Celebrate Oktoberfest and Family

Can you believe it’s October already? We’re entering holiday season quickly, which means plenty of fun activities in and around town. Break out your mugs and Tyrolean hats and get ready for Oktoberfest this weekend around the county. Also take note of free and admission for kids during October. The kids can see for free!

This weekend, Sept. 30-Oct. 2, get out of the barracks and visit numerous sites near Camp Pendleton for some fall fun. Join a paintball league on base, visit a Halloween party at Legoland and make some art with your family at a museum. The closest Oktoberfest is in Carlsbad at Holiday Park, so drink and eat up!

Get out of town for some literature lovin’ and orchid observation in Encinitas, or travel to La Jolla for an art and wine festival. If you like to get spooked, visit the Del Mar Fairgrounds for the first weekend of the Scream Zone.

Click the links for more details.

BEST BETS CLOSE TO HOME

• When/where: MCB, Camp Pendleton, 10:30 a.m. Friday.
• Why go: The USAA Pendleton Cup Paintball League starts on Friday. Anyone living on base can sign up and have some fun with friends.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: Holiday Park, intersection of Chestnut Avenue and Pio Pico Drive, noon-10 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Celebrate German food and beer at the Rotary’s Oktoberfest in Holiday Park. There will be beer and wine tastings, food, music, a grape stomp, pumpkin patch and more.
• Price: Free admission; $10 for German dinner.

• When/where: , 1 Legoland Dr., Carlsbad, 5-9 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Visit Legoland for some Halloween fun. Partake in a costume contest, travel on a trick-or-treat trail, listen to music and interact with the “Boo Crew.”
• Price: $25-$55 with these coupons.

• When/where: , 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside, 1-4 p.m. Sunday.
• Why go: Take the family to the museum and create characters and artwork. Start with sketching then bring your masterpiece to life with various art supplies.
• Price: Free.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

• When/where: , 230 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas, 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
• Why go: See orchids galore at this 17^th Annual International Orchid Fair. See orchid exhibits, buy plants on display, learn how to care for your own orchids and more.
• Price: Free with garden admission ($6-$12.)

• When/where:, 540 Cornish Dr., Encinitas, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Explore literature, writing and entertainment at this third annual county library book festival. Guests will also have a chance to meet Skinny Bitch co-author Kim Barnouin and have her sign a book.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: , 1111 Marine St., La Jolla, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
• Why go: It’s the third annual La Jolla Art and Wine Festival, complete with beer and wine gardens, food, live entertainments, prizes and more.
• Price: $5-$10, free for military and kids 2 and under.

• When/where: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 7 p.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday; 7-11 p.m. Sunday.
• Why go: Take a haunted hayride, travel through the house of horrors, drink deadly drinks and eat evil edibles at the Scream Zone.
• Price: $15-$28.

• When/where: , 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.
• Why go: Book lovers can meet their favorite authors, get books signed, browse booths and try out local cuisine at this Book Lovers Festival. Actress Linda Evans and comedian Molly Shannon will be present.
• Price: Free.