Local Halloween and Fall Festivities
October 19, 2020
The month of October has some of the spookiest attractions to offer for your Halloween and fall festivities, but with the influence of COVID-19, we didn’t really know what to expect. Luckily, most attractions in San Diego have decided to continue their operations, all while sticking to new health guidelines and regulations.
Unfortunately, some haunted attractions, like San Diego’s notorious Haunted Trails and Haunted Hotel were some of the few who were not able to open for the Fall 2020 season, given that it is hard to keep a social distanced and safe attraction that is based on group or one-on-one interaction.
That being said, Scream Zone has opened its doors to the public with their take on a safe reopening with a Drive-Thru Scream Zone: Road Kill, taking place at the Del Mar “Scaregrounds.” During this thrilling attraction, participants must stay in a vehicle at all times while wearing a mask. The Scream Zone website shared, “To comply with COVID-19 health and safety protocols, guests will experience the frights from the dis-comfort of their own automobile.” Be expected to drive through haunts like “conjuring row,” “dead end truck stop,” “clown alley,” and “zombie carnival row.” To comply with social distancing orders, tickets are most definitely limited, so by your tickets ASAP. to save yourself a spot at one of the only horror attractions open in San Diego (thescreamzone.com). Senior Jordan Stahl shared, “I love going to haunted attractions, especially with my friends. It brings me so much laughter to see them and myself get scared, which really makes the whole trip so memorable.”
Pumpkin patches are one of the more plentiful attractions that are open to the public currently. Pumpkin patches in San Diego can be found in all sizes, depending on the location and what they have to offer. Locations like the P.B. Pumpkin Patch, a smaller venue, offer great carving pumpkins, and even a free pumpkin carving area with tools, stickers, stencils, and paint kits. And of course, we can’t forget to mention a San Diego favorite, Bates Nut Farm, in Valley Center. Here to provide you with the best fall-family-friendly experience possible, providing the fun all the way till the end of November. Bates Nut Farm has so much to offer this fall, including car shows, craft fairs, a petting zoo, tractor hayrides, and a straw maze, as well as the largest and oldest pumpkin patch in San Diego County. Of course masks and social distancing are required, as they shared, “We are continuing to take every precaution in maintaining the property with all safety measures and social distancing in place. Our staff is sanitizing surfaces, washing hands, wearing face coverings, social distancing and limiting public contact as much as possible,” said Bates Nut Farm.
For the first time, Halloween Trail at Petco Park will be making an appearance. The San Diego Padres shared, “Halloween Trail at Petco Park, a socially distanced one-way Halloween-themed pumpkin patch in Gallagher Square where you will have the opportunity to visit various themed booths, collect candy and toys and partake in the spooky festivities from October 23 to November 1.” In addition to this family-friendly event, a tailgate movie night over the span of four dates will take place, featuring Halloween classics like Hocus Pocus, Psycho, and Beetlejuice. However, the movie nights specifically are for those 21-and-up only (mlb.com).
However you choose to get in the fall spirit, San Diego has an option for you! From family-friendly pumpkin patches to adrenaline-inducing attractions, San Diego businesses have made sure that such attractions are safe and fun.
