In today’s Carlsbad Scoop:
North County has great fall energy this week featuring family-friendly festivals, art shows, and seasonal markets. Many dog-friendly events, too!
Celebrate harvest season and autumn vibes at local pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and social hours in Encinitas and San Marcos.
Warehouse sales, outdoor concerts, and unique pop-ups offer plenty of shopping and entertainment options.
Carlsbad and other North County cities continue voicing concerns over Senate Bill 79, a state law promoting denser housing near transit hubs.
Fall events and farmers markets across North County through the weekend.
Let’s get to it.
🗓️ Upcoming Events in (and around) Carlsbad
Thursday 10/16:
🐕 Howl'oween at Fox Point Farms | Fox Point Farms, Encinitas | Thurs 10/16, 5pm–7pm Bring your four-legged bestie for a dog costume parade, pup cup treats, photo ops, and yappy hour socializing. Contest prizes for Best Costume, Funniest Pup, and Dynamic Duo. Free event, ticket required. All friendly, leashed dogs welcome. details
👟 Vuori La Jolla x HOKA Run | Vuori, La Jolla | Thurs 10/16, 6pm Group run from the Vuori store, followed by shopping and refreshments. Free, RSVP required, all fitness levels welcome. 7841 Girard Ave, La Jolla. details
🛍️ lululemon Like New Warehouse Sale + Rent The Runway Warehouse Sale | Alternative Retail, Carlsbad | Thurs–Sun 10/16–10/19, 10am–6pm Score gently used lululemon and designer Rent The Runway finds—just one free ticket covers both pop-up sales! 2561 El Camino Real. Ticket required for ages 15+; standby spots available daily. details
🎸 Live N LOUD Rock-toberfest | Pour House, Oceanside | Thurs 10/16, 7pm Rock out with PitDriver, Man-Flesh, and Broken Ballad at the Pour House. Free entry, all ages (under 21 with a parent/guardian), costumes encouraged. Expect a loud night of live music and good eats. details
🎷 Steely Dead: Grateful Dead x Steely Dan Fusion | Belly Up, Solana Beach | Thurs 10/16, 8pm An electrifying night blending iconic jam-band and jazz-rock classics. Tickets start at $27 advance/$30 day of, with reserved loft seats at $48 details
Friday 10/17:
👻 Olivenhain Haunted Hotel 25th Anniversary | Olivenhain Meeting Hall, Encinitas | Fri 10/17, 6pm–9:30pm Scout Troop 2000's Halloween tradition returns with Dr. Frankenstein's Lab, Witches' Lair, Haunted Swamp, and Candy Mystery Trail—plus carnival games and snacks. Free RSVP, tickets purchased onsite for activities. All ages, family-friendly spooks for 25 years! details
💎 Gem Faire | Del Mar Fairgrounds | Fri–Sun 10/17–10/19, Fri 12pm–6pm, Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 10am–5pm Shop fine jewelry, crystals, gems, and beads at wholesale prices. Admission $7 weekend pass, free under 12. details
🎷 The Soto Six Live Jazz | Baba Coffee, Carlsbad | Fri 10/17, 5:30pm–8:30pm Smooth jazz in a cozy wine lounge and patio setting. Free event. details
🎬 Sinners Film Screening | Brooks Theatre, Oceanside | Fri 10/17, 7pm–9:30pm New thriller starring Michael B. Jordan from Ryan Coogler. $7–$10 tickets. details
🌽 Haunted Corn Maze | Carlsbad Strawberry Company | Fri–Sat 10/17–10/18, 7pm–10pm Navigate a 1.5-mile corn maze with family-friendly spooky fun. GA $25, Fast Pass $45. details
🎶 San Diego International Film Festival’s Party with a Purpose | Belly Up, Solana Beach | Fri 10/17, 9pm A high-energy night of music and dancing with The Mustache Bash Band and DJ PJ, raising funds for the Festival’s Impact Education Program. 21+ event, GA $55. details
Saturday 10/18:
🍁 Fall Fam Fest | Williams Barn, Walnut Grove Park, San Marcos | Sat 10/18, 10am–2pm Family fun with fall games, photo ops, pumpkins, tasty food, and micro business booths including Blissful Seeds. Child entrance fee $5, RSVP recommended. details
🐾 Howl-O-Ween Harvest Family Festival | Helen Woodward Humane Education Campus, Rancho Santa Fe | Sat 10/18, 9am–1pm (also 10/25–10/26) Animal interactions, crafts, and festive games for families and animal lovers. details
🧵 Open Studio: Stitched! | Carlsbad City Library, Central | Sat 10/18, 11am–2pm Mixed media art combining watercolor and embroidery. Free, all ages. details
🌊 Surfrider Beach Cleanup | Moonlight Beach, Encinitas | Sat 10/18, 9am–11am Volunteer to clean local beaches. Free, family-friendly. details
🚜 Annual October Tractor Show | Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, Vista | Sat–Sun 10/18–10/19 & 10/25–10/26, 9am–1pm See vintage tractors and steam engines, vendors, and enjoy family-friendly activities. $10 admission, children under 3 free. details
🎸 Anthony Cullins w/ Special Guests | Brooks Theatre, Oceanside | Sat 10/18, 6pm–9pm Blues, soul, and rock with Anthony Cullins and friends. Tickets $20–$25. details
Sunday 10/19:
🌾 Escondido Grand Avenue Festival | Downtown Escondido | Sun 10/19, 9am–5pm Historic street festival with food, music, art, performers, and handmade goods—celebrating community and local flavor for over 30 years. Free. details
🍂 Nature Collective Fall Festival | San Dieguito County Park, Del Mar | Sun 10/19, 10am–1pm Live animal encounters, tide pool discovery, crafts, and face painting. Free, all ages. Parking $3 onsite or free on the street. details
🎊 Fallbrook Harvest Faire | Main Ave, Downtown Fallbrook | Sun 10/19, 9am–4pm Artisan vendors, beer & wine garden, games, contests, live music, scarecrows, and lots of fall treats. Family vibe with small town charm. details
🍊🥑Farmers Markets:🍓🧺
Wednesday: Carlsbad: 2:30pm-7pm | State Steet | details
Thursday: Oceanside: 9am-1pm | Pier View Way | details
Friday: San Marcos: 4pm-8pm | N City Drive | details
Saturday:
Sunday:
🌤️🌊 Carlsbad Weather and Wave Forecast
Weather 🌤️
Thursday 10/16
73 🌡️ 49 | 🌤️ | 0% | 💨 SW 3 mph
Friday 10/17
77 🌡️ 50 | 🌤️ | 0% | 💨 SW 6 mph
Saturday 10/18
76 🌡️ 52 | 🌤️ | 0% | 💨 SW 7 mph
Sunday 10/19
73 🌡️ 53 | 🌤️ | 0% | 💨 SW 6 mph
🏘️ Newsom Signs SB 79 Allowing Taller Housing Near Transit—North County Cities Push Back
Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 79 on October 10, 2025, allowing multi-family housing up to nine stories near major transit hubs, including stops on the North County Transit District’s Coaster and Sprinter lines. The law overrides local zoning rules, aiming to address California’s housing shortage by encouraging dense, transit-oriented development within a half-mile of qualifying transit stops.
The bill permits buildings up to 75 feet tall and 120 units per acre near the busiest rail stations, with lesser heights allowed near light rail and bus rapid transit stops. It mandates that transit agencies develop housing on their land near stops, with at least 20% deed-restricted affordable units, and allows these agencies to set their own zoning standards with public input.
Despite statewide support, North County cities—including Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Vista, and Del Mar—have opposed SB 79, arguing it undermines local land-use authority and lacks sufficient affordable housing guarantees. Local leaders warn it forces approval of large developments without regard to community needs or environmental review. Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner called it “bad policy” that ruins careful local planning, while Encinitas Mayor Bruce Ehlers criticized the state’s pattern of overriding local housing elements.
State Senenator Catherine Blakespear of Encinitas also voted against SB 79, emphasizing the importance of preserving local control over land use decisions. Meanwhile, the North County Transit District is already advancing major mixed-use projects near transit centers, aligned with the bill’s goals, including a planned Oceanside Transit Center redevelopment featuring 500 apartments and over $100 million in transit upgrades. SB 79 takes effect July 1, 2026, setting the stage for significant changes in North County’s coastal and transit-adjacent neighborhoods.
🌊 Coastal Commission Proposes $2.4 Million in Penalties for Carlsbad Property Violations
The California Coastal Commission is demanding more than $2.4 million in penalties for a Carlsbad property owner accused of numerous violations impacting public coastal access and habitat protection near Buena Vista Lagoon. Allegations include locked gates restricting public beach and trail access, unpermitted construction of a pickleball court, clearing vegetation to create parking, and unauthorized fencing on sensitive lands.
The property owner contests these claims, affirming that many changes were approved locally and asserting that the state agency is overstepping its authority. A complex history of overlapping city and commission coastal permits further complicates the case. The owner has signaled readiness to contest the penalties in court if necessary.
Coastal Commission staff maintain that these penalties are necessary to restore public access, especially to the only disabled-accessible beach entry in the area, currently blocked by a locked gate. Environmental groups have publicly supported the commission’s drive to uphold beach access and preserve coastal habitat integrity.
The commission’s decision will be made at an upcoming meeting in Redondo Beach. This case underscores ongoing tensions between private property rights and public environmental protections along California’s coast and will have major implications for Carlsbad's coastal stewardship going forward.
Stay tuned for updates as this important environmental and access issue develops. Read the full report in the San Diego Union-Tribune here.
🎃 Fall Fun: Pumpkin Patches Around North County
If last week’s newsletter missed your radar, don’t worry! North County offers plenty of fantastic pumpkin patches to jumpstart your fall celebrations. Check out these top spots to enjoy seasonal fun with family and friends:
Carlsbad Strawberry Company
1050 Cannon Rd, Carlsbad
Open daily 9am–6pm, with extended hours until 10pm Fridays and Saturdays in October.
For $15 (free under age 4), you get access to a vibrant pumpkin patch, marigold fields, and extras like tractor rides, a corn maze, and a petting zoo. Plus, the Haunted Corn Maze opens Oct 3 for thrill seekers.
Pumpkin Patch & Polar Palooza
1200 Laurel Tree Ln, Carlsbad
Hours vary: 2-8pm Mon-Thurs, 9am-9pm Fri-Sun
Just $3 for entry, with optional fun zone tickets. Expect giant slides, a petting zoo, wagon hay rides, snacks, and weekend movie nights in the patch.
Mellano Farm Stand Fall Festival
5714 North River Rd, Oceanside
Saturdays & Sundays 10am–4pm through October
Tractor rides, a pumpkin patch, corn maze, live music and kids activities make it a festive weekend stop. Parking is $5.
Del Mar Pumpkin Station
15555 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar
Sept 26–Oct 26, open daily 10am–7pm Sun-Thurs, and 9am–9pm Fri-Sat
Free admission with free parking, plus rides like a miniature train, giant slides, carousel, Ferris wheel, and other carnival classics.
Until next time,
Carlsbad Scoop