This Halloween, take a ride on the scary side of San Diego. Whether you've got kids in tow, or you're searching for something to do solo, here's a handful of our fave All Hallows Eve festivities.

SeaWorld San Diego Halloween Spooktacular

October 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, 31, and November 1-2. During regular park hours. Come to where Halloween meets the sea at SeaWorld's Halloween Spooktacular. At this not-too-scary celebration, kids can enjoy Sesame Street performances, special animal shows, colorful costumed characters, and trick-or-treating in a sea-inspired atmosphere, including friendly sea witches, octopuses, schools of fish, and more. Costumes are absolutely encouraged. 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego. 800-25-SHAMU. www.seaworldsandiego.com.

LEGOLAND California Resort Brick-or-Treat Trail and Party Nights

October 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, and 25-26 (Trail). October 4, 11, 18, and 25 (Party Nights). Young ghosts and goblins are invited to this fun, family celebration. This year the park celebrates the 10th anniversary of Brick-or-Treat with special Party Nights every Saturday in October from 5-9pm. During the day, revelers 12 and under get to trick-or-treat with a LEGOLAND souvenir bag on the exclusive Brick-or-Treat Trail. And when the sun goes down, the park is transformed into a not-too-spooky Halloween haven, featuring costume contests, nighttime trick-or-treating, live music and entertainment with the Boo Crew, plus dance performances by San Diego's own Studio FX Kids. 1 LEGOLAND Drive, Carlsbad. 760-918-5346. www.legolandca.com.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps Haunted Birch Aquarium

October 24-26 6-9pm. Enjoy a family-friendly night of science gone awry. Encounter creeps from the deep and experiments with wacky, mad scientists. Explore the aquarium for tricky-treats, slimy encounters, spooky activities, and monstrous live music. Wrap your tentacles around the horrors of life without water in the new exploration courtyard. Put your knowledge and skills to the test in a maze of haunted activities. Just don't forget to come dressed to impress for the costume contest held each evening, where prizes will be awarded for the best marine-themed, family-themed, and most creative costumes. 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. 858-534-FISH. www.aquarium.ucsd.edu.

San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park Boo at the Zoo

October 31 5-6:30pm and 6:30-8pm. Make this year's Halloween memorable for the whole family with an evening in the Children's Zoo. This event is perfect for families with kids 3-11. Decorate your very own trick-or-treat bag and then go seek goodies down Creepy Crawler Lane. Meet some friendly animals, cast your web and catch a prize at the Spider Station, and eat some seriously yummy snacks. And, for the curious, you can see and touch animal skull replicas - if you dare. Costumes encouraged. Reservations required. 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego. 619-557-3969. www.sandiegozoo.org.

Del Mar Fairgrounds The Scream Zone

October 3-5, 9-12, 16-19, 23-November 1 7-11pm (Friday-Saturday till 12am) It won't be the same old scares when ghosts, goblins, and ghouls return to The Scream Zone this year. Among the new features: fresh, blood-curdling scenes in the House of Horror; a creepy trip through the haunted barns on the back side of the Del Mar Race Track on the Haunted Hayride; plus The Chamber, a twisting maze with frights around every corner. This frightening event isn't recommended for kids under 10. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. 858-755-1161. www.sdfair.com/screamzone.

Gaslamp District The Haunted Hotel

Through November 1 (closed Monday-Tuesday, except October 27-28) 7pm-11pm (Friday and Saturday 6pm-1am). In the Gaslamp District, The Haunted Hotel is where horror movies come to life. Blood-curdling past films include Hostel, Saw and Texas Chainsaw Massacre - why not come find out what films will fright this year? The Haunted Hotel features terrifying special effects and illusions that are hauntingly real. This event is definitely not for the weak-at-heart. 424 Market Street, San Diego. 619-231-0131. www.hauntedhotel.com.

Balboa Park The Haunted Trail

Through November 1 (closed Monday-Tuesday, except October 27-28). 7pm-11pm (Friday and Saturday 6pm-1am). Set in Balboa Park, The Haunted Trail is San Diego's only all-outdoor haunted attraction. But don't be fooled - it's no walk in the park. The horror of fairy tales comes to life - something not even the Brothers Grimm could make up. Experience terror that is simply too big to house indoors. Sorry, no pregnant women nor persons with heart conditions allowed entrance. Not recommended for children under 10. Marston Point, east of 6th Avenue and Juniper Street, San Diego. 619-231-0131. www.hauntedhotel.com.