Celebrate Fall In San Diegoby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 06 Sep 2007 10:48 PM Personally, I think San Diego shines all year round. But in the fall, the area plays host to a number of outstanding family friendly events, which makes visiting even more worthwhile. Sure, the city is home to world famous vacation attractions such as the San Diego Zoo, Legoland and SeaWorld, which are open all year long, but if you are looking for unique fall-related special events to attend with your children the city is a premiere destination. Take a look at just some of the kid-friendly festivals that will be getting underway in the next couple of weeks: Fleet Week. This event actually unfolds over the next six weeks beginning September 17th and ending October 27th. The annual celebration honoring the men and women who risk their lives protecting our freedoms is highlighted with a Sea & Air Parade on September 29th, free ship tours at the Broadway Pier, and the Miramar Air Show on October 12-14. Pacific Islander Festival. The annual event celebrates its 13th year on September 22-23 and as always it's free to the public. The cultural celebration showcases the customs of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, at Mission Bay's Ski Beach; the event also features unique food items and original crafts. Oktoberfest. Several communities around San Diego County celebrate the annual German festival, including La Mesa, which has one of the largest of its kind on the West Coast. La Mesa's Oktoberfest takes places this year from October 5-7. San Diego International Film Festival. The annual movie festival returns to the Gaslamp Quarter September 27-30, while the San Diego Asian Film Festival takes place October 11-18. Both events are open to the public and offer a fresh take on film premieres with wide-ranging programming, including thought-proving documentaries, short films and music videos. The 32nd annual Harvest Festival. This year's festivities run from October 26-28 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. This annual event is one of the largest art and gift shows on the West Coast, featuring the wares of 300 artists, along with food, music and a pumpkin patch for the kids. Dia de los Muertos. On October 28th, the city of Oceanside, located 45 minutes north of downtown San Diego, celebrates Dia de los Muertos or "Day of the Dead" by transforming its downtown streets into a Mexican plaza with more than 30,000 marigolds, used to create "ofrendas" or altars as memorials to loved ones who have passed away. In addition to the floral memorials, the festival also features music, food, dancing, and a Chalk Cemetery, an interactive area that allows guests to use flowers, candles and chalk to post messages to deceased family members and friends. The event takes place this year on October 28th. Haunted House. San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter is hosting an annual haunted house, September 28th through October 31st at the Haunted Hotel located at 424 Market Street. Related Articles: Fall Festivals From Coast to Coast Fun Fall Family Travel Destinations-Part 5: Farms and Festivals Fun Fall Family Travel Destinations-Part 1: Corn Mazes Fun Fall Family Travel Destinations--Part 2: Haunted Houses Fun Fall Family Travel Destinations-Part 3: Hiking Trails Fun Fall Family Travel Destinations-Part 4: Train Rides Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments  Libby Pelham (12871) 07 Sep 2007 06:23 AMWhen we lived there, they had an incredible Oktoberfest at Balboa Park. It was one of the best festivals I've ever been to! I miss San Diego! Community Tags california, fall travel, family travel, san diego, Travel Discuss this article
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