October
Thu. 01 • Oktoberfest
Sat. 03 • Halloween Spooktacular
Sat. 03 • San Marcos Hike
Wed. 21 • Family Night Craft Pick-Up
Sat. 24 • Trail Talk
…and more!
Oktoberfest
Enjoy a delicious German-inspired meal and polka music by the Tom Eskola Trio.
Please call by 2 p.m. at least one (1) business day in advance to reserve a meal. At least one (1) week notice is requested for special events. Pre-registration is required. Call (760) 744-5535 x3607 for a reservation.
Thursday, October 1
San Marcos Senior Center • 111 Richmar Avenue
Halloween Spooktacular
Join us for a festive, family-friendly evening filled with Halloween fun for all ages.
Enjoy a free Halloween dance party and costume parade, then play games, make crafts, jump, and snack for just $1 per activity – while supplies last!
Pre-register online to reserve your $10 Activity Bundle, which includes 10 activity tickets (1 ticket per activity) plus a FREE mini Trick-or-Treat tote! Walk-up activity tickets will also be available.
Saturday, October 3 • 4-8 p.m. • $1 per activity
Williams Barn at Walnut Grove Park • 1950 Sycamore Drive REGISTER
San Marcos Hike
Mule Hill Historical Trail
Easy: Start from the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead to enjoy a scenic 6.4-mile hike on the Mule Hill Historical Trail towards Raptor Ridge. Little to no elevation gain.
Meeting location: San Dieguito River Park Parking Lot, 12655 Sunset Dr., Escondido 92025 (south of Via Rancho Parkway past The Hodges Golf Learning Center)
Saturday, October 3 • Free
Sign-in starts at 7:30 a.m.
Family Night Craft Pick-Up
Pumpkin Monsters
Use craft materials to transform a real, miniature pumpkin into a silly, spooky, or goofy monster!
Family Night activities bring families together. Crafts/activities are intended for children ages three to ten. Each on-the-go kit contains one craft or activity. Adjust the quantity when registering for each child participating.
Wednesday, October 21 • $5
Community Center • 3 Civic Center Drive
Fantasy Tea Parties
Tailored for guests ages 4 to 12, Tea Party festivities include dressing up, painting teacups, baking scones, crafting keepsakes, engaging in a treasure hunt, and sipping on “tea” (apple juice). Whether it’s a birthday celebration, a Girl Scout Troop meeting, or just a day of fun, our tea parties promise memorable moments.
Saturdays (Must register in advance) • 10 a.m.-1 p.m. • $309
Wood House • 1148 Rock Springs Road
Trail Talk
Creatures of the Dark: Halloween Edition
Join us for a spooky-but-family-friendly nighttime adventure at Lakeview Park as we uncover the truth behind nature’s most misunderstood creatures. From bats and spiders to moths, owls, and other nighttime “creepy crawlies,” discover how these animals became symbols of Halloween and why they’ve been feared for centuries. Along the trail, we’ll separate myths from reality, explore the fascinating adaptations that help these creatures survive after dark, and learn why many of nature’s “spookiest” animals are important helpers in our ecosystem.
Meeting location: Lakeview Park, 650 Foxhall Drive, San Marcos, CA 92078.
Saturday, October 24 • Sign-in starts at 6 p.m. • Free
Fun Friday Nights
Children ages 4 to 11 will enjoy a night of games, crafts, pizza and movies. This program is supervised by trained recreation leaders.
Friday, October 16 • 6-10 p.m. • $25 per child
San Elijo Rec Center • 1105 Elfin Forest Road, or San Marcos Community Center • 3 Civic Center Drive
Nature Adventures
Nature Adventures are private parties at Jack’s Pond Nature Center for children ages 6 to 12. During the party, guests will have the opportunity to explore 10 themed rooms in the Nature Center, participate in a craft (either decorating canvas tote bags or making beaded lizard keychains), go on a hike to the pond, and make “dirt and worms” pudding cups.
Saturdays • 10 a.m.-1 p.m. • $309
Jack’s Pond Nature Center • 986 La Moree Road
Aquatic Programs
Please note: Both pools are cashless.
• Annual Splash Pass Membership
• Private Swim Lessons
• Group Swim Lessons
For more information about our pool schedules and details about Aqua Aerobics, Open Recreational Swim, or Lap Swim, please visit our website by clicking the button below.
Purchase a Splash Pass & Register for Swim Lessons
Become a San Marcos Shark
Make a splash with our Recreational Swim Team! Open to all skill levels, we focus on fun, fitness, and friendship in a supportive, low-pressure environment. Build confidence, improve your strokes, and enjoy friendly meets—no intense commitment required. Swim test is required.
Monday-Thursday
5-8 years old • 4-4:45 p.m.
9 and older • 5-5:45 p.m.
$150 per month (families do not have to attend all practices)
Las Posas Park Pool • 1387 West Borden Road
Discover our Recreation Guide
Have you explored the San Marcos Recreation Guide yet? Be sure to check out all the exciting programs and events happening this season.
View the guide online and start planning your fun with San Marcos Parks & Recreation!
Recreation Scholarships Available
The Friends of San Marcos Parks & Recreation have donated $10,000 for recreation scholarships! These scholarships are available through the City of San Marcos Parks & Recreation and are contingent upon meeting certain financial eligibility requirements.
Scholarship applications accepted:
July 1 through March 31.
Park Shelter Reservations Available
The City has 24 reservable picnic shelters at 14 City parks that may be reserved to host your next celebration. A reservation must be made for groups of 25 people or more and groups who wish to have an inflatable or pony/petting zoo. Groups of fewer than 25 people can still make a reservation or use the park on a first-come, first-served basis.
Reservable park picnic shelters can be reserved online a minimum of 8 days in advance and at the Parks and Recreation office 4 days in advance of your desired date. Reservations are paid in full at the time of booking. For more information, click the button below or call (760) 744-9000.
San Marcos Parks & Recreation | 3 Civic Center Drive | San Marcos, CA 92069
