October 2011 - Things To Do in San Diego

Pumpkin Station

Free admission and parking, kiddie rides and giant slides, pumpkin jumps, inflatable play centers, petting zoo, game zones, group tours and party packages.

When: September 30th, 2011 - October 31st, 2011

Where: Del Mar, Rancho Bernardo, Mission Valley, El Cajon, Bonita, Chula Vista

For more information visit: www.pumpkinstation.com

The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park

Ready for a scare? Stroll through Balboa Park on a mile long trail, but watch your back because you never know what will jump out at you. This year they have an additional maze they call "The eXperiment".

When: September 23rd, 2011 - October 31st, 2011

Where: 6th St. and Juniper at Marston Point in Balboa Pak, San Diego, Ca 92101

For more information visit: www.hauntedhotel.com

The Haunted Hotel

Located downtown in the Gaslamp District of San Diego, The Haunted Hotel is one of the oldest haunted houses in San Diego and was named in Haunt World Magazine as one of the top 13 haunted houses in America. This year they have a Hellevator, Freddy Krueger's workshop and rooms inspired by Legion and Shutter Island, moving Subway and a virus outbreak in their Zombie office. Be prepared to scream!

When: September 23rd, 2011 - October 31st, 2011

Where: 424 Market St., San Diego, Ca. 92101

For more information visit: www.hauntedhotel.com

Scream Zone

Located in Del Mar at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, the Scream Zone features a Haunted Hayride through the haunted barns, The Chamber which has the larges spinning tunnel in San Diego and The House of Horror.

When: September 30th, 2011 - October 31st, 2011

Where: 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, Ca. 92014

For more information visit: www.thescreamzone.com

Bates Nut Farm

Pony rides, straw maze, kid 'n paint, food, bbq, kettle corn, ice cream, scarecrow contest, rock climbing and much more. They also have a Pumpkin Patch open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.

When: September 24th, 2011 - October 31st, 2011

Where: 15954 Woods Valley Road, Valley Center, Ca 92082

For more information visit: www.batesnutfarm.biz

Miramar Air Show

This years theme for the MCAS Miramar Air Show is "A Salute to San Diego: Birthplace of Naval Aviation 1911 - 2011" in honor of the centennial of both Navy and Marine Aviation. It's also a salute to 100 years of Marine Aviation. The Blue Angels will be there including the AV-8B Harrier, the F/A-18 Hornte, the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the Marine Air and Ground Task Force Demonstration Team. You'll also find military equipment exhibits, refreshments and air show memorabilia.

When: September 30th, 2011 - October 2nd, 2011

Where: MCAS Miramar

For more information visit: www.miramarairshow.com

Octoberfest 2011

This La Mesa festival is over 38 years old. It's a traditional German celebration featuring dancing, beer gardens, kid's carnival, Bavarian bands, arts and crafts, commercial booths and food vendors.

When: September 30th, 2011 - October 2st, 2011

Where: La Mesa Blvd between Date & Fourth, La Mesa, Ca.

For more information visit: www.lamesavillage.com

Annual Polish Festival

Annual tribute to the Polish heritage and hospitality. There will be Polish folk dancers, live music, street dancing, polish food and polish beer. There will also be vendors and arts and crafts.

When: October 7th, 2011 - October 9th, 2011

Where: 1735 Grand Ave., Pacific Beach, Ca 92109

For more information visit: www.polishmission.org/festival

Annual Ocean Beach Oktoberfest

A celebration of German culture and fun, the Ocean Beach Oktoberfest has added a second day! Enjoy the Beer Garden Band Slam finals which is a competition to find the best tribute band. Lots of fun including a beer garden with microbrew festival, Bloody Mary Morning celebration, bratwurst eating, stein holding and many other contests.

When: October 7th, 2011 - October 8th, 2011

Where: Ocean Beach, Ca.

For more information visit: www.oboktoberfest.com

Annual Little Italy Festa

One of the largest Italian American festivals, enjoy wine and beer gardens, 2 stages with musical entertainment, over 120 Italian food and craft booths, sidewalk chalk art and lots of shopping in Little Italy's business district.

When: October 9th, 2011

Where: Little Italy, Downtown San Diego, Ca 92101

For more information visit: www.littleitalysd.com

San Marcos Harvest Festival

Enjoy live entertainment, beer garden, champagne breakfast including a variety of food, arts and crafts and vendors. Live music in the beer garden, and carnival rides for the kids. There is also an American Muscle Car Classic car show which is the largest one in San Diego County with more than 200 classic cars and hot rods.

When: October 9th, 2011

Where: Via Vera Cruz, San Marcos, Ca 92069

For more information visit: www.sanmarcosharvestfestival.com

Oceanside Music Festival - OmFest

This is the 10th Annual Oceanside Music Festival, OMFest that features 6 concerts with a variety of music genres from both student and professional musicians from Southern California. The festival is put on in hopes of raising funds for performing arts scholarships for local high school seniors.

When: October 12th, 2011 - October 23rd, 2011

Where: Museum of Art, 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside Ca.

For more information visit: http://www.ocaf.info

San Diego Pet Expo

Animal celebrities including Victoria Stilwell of Animal Plant's "It's Me or the Dog" and Kyra Sundance and the Sundance Dog Stunt Team. The expo also features animal education, a fashion show, San Diego cutest pet contest, petting zoo, pet adoptions, breed area, food court and much, much more!

When: October 15th, 2011 - October 16rd, 2011

Where: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. 92014

For more information visit: www.sandiegopetexpo.net

Escondido Downtown Street Faire

The second largest single-day street fair in the state of California. More than 60,000 people are expected to attend and see more than 600 vendors from everything from arts and crafts, home improvement, unique clothing, children's rides, rock climbing wall, sample foods from around the world, animal demonstration from the San Diego Wild Animal Park, old-fashioned pancake breakfast and so much more!

When: October 16th, 2011

Where: Downtown Escondido on Grand Ave. Escondido, Ca

For more information visit: www.escondidochamber.org

Annual Light the Night Against Crime 5k

Come out and join over 1400 law enforcement professionals and their family to support San Diego County Crime Stoppers Felony Crime Reward fund and community education programs. This is a fun 5k run/walk in San Diego after dark. There is a post race party with entertainment and a costume contest, Super Cool Kids-Zone with lots of activities and games that are sure to please.

When: October 22nd, 2011

Where: Balboa Park – Old Navy Hospital, Park Blvd & Presidents Way, San Diego, Ca

For more information visit: www.sdcrimestoppers.com/lightthenightagainstcrime.html

Annual San Diego Dragon Boat Festival

Second Annual San Diego Dragon Boat Race, free festival featuring entertainment, food, arts and crafts. There is no experience needed to race, each team will be made up of 16 paddlers. Bring the family, cheer on your favorite team and have some fun in the sun!

When: October 22nd, 2011 - October 23rd, 2011

Where: Mission Bay Park – Playa Pacifica, north of the Hilton Hotel

For more information visit: www.sddragonboatrace.com

Annual Monster Bash - Adult Halloween Block Party

This is San Diego's premiere Halloween block party with eight blocks of fun including 3 stages, 10 bars, 50 exotic dancers and thousands of people dressed for Halloween. There is a costume contest with a $3000 cash prize. Admission is $30 per ticket in advance, $35 at the door.

When: October 29th, 2011

Where: Gaslamp Quarter, Downtown San Diego, 6th and Island Ave.

For more information visit: www.sandiegomonsterbash.com