Easter celebrations are taking over San Diego County, featuring a wide array of egg hunts scheduled from mid-March until Easter Sunday, April 5th. Many of these community gatherings are offered free of charge, often including candy-filled eggs.

Beyond the main egg hunt, families can anticipate additional festive activities. These often range from bounce houses and petting zoos to live music, games, and craft stations, making for a full day of entertainment.

Featured Paid and Unique Easter Experiences

Alpine Acres Sanctuary Farm

Alpine Acres Sanctuary Farm, a 20-acre animal sanctuary located at 5178 Japatul Spur, will host egg hunts at 11 a.m. on April 3rd, 4th, and 5th.

  • Admission is $40 for adults and $25 for children, with free parking available.
  • The egg hunt requires a $14 ticket per child, which includes a basket and up to 14 eggs.
  • The farm operates daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Campo Railroad Museum Train Rides and Hunts

The Campo Railroad Museum, at 750 Depot St., offers a unique experience on March 28th-29th and April 4th-5th.

  • Attendees can ride a restored 1920s vintage commuter train decorated for Easter, or opt for first-class seating in the Santa Fe lounge car No. 1509.
  • Egg hunts are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
  • Tickets for this event range from $18.95 to $39.95.

The Plunge San Diego Underwater Hunt

The Plunge San Diego in Belmont Park (3115 Ocean Front Walk) is hosting an underwater egg hunt on March 20th, running from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Participants can dive for floating and sunken eggs in the shallow end, grouped by age.
  • The event also features a giant floating obstacle course, a Glow in the Dark hunt, bounce houses, and the Easter Bunny.
  • Tickets are required for this aquatic event.

Coronado Community Center Breakfast Buffet

A special event at the Coronado Community Center (Nautilus Room, 1845 Strand Way) on April 4th includes a breakfast buffet starting at 9 a.m.

  • The morning features the buffet, an egg hunt, crafts, games, and a visit with the Easter Bunny.
  • Tickets cost $25 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under; attendees should bring their own basket and camera.

Fit Social Hunt with Ralphs Grocery

Fit Social will host a family-friendly hunt on April 5th, presented by Ralphs Grocery, featuring four timed rounds divided by age group from 1 to 3 p.m.

  • The cost is $10 per child and includes a craft table, plus vendors selling pizza, ice cream, and cotton candy.

Campland on the Bay Activities

Campland on the Bay (2211 Pacific Beach Drive) will host Golden Egg Hunts redeemable for prizes from April 3rd–5th and April 10th–12th.

  • A larger hunt with over 10,000 eggs is scheduled for April 18th–20th, alongside bean bag tournaments and dodgeball for adults.
  • These events are free but exclusive to registered Campland guests.

Free Community Egg Hunts Across San Diego

Carlsbad and Encinitas Events

Poinsettia Community Park in Carlsbad (6600 Hidden Valley Road) hosts an event on April 4th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  • Egg scrambles run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with separate fields for different age groups, including those with special needs.
  • Activities include face painting, photos with the Bunny, and a fun zone with inflatables ($8 wristbands available).

Encinitas Community Park (425 Santa Fe Drive) offers a massive hunt on April 4th from 10 a.m. to noon, featuring 20,000 eggs.

  • Hunt times are staggered at 10:15, 11, and 11:45 a.m., with separate fields for ages 4 and under and ages 5 and older.
  • Admission is free, no sign-up is necessary, and attendees should bring a basket.

Central and South County Free Fun

Las Flores Church of the Nazarene (1400 Las Flores Drive) holds its free annual family event on April 4th from noon to 2 p.m.

  • Highlights include crafts, songs, games, and the Egg-stravaganza Easter Egg Hunt. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early for a picnic.

Calvary San Diego and City Lights church host a free family egg hunt focused on children with disabilities at Cottonwood Park (1778 East Palomar St.) on March 14th, from 10 a.m. to noon.

  • This event includes games, train rides, caricatures, bubbles, and snacks.

The Del Mar Foundation hosts a free community event at the Del Mar Powerhouse Community Center (1658 Coast Blvd.) on March 29th, from 9 to 11 a.m.

  • The schedule includes an egg crawl for children up to age 2 (9:00–9:30 a.m.) and the main hunt for ages 3 and up (9:30–11 a.m.), plus photo opportunities.

North County Offerings

The city of Oceanside’s free Spring Egg Hunt takes place April 4th at Mance Buchanon Park (425 College Blvd.) for children up to age 11.

  • Hunts are staggered, including an "all egg-bilities" hunt for special-needs children between 10:15 and 10:25 a.m.
  • Activities include candy, prizes, photos with the bunny, and crafts.

Community Lutheran Church offers a free hunt for children up to 11 years old on March 28th at 10 a.m. at 3575 E. Valley Parkway, including crafts.

Church of the Resurrection (1445 Conway Drive) hosts an Easter Sunday Festival on April 5th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with hunts at 9:15, 11:15, and 1:15 p.m.

  • The festival includes carnival games, a bounce house, live entertainment, and food for purchase. Pre-sale tickets are available March 21st-29th.

Various Locations

Legacy Church is hosting a free family event on March 28th from 3 to 5 p.m. at its Fletcher Hills campus (455 Church Way).

  • Highlights include games, inflatables, crafts, a car trunk hunt, and a baby chick petting zoo.

Parkway Plaza shopping center (415 Fletcher Parkway) offers a free event on March 21st from 12 to 2 p.m. with crafts, face painting, giveaways, and guest characters. Photos with the Bunny run through April 4th.

The La Jolla Recreation Center (615 Prospect St.) offers a free event on March 21st from 9 a.m. to noon, with hunts organized by age groups starting at 10 a.m.

Lemon Grove Recreation Center (3131 School Lane) hosts an event on April 4th from 10 a.m. to noon, featuring hunts, a kid’s zone, and photo opportunities with the bunny.

Robb Athletic Field (2525 Bacon St.) has a free event on March 21st from 9 to 11:30 a.m. with hunts for various age groups, games, and crafts.

The Joe Balderrama Recreation Center (709 San Diego St.) hosts a free hunt on April 4th at 10 a.m., featuring golden eggs with prizes.

John Landes Park (2855 Cedar Road) holds its annual hunt from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on April 4th, including face painting and a balloon toss.

Lighthouse Christian Church invites families on April 4th from 10 a.m. to noon at 4700 Mesa Drive, with age-divided hunts, jumpers, and a cupcake hop.

Rancho Bernardo-Glassman Recreation Center (18448 W. Bernardo Drive) offers a free event on April 4th from 9 a.m. to noon, with hunts for kids up to age 12 starting at 11 a.m.

Specific Church and Area Hunts

Calvary Chapel Oceanside will hold a family-friendly Easter service on April 5th at 10 a.m., with a Kids Zone opening at 9 a.m.

Incarnation Lutheran Church (16889 Espola Road) schedules its kids' egg hunt around 10:20 a.m. on April 5th, between its 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services.

  • Teens can participate in an Easter Scavenger Hunt by RSVPing to youth@godamong.us.

Fallbrook Community Center (341 Heald Lane) offers a free egg hunt at 10:30 a.m. on March 28th, preceded by a $5 pancake breakfast from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

The Imperial Beach Athletic Club and the city host a Spring Egg Hunt at Imperial Beach Sports Park Softball Field on March 28th, with hunts starting at 10 a.m. for different age brackets up to 12 years old; free online registration is required.

St. James Lutheran Church holds its hunt at Imperial Beach Veterans Park (1075 Eighth St.) on April 4th at 10 a.m.

Pacific Beach Recreation Center (1405 Diamond St.) hosts a free event on March 21st from 9 to 11:30 a.m., featuring hunts for children up to age 11, jumpers, and face painting.