Where To Party In San Diego This October, From Oktoberfest Beer Gardens To Halloween Celebrations
October in San Diego means Oktoberfest beer gardens, Halloween parties and plenty of reasons to get together for a few drinks. From authentic German celebrations to neighborhood bars and special events, here’s PubClub’s rundown of where to party throughout the month. This article is being updated throughout October with more news and happenings.
By Kevin Wilkerson, Editor & Publisher, PubClub.com
It’s Rocktoberfest in San Diego and that means there are Oktoberfest celebrations, Halloween-themed events and the usual other fun events that happen around the city. For starters, the Padres made the post-season for the third consecutive season, the first time has happened in franchise history.
Here is a rundown of San Diego October events featuring Oktoberfest festivals, Halloween parties, bar specials, beer releases and nightlife happenings throughout the month. The last update was made on Oct. 7.
San Diego Oktoberfest Events & Beer Festivals — El Cajon, La Mesa, Ocean Beach
El Cajon Oktoberfest (Sept. 25–27 and Oct. 2–4)
The biggest and longest – it’s two weekends – Oktoberfest celebration in San Diego and the one that probably provides the most authentic experience is hosted by the German American Societies of San Diego. It takes place in a German setting and the band, Guggenbach-Buam, comes in from Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The Hours are 4-10 p.m., on Fridays Noon-10 on Saturdays Noon-9 on Sundays. and Tickets are $15 on Fridays and Saturdays and $5 for “family day” on Sundays.
Address & Map: 1017 S Mollison
La Mesa Oktoberfest (Oct. 3-5)
This is the 52nd anniversary of this Bavarian-and-more event. Taking place around several blocks of downtown La Mesa, it has a big biergarden with a main stage and other smaller beirgardens with more live entertainment. This is the most varied of the San Diego Oktoberfest celebrations in that in addition to an oompha band that rotates around to the various stages, it also has a lot of rock cover and tribute bands.
The event is free, tho it cost $15 to get into the biergardens (VIP and other packages are available). You can read more about La Mesa Oktoberfest here on PubClub.com and see the lineup of bands.
The hours are 4-10 on Friday, Noon-10 on Saturday and Noon-8 on Sunday.
Ocean Beach Oktoberfest (Oct. 9 & 10)
A local told PubClub.com that this is the city’s best Oktoberfest party. Okay, he’s an OB guy but anyway, it’s the only one at the beach so it has that going for it. It takes place in the parking lot by the pier.
It starts with the Flashback Friday Locals Night featuring the Local Legends Stein Hold. On Saturday, it’s the OB+RL Beach Party from Noon-5 featuring the Mr. & Ms. Oktoberfest Bikini Competition, and the Y2K After Dark Neon Party from 8-10 on the Electronica Stage. There are 2-for-1 beers on Friday until 5 PM and Saturday until 1 PM.
This is not a free event. Tickets are $20 per person, $75 for VIP.
San Diego Halloween Parties & Nightlife
• Margaritaville Hotel San Diego is getting into the Halloween spirit with “Lost Temple Tavern,” a haunted jungle transformation of LandShark Bar & Grill running from Saturday, October 10 through Saturday, October 31. The immersive Halloween experience will transport guests to a forgotten tropical temple filled with overgrown jungle décor, tropical skeletons,photo opportunities and spooky surprises.
The cocktails are as follows: Lost Soul Punch ($15) Margaritaville Dark and Coconut Rums, 99 Bananas, pineapple juice, passion fruit purée, lime juice and grenadine, served in a tiki glass. The Black Bat ($15) Murciélago Tequila Blanco, lime juice and black agave syrup with a black salt rim. igor Mortis ($16) Empress Gin, Fuji Apple & Ginger Red Bull and Blue Curaçao.. Bloody Ghost Skull Shot ($10) Ghost Blanco Tequila and hibiscus syrup. Register in advance here.
• The upstairs bar at Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, the 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar is hositng a
Howl-O-Ween for dogs and dog owner on Thursday, October 29 from 4-6 p.m. There’s a costume contest at 5:30 with the winner receiving a one-night stay at Margaritaville Hotel, plus a $50 dining credit, pending approval from the hotel team. The second-place winner will receive a gift basket from Kahoots Gaslamp. Guests arriving with pups dressed in their Halloween best can also receive fun dog-themed handouts, available while supplies last.\ For the humans, the bar will offer its regular happy hour cocktail deals, plus one festive specialty cocktail created just for the occasion: The Black Bat, made with tequila, lime and black agave syrup. A playful bat- or dog-themed stir stick will add an extra Halloween touch to each cocktail.
Beyond the costumes, the regular Yappy Hour experience is designed with dogs in mind, featuring a menu of canine-friendly “barktails” and bites. Pups can cool down with a Pawgarita, a cucumber-and-ice blend, or a Pupa Colada made with coconut purée, while the food menu includes options like Canine Crudité, a Bark Burger made with a grilled beef patty and Paw-lickin’ Chicken.
• The Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter is transforming its Sunset Terrace into an outdoor movie theater on Oct. 24 for a free screening of Ghostbusters from 8-10 p.m. Food and drinks are available for purchase.
• The hotel’s Wild Hare Bar Garden is hosting a Barks & Boos Yappy Hour earlier on the same day. From 4-6 p.m., there’s a Halloween pup costume contest with prizes, happy hour food and drink specials, a dog-friendly menu, seasonal treats and giveaways. Costumes are encouraged for both the petsa and their owners.
• The Gondola Company is transforming its Venetian gondola ride into A Haunting in Venice ride with phantom gondoliers and soft organ music, setting the scene for an evening of enchanting mystery. Going from Oct. 28-31, the private 50-minute gondola cruises drift through the canals and waterways of Coronado at nighttime. Select wines, non-alcoholic beverages, and assorted chocolates are available for purchase. Upgrade your experience with The Haunting Caorlina Cruise. This large-scale group party on the water has space for 14 passengers, cozy blankets to keep you warm, and all the Instagram worthy moments for you and your friends. Pricing starts at $550, including gratuity. Sign up here.
San Diego October Bar News & Events
Here’s a rundown of what else is happening in San Diego this October.
Mission Bayfest (Oct. 16-18)
This three-day music festival features 27 bands at Mariner’s Point Park in Mission Bay. Among this year’s lineup is Koloke Kai, Rebelution, Offspring and Steel Pulse. GA tickets are $140 and the three-day GA is $280. Tickets are available here.
National Taco Day (Oct. 6)
Tacos are a huge part of San Diego’s food culture and the here’s a few places to visit for National Taco Day on Oct. 6.
• Hasta Mañana Cantina in the Gaslamp has Gringo Tacos (3 for $19) with seasoned ground beef, fresh lettuce, tomato, lime crema and mixed cheese tucked into a crisp hard shell, which is rare in San Diego. It also has five varieties of street tacos, from crispy Carnitas (3 for $22)- a house favorite with spicy avocado salsa and pickled habanero onion) to Al Pastor (3 for $19) and the vegetarian Mushroom Al Pastor (3 for $18).
At City Tacos’s six San Diego County locations, the Quesibirria ($4.95) nods to its Guadalajara roots with pulled beef, cilantro, onions, melted Asadero cheese, creamy serrano salsa and a semi-fried, consommé-infused corn tortilla. The Friars Fish Taco ($4.85) brings a Spanish-inspired twist with grilled Basa, roasted chili oil and red pepper dressing, plus green beans, arugula, pickled red onion, tomato, and grilled cheese on a flour tortilla.
With more than 15 tacos on the menu, Quiero Restaurants in Seaport Village and Imperial Beach has more than 15 tacos on the menu with most priced for less than $5. Among them are the Ossobuco Taco ($4.95), Crispy Shrimp Taco ($4.95), and Hawaiian Chorizo Taco ($4.95). Quiero shares a space with Mike Hess brewing, so you can have good beer to go with the tacos and, in the case of Seaport Village, a few of San Diego Bay.
Known for its relaxed Pacific Beach atmosphere, PB’s The Duck Dive has the Citrus Carne Asada Taco (three for $19) adds a bright twist with citrus-marinated carne asada, red onion, radish, jalapeño crema and queso fresco on a warm corn tortilla. For something with a little crunch, the Beer-Battered Shrimp Taco (three for $18) pairs crunchy shrimp with shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, radish, queso fresco, and jalapeño crema.
More San Diego October Happenings
• The delicious 6th & G Breakfast Co., downtown has introduced an new cocktail – the Ube-Tini – and Tiramisu Flood Pancakes as seasonal specials. The drink is a breakfast version of a martini and includes ube, Bailey’s Irish cream, vanilla vodka, coconut cream and coconut cold foam. The buttermilk pancakes are with coffee and are served with espresso, anglaise, mascarpone flood sauce, and cocoa powder. 6th & G is open daily from 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Yacht Rock brunch is docking at Rustic Root. On Oct 10, the Gaslamp bars and resturant is playing the late ’70s and early ’80s music with specialty cocktails, mimosas, and bottomless champagne packages. It goes from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Kansas City Barbeque, more widely known as the Top Gun bar, is inviting people to raise a glass to celebrate the life of founder Martin Blair, on Sunday, Oct. 18, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. “Light food and drinks will be provided,” according to the bar.
• The Taco of the Month at City Tacos is the Pescadilla: smoked tuna machaca cooked with garlic, potato, tomato, onions, parsley, capers and olives. It’s topped with cabbage, pico de gallo, chipotle aioli, and a cotija cheese sprinkle on a crunchy corn tortilla. The Pescadilla, which returns to the menu for the first time since December 2024, goes for $5.50 at each of City Tacos’ six San Diego County locations in Encinitas, La Mesa, North Park (the original; est. 2014), Ocean Beach (OB Playground), Pacific Beach, and Sorrento Valley.
• The Links at Lakehouse is shaking up the traditional golf tournament with its Greenskeeper’s Revenge Shotgun Tournament, a 4-man scramble on Oct. 22 where golfers have to navigate challenging greens, tucked pins and some very unexpected obstacles along the way. Teams of four play a scramble format while also competing in Closest to the Pin and Long Drive challenges with other prizes up for grabs. And because everyone could use a little help surviving the Greenskeeper’s revenge, each $119 entry includes two mulligans, one Magic Putt, two Closest to the Pin attempts and two Long Drive attempts, as well as a golf cart, tacos or a burger, a beer, a sleeve of golf balls and a Links at Lakehouse branded towel.
Kevin Wilkerson is the founder of PubClub.com,an award-winning journalist and San Diego-based nightlife expert who has spent years exploring Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and other coastal communities. He has covered destinations, events and entertainment for more than two decades and received an Associated Press award for investigative journalism while working as a newspaper reporter.
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