Halloween 2026 · San Diego

Haunted houses in San Diego

12 places, each confirmed for 2026 on its own website. Updated Oct 9.

Haunted houses & scream parks 4 Haunted trails, hayrides & corn mazes 2 Ghost tours & haunted history 5 Not too scary 1

Haunted housesTrails & hayridesGhost toursNot too scary

If you only do one scary thing in San Diego, I'd make it Howl-O-Scream San Diego at SeaWorld: six haunted houses, scare zones and coasters running in the dark. Single-night tickets start at $45.99. Heads up: a dedicated entrance opens at 6 p.m., an hour before the event starts, so get there early. For something rougher, The Haunted Amusement Park in El Cajon is a one-mile walk through an old amusement park with blackout zones, strobes and a slaughterhouse. Closed-toe shoes only.

Old Town is the ghost story hub. Most of the tours circle El Campo Santo Cemetery and the Whaley House, which gets billed as America's Most Haunted House. That's a big claim. Whaley House Ghost Tours take you inside starting at $20, but the evening tour isn't for kids under 13. Got younger kids? A couple of the Old Town walks are pitched as family-friendly, and the Spooky Campover at Lions Tigers & Bears in Alpine lets you camp overnight next to rescued big cats and bears. Bring your own tent.

Haunted houses & scream parks

SeaWorld's six-house Halloween event is the heavyweight, and everything else is a lot smaller.

Howl-O-Scream San Diego

San Diego, CA · 5 mi from San Diego

👻👻👻👻👻 Terrifying

Dates: Sep 11 – Oct 31, 2026
Prices: Any Night Ticket 2-Pack: tickets as low as $44.99 each, minimum purchase of 2. Single-Night Ticket: prices starting at $45.99. Any Night Ticket: $59.99.…
Ages: Intended for adults, children under 18 admitted

Separately ticketed nighttime Halloween event with haunted houses, scare zones, and coasters.

Tip: Arrive early to enter through the dedicated entrance starting at 6:00 p.m., an hour before the event officially opens at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets Official site

Vista Fright Night

Vista, CA · 34 mi from San Diego

👻👻👻👻 Very scary

Dates: Fri, Oct 30, 2026
Ages: All ages

Downtown trick-or-treating, costume contests, and a community haunted house.

Tip: Tickets for the haunted house can be purchased the night of the event at The Avo Ticket Box.

Official site

Whaley House Haunted Evening Tour

San Diego, CA · 3 mi from San Diego

👻👻👻 Scary

Dates: Confirmed for 2026. Nights are on their calendar.
Prices: Adults $20 (ages 13+); children $20 (ages 4–12; not recommended for children under 13).
Takes: Approximately 30–40 minutes.

Guided nighttime tour through America's Most Haunted House and grounds.

Tip: Check in at least 20 minutes before your scheduled start time, as late check-in may forfeit reserved entry.

Tickets Official site

Fright for Future: Haunted Maze

San Diego, CA · 4 mi from San Diego

👻👻👻 Scary

Dates: Oct 16 – Oct 25, 2026
Prices: Free
Ages: Recommended for ages 10 and up

Haunted maze spotlighting real-world issues facing people, the planet, and animals.

Tip: The event is recommended for visitors ages 10 and older.

Tickets

Haunted trails, hayrides & corn mazes

A one-mile walk through an old amusement park and a 16+ corn maze in Carlsbad.

The Haunted Amusement Park

El Cajon, CA · 18 mi from San Diego

👻👻👻👻👻 Terrifying

Dates: Sep 25 – Nov 1, 2026
Prices: VIP front-of-line options: General admission price +$25; General admission price +$15; Starting at $25*. Prices vary by night. Credit card payment adds…
Ages: Not recommended for pregnant individuals, those with heart issues, babies, toddlers, or strollers.
Takes: The trail is one mile long; no visit duration is stated.

One-mile haunted walk set at the historic Marshal Scotty's Playland.

Tip: Closed-toed shoes are required; high heels, flip-flops, and sandals are not permitted on the rough outdoor terrain.

Official site

Haunted Corn Maze

Carlsbad, CA · 31 mi from San Diego

👻👻👻 Scary

Dates: Oct 2 – Oct 31, 2026
Ages: 16+

Spooky nighttime maze created with the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation.

Tip: Tickets are walk-in only and can only be purchased in person at the stand.

Official site

Ghost tours & haunted history

Old Town walks, a trolley tour and a 21+ pub crawl, and most of them stop at the Whaley House.

Ghosts & Goblets: San Diego's Haunted Pub Crawl

San Diego, CA · 0 mi from San Diego

👻👻👻 Scary

Dates: Tours run on set nights. Pick one on their calendar.
Prices: $70.00
Ages: 21+ only

Explore 3 haunted bars with themed drinks and ghost stories.

Tip: Do not bring outside food or drinks, and keep up with the group to avoid being left behind.

Tickets Official site

Whaley House Ghost Tours

San Diego, CA · 3 mi from San Diego

👻👻👻 Scary

Dates: Tours run on set nights. Pick one on their calendar.
Prices: From $20.00.
Ages: Not suitable for children under 13 (Evening Tour); Minors must be accompanied by an adult for all tours.
Takes: Approximately 30 to 40 minutes.

Narrated evening tour exploring the dark history of America's Most Haunted House.

Tip: Check in at the gift shop at least 20 minutes before your scheduled tour, as late arrival can result in forfeited entry.

Tickets Official site

Ghosts & Gravestones San Diego Tour

San Diego, CA · 3 mi from San Diego

👻👻 A little spooky

Dates: Tours run on set nights. Pick one on their calendar.
Prices: From $41.65. The page also advertises “Book Early and Save 15%.”.
Ages: Not recommended for children under 13
Takes: The ticket description calls it a 90-minute experience; the schedule section says it is 95 minutes long.

Nighttime trolley and walking tour exploring San Diego's dark and haunted history.

Tip: Wear comfortable walking shoes suited for rough, uneven terrain and cobblestones over a half-mile walk.

Tickets Official site

Old Town San Diego Haunted Ghost & Dark History Walking Tour

San Diego, CA · 3 mi from San Diego

👻👻 A little spooky

Dates: Tours run on set nights. Pick one on their calendar.
Ages: Family-friendly (at parent's discretion due to dark history)
Takes: About 90 minutes.

Exclusive access inside Heritage Park with light paranormal investigation tools.

Tip: Arrive at Senlis Cottage in Heritage Park at least 15 to 20 minutes before departure time.

Tickets Official site

Spooky San Diego Ghost Walk

San Diego, CA · 4 mi from San Diego

👻👻 A little spooky

Dates: Tours run on set nights. Pick one on their calendar.
Prices: Adults $25; kids $15.
Ages: Kids 6-12
Takes: 90 minutes.

Hands-on paranormal tour visiting ten haunted Old Town locations.

Tip: Look for the tour sign by the water fountain at Old Town State Historic Park.

Tickets Official site

Not too scary

Just one, but it's an overnight campout next to rescued big cats and bears.

Spooky Campover at Lions Tigers & Bears

Alpine, CA · 32 mi from San Diego

👻 Mild

Dates: Fri, Oct 23, 2026
Prices: Members: $50 adult (13+) / $35 child (3–12 years). Non-members: $80 adult (13+) / $55 child (3–12 years). Must be age 3+ to attend. Tickets must be…
Ages: Must be age 3+
Takes: Overnight event.

Camp overnight under the stars alongside rescued big cats and bears.

Tip: Bring your own camping gear, including a tent, sleeping bag, flashlight or lantern, camping chair, and warm clothes.

Tickets Official site

Only places with 2026 dates on their own website made this list. If a haunt you love is missing, it probably hasn't announced yet.

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