the bejeebers out of people. Haunted attractions are only open for two months, requiring the rest of the year to assess new technology and trends and make updates before the following season.
While thousands of haunted attractions exist throughout the United States, few have mastered ultra-realistic, immersive scare entertainment. Some behemoths in the industry have set the bar so high that others may never achieve the standards these haunts are creating – blurring reality and putting them in another stratosphere.
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There are some similarities among the elite in the haunted universe of attractions that America Haunts has recognized as Legendary. These attractions have visionaries with ingenuity and grit to make their immersive creations in-house, and it would be challenging to replicate given the broad talents necessary in technology, mechanical and electrical engineering, construction, and costume and mask development.
The haunt industry titans are capable of entertaining thousands on a single night. Additionally, these attractions have become destination locations with a festival-like atmosphere and where it’s easy to make a night of the visit. And despite the darkness, legendary haunts follow the best safety, security, training, and scare entertainment practices.
America Haunts honors five haunted attractions in America for their legendary achievement.
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1. Haunted Hotel San Diego. Competing with many tourist destinations in California, this attraction makes a night of fright a top destination choice by offering three realistically detailed haunts on one ticket. Fans of fear can also view scares in process by the cast members outside and an oddities collection, enjoy live music, food trucks, a boo bar, and palm readers. The attraction’s hellevator stops at hotel floors to rattle souls and create memorable thrills worthy of this hotel’s five-star rating for terror and thrilling entertainment.
2. Spooky Woods Greensboro/High Point. If walking in a forest at night isn’t scary enough, the brave souls will encounter 14 buildings in the deep woods at this attraction, each with its form of terror inside. It’s especially unnerving that a soul-shaking thunderstorm with lightning, fog, and sirens warns the victims to take cover inside. Yet wherever they scramble within this 1800s abandoned town, they’ll encounter zombies. There’s also loads of entertainment, from ghost hunting and escape games to a corn maze and a zipline.
3. Bates Motel & Haunted Attractions Philadelphia. Over three decades ago, the Bates family opened trail rides and a haunted house to save the farm. More than a generation later, their adult children have specialized in various areas to refine horror entertainment. The family and staff make almost everything from the mind-blowing sets and props to the costumes and extras, like a trailer for ax throwing, escape rooms, closed coffin rides, a donut and gift shop, and a frightening frontier town haunted by hustlers and the madam.
4. Nightmare on 13th Salt Lake City. International travelers and locals alike can appreciate an extraordinarily realistic and haunting scare. While it may be an illusion, the fright is real at this haunted attraction, where 13 nightmare themes are part of one journey through this mega-sized haunt. Mortals go from swamps to abandoned parks, factories, crypts, and even time travel into the past to face evil, madness, and fright that leaves many shivering and out of breath yet a burning desire to do it again.
5. 13th Gate Baton Rouge. Going above and beyond is just the start of this haunted attraction. They multiply what the industry does by 100 to bring such ultra-realism that they leave no doubt legends are in the midst. These haunt makers get pure joy by scaring in their ever-expanding enormous sets where horror fans experience places such as an asylum, a graveyard, tunnels, and a pirate’s ship where the cast’s moves must be magic. Beyond the scaring within the Carnevil Haunted Midway, there’s live music, food, merchandise, mini-escape games, and axe throwing.
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At Vi at La Jolla Village, residents don't have to choose between security and adventure, connection and independence. They get all of it.
Today’s seniors are more connected than ever, with a renewed focus on retirement as a time of discovery and enriching experiences. The ultimate reward for a retirement well-earned is the wisdom to appreciate it all, and what better place to enjoy that unique perspective than Vi at La Jolla Village, in the heart of San Diego.
All-access pass to good living.
As a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), Vi provides access to a connected and fulfilling community while making it easy to plan for future care, should the need ever arise. With a care plan in place, residents enjoy greater financial predictability and long-term value, freeing them to focus on making the most out of retirement.
Resort-style amenities at the epicenter of a cultural hub like San Diego offer a retirement experience unlike any other. Paired with exceptional dining, spacious accommodations and dedicated staff, the best of maintenance-free living is all around. And with the introduction of Vista 360 Well-Being, Vi’s panoramic approach to wellness, there are more ways than ever for residents to access it all.
The harmony of mind, body and community.
The key to longevity is striking the right balance in maintaining an active lifestyle with an active mind in a fulfilling community. With newly renovated community spaces and restaurants, Vista brings a variety of opportunities for residents to elevate their well-being through Vi-exclusive “Signature Experiences.”
Vista Enrich takes an evidence-based approach to brain vitality, keeping residents at the forefront of cognitive health through exergaming (exercising + gaming), nutritional plans and informative workshops. It is also home to The Brain Vitality Studio, an innovative facility dedicated to cognitive fitness that has garnered national recognition.
Vista Discover invites residents into stimulating educational experiences, from chef-led cooking demos and guided wine tastings to lectures at local universities and intimate lectures following cultural outings.
While Vista Enrich focuses on brain health and Vista Discover engages residents intellectually, Vista Explore cultivates a sense of adventure through curated travel and local excursions. But broadening one’s horizons doesn’t always require a plane ticket. One recent event brought a taste of the world right to the community: an onsite “jazz cruise” featuring live music and global cuisine served at a series of themed “ports” all within the community’s own ballroom.
“Location, location, location”
One of the biggest perks of life at Vi at La Jolla Village is its proximity to just about everything. With easy access to transportation and local attractions just steps away, residents can explore and engage with their community at their own pace.
“There are trolley and bus stops within a 5-minute walk that will get you to the beach, UCSD Campus, medical appointments, downtown La Jolla or San Diego, et cetera. We rarely use our car,” said resident Tom Yager.
With the best of San Diego just steps away, residents don’t just live in the city, they live within reach of everything that makes it special.
The best of all worlds.
At Vi at La Jolla Village, retirement isn’t a chapter to slow down; it’s an invitation to discover more. Tailored community experiences created by Vista, paired with the vibrant pulse of San Diego just outside the door, mean that residents don’t have to choose between security and adventure, connection and independence. They get all of it.
This is what an all-access pass to good living looks like: the comforts of an elevated lifestyle, a community built for growth and a city made for discovery – all in one place.
To learn more about Vi at La Jolla Village or for details on available floor plans, visit ViatLaJollaVillage.com/SDM.
Scripps electrophysiologists not only deliver the latest therapies, they help develop them
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common cardiac dysrhythmia, affecting more than 10 million people in the U.S. The condition, characterized by an irregular and often rapid heartbeat, raises the risk of stroke, heart failure and death. Advances in electrophysiology, a subspecialty of cardiology focused on the heart’s electrical system, are transforming how AFib and other dysrhythmias are diagnosed and treated. Scripps electrophysiologists use state-of-the-art therapies—some of which they helped develop. They were instrumental in the pre-FDA approval research for an effective new treatment, pulsed field ablation, and are on the forefront of other innovative treatments. Click here to learn more.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
An innovative spinal procedure helps a marathon runner go the distance
A relatively new therapy called basivertebral nerve ablation (BVN) that uses radiofrequency to effectively burn the nerve pain away gave marathon runner and single dad Kenny Lopez his life back. Kenny suffered a debilitating injury in April 2024, while lifting his toddler out of his car seat. He described the pain as nothing he’d experienced before. While looking for an effective treatment option, Kenny met Scripps Clinic physiatrist and interventional pain specialist Kevin “Buzz” Barrette, MD, who recommended BVN. After some hesitation and pushing through the pain during two marathons, Kenny was ready to give it a try. He underwent the BVN procedure in October and relief was nearly instantaneous. Click here to read more about the procedure and how it helped Kenny hit the ground running.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
San Diego Magazine's Private School Guide 2026
NewBridge School is San Diego’s only school dedicated to the education of students with dyslexia and related learning profiles. For 30 years we have successfully served students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, receptive/expressive language disorders, ADHD, executive functioning and memory deficits. Students transition successfully into academically rigorous high schools and colleges across the country. Why NewBridge? Training, training, training (plus intensive individualization, and comprehensive program design). All teachers are trained and retrained biennially in Orton-Gillingham, the only approach proven to remediate dyslexia based on Science of Reading research, and complete a year-long training program. Every aspect of our program is designed around our students’ learning styles and needs. Every class is taught by a highly-trained expert, and our Speech/Language and Occupational Therapy teams embed throughout the day. Our multisensory, multi-tiered math program has been developed in conjunction with sister schools and experts across the country. Don’t wait—early intervention is magic!
Enrollment: 100
Grades: K – 8
Tuition: $30,000
Deadline: Rolling
Gender: All-inclusive
Details Nonsectarian
Open House Tours by appointment
12285 Oak Knoll Road • Poway, California 92064
858-679-5744 • [email protected] • thenewbridgeschool.com
San Diego Magazine's Private School Guide Fall 2026
The Children’s School (TCS) is an independent school in La Jolla working with students from toddler through eighth grade. Rooted in the belief that every child has unique strengths and limitless potential, TCS provides a joyful, challenging education that inspires curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. Experienced teachers know each student well and create meaningful opportunities for academic, social, and emotional growth through personalized instruction and hands-on, interdisciplinary learning. A culture of respect, inclusion, and collaboration encourages students to ask questions, take thoughtful risks, and develop a strong sense of responsibility to one another and the world around them. At TCS, learning extends beyond the classroom through meaningful connections with the local community and natural environment. Graduates leave TCS with a strong academic foundation, a sense of purpose, and the character to thrive in high school and beyond as engaged learners, compassionate leaders, and thoughtful citizens.
Enrollment: 240
Grades: Toddler – Grade 8
Tuition: $10,800 – $34,000
Deadline: Priority Application & Tuition Assistance for new students: Feb. 1, 2027
Gender: All-inclusive
Details Progressive, independent school. No religious affiliation
Open House Oct. 27, 2026
2225 Torrey Pines Lane • La Jolla, California 92037
858-454-0184 • [email protected] • tcslj.org
Laika Nur, MD, takes her love of volleyball from the court to the clinic as team physician for the San Diego Mojo
Growing up, Laika Nur, MD, Scripps Clinic sports medicine specialist, loved watching beach volleyball when the Association of Volleyball Professionals tour came to her hometown of Chicago. A talented volleyball player herself, she remembers sitting in the stands all day, and once, even got a couple autographs. Years later, Dr. Nur was attending a professional event focused on women’s sports, and the discussion turned to a new professional women’s volleyball league. The general manager and coaching staff for San Diego’s team, the Mojo, happened to be in attendance, and Dr. Nur took the opportunity to ask them if they needed a team doctor. Flash forward to the Mojo’s inaugural 2024 season, when Dr. Nur officially became the team physician. Click here to read more about Dr. Nur and how she incorporates lessons she learned on the court into her practice.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
