3 haunted houses near San Diego with 2026 dates confirmed on their official sites, across 3 towns. The earliest to open is The Haunted Amusement Park Scare Trail, on September 25. The most intense, at 4 of 5 ghosts: The Haunted Amusement Park Scare Trail and The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park.
A mile-long haunted walk through the abandoned rides of the old Marshal Scotty's Playland: roller coaster, bumper cars and a circus maze, with blackouts, fog and strobes.
Drive-through haunt inside a working car wash: you stay in your car while costumed performers, lights and effects surround it.
A mile-long outdoor walk through dark woods in Balboa Park with live scare actors, plus the indoor eXperiment maze and a Dark Carnival scare zone near the entrance.
The Haunted Amusement Park Scare Trail, The Haunted Carwash (Carlsbad) and The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park. Each has its 2026 dates, hours and prices on its own page.
The earliest in this guide is The Haunted Amusement Park Scare Trail on September 25, 2026.
The most intense in this guide are The Haunted Amusement Park Scare Trail and The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park, rated up to 4 of 5 ghosts on our scare scale. Check each venue's own age guidance before you go.
The milder picks are The Haunted Carwash (Carlsbad), rated 3 of 5 ghosts.
The Haunted Carwash (Carlsbad): From $30 per vehicle; The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park: From $34.99. Prices are from each official site.
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