Whenever I visit a new city, I always try to take a walking ghost tour. It's the perfect way to…read moreexplore a city--history, atmosphere, entertainment, and get your steps in. Brian, the owner of this company, went above and beyond to make sure my friends and I had a great experience. I was in town for a conference with coworkers, and he made everything seamless. Communication was easy through phone and text, and he quickly set us up with a tour guide the very same day. He even sent us a promo code to make things easier--super accommodating. The tour itself was excellent. The weather was perfect, but what really made it memorable was our guide, Vivian. She wasn't just reciting a script--she fully embodied the stories and the vibe of the city. Without spoiling too much, I'll just say she knew exactly how to tailor the tour for us. Since our group didn't have kids, she leaned into a more mature version of the stories, which we really appreciated. The route gave us a great look at the Gaslamp District, and we even had special after-hours access to a museum. One of our group members caught a photo of an orb there--it was deliciously creepy to explore the place at night (in the best way!). Normally, you'd have to pay for admission during regular hours, so this added even more value to the experience. Vivian also took us into historic bars with fascinating backstories. We got to pause for a drink while she shared ghost tales and history, and after the tour, we could return to those same bars and skip the cover charge--another great perk built into the ticket price. Overall, it was a fun, well-rounded, and memorable ghost tour that combined history, storytelling, and a little nightlife. I recommend! YouTube video was helpful. There is no lack on information to prepare you for this tour.

Pretty cool tour. I got to be shown around by Cowboy Pete. Very informative. Very interesting…read morehistoric actual events. Not a cheesy jump scare activity, this is real true events that caused lots of unfortunate grusome deaths by greed, medical conditions and rage. Definitely would recommend

Had a planned trip to SD to visit family. My sister saw this event happening 2days before we left…read morefor our mini vacation and we spontaneously bought tickets thinking it would be fun for our kids and family to go. Party of 3 kids, 8 adults luckily we purchased tickets at pre-sale price. We arrived 10mins before 7pm (opening time) on a Sunday. The line was getting longer, thankfully we were the 3rd party in line we didn't wait long and the safe worked fast and efficiently. As soon as 7pm rolled around they opened their gates. They checked bags and used hand held metal detectors. The staff were nice. There were so many beautiful decorations. As soon as the sun came down it was even more beautiful with the lights. I loved that there were so many kid friendly activities and they also had a show. Inexpensive fun for the whole family.

Soooo much fun. A group of us went on a lark and it was just a lovely night. We all loved the…read morespeacial rooms you could interact with but the entire place was a delight and well managed.

We had a fun family outing here!…read more The young lady at the counter was very friendly and if you're walking around town like we were, they even have free lockers to store your bags while you experience the museum. Nathan was awesome with taking our pictures and telling us about the different illusions! Also, side note for the ladies - i thought it was really nice they offer free sanitary items in the restrooms.

This Museum is a lot of fun, but light on science - but not Instagrammable shots for our…read moreself-obsessed culture we find ourselves in these days. There's one visual illusion after another in this Museum, and I spent 1 1/2 hours during my entire time there. This Museum is in a really happening part of downtown, so I'd recommend pairing the Museum visit with lunch on 5th Ave. and a walk along the Embarcadero. If you've never done this, you definitely need to continue down on 5th Ave. toward the Convention Center - 5th Ave. and L St. - to see the famous Gaslamp arch.

We got lucky with parking so that was a plus but I could see where it could be a challenge…read more It was my first time doing this trail and I thought it was great. It's about a mile long, not too long or too short, filled with great props, actors and enough screams to make it worth while!! We paid for front of the line and I felt like it was well worth it. It was fun for both the kids and adults, we will definitely be doing it again next year!!

The many thrills at this annual event are what keeps them super popular. Every year they add a…read morenewer, scarier, and positive feature to the setup. When you arrive, parking can be a challenge. You must know that the road is a one way in front and alongside the venue. It runs north so don't drive down it because there are a lot of people, kids too, who are running out of the venue from actors with fake chainsaws. This year they have several scary monsters and one was even on stilts, which made him scarier. The screams from the customers inside validates the cool setup that they have. My most scariest part is the large bus. This year at the end there were food vendors and a tarot reader. The food was Los Panchos Rollys, which is the Los Panchos popup in which they only sell loaded rolled tacos. The Rollys cost $14/each order of 3. You can also find them at Lemon Grove Farmers Market on Thursdays. The event was great this year. I am excited to see what they offer next year.

Oh boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I took my GF to this just now we watch movie call "Fountainhead" with Gary…read moreCooper it old and in black and white but this make it more interest (-_-) I have a lot of fun and look at other girl when my GF getting all romantic about the movie. I recommend to bring sweater and blanket because it can get chilly but the best thing that my GF impressed that I bring her to "cultural/ artistic event" (-_-) Really I am happy because it free and also not going to get bedbug like from indoor theater :/

Ingredients: summer night, outside, under the stars, movie, people having a good time, blankets on…read moregrass, food, wine, free and in one of the most beautiful spots in the city: Balboa Park. Can't give this anything less than 5 stars.... I absolutely love this event, and couldn't wait for it to start. I was there the first run this year and will go again next week. Only a couple of nights each year, on Thursday summer nights, the San Diego Museum of Arts hosts free movie nights where they show oldies, like Hitchcock movies on a screen in Balboa Park. It attracts a big crowd, and everybody comes there about one or two hours before the start of the whole thing, and brings chairs, tables, blankets, Snuggies (saw one!), board games, food and wine. The movie starts at 8PM, but if you want to be sure to see anything, be there no later than 6-something. Most people come right after work or are 65+ so don't work to begin with. That's the beauty of the event: you see a great variety of people: young, old, fat, rich, poor, families with kids, groups of friends, dates, students... all share the love of living in San Diego and spending time outdoors. So unless an obese person sits in front of you or you have screaming kids around, you will love everyone and everyone loves you. The movies are cultural and usually oldies so if you're not into that, you might not like it. But even if I couldn't see a thing or if they showed reruns of Sesame Street (I love Elmo in fact), I would still go. It's worth going solely for hanging out on a blanket on a summer night with friends, watching the stars or other people having a good time. One of my favorite things to do is crab food on the go and a bottle of wine at a deli downtown or in Little Italy, then head over to the park with friends. You often meet cool new people too since everybody is in a good mood and shares blanket spots. The very first time I got here, I was unprepared and fashionably late... I arrived one minute before the movie started, so it was packed... then cool people offered us perfect spots close to the screen... all in exchange for my Mona Lisa meatball sandwich. Well worth to starve for. I'm bummed that next week is the last one of this year.... then another whole year of waiting until it starts again. So one more chance to go this year... I even like this a bit better than Cinema under the Stars, although that's a good (paid) substitute and runs more often and until October. If you go, bring a pillow or a chair (or something to lay your head on, believe me you want to alternate sitting/laying down and it's awkward not being able to rest your head on something), a blanket, food, drinks, friends or anyone you don't want to talk to for two hours and you're ready to picnic!

Fun fun fun! I have always wanted to go to one of these! I got invited to an event dinner by a…read morefriend and finally got to experience it. I must say the characters and plot overall were well thought out. The set-up is engaging and entertaining. I hope to try another mystery dinner soon.

I've been wanting to go to one of these murder mysteries for a long time. While it wasn't quite…read morewhat I expected, it definitely was a great time! I imagined these murder mystery dinners to be Sherlock Holmes-esque, dark and mysterious...but instead this was quite the opposite. We came here on a 80's theme 'Til death do us part' series and the setting was straight out of a cheesy, tacky 80's theme prom night and I loved every second of it. The actors are hilarious and quite talented as each would play more than one role. I laughed so much during the entire show. While I would have hated to be one of the chosen ones from the audience to participate in the show, it was really fun and funny to see audience participation. Everyone was a good sport about it and it made it that much more memorable. But, I'm so glad I was out of reach to be called upon. Service was great. Food was edible, but who's there for the food anyway. It was my birthday and they made sure to embarrass me by having everyone sing Happy Birthday to me. (thanks, guys - I hate you). The actors and actresses all put on a great show and allow you to take photos with them at the end. Overall, it was a really fun night and would definitely recommend it.

2021 Makers Arcade back from Covid. Great event, vendors, food and drinks. Get your holiday…read moreshopping done and find a few things for yourself. See you next year!

Just call me the Merry Maker!…read more We have been attending this event since it's humble beginnings, both the Holiday and Spring shows. All I can say is that it gets better and bigger each year. I preferred when they changed up the event locations, as some did allow dogs. I've always heard the Port wouldn't but there were many there on this bright sunny December day. Service dogs, questionable. The first year at Port Pavilion, the security guard let us in to run and take a photo with our dog at the photo booth, then we were able to sit outside, eat and have a cocktail. My husband let me roam the booths. Handmade and well priced deals, there is live music and a DIY craft bar. I worked with a couple who were selling their product. Impressive, they paired up with Hugh Jackman and his coffee company and they added their own custom candle. They have provided to the Golden Globes. There was not just one photo booth this year, but there were two, You could double your fun. We chose the Camera Camper as it's been my favorite photo booth to date, experienced it at one of my favorite Yelp events. Also, I am a bit suspicious of a Santa who looks to young. Santa's little helper though, I got a kick out watching her look and laugh at the photos. All I can say is "Oh, what fun for days". Its time for cotton candy and cookies made of real butter, consumer spending on handmade goods, truly merriment at it's finest. #SanDiego #MakersArcade #MerryGoodTime #RealHandmadeGoods #FakeServiceDogs

I'm a little late in reviewing Global Winter Wonderland since it is done for this holiday season…read more But, I thought I would write a review in case this comes back next year in San Diego. My understanding that 2017 was the first Global Winter Wonderland was in San Diego. I had VERY VERY low expectations. But, with the low expectations, I actually had a good time. First off, I bought a Groupon for admission so the cost was not a huge issue for me. I believe with promo codes it came up to about $25 for admission and unlimited rides. Global Winter Wonderland is in SDCCU stadium, so there was plenty of parking. I did come after Christmas, so there was far less people there. There is a long-ish line to get in (they do a bag check). Since I bought the unlimited rides, I had to stand in another line to get a wristband (short because there was less people there). Once inside, I was fairly impressed by the exhibits. So many pretty lights. They were very cute to look at. They also have few shows going on throughout the night. Since I had the unlimited rides, I rode a lot of the rides. If you get motion sickness, be very careful. Most of the rides will spin you around, flip you around, etc. I definitely should have taken some Dramamine. Overall, I had a good time and would come back. I do understand though that if it is packed, that would be annoying since the space is relatively small. I would suggest not coming during peak days. Some logistics that I wanted to mention (1) Parking is $10, make sure to remember where you parked (2) No bathrooms, except porta potties (3) Bring tons of cover up, it was sooo cold!

Save money by purchasing your ticket at Walgreens, $18 for adults, $12 for kids age 4-12 and free…read morefor kids 3 and under. I can compare the experience to be a holiday version of a scaled down Del Mar fair. The lights display were visually delightful. The stage shows are entertaining and the motorcycle act was thrilling. There were a lot of food trucks on site, lots of options for food, but it is pricey. The event only have Porta Potty for bathroom and since the event is during the night time it is really hard to see inside the Porta Potty. Overall, my family and I had a great time. It is a great family activity for the holidays. 3 stars because I think there are a lot of ways to improve the experience. Maybe fake snow? Bubbles? Make the event a "winter wonderland" as it claims and not just a light show display.