Fall Activities in San Diego

San Diegans don’t need vibrant leaves and cold weather to excite us for fall. America’s finest city has plenty of family-friendly festivals and events to keep us entertained until Thanksgiving.

Check out San Diego’s six best fall activities for the whole family:

What: San Diego Kids Expo & Fair
When: October 21-22, 2017, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Del Mar Fairground
How Much: $10 at the gate, $8 online, kids 12 and under are free
Why Attend: This sounds so fun, adults will be excited to go! There will be magic shows, acrobatic performances, a petting zoo, educational workshops, video games, laser tag, paintball, an obstacle course, a zip line, an inflatable playland – need we say more?

What: Julian Fall Festival
When: Every Saturday and Sunday through October 29, 2017
Where: Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures, Julian
How Much: Free entry, with other fun activities ranging from $10 to $25
Why Attend: Give your children the ultimate fall experience by bringing them to beautiful Julian during an October weekend. Have an adventurous hayride, pick the perfect pumpkins from the pumpkin patch and then paint them, learn how to make candles, practice your aim with archery and get acquainted with cute animals at the petting zoo. Don’t forget to buy some famous Julian pies before the ride home!

What: Halloween Family Day
When: October 31, 2017, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Balboa Park
How Much: Free
Why Attend: Looking for a different and exciting way to spend Halloween with your kids? Explore San Diego’s beloved Balboa Park on Halloween! More than two dozen museums and cultural attractions at Balboa Park will be offering free activities for children, costume parades and costume contests. Participating museums will allow free museum entry to children up to 12 years old with the purchase of an adult ticket.

What: Carlsbad Fall Village Faire
When: November 5, 2017, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Carlsbad Village (Downtown Carlsbad)
How Much: Free
Why Attend: If you can handle crowds, then you’ve got to attend the country’s largest street fair! This bi-annual event attracts more than 100,000 people nationwide, due to the almost infinite array of items for sale via 900+ vendors and an international food court with more than 50 booths to choose from. Want to go Christmas shopping before Black Friday and avoid having to pay online shipping costs? The 41st Carlsbad Fall Village Faire is a great place to start.

What: San Diego Asian Film Festival
When: November 9-18, 2017
Where: Different venues in San Diego
How Much: Ticket prices not announced yet (tickets started at $12 in 2016)
Why Attend: Skip the movie theatre in November and watch global cinema instead! The largest Asian film exhibition in the western U.S. is conveniently located in San Diego and will have more than 100 international movies in all sorts of genres, along with meet and greets with casts and crews. This event is perfect for movie-lovers.

What: San Diego Veteran’s Day Parade
When: November 11, 2017, 11 a.m.
Where: Harbor Drive, Downtown San Diego
How Much: Free
Why Attend: This “tribute to heroes at home” honors the courageous San Diegans who have served in the U.S. military. More than 4,000 veterans are expected to travel the one-mile parade route, along with festive floats, bands, active military members and others.

Scheduling fun activities and day trips for the whole family promotes bonding, memorable adventures, exercise and is more cost-efficient than going on vacation. For more events, check out Scripps Affiliated Medical Groups’ articles.