Even with our Top 13 Haunted Houses on the books, we’re still on the lookout for bone-shuddering scares all over the country. Today, we learn that even the idyllic west coast paradise of San Diego knows how to terrify even the stoutest of hearts. Put on your rubber underwear and head out to The Scream Zone.
This ghastly grotto of the Del Mar Fairgrounds has something for everyone: old-school scares, a haunted hayride and a mind-bending maze of malice. If you plan to take on all three haunts, make sure you arrive early lest you spend all night standing in line.
With the most early exits in its trembling wake, The House of Horror is The Scream Zone’s signature haunt. In this old-fashioned haunted house, room after room strobes, fogs and drips with menace. Costumed actors made up to gory perfection and intricately disgusting sets will have you reeling every step of the way (and really, that’s just how we like it). Children under 10 are not recommended for The House of Horror.
For the younger children (but really anyone), the Haunted Hayride promises the safety of a bigger group and defined path, but don’t be surprised if you don’t feel all that safe. Creatures from beyond have this nagging habit of stalking the unfortunate souls who find themselves too far out from the light. The Haunted Hayride is less intense than the House, but it’s important to gauge your own child’s tolerance.
If you like illusion, and perhaps a little vertigo, with your terror, don’t you dare skip on The Chamber. This maze-like haunt features San Diego’s largest spinning tunnel, a common fun house contraption that creates an unsettling sense of vertigo in unprepared challengers. This best-of-both-worlds haunt is not to be missed.
I love this: The Scream Zone keeps track of its walk-outs or people who choose to leave the haunt midway (presumably because they are too scared). Last year, in only 21 or so days of business, the three haunts of The Scream Zone racked up an impressive 629 victims. That’s nearly 30 people sent screaming to the exits every night. Pretty good numbers (just remember, folks, no refunds! You did pay them to scare you after all).
The Scream Zone is located at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California, just a little bit up the road from San Diego proper. The attraction is open from September 25 – October 31, though it’s not open every day. Learn more.
Since the attraction is a bit north of San Diego, we thought we’d stay a bit north of it ourselves. The Hotel La Jolla offers a fantastic shorefront location in trendy La Jolla, California about 10-15 minutes from the fairgrounds. Good restaurant, too.
Have a scary good time!
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