The kids are buzzing about costumes and candy - Halloween is nearly here! With its laid back charm and great weather, Halloween in San Diego is a truly unique experience. This year in particular, it seems that the entire city has gotten into the spirit of Halloween (pun intended). Here's my list of fun, family friendly things to do in San Diego this Halloween:

1. Tour Whaley House - a Certified Haunted House - Considered to be one of the most actively haunted mansions in the world today, October at the Whaley House features exclusive guided tours and special after hours ghost hunts. Whaley House is located in San Diego's Old Town.
2. Get Your Scare On at the Scream Zone at the Del Mar Scaregrounds - The House of Horror, Haunted Hay Ride and The Chamber await the very brave at the Scream Zone. Its San Diego's ultimate haunted attraction, and its filled with frightening scenes and screams; bold ghosts, ghouls and zombies; and terrifying thrills. NOTE: This event is designed for a teen or older audience and is not recommended for children younger than 10 years old. Please exercise discretion when deciding whether to attend.
3. Visit a Pumpkin Patch - For a more "tame" family Halloween event, visit one of the many pumpkin patches in and around San Diego. Bates Nut Farm, located just north of San Diego is one of my favorites for the preschool set because it's less commercial. Highlights at Bates Nut Farm include a straw maze, hayride, petting zoo, scarecrow and costume contests, and of course, a pumpkin patch!
4. Brick-or-Treat at Legoland - As you walk around Legoland this time of year, it quickly becomes apparent that the Master Builders love Halloween! Keep your eyes open for subtle and not-so-subtle Halloween themed Lego creations throughout the Park. Legoland also hosts safe trick-or-treating on the Brick-or-Treat Trail, and has added a new Halloween event, dubbed "Brick-or-Treat Party Nights", full of special Halloween events, entertainment and contests.
5. Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld San Diego - Making its debut this year is a special Halloween-inspired event at SeaWorld San Diego. Children are encouraged to come in costume and enjoy special Halloween performances, costumed characters (including Sesame Street characters!) and trick-or-treating among a sea-inspired atmosphere.
6. Wild Animal Park's Pumpkins at the Park - Also new this year is the Wild Animal Park's "Pumpkins at the Park" event. The Wild Animal Park transforms into a safe, family friendly Halloween adventure with a trick-or-treating scavenger hunt, an Extinct Animal Graveyard, eerie entertainment, pumpkin decorating and scarecrow stuffing demonstrations, spooky animal encounters, a Conservation Cupcake Walk and Costume Contest. Oh, and the lions are pretty cool too!
7. Haunted Birch Aquarium - Is there anything cooler than catching a glimpse of bioluminescence from the sea? Water games, live music, a pumpkin patch path, snacks, and of course, trick-or-treating awaits at the Haunted Birch Aquarium.

Happy Halloween!