Falling for Autumn: 31 days of fall & Halloween fun

fall leaves

Talk about bushels of excitement! I love fall—yes, even in San Diego—it’s my favorite season of the year! Perhaps you have family-favorite fall traditions already, but if not, we’re here to help. Look over this list of fall and Halloween fun throughout San Diego County and choose a few activities to do this year. You’ll be harvesting good family memories in no time. Happy fall, ya’ll!

Watch a spectacular sunset. October skies in San Diego County are not to be missed. Put it on the calendar!
Plan a fun fall evening under the stars! Tell spooky stories around a fire pit and make s’mores.
BOO your neighbors! Participate in this kind-hearted activity by leaving surprise treats for friends. Get instructions and free printable “You’ve Been Boo’d” signs here!
Attend San Diego Family Magazine’s Halloween Fun Fest on Oct. 19, 2025.
Take a trip to a local pumpkin patch, such as Pumpkin Station (five locations throughout the county), Family Christmas Tree Farm Pumpkin Patch in El Cajon or Carlsbad Pumpkin Patch. Many pumpkin patches offer additional fall activities such as tractor hay rides, petting zoos and more. Here’s our full list of pumpkin patches.
After taking home the perfect pumpkin, invite friends over, choose a pumpkin pattern (or free hand) and start carving. For a less messy option, consider painting or decorating only the outside of the pumpkins. Here you’ll find great no-carve pumpkin decorating ideas.
Head to Julian for a day of apple or pear picking! See which local orchards still have fruit available at www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/seasonal-happenings/apple-picking-san-diego. Then, visit our Apple Recipe Round-Up for ideas on how to transform your newly picked bounty.
Organize a neighborhood Halloween Bingo Scavenger Hunt using our free, printable version online. The first person to locate five items in a row wins!
Whip up some delicious hot chocolate and offer marshmallow ghosts, whipped cream, caramel drizzle or small candies to top it. Feeling ambitious? Learn to make spooky eyeball cocoa bombs at https://theseasidebaker.com/eyeball-hot-cocoa-bombs.
Gather your “boo crew” for a kid-friendly movie night. “Hotel Transylvania,” “The Addams Family,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and “Hocus Pocus” are family-friendly movie options. For a Día de Muertos celebration, watch the movie “Coco.”
In the mood for fall baking? Find delicious pumpkin recipes—pies, breads, milkshakes, mac ‘n’ cheese and more—in our round-up of Pumpkiny Goodness.
Spend the day in Julian and do all things fall: tour a gold mine, visit farm animals, get fresh apple cider from the Julian Cider Mill or indulge in freshly baked apple dumplings. Stop at Dudley’s Bread for lunch on the way up the mountain. Photo credit: @SanDiegoFamilyAdventures
Families with kids ages 13+ might consider taking the Old Town Trolley Ghost Tour to learn about San Diego’s haunted past.
Do some crafting! We have lots of fun, festive craft projects on our website for Hispanic Heritage Month, fall and Halloween.
Gather the little ones for some fun and educational fall games. Ideas are in our article, Learning with Pumpkins.
Plan a day to make no-bake treats with the kids! Visit The Seaside Baker website for seven ways to decorate Oreos for Halloween.
Buy the season’s most delicious fruits of the fall season—including persimmons, pears and pomegranates—at local farmers markets.
Decorate your door for Halloween. Follow our instructions HERE for a playful, easy mummy door or choose the more advanced “Fear the Waking Dead” theme.
Create a fun themed family costume, dress up and take photos. Not sure where to start? Get inspired by these awesome family costumes from San Diego residents.
Take advantage of the season’s crisp air and fall colors by going on a local hike. Find tips for hiking with kids at www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/out-about/tips-for-hiking-with-kids.
Plan a family getaway -- go tent camping or secure a wilderness cabin at a San Diego County Park. Find info at www.sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/buttons/CampingButton.html.
Participate in a scarecrow contest. Check dates for Alta Vista Botanical Gardens and Bates Nut Farm.
Rally the neighbors for a harvest block party or progressive dinner. Think chili and cornbread, warm and cozy fall casseroles or sheet pan meals. Serve hot apple cider in a crock pot. Consider adding these 13 super fun Halloween games for kids to the festivities.
Watch a game together. Fall and football go hand in hand. Even if you’re not a fan, I’ll bet you could commit to some pretty epic snacks.
Take advantage of all the Kids Free in October deals going on throughout the county. Learn more at https://www.sandiego.org/c/kids-free.
Create a Halloween-themed sensory bin for preschoolers. Pour rice into a large container, then mix in small treasures such as plastic ghosts, skeletons, spider rings and pumpkins.
In preparation for Día de los Muertos (Nov. 1 & 2), make nichos to honor loved ones who have passed away. Find directions and other Day of the Dead craft projects here.
Make Halloween treat boxes or bags for classmates, friends or neighbors. Print free, festive bag labels for Spooky S’mores, Jack-o-Lantern Teeth or Ghost Poop or find instructions for adorable DIY witch, ghost, cat and candy corn treat boxes HERE. Photo credit: Alyssa Navapanich
Plan ahead for what to do with all your Halloween candy. Read 12 Ways to “Give Back” Halloween Candy for ideas.
Grab a buddy and make your way through a straw maze or corn maze in San Diego.
Want to know what’s going on around San Diego County? Check out our round-up of Spooktacular Halloween & Fall Activities at www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/seasonal-happenings/halloween-and-fall-activities-san-diego.