Hey friend,
We’ve got some options this weekend! Jets over the water, dinosaurs in a corn maze, and a street fair with Hawaiian music all during a super hot weekend. Pick your chaos.
This Weekend’s Plans
First, the weather:
Friday 10/2
High of 88°
Saturday 10/3
High of 93°
Sunday 10/4
High of 91°
Now, here's the plan.
Plan 1: Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach
📍 Location: Huntington Beach oceanfront, near PCH & 1st St.
📅 Date & Time: Fri–Sun 10/2–10/4, gates ~9am, flying ~10:30am–4pm
⏱️ Time needed: Half day to full day
💰 Cost: Free to watch from the public shoreline or nearby park like Vista Park; paid tickets starting at $20
🌦️ Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor
If it were me, I'd watch from Vista Park. Expect it to be busy down at the beach. Bring ear protection if you’re going to watch from up close!
📍 Location: Hana Field by Tanaka Farms, 427 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa
📅 Date & Time: Opens Sat 10/3, runs Wed–Sun through Nov 1
⏱️ Time needed: 2 hours
💰 Cost: $23–$27 per person depending on the day, free parking; advance tickets recommended
🌦️ Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor
A dinosaur-themed corn maze with life-sized dinos, plus pumpkin picking and wagon rides while you're there. First weekend of the season, so it'll be fresh but also probably crowded. Hana field is cashless. Admission does not include flower or pumpkin picking.
Plan 3: Aloha Fair HB
📍 Location: 16160 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach
📅 Date & Time: Sun 10/4, 10am–4pm
⏱️ Time needed: 1-2 hours
💰 Cost: Free, free parking
🌦️ Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor
Hawaiian music, local vendors, shave ice. Seems like a strong option if you dont want to pay for something to do or deal with crowds.
Easy At-Home Idea
Try this: Halloween Science Activity, made by saraheelizabethx
Super fun blend of science and the season. Little ones will watch plastic spiders run away from them using dish soap and water. If you don't have spiders, you could try other small toys that can float.
Time needed: 15–20 minutes
Backup Options
If none of the above work, here's the fast fallback list:
27th Annual Off-Road Expo — OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa, Sat 10/3 9am–6pm & Sun 10/4 9am–5pm, tickets from $20
Discover the Back Bay guided hike — Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, Newport Beach, Sun 10/4, 9:30–11:30am, free, registration recommended but walk-ins welcome
Lego Club — Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library, Sun 10/4, 2–3pm, free, ages 6–11
Baila Baila ****(bilingual family dance concert) — Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library, Sat 10/3, 10:30–11am, free, all ages
Environmental Nature Center — Newport Beach, Sat–Sun, 10am–3pm, free
SOCO Farmers' Market — Costa Mesa, Sat 10/3, 9am–2pm
Corona del Mar Certified Farmers Market — Newport Beach, Sat 10/3, 9am–1pm
Newport Pier Farmers Market — Newport Beach, Sun 10/4, 9am–1pm
That's the lineup. Hope it makes the weekend a little easier to plan.
Got a plan that worked (or didn't)? Hit reply and let me know! This whole thing gets better with your feedback.
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