Calling all Halloween lovers – the spooky season is right around the corner. To make the most of the festivities, spend time in a destination with plenty of ghoulish fun. That’s easy to do when you choose San Diego, California. The city boasts haunted attractions such as Whaley House and Old Point Loma Lighthouse. It offers numerous holiday-related events and activities, including ghost tours, pumpkin patches, and more. San Diego is also home to many exhilarating activities on the water where visitors can immerse themselves in the landscape, courtesy of City Cruises. Ready to learn more about everything in store? Then brace yourself for a handful of treats with no tricks included!

Fun Daytime Diversions in San Diego During Halloween

San Diego delivers in more ways than one when it comes to fun in the sun. This is especially true leading up to and during Halloween. In daylight hours, some activities include attending a parade, enjoying a fall festival, or visiting amusement parks. Whether it’s the SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular, Fall Fest and Belmont Park, or Legoland Brick-or-Treat, family-friendly events are all around.

For those who want to take in the San Diego Harbor, the city’s stunning skyline, and iconic local sights, sailing on the water with City Cruises’ Best of the Bay Harbor Tour is the ideal way to do it. As a sightseer’s dream, this experience is professionally narrated. It features impressive views of Seaport Village, Shelter Island, Coronado Island, Point Loma, and Cabrillo National Monument from our luxurious vessels’ climate-controlled interiors and exterior decks. Plus, speaking of Halloween, there will be sea creatures! But don’t worry, they aren’t the scary kind—just delightful marine animals and majestic sea birds. The Instagram-worthy journey spans 90 minutes and encompasses 20 miles of sights and more than 50 local landmarks. There’s food, beverage, and cocktail service onboard for those who get hungry or thirsty. As an added bonus, during October, kids can cruise for free using our promo code, KIDSFREE2024, valid with the purchase of 1 adult ticket. Now, back to those aforementioned sea creatures…

While they aren’t monsters that go bump in the night, seeing dolphins, whales, and sea lions definitely elevates one’s adrenaline. These magnificent mammals are simply awe-inspiring to view in their natural habitat. With City Cruises’ San Diego Whale & Dolphin Watching Adventure, the excursion is narrated by expert captains and volunteer naturalists from the San Diego Natural History Museum.  Guests will cruise on the San Diego Bay for up to four hours in the summer and three hours in the winter. The search for Gray Whales in the colder months and Blue Whales, when the heat rises, provides an intimate view of the bay’s wildlife and celebrated area attractions. This not-to-be-missed opportunity is precisely what photos and videos were made for. Also, food, beverage, and cocktail services are available onboard if hunger or thirst strikes while on the trip.

Bring on the Night and the Fright for Halloween in San Diego

Since Halloween is synonymous with the night, evening events are often a popular pastime during spooky season—and San Diego has several we recommend. From HalGLOWeen at the San Diego Zoo to haunted houses throughout the city, each is designed with scares in mind. Those who don’t want to opt for traditional chill-inducing experiences can still enjoy some cool breezes with two exciting City Cruises adventures that embark just as the sun goes down. First, there’s the San Diego Sights & Sips Cruise, a 1.5-hour one-of-a-kind happy hour that features displayed hors d’oeuvres, tray-passed desserts, and delectable drink specials from the fully stocked cash bar. They can be savored in our indoor and outdoor dining areas with picturesque San Diego Bay views. There’s DJ entertainment on hand to set the soundtrack for the experience as guests get down on the dance floor, while complimentary Wi-Fi lets them capture all of the action to enjoy again later on. Signature cocktails, monthly drink specials, and mocktails are also an option, as well as additional upgrades to customize the experience.

To elevate evenings even further, City Cruises also offers the San Diego Premier Dinner Cruise. The elegant experience offers enticing, chef-prepared plated meals, tasty cocktails, and exceptional service. With a DJ providing background tunes that set the mood, guests will dine under the stars while viewing the San Diego skyline from our vessel’s climate-controlled interiors or open-air roof decks. (Note: The menu is subject to change based on the seasonality of holiday offerings and fresh ingredients. Plus, gluten-free, vegetarian, and kids options can be accommodated by request.) Iconic attractions, including Coronado Bay Bridge, Star of India, and the Hotel del Coronado, will be right in the sightline of everyone onboard during the 2.5-hour cruise. The latter two are allegedly haunted! In addition, innovative cocktails, wine, and beer are all available from the well-stocked cash bar.  Additional upgrades can be made to customize the experience. City Cruises will also guarantee tables for guests’ party sizes; private tables can also be reserved.

Spend Halloween 2024 in San Diego with City Cruises!

Halloween season is such a fun time of year, and San Diego is an especially great place to spend time when the holiday arrives. While there are several spooky activities and events to choose from, there’s also the perfect opportunity to take in all of the city’s sights with the ultimate treat of traveling with City Cruises. But make no mistake: Although our offer is fantastic, it’s no trick. Instead, our various cruise packages and amenities are about creating lasting memories and not being haunted by missing out on an unforgettable experience.