There's Still Time To Catch Fall Festivals Near La Mesa

LA MESA, CA — Fall is a great time to get outside in La Mesa and take in the rich offering of festivals.

The changing colors of autumn provide a scenic background for fall and harvest festivals, which have contests ranging from apple bobbing and pumpkin carving to lumberjack contests and Halloween parades.

Fall is also the season for corn mazes, haunted houses and pumpkin patches.

Here are some festivals and events in the La Mesa area worth putting on the calendar:

OCT. 22: Howl-O-Ween Hounds Pet Adoption Halloween Event: Grossmont Center. A howling good time with hundreds of adoptable pets.

OCT. 31: Halloween Trick-Or-Treat: Grossmont Center. With free face painting, activities & more.

OCT. 31: Halloween Trick-Or-Treating: La Mesa Village. Don't miss La Mesa First United Methodist Church's 'spooky' organ concerts that evening.

Take a look around the rest of San Diego County to fill your calendar:

ALPINE

OCT. 28-29: Lions Tigers & Bears Rescue 'Spooky Campover' - Night under the stars at animal sanctuary includes campfire songs, pumpkin carving & Halloween costume contest.

OCT. 29: Halloween Pumpkin Bash At Lions Tigers & Bears Rescue. Expected to sell out, so book soon.

BONITA

THROUGH OCT. 31: Pumpkin Farm, Corn Maze, Petting Zoo, Train & Wagon Rides. Cut your own sunflowers, too.

BONSALL

OCT. 22-23 & 30-31: Bearcat BOO! Halloween Tours. At Wild Wonders. Tickets on sale.

CAMPO

THROUGH OCT. 30: 'Pumpkin Express' Halloween Train Rides: Pacific Southwest Railway. Also on tap: pumpkin patch & pumpkin decorating.

CARLSBAD

THROUGH NOV. 8: Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze & Tractor Rides: Strawberry Co. New attraction this season: Marigold Fields.

THROUGH OCT. 30: LEGOLAND 'Brick-Or-Treat' - "Signature Halloween event is better than ever this year" on Saturdays & Oct. 30.

THROUGH OCT. 31: Haunted Corn Maze: Strawberry Co. Open only Fridays & Saturdays, if you need a good scare.

OCT. 30: Sup Yoga Halloween Bash. Family event at Lagoon Rec Area.

CARMEL MOUNTAIN

OCT. 19, 26 & 31: 'Hitchcocktober' Film Fest: Angelika Film Center: Carmel Mountain. Sit back & enjoy spine-tingling flicks from suspense- master Alfred Hitchcock.

CHULA VISTA

OCT. 29: 2nd Annual Dia de los Muertos in Downtown. With dancing, singing, food, offrendas & more.

OCT. 29: Owl-O-Ween at the Living Coast Discovery Center. Includes trick-or-treating, mysterious animal encounters, Dia de Muertos stories & eerie night hikes.

THROUGH OCT. 30: Sesame Place San Diego Halloween Spooktacular. Special costume contest for kids & families planned Oct. 30.

CORONADO

OCT. 17: Pumpkin Topiary Workshop. Create a masterpiece for your home.

OCT. 26: CIFF October Classic Series Screening: The Birds. A classic flick perfect for the season!

OCT. 28: Halloween Happening, Trick-Or-Treat & Adult Bash: Spreckels Park. Family fun first, followed by party for 21+ crowd.

OCT. 28: Halloween Spooky Comedy Magic Show with Dynamite Dave. At the library.

OCT. 31: Halloween Trick-Or-Treat At The Library. All ages welcome.

THROUGH OCT. 31: Haunted Happenings Tours: Hotel Del Coronado. "Uncover the mystery of Kate Morgan's 1892 death, other spirits who haunt the hotel & ghostly guest encounters."

DEL MAR

THROUGH OCT. 31: Pumpkin Station, Petting Zoo & Kiddie Rides. Featuring giant slides, inflatables, game zones & more.

THROUGH OCT. 31: 'Scream Zone' - Halloween Haunt: Fairgrounds. Just to know before you go: "Scream Zone is assembled from a collection of body parts, roughly stitched together into two terrifying haunts & other monstrous attractions."

OCT. 29: Spooktacular Halloween Haunts at Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Slew of fun awaits.

OCT. 29-30: The Fall Home Garden Show. Two-day extravaganza in its 32nd year.

EL CAJON

THROUGH OCT. 31: Haunted Amusement Park & Scare Trail: Marshal Scotty's Playland. Does it get more frightening than an abandoned amusement park?

OCT. 21: Annual Hauntfest On Main: Carnival Rides, Kidz Zone & More. This year offers expanded carnival rides, games & entertainment.

ENCINITAS

OCT. 21-22, 28-29: Scout Troop's Halloween Haunted Hotel & Trail of Terror. A beloved community event for 22 years with treats, games & more.

OCT. 21-23 & 28-30: Haunted Ghost Town At Heritage Ranch. Meet murderous mother-in-law, her evil son, grave diggers, stagecoach drivers, scarecrows & more. Family-friendly tours, too.

OCT. 28: Halloween Dance Party with Seaside Ramblers. $10 cover charge at Elks Lodge.

OCT. 31: Annual Safe Trick-or-Treat: South Coast Highway 101. With Halloween-themed fun along the way.

ESCONDIDO

THROUGH OCT. 30: S.D. Zoo Safari Park Autumn Festival. Did we mention kids get in free during October?

THROUGH OCT. 31: Pumpkin Farm, Corn Maze & Petting Zoo. Tractor & trains rides also planned.

NOV. 1: Dia de Los Muertos Festival: California Center For Arts. Features music, dance, food, vendors & more.

THROUGH NOV. 6: 'Murder Ballad': Patio Playhouse Theater. How timely is this for the spooky Halloween season?

IMPERIAL BEACH

OCT. 29: Spooktacular Trunk-Or-Treat. At Veterans Park.

NOV. 1: Día de los Muertos. With "fun activities for the kiddos, food & entertainment."

JULIAN

THROUGH OCT. 30: Julian Autumn Jubilee & Fall Festival: Fort Cross, Santa Ysabel. "Fun day at Fort Cross during Julian's famous apple season!"

OCT. 13-17: Autumn Harvest Teas: Julian Tea & Cottage Arts. Featuring special, harvest-themed menu, plus options for children & vegetarian and gluten-free diets.

OCT. 14-31: The Haunted Forest - Spooktacular Walk: Banner Ranch Julian. "Graveyards, ghosts, and ghouls galore!" Suggested for ages 10+.

LA JOLLA

OCT. 22: Halloween Party Fun at My Gym La Jolla. RSVPs required as space is limited.

OCT. 22: Being Sherlock: The Art of the Mystery and The Science of Forensics. Fitting for the spooky season, right?

THROUGH OCT. 31: Mr. Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin Patch & Family Fun. With bouncers, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin carving & more.

NOV. 2: Día de los Muertos Celebration. Includes dinner & drinks.

LAKESIDE

THROUGH OCT. 29: Oma’s Family Farm Pumpkin Patch, Wagon Rides & Kids' Fun. Advanced ticketing & reservations required.

LEMON GROVE

OCT. 31: Harvest Festival and Trunk or Treat. Fun for the whole family.

MISSION BEACH

OCT. 28: Pumpkin Plunge & Glow Swim. Tickets on sale for event at Belmont Park.

THROUGH OCT. 31: Beachside Fall Fest & Halloween Fun: Belmont Park. With go-karts, trick-or-treating, live music & more.

MISSION VALLEY

THROUGH OCT. 31: Mission Valley Pumpkin Station, Kiddie Rides & Petting Zoo. Ideal for youngsters, plus free admission & parking.

NATIONAL CITY

OCT. 21: Celebrating Cultura con The Kitchenistas. Fall event at Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center,

OCT. 29: Día de Los Muertos at Westfield Plaza Bonita. Mariachi band, face painting, dancers & more planned.

THROUGH OCT. 31: Pumpkin Station, Petting Zoo & Kiddie Rides: Plaza Bonita. Fun for the little ones includes train rides, jumpees, swings & giant slide.

OCEAN BEACH

OCT. 31: OB People's Market Halloween Parade. Prizes for best costumes!

OCEANSIDE

OCT. 29: Adult Halloween Dance. With live band, The Hammerheads.

OCT. 29: Halloween Spooktacular & Trick-Or-Treat: Mission Marketplace. With themed activities that ALL children, including those with mobility limitations, will enjoy.

THROUGH OCT. 30: Family Farm’s Festival-Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze, Tractor Rides & More. Courtesy of Mellano Farm Stand.

OCT. 31: Annual Halloween Fest. New Song Community Church's Annual Halloween Fest is back!

OLIVENHAIN

OCT. 21-22, 28-29: Scout Troop's Halloween Haunted Hotel & Trail of Terror. A beloved community event for 22 years with treats, games & more.

PACIFIC BEACH

OCT. 29: Pacific Beach Zombie Crawl - Halloween Pub Crawl. With more than 10 pubs & nightclubs on agenda.

OCT. 31: Pacific Beach Halloween Night Pub Crawl. Tickets on sale.

POWAY

OCT. 22: 'Hoot, Howl & Prowl' After-Dark Adventure: Blue Sky Ecological Reserve. Hot cocoa at the end!

OCT. 29: Halloween Party. At My Gym Children’s Fitness Center.

OCT. 29: 'Once Upon A Hallowe'en' Haunted House, Train Rides & Carnival Games. "Guaranteed to thrill and chill!" Admission is free.

RAMONA

OCT. 31: Halloween 'Safe Trick-Or-Treat': Main Street. A free, annual community event.

NOV. 5: Annual Art & Wine Festival. An annual, fall tradition in its 10th year.

RANCHO BERNARDO

OCT. 22: Rancho BEERnardo Festival: Webb Park. Fall tradition supports Sunrise Rotary's charities.

THROUGH OCT. 31: Rancho Bernardo Pumpkin Farm, Corn Maze & Petting Zoo. Tractor & train rides also planned.

RANCHO SANTA FE

OCT. 22, 29 & 30: Howl-O-Ween Harvest Family Festival: Helen Woodward Animal Center. With hands-on animal encounters, trick-or-treating, crafts, hay maze, face painting, mini pumpkin patch & Midnight Mystery Laboratory.

SAN DIEGO

THROUGH OCT. 31: Gaslamp Quarter Ghost Tours. Spine-chilling stroll with tales of sinister spirits, disease, death, espionage & murder.

THROUGH OCT. 31: SeaWorld's Howl-O-Scream. Fear factor goes up with new haunted houses & scare zones.

THROUGH OCT. 31: SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular. On Saturdays & Sundays, plus Halloween, with trick-or-treating, dance parties, hay maze & more

THROUGH OCT. 31: The Haunted Trail Of Balboa Park. Two haunts at one location: eXperiment Maze; or mile-long, terrifying, outdoor trail. Your choice!

THROUGH OCT. 31: Mission Valley Pumpkin Station, Kiddie Rides & Petting Zoo. Ideal for youngsters, plus free admission & parking.

THROUGH OCT. 31: The Haunted Hotel Disturbance Mission Valley. "Three of the creepiest haunts you’ve ever imagined."

THROUGH OCT. 31: Beachside Fall Fest & Halloween Fun: Belmont Park. With go-karts, trick-or-treating, live music & more.

OCT.: Los Muertos 5K. Canceled for 2022.

OCT. 1-29: San Diego 'HalGLOWeen'- "The world-famous San Diego Zoo’s light-up-the-night, Halloween-themed extravaganza is back!"

OCT. 15-31: Rooftop Cinema Club Halloween Season: Manchester Grand Hyatt. With full Halloween-flick roster, plus themed events.

OCT. 19, 26 & 31: 'Hitchcocktober' Film Fest: Angelika Film Center: Carmel Mountain. Sit back & enjoy spine-tingling flicks from suspense- master Alfred Hitchcock.

OCT. 21: VooDoo Dinner Experience. Save your seat!

OCT. 22: Little Wonders Halloween Class. Ticket includes goodie bag, sensory play and arts & crafts.

OCT. 22: Howl-O-Ween with TrustedHousesitters. A Halloween "pet pawty" in Little Italy.

OCT. 22: Hallo-Wine Fall Festival. Supports Home Start, a nonprofit child abuse prevention and treatment agency.

OCT. 27-29: Zombie Crawl. "Gain access to 15+ insane costume parties in ghoulish Gaslamp Quarter."

OCT. 28: San Diego Pre Halloween Pub Crawl. In Gaslamp District.

OCT. 28: Trick-or-Treat on India St. Inviting ghouls & goblins of all ages to dress up in costumes & enjoy trick-or-treating throughout Little Italy.

OCT. 28: Halloween Party Cruise. For ages 21+ from Bahia Resort Hotel.

OCT. 28: Pumpkin Plunge & Glow Swim. Tickets on sale for event at Belmont Park.

OCT. 28-30: Witches of Westgate Tea: Westgate Hotel. Features house-made Halloween pastries, savory tea sandwitches, gourmet teas & wicked treats.

OCT. 29: The Super Dentist 23rd Annual Spooktacular. With costume contests, pumpkin carving, carnival games & more.

OCT. 29: Spreckels Organ Society’s Halloween Concert & Silent Movie. 1925 “Phantom of the Opera” screens atop Pavilion stage, accompanied by organist.

OCT. 31: San Diego Halloween Night Pub Crawl. Tickets on sale.

OCT. 31: OB People's Market Halloween Parade. Prizes for best costumes!

OCT. 31: The Mad Hatter Tea Party Halloween at The US Grant. Calling all daring diners.

SAN MARCOS

OCT. 22: Beer Fest - Music, Food & Games: Draft Republic. Total fall vibe with bratwurst & sausage stations.

OCT. 28: Family Night Halloween Party: Woodland Park. Registration required.

SAN YSABEL

THROUGH OCT. 30: Julian Autumn Jubilee & Fall Festival: Fort Cross. "Fun day at Fort Cross during Julian's famous apple season!"

OCT. 22 & 29: Fort Cross Haunted Hayrides, Ghost Stories & Hoedown. A seasonal event with creepy side for spooky fun.

SANTEE

OCT. 22: Twilight Brews & Bites Festival. Ticket includes commemorative cup & unlimited food & beverage samples (while supplies last).

OCT. 31: Spooky Snapshots & Halloween Treats: City Hall. "Take a photo, and get a free treat."

SOLANA BEACH

OCT. 28: Dead Man's Party. At the Belly Up Tavern.

OCT. 29: 80s Heat Presents HALLOWEEN HEAT The Last Dance...More holiday fun at Belly Up.

VALLEY CENTER

THROUGH OCT. 31: Pumpkin Patch, Pony Rides, Hayrides & Straw Maze: Bates Nut Farm. Grab a wheelbarrow & pick from variety of pumpkins, gourds & holiday decor.

OCT. 22: Howl-O-Ween Doggie Costume Contest & Parade: Bates Nut Farm. Show off your top dog & win prizes!

VISTA

OCT. 22: Trunk or Treat! FREE Drive-Thru Halloween Event. At North County Square.

OCT. 23: Fall Antique Engine & Tractor Show. Get tickets at the gate.