The Scream Zone is San Diego's largest and scariest haunted attraction. Open on select dates in September and October, it features a huge House of Horror with rooms filled with terrifying scenes and scares lurking at every turn, a one-of-a-kind Haunted Hayride through the haunted barns on the race track and The Chamber with the largest spinning tunnel in San Diego.
The Scaregrounds, home to The Scream Zone, encompasses more than five acres at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and includes The Haunted Hayride, House of Horror, and The Chamber.
The Scream Zone is designed for a teen or older audience. The Scream Zone has three haunted attractions. House of Horror is not recommended for children younger than 10. Younger children whose parents ride with them may enjoy the Haunted Hayride, but we advise parents to know their child's "scare" limits.
The Scream Zone began in 1998. The Scream Zone has three dark attractions — the Haunted Hayride, the House of Horror, and The Chamber. So that The Scream Zone has new surprises each year, we add new props, new attractions, and new "scares" to make the haunted adventure "new" every year.
New this year in the House of Horror is the New Orleans Crypt and Graveyard, the Dinner Party Gone Mad and many other surprises.
The Scream Zone incorporates "rolling floors," a spinning tunnel, and many other frights. Strobe lights, fog machines and dripping natural elements also create a spooky atmosphere.
More — The Scream Zone has three haunted attractions, all in one location, including an attraction you won't find many other places, the Haunted Hayride.
Size — It is the largest haunted attraction in San Diego.
Effects — The Scream Zone is created with the latest in visual effects, sensory deception, props, and creative actors.
Spinning Tunnel — The Scream Zone has the largest spinning tunnel in San Diego, which creates some very strange reactions from patrons who dare to pass through the rotating labyrinth.
Professionalism — The Scream Zone reflects the quality, professional, product and entertainment value that the Del Mar Fairgrounds strives to provide to its patrons. The Scream Zone is being produced by the Del Mar Fairgrounds and Hollywood experts in the horror and dark attraction industry.
Please know that The Scream Zone is completely ADA compliant, accessible to all, with the exception of the Spinning Tunnel in The Chamber. Those who can not or do not wish to go through the Spinning Tunnel may go around it.
Workers — It takes the efforts of 18 builders and staff more than 2,600 hours of labor to assemble, paint, decorate, and prepare The Scream Zone.
Construction — Work begins on The Scream Zone early in July, shortly after the San Diego County Fair ends. Materials are hauled in from storage and framing of the walls begins in July. By August most of the walls are assembled, and painting of the rooms begins. Throughout September, props are designed, created, and installed; actors are selected and trained; and final preparations are made for the debut at end of month.
Actors — The Scream Zone hires a staff of performers who will spend more than 500 hours preparing their costumes and use over 50 pounds of makeup in preparation for their gripping portrayals of ghouls and monsters. All actors are screened for any convictions through the Megan's Law website and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
Security — The Scream Zone is one of the safest and most secure haunted attractions in San Diego. Uniformed guards are located throughout The Scream Zone, along with surveillance cameras. Actors are provided "panic" alarms should there be a problem.
