ESCONDIDO RENAISSANCE FAIRE

The Escondido Renaissance Faire will take place in oak shrouded Felicita Park.
Enter to visit with inhabitants of the "Village of Falconbridge" and view scenes of one of San Diego's most beautiful parks. The age of chivalry will be recreated among the wonders of nature in this idyllic setting. Travel back to a distant place in time to share memories and the glories of the reign of her majesty, Elizabeth I. Visitors will dine on a variety of foods and partake of tasty ales and fine wines as they spend a leisurely day amongst the oak shrouded Felicita Park. A stroll through the merchants area will find shoppers exploring the vast array of treasures and rare finds available to them at a reasonable price.

Festival Highlights: Battle reinactments throughout the day, archery demonstrations and games, 12 o'clock Queens Parade, 2 o'clock  Main Battle, Weapons Demonstrations, Pirates Cove, Children's Entertainment, Children's Treasure Hunt - Amblefolke Guild and over fifty merchants.

When:
Oct 29 - Oct 30, 2011
 Nov 5 - Nov 6, 2011

Time:
10 AM - 6 PM

Single Day Admission:
Adults $17.00
Children 5 - 11 $8.00
Children 4 & under Free
Seniors 62+ $14.00

Weekend Pass:
Adults: $27.00
Children 5 - 11 $11.00
Children 4 & under Free
Seniors 62+ $22.00

Parking:
$5.00

Where:
Felicita County Park
742 Clarence Ln.
 Escondido, CA 92029
(805) 496-6036

RACE WITH THE DRAGONS

The Dragon Boat Festival will take place on beatiful Mission Bay. The Festival is free and open to the public. The Dragon Boat Festival is for everyone. Have friends, family and fans come down for the day and cheer you on! The location of the Festival is ideal for viewing the entire race from start to finish. When you are not racing, join your entourage in enjoying the Asian Pacific Heritage Festival on land. Try out Asian cuisines, shop for arts and crafts and appreciate the works of Asian artists and craftspeople.

Participation: Each team will be made up of 16-paddlers. Groups can sign up as 16-paddler teams. Those who are not part of a group will be placed on a team. And those who can only stay for part of a day will be assigned a a replacement. Depending on how your team fares, you will paddle in at least two races and as many as six races. Using the “round robin” elimination method, the winning team in one heat will compete against the winning team in another heat until we are left with two competitors. The top three teams will rank First (gold), Second (silver), and Third (bronze) place.

SDDBT will provide paddlers with on-site training on the day of the race. No experience is required. All paddlers in the Festival are novice.

When: Oct 22 - Oct 23, 2011
Time: 9 AM - 5 PM
Admission: Free
Participation Fee: $31.25 ($500/ team)
                             $40.00 ($640/ team)
Where: Playa Pacifica, Mission Bay Park
Registration: http://www.sddragonboatrace.com/index.html

SAN DIEGO THRILLS AND CHILLS

The Haunted Hotel, located downtown in the Gaslamp District, is the longest running haunted house in San Diego. This year, see where the Hellevator takes you, explore Freddy Krueger's workshop, and you'll go crazy in rooms inspired by Legion and Shutter Island. Meet the night riders on the moving Subway and try to escape the virus outbreak in our Zombie office. The Haunted Hotel is packed full of spine tingling, heart pounding effects that are so real they will keep you screaming for your life as you try to find your way out. The horror filled nights run through Halloween.

This attraction contains high impact scares and strobe lights which may not be suitable for people with heart conditions or prone to seizures. Attraction may include the use of fog juice as well as spraying water. Sorry, NO pregnant women, infants, or children being carried will be allowed entry. Not recommended for children under 10. Enter at your own risk.

When: Sept 23 - Oct 31, 2011
Times: Sept 23 - Sept 24: Open  7 PM - 12 AM
            Sept 30 - Oct 1: Open 7 PM - 12 AM
            Every Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday in Oct: Open 7 PM - 11 PM
            Every Friday and Saturday in Oct (excluding Oct 1): Open 6 PM - 1 AM
            Oct 24 and Oct 25: Open 7 PM - 1 AM
            Oct 31: Open 6 PM - 12 AM
General Admission: Sun - Thurs $15   /   Fri - Sat $17
VIP Admission: $27 (Hotel admission and the Fast Pass)
Tickets are half price opening night! (Sept 23, 2011)
Discount tickets for group of 10 or more may be ordered in advance through the office. Everyone in your group will get a free glow necklace.

The Haunted Trail is a stroll through the park you will never forget. Enter the mile long Trail through the twisted grove of pines and gnarled oaks. Visitors watch your back, you’ll never know which way the terror will hit you. True to form, the Trail is not for children under 10 or the faint of heart. Experience an outdoor terror that is simply too big to house indoors. This year The Haunted Trail features an additional maze called "The eXperiment". For five extra bones you can find out what happens when Mother Nature takes her eye off the ball for even just a second.

This attraction contains high impact scares and strobe lights which may not be suitable for people with heart conditions or prone to seizures. Attraction may include the use of fog juice as well as spraying water. Sorry, NO pregnant women, infants, or children being carried will be allowed entry. Not recommended for children under 10. Enter at your own risk.

When: Sept 23 - Oct 31, 2011
Times: Sat Sept 23, Sun Sept 24, and Sat Sept 30: Open 7 PM - 11:45 PM
            Every Sun, Weds and Thurs in Oct: Open 7 PM - 11 PM
            Sat Oct 1, Sat Oct 7, and Sat Oct 8: Open 7 PM - 11:45 PM
            Fri - Sat, Oct 14 - 15,  Oct 21 - 22, Oct 28 - 29: Open 6:30 PM - 11:45 PM
General Admission: Sun - Thurs $15  /  Fri - Sat $17
VIP Trail: Thurs - Sun $25  /  Fri - Sat $27 (Trail admission and the Fast Pass)
GA Combo: Sun - Thurs $20  /  Fri - Sat $22 (General admission to the Trail and Maze)
VIP Combo: Sun - Thurs $30  /  Fri - Sat $32 (Maze, Trail and Fast Pass)
Tickets are half price opening night! (Sept 23, 2011)
Discount tickets for group of 10 or more may be ordered in advance through the office. Everyone in your group will get a free glow necklace.

Scream Zone takes place in Del Mar at the Del Mar "Scaregrounds". Be prepared for the three horrifying attractions that are sure to scare the living day lights outta you. The three attractions include The Haunted Hayride, The House of Horror and The Chamber. There is also food and beverages that include a variety of snacks, such as coffee, hot chocolate, soda, pretzels, hot dogs, popcorn, funnel cake, full bar and various other vendors.

The Huanted Hayride is a one-of-a-kind attraction where riders huddle together on a tractor-pulled haywagon while stalked by ghosts, zombies and other-worldly creatures! Stick close together during the journey through the haunted barn area on the back side of the Del Mar Race Track. Terrifying fun for the family or anyone brave enough to come along for the ride! (May not be appropriate for small children.)

The House of Horror features themed rooms filled with terrifying sights, horrendous sounds and blood-curdling scares lurking at every turn and corridor. Not recommended for children younger than 10, The House of Horror is the most ghoulish and spine-tingling attraction of all. It features a surprise ending that will send you screaming! The House of Horror is not for the weak of heart, pregnant women, or wimps!

The Chamber features the largest "spinning tunnel" in San Diego. This twisting, turning labyrinth of scares has suspense and surprises, with several frightening dead ends.

This attraction contains high impact scares and strobe lights which may not be suitable for people with heart conditions or prone to seizures. Attraction may include the use of fog juice as well as spraying water. Sorry, NO pregnant women, infants, or children being carried will be allowed entry. Not recommended for children under 10. Enter at your own risk.

When: Friday, Sept. 30, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 1-2

           Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 6-9
           Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 13-16
           Every night, Oct. 20-31

Times: 7:00 p.m.-midnight, Fridays & Saturdays

            7:00-11:00 p.m., other days

Prices: Triple (Combo) Haunt: House of Horror, Haunted Hayride & The Chamber — $27.99

            Double Haunt:: The Chamber plus House of Horror or Haunted Hayride — $18.99
            Single Haunt: House of Horror or Haunted Hayride — $14.99

There is no cost to enter The Scream Zone complex. Parents who aren't touring one of the attactions can have something to eat or drink while waiting for their kids.

JULIAN APPLE DAYS FESTIVAL

Here’s a questions for you! Have you ever had Julian Apple Pie before? If you have, then you know the experience is quite comparable to seeing a double rainbow. What does this mean? It means it’s time for Julian's Apple Days Centennial Celebration, a two day Apple Days Festival! Enjoy a fun weekend with an a la mode of  music, karaoke, dancing, wine & beer gardens, apple displays, an antique tractor display, chilren's games and activities, gold panning demonstrations, food and merchandise vendors, contests, and of course apple pie!

When: Oct 1, 2011 - Oct 2, 2011
Times: 10 AM - 5 PM
Admission: $5.00 for Adults / Children 12 and under are free
Where: 1150 Julian Orchards Dr
             Julian, CA 92036
             (760) 803-4377

BATES NUT FARM

Grab the kiddos and head on down to Bates Nut Farm... why? cause its the real deal folks! No pumpkins brought in from farms, this is the farm. Get away from the city and enjoy the country life surrounded by trees and mountains all while listening to a live band. It is so fun walking in the patch trying to find the "great" pumpkin. Amongst the pumpkin patch there are lots of festivities for all to enjoy. Take a ride on the hay ride, find your way through the straw maze & slip on down the big slides... And there is no shortage of food here... from BBQ, to grilled corn, homemade ice cream (pumpkin flavor too), cotton candy, coffee, kettle corn, and fresh squeezed lemonade that is oh so good and refreshing. Be sure to bring cash. Most of the vendors only accept cash.

When: Sept. 24, 2011 - Oct. 31, 2011
Times: Open Daily 9 AM - 5 PM
Price: Weekend Pumpkin Package $9.00 (Includes a hay ride, a walk through the maze & a pumpkin)
Where: 15954 Woods Valley Road
Valley Center, Ca 92082
760-749-3333

PUMPKIN PATCHES

Oma's Pumpkin Patch

Oma's Pumpkin Patch is located on The Van Ommering Dairy Farm with lotsa happy california cows and goats in Lakeside!  There are nice breezes and, yes, you may think you are in Des Moines, Iowa but you are only a hop, skip and jump from the Gaslamp! It's about a 30 minute drive East on 8.They transform their farm into a pumpkin patch every year. There is a petting zoo, hay ride, picnic tables, hay bale maze, toy trucks and tractors, sledding in cottonseeds and pumpkins, of course! This is a great place for a picnic ... pack one and eat on the shaded picnic tables. In addition, it's every parents dream for photo opportunities! The family/owners host this extraordinary community service event every year and they are just delightful. Even their kids are selling goodies at the snack bar with huge smiles and enthusiasm. Call for group rates and reservations.

When: Sept. 27, 2011 - Nov. 5, 2011

Times: Open Tues. - Sun. 10 AM - 7 PM

Price: $7.00 Per Child (Includes a water bottle, a pumpkin, participation in all the activities and one free ault admission 16 years or older.) $3.00 per additional adult 16 years and older. Children under 1 are free.

Where: 14950 El Monte Road

             Lakeside, CA 92040

             (619) 390-2929

Bates Nut Farm

Grab the kiddos and head on down to Bates Nut Farm... why? cause its the real deal folks! No pumpkins brought in from farms, this is the farm. Get away from the city and enjoy the country life surrounded by trees and mountains all while listening to a live band. It is so fun walking in the patch trying to find the "great" pumpkin. Amongst the pumpkin patch there are lots of festivities for all to enjoy. Take a ride on the hay ride, find your way through the straw maze & slip on down the big slides... And there is no shortage of food here... from BBQ, to grilled corn, homemade ice cream (pumpkin flavor too), cotton candy, coffee, kettle corn, and fresh squeezed lemonade that is oh so good and refreshing. Be sure to bring cash. Most of the vendors only accept cash.

When: Sept. 24, 2011 - Oct. 31, 2011
Times: Open Daily 9 AM - 5 PM
Price: Weekend Pumpkin Package $9.00 (Includes a hay ride, a walk through the maze & a pumpkin)
Where: 15954 Woods Valley Road
             Valley Center, Ca 92082
             760-749-3333

Pumpkin Station

Let the adventure begin at one of the seven Pumpkin Station locations. Choose from a wide variety of pumpkins, from Baby Pams to their famous Bodacious Pumpkins. Plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy including kiddie rides, giant slides, pumpkin jumps, inflatable play centers, petting zoos and game zones. To get the "real" experience, you can vistit one of their two farms that include a living pumpkin patch, an 8 ft tall corn maze, farm animals and a tractor-pulled haywagon ride through their Christmas Tree Farm. All locations have free parking and free admission. Contact for group tours and party packages. (858) 566-7466

Del Mar
15555 Jimmy Durante Blvd.
Del Mar, CA 92014
Sept. 24, 2011 - Oct. 31, 2011
Open Mon. - Thur. 9 AM - 7 PM
Open Fri. - Sun. 9 AM - 9 PM

Chula Vista
900 Otay Lakes Rd.
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Sept. 24, 2011 - Oct. 31, 2011
Open Mon. - Thur. 1 PM  - 9 PM
Open Fri. - Sun. 9 AM - 9 PM

El Cajon
Westfield Parkway Plaza
415 Parkway Plaza
El Cajon, CA 92020
Oct. 1, 2011 - Oct. 31, 2011
Open Mon. - Thur. 1 PM - 9 PM
Open Fri. - Sun. 9 AM - 9 PM

Mission Valley
Mission Valley Station
1640 1/2 Camino Del Rio N.
San Diego, CA 92108
Oct. 1, 2011 - Oct. 31, 2011
Open Mon. - Thur. 11 AM - 9 PM
Open Fri. - Sun. 9 AM - 9 PM

National City
3030 Plaza Bonita Rd.
National City, CA 91950
Sept. 25, 2011 - Oct. 31, 2011
Open Mon. - Thur. 11 AM - 9 PM
Open Fri. - Sun. 9 AM - 9 PM

Rancho Bernardo Farm
13421 Highland Valley Rd.
Escondido, CA 92025
Oct. 1, 2011 - Oct. 31, 2011
Open Mon. - Thur. 9 AM - 5 PM
Open Fri. - Sun. 9 AM - 6 PM

Bonita Farm
5437 Bonita Rd.
Bonita, CA 91902
Oct. 1, 2011 - Oct. 14, 2011  -  Open Daily 9 AM - 6 PM
Oct. 15, 2011 - Oct. 31, 2011  -  Open Daily 9 AM - 8 PM

Mountain Valley Ranch

Meander through their fertile fields that yield a wide variety of colorful pumpkins and gourds. Select and pick your choice of pumpkin or shop inside the cool comfort of their barn. Some pumpkins are great for carving Jack-O-Lanterns, while others are much sweeter for your holiday baking needs.  They also grow Indian maize corn, popping corn, and gourds with many shapes and color patterns. Tantalize your taste buds with goodies offered at their concession stand!

When: Sept. 24, 2011 - Oct. 31, 2011

Times: Open Daily 9 AM - 6 PM

Where: 842 Highway 78

             Ramona, CA 92065

             (760) 788-8703

Summers Past Farms

Come and spend the day with your family in this festive country fall setting. Pick your pumpkins while the kids play in the playhouse and find their way through the sweat pea maze. Be sure to bring your camera... the setting is perfect for photos of the kids, especially on the bridge over the stream.


When: Oct. 8, 2011  -  Open 9 AM - 5 PM
            Oct. 9, 2011  -  Open 10 AM - 5 PM
            Oct. 15, 2011  -  Open 9 AM - 5 PM
            Oct. 16, 2011  -  Open 10 AM - 5 PM
Where: 15602 Olde Hwy 80
             Flinn Springs, CA 92021
             (619) 390-1523

Temecula Corn Maze

The Corona Family has been giving back to their communities for many years in many ways with one such annual event being the October Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, and Harvest Festival. Big Horse Feed hosts Southern California's largest authentic corn maze and harvest festival. Each year this event truly brings the community together as they work together and try not to get LOST! Attractions include farm animals, corn box, sand box, corn cannon, corn tunnel, country store, mini mazes, hayride, pumpkin patch, pony ride & pig races, Contact for group rates and field trips.

When: Oct. 8, 2011 - Oct. 31, 2011
Times: Mon. - Fri. 1 PM - 5 PM
            Sat. & Sun. 10 AM - 4 PM
Admission: Sat. & Sun.: Corn Maze & 3 Activities $13.00
                   Sat. & Sun.: Maze Only $9.00
                   Mon. - Fri.: Maze Only $9.00
                   Children under 3 years old - Free
                   No Checks Accepted
Specials: Oct. 31st - Wear a costume and get $1 off Maze ticket
               Costume Contest @ 2 PM
Where: 33320 Temecula Parkway/Hwy 79 S.
             Temecula, California 92592

(951) 389-4621

ABOUT ME

Welcome to sunny San Diego! I have been fluttering around San Diego for the last 8 years. I've experienced many events & holiday traditions that San Diego has to offer. But yet there is so much more to explore. I've created this site for you to be able to have a one stop site that will keep you up to date on all the current events going on in San Diego. My site will include everything from community fairs & carnivals, to expos, & even the best places to trick-or-treat or say "Cheeeese!" with Santa Clause. I will share my personal experience and opinions on all events that I have attended. Thanks for visiting my site & stay classy San Diego!