The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park
Haunted attraction · San Diego · California
Reinventing fear for 27 years, the Haunted Trail runs a mile through the gnarled oaks of historic Marston Point, paired with the 3,500-square-foot eXperiment Maze. The free Dark Carnival, with games, roaming creatures and food trucks, returns for a second year and needs no ticket.
Don’t miss
Plan your visit
Color nearby peaks: November 26–November 30
Color builds from November 13 · mostly bare by December 22
Method: daily ERA5 temperatures drive a photoperiod + chilling phenology model, sampled at The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park’s own coordinates and elevation (76 m) rather than a regional average. Estimates, not promises — check locally before you plan a trip around it.
The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park on the map
More things to do in California
June Lake Loop
Scenic drivePeak September 26
A 16-mile loop off US 395 threads four alpine lakes below Carson Peak, and by early October its aspen groves turn the roadside gold. Pull off anywhere along the pavement; Reversed Creek and the June Lake overlook give the classic Eastern Sierra shot.
Don’t miss: Reversed Creek aspen groves · Views of Carson Peak · Four lakes along one loop road
Bishop Creek Canyon
Scenic drivePeak September 28
South Lake Road climbs from Bishop into a narrow Eastern Sierra canyon where quaking aspens along Bishop Creek turn brilliant gold, usually peaking mid-to-late October. North Lake and South Lake bookend one of California's densest fall color drives.
Don’t miss: South Lake and North Lake · Aspen groves along the creek · Parchers Camp turnout
Yosemite Valley
National parkPeak September 29
Yosemite Valley's black oaks and bigleaf maples color the meadows below El Capitan and Half Dome in late October, thinning the summer crowds without thinning the granite. Cook's Meadow and the Valley Loop Trail frame the display.
Don’t miss: Cook's Meadow black oaks · Valley Loop Trail · Views of El Capitan and Half Dome
Lundy Canyon
TrailPeak September 22
A trail up Lundy Canyon climbs past beaver ponds and waterfalls through some of the Eastern Sierra's thickest aspen groves, glowing gold by mid-October. The out-and-back from Lundy Lake is Mono County's signature fall color hike.
Don’t miss: Beaver ponds and waterfalls · Dense aspen groves · Lundy Lake trailhead
Plan from a city
Frequently asked
- When does The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for November 26–November 30 (best estimate November 28). Color starts around November 13 and is mostly bare by December 22.
- What is The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park best for?
- A haunt walkable from downtown San Diego.
- How do I get to The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park?
- The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park is in San Diego. The closest city is San Diego, about 1 mi away (it's right in town). It's part of California's fall lineup.
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