Halloween in San Diego: Spooky Haunted Houses, Trails, and Mazes

Spooky Adventures in San Diego County for Halloween 2025

As the days grow shorter and the air turns cooler, San Diego County transforms into a hub of eerie excitement with a variety of haunted attractions. From interactive mazes to outdoor trails, these experiences offer both entertainment and education, perfect for those seeking a thrilling Halloween celebration.

Fright for Future: A Haunted Maze with a Message

Fright for Future is an interactive haunted maze that goes beyond just scares. Designed to raise awareness about environmental and social issues, this attraction educates visitors on topics such as pollution, animal abuse, and climate change. The maze features 20 interactive activations, including a biohazard unit, a butcher shop, a poacher camp, and a witch’s cauldron. This year, new additions include themes on tech-known terrors, the harm of processed foods, the influence of big tobacco, and the pain caused by pharmaceutical companies. It is recommended for those aged 10 and older, and students can enter for free with a school ID. The event runs from October 17-19 and 24-26 at 3720 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, with tickets priced at $10.

Haunted Amusement Park: A Trip Through the Past

The Haunted Amusement Park offers a unique blend of nostalgia and horror. Visitors can navigate a one-mile trail filled with spooky attractions like a spinning vortex tunnel, a haunted manor, a graveyard, a zombie land, and a spider's cave. The attraction is built on the old grounds of Marshal Scotty’s Playland in East County, featuring 1960s carnival rides such as a roller coaster, bumper cars, and a Ferris wheel. The event takes place from September 26-28 and October 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 23-26, 30-31, and November 1 at 14011 Ridge Hill Road, El Cajon. Tickets range from $25 to $30.

Haunted Corn Maze: A Terrifying Field Experience

The Haunted Corn Maze, located at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company, transforms strawberry fields into a terrifying labyrinth. This attraction, supported by the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, is recommended for teenagers and adults. A portion of the proceeds from the maze benefits the foundation. The event runs every Friday and Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. starting October 3 through November 1 at 1050 Cannon Road, Carlsbad. Tickets are priced between $40 and $60.

The Haunted Forest: A Night Under the Stars

The Haunted Forest in Banner Ranch offers a half-mile outdoor trek through ghosts and graveyards. The experience includes gory content, strobe lights, and spooky sounds. Visitors can also spend the night at the forest, which features tiny houses, covered wagons, and camping sites. Food, cider, and beer will be available for purchase, and guests are encouraged to wear costumes. The event runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from September 26 to November 1 at 36342 California 78, Julian, with tickets ranging from $13 to $15.

Haunted Trail: Two Experiences in Balboa Park

Balboa Park hosts one of San Diego’s largest Halloween experiences with the Haunted Trail. The eXperiment Maze offers a 3,500 square foot space filled with twists and turns through various spooky encounters, including childhood fairy tales remixed in Halloween-themed costumes like “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” The Haunted Trail takes visitors outdoors through a path with dense fog and several haunting installations, including zombies, a ghoul bus, a graveyard filled with ghosts, and chainsaw maniacs. The event runs from September 26 through November 1 at Balboa Drive and Juniper Road, San Diego, with tickets priced between $34.99 and $49.99.

SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream: A Haunted Playground

SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream returns for its fifth year, transforming the theme park into a haunted playground. Guests can explore eight scare zones, including a graveyard, a carnival of chaos, and five haunted houses. The event also features music, live entertainment stages, themed bars, speakeasies, and certain amusement park rides. The event runs on select nights through November 1, with ticket prices ranging from $44.99 to $144.99.