Best Escape Rooms in San Diego!
San Diego is home to 50+ escape experiences. All of these escape adventures offer a unique storyline with creative puzzles effortlessly weaved into the plot.
We have compiled a list of 5 top-rated escape companies and 10 amazing escape room experiences you absolutely cannot miss the next time you are in San Diego and up for an adventure! We put in hours of work with research, surveys, analyzing 10000+ reviews, and reaching out to the game masters themselves to make sure we put forward unerring experiences of the escape rooms to help you make the right choice. So if you want to take your imagination on a ride, read ahead!
Top Escape Room Companies in San Diego
Escape Games SD
Escape Games SD was established in 2015. The escape company wanted to bring the fun and thrill of escape games to the city. They offer unique and thrilling escape games, all of which are driven by a common goal of escaping the room. They are an excellent option for celebrating occasions, events, or just a fun day out with friends and family. They have hosted companies like Google and Qualcomm for team-building events.
Here are the games you can enjoy at Escape Room SD:
Wizards and Spells: Beat Professor Wolfgang Lupus for a chance to enter the school of Wizardry. You have 60 minutes.
Japanese Thriller: Victims of a serial killer now haunt his apartment. Participate in a Japanese reality escape game where you escape from this possessed house in 60 minutes. Indulge in a Japanese thriller escape room San Diego!
Superheroes Adventure: Villains have locked you and your team of superheroes and set a time bomb. Escape in 60 minutes!
The Escape Game
The Escape Game in San Diego offers immersive, thrilling adventures that challenge your wits and teamwork. Step into meticulously designed themed rooms, solving intricate puzzles, and uncovering hidden clues to escape within a time limit. With captivating storylines and state-of-the-art setups, it's the ultimate destination for unforgettable, adrenaline-pumping experiences.
Prison Break: Experience the ultimate thrill at Prison Break: The Escape Game. Solve puzzles, crack codes, and outwit obstacles to break free. Can you escape in time?
Special Ops: Mysterious Market: Embark on a thrilling adventure in 'Special Ops: Mysterious Market.' Solve puzzles, crack codes, and uncover secrets to escape the ultimate challenge. Are you ready?
The Depths: Dive into the ultimate immersive experience at The Depths. Solve puzzles, unravel mysteries, and escape the unknown depths before time runs out. Will you emerge victorious?
Gold Rush: Embark on a thrilling adventure at Gold Rush Escape Game! Solve puzzles, find clues, and race against time in this immersive, high-stakes escape experience.
Steal and Escape
Steal and Escape is a family-owned escape company that was established in 2016. The lighting, decorations, sounds, and even smell contribute to an immersive experience. The creative use of technology in escape games also makes them stand out. They focus on creating escapades that are adventurous but not scary. Therefore, they are a perfect fit for enthusiasts of all ages.
Here are the adventures you can select:
The Missing Season: The world has three seasons: life, dying and death. Your main goal: Travel through the seasons. Track down the guardian and convince them that we want an extra season.
The Lost Expedition: Finish the excavation of Dig-site 413 in 60 minutes. Don't forget to recover all the precious artifacts.
The Neighbor: Break into your neighbor's house and steal his discovery! You have 60 minutes.
Quicksand Escape Games
Quicksand Escape Games was established in 2016. The escape company claims to specialize in innovative and challenging puzzles. USA Today featured them as the #7 Best Escape Room in America.
They are located in Pacific Beach and are surrounded by great places you can hang around after the game.
Here are the adventures you can select at Quicksand Escape:
Speakeasy Nouveau: Recover your baseball that Babe Ruth signed himself! The men at the Speakeasy kept it as collateral and now refuse to return it. Sixty minutes is all you have!
Chinatown: The Chinatown restaurant is trading drugs in fortune cookies. Gather evidence to bust them before the Chinese New Year parade.
The Dinner: Commit a thrilling heist in a diner. You have 60 minutes to pull off the gig.
Escapology
Escapology started its journey in 2012. The escape company is headquartered in Orlando, Florida, and has over 43 locations worldwide. They serve players intending to provide immersive and holistic experiences. Escapology escape rooms provide adventures that enthusiasts of all ages can enjoy!
San Diego's establishment has an intentional tattered exterior and a vault-like door that transports the players to an alternate reality at once. The interiors follow an edgy Victorian concept with patterned wallpapers, ancient-looking wall clocks, and dim lighting.
Here are the adventures you can embark on:
Budapest Express: There has been a murder in the Budapest Express! Can you solve the perplexing murder?
Antidote: A chemical weapon specialist has gone berserk! He now poses a threat to the entire human race! Can you find the antidote in 60 minutes?
Mansion Murder: You are the sole successor to the Kildermorie estate and the Montgomery family fortune! Your grandfather is found dead in the library! You are the suspect, and you need to defend yourself!
Escape Era
Escape Era was established in 2016 by escape enthusiasts who wanted to spread their love for escape games. The escape company welcomes friends, family, or colleagues to escape from their elaborately designed adventures. Their rooms are appropriate for all ages.
Their location has free parking on-premises.
Here are the escapades you can enjoy:
Deja Vu: Everything here feels familiar to you! Can you uncover this strange mystery in 60 minutes?
Arcade: Find the money stashed away by a big shot. You have 60 minutes.
Best Escape Rooms in San Diego
Black & White Cafe: MindFox Escape
Step into a world where mystery meets the mind at Black & White Cafe: MindFox Escape in San Diego. As you enter this enigmatic escape room, you're not just a player; you're the protagonist in a thrilling detective story. The dimly lit room, adorned with intriguing artifacts and cryptic symbols, sets the stage for an immersive experience.
Your mission? To solve a series of puzzles, uncover hidden clues, and crack codes that will lead you closer to the truth. The clock is ticking, and the pressure is on. Every twist and turn challenges your intellect, encouraging you to think outside the box.
Gather your friends and family for an unforgettable adventure, where teamwork and wit are your best allies. Whether you're a seasoned escape room enthusiast or a first-timer, Black & White Cafe: MindFox Escape guarantees an adrenaline-pumping, mind-bending experience. Dare to enter, and test your detective skills today!
Player Review
"Wow! The Black and White Cafe is a must play escape room. I've played over 300 escape rooms, and this one at MindFox should not be missed! From the unique theme and set design, to the clever puzzles and the amazing game mastering, this room was incredible. After playing this many games, it's hard to find a game with a unique theme that wows me. And the folks at MindFox were able to wow me! It was not just the escape room that was fun. From start to finish the owners were cracking jokes and were really enthusiastic, which made the experience even better. I highly recommend MindFox and I can't wait for their next game to come out. We're from NorCal, but I'll definitely be making a trip back when they release their next game!"Janell W (Tripadvisor)
This escape room San Diego experience is bound to bring back Terminator memories! You can't afford to miss it if you're into the humans versus robots genre.
Science: Lockdown Escape Rooms
You and your friends are a team of young journalists. Recently the cases of performance-enhancing drugs being sold around the town have been on the rise. A new manufacturer has seemingly entered the game, and his product is selling like hotcakes! You've uncovered the identity of the man behind these drugs. As it turns out, he's one of the most reputed doctors in the city!
The doctor has caught on and realized that he might get exposed, so he intends to destroy all evidence. You must make haste and get to the doctor's lab before he gets rid of all the skeletons in his closet. You and your team of journalists have managed to reach his lab before him! You have one hour to find concrete evidence that could expose his evil deeds, but it isn't as simple as it sounds. The doctor is very meticulous with his work, so your wits will be put to the test.
Player Review
"Our group went for a team-building event. The Science Room was very challenging and although we didn't finish within the one hour time limit, everyone was very excited when solving each of the clues. I would recommend the Medieval Room if you're going for the first time. The only issue I had was with parking so I recommend getting there early when making a reservation."Anthony (Yelp)
This Lockdown escape room experience will have you expose the dark secrets of a very reputed doctor.
Medieval: Lockdown Escape Rooms
It's the medieval ages, and you're a loyal subject of King Uther Pendragon. You've been by his side for years now. After years of conquests and victories, the king seems to be losing the war against his sickness. As the king lies on his deathbed awaiting the dreaded moment, you're heartbroken watching your king leave. and you just can't make peace with it. Out of the blue, you get wind of a miraculous fountain!
You are elated as you find out about the existence of the legendary 'Fountain of Youth.' It is said that the person who drinks from the Fountain of Youth shall be cured of all his ailments and shall live forever! You embark on a journey to find the mythical fountain and retrieve the magical waters to save your king. But things aren't as easy as you might expect for Merlin, the guardian of the legendary fountain has riddled the place with puzzles and traps. You have sixty minutes to retrieve the magical waters before the king's life is forsaken.
Player Review
"Our group had so much fun doing the medieval theme! Customer service was great and we felt very supported and had positive vibes from them which helped us feel more relaxed for our first escape room experience. The escape room itself stumped us a few times but we were still able to beat it, a good frustration level without being overbearing. Definitely recommend!"Gigi (Yelp)
This San Diego escape room experience will take you back in time. Embark on a journey to find the magical fountain of youth and save your king!
The Informant: Unlockables
Something sinister is brewing, and you can't seem to find the person behind all this. Illegal land deals, environmental leaders being kidnapped, and death threats. Things have never been this bleak. You were finally catching up a bit, but one of your best informants turned up dead! You and your team of secret agents get focused on the case and try to zero in on the person behind all the travesty.
As your team was working on the case, one of your fellow agents has gone missing!
You started looking for him, and to get a lead on his current location, you start going through the cases he was working on. You find something suspicious and decide to take a look for yourself. You must break into Liberty Capital Group's main office and look for any possible clues that could lead you to the missing agent.
You must work very carefully through the traps and puzzles to find the evidence that could create a concrete case against the man behind all this travesty.
Player Review
"Absolutely recommend this place! We had a company event here, which is still ongoing and a group is scheduled for this weekend so I won't give away much! But the people here were fabulous and made us very comfortable. The game is designed to be fun and very interactive. We did the Informant and by consensus, all of us are going to be back! Good job!"Mugdha (Yelp)
This Unlockables escape room experience will allow you to work as a secret agent on a mission to figure out the villain's true identity.
Budapest Express: Escapology
You are onboard the famous Budapest Express. Accompanying you on your journey to Budapest is Karine Peaufiner, the famous French detective. You'll be meeting with various detectives showcasing the latest research and progressions in the forensic sciences. As you were going through your case notes in the middle of the night, the train manager suddenly approached you and requested you to follow him to the first-class dining coach.
As soon as you walked into the coach, your eyes darted to Sir Clarence Hayden's lifeless body slumped over the dining table. He had been murdered, and the killer was still on board! The trainmaster has asked you for help as the train would arrive at the next station in sixty minutes and the killer would be free once he or she walks off the train. You have narrowed down your list of suspects to five people. But the killer has targeted you now! You have an hour to unmask the criminal before you become the next victim.
Player Review
"We loved paying Budapest Express game as a family It was wonderful to see my children working as a team letting others think and coordinating with each other Though we didn't escape. We learned of the murderess from the game master. The staff were very efficient, cheerful and accommodating"Bina (TripAdvisor)
Abandoned Basement: The Hour Room
About the experience
The Abandoned Basement is an escape room game meticulously crafted and envisioned by The Hour Room.
Step into a world of suspense as you awaken, your eyes opening to the unsettling sight of being bound and sprawled across the frigid, unyielding floor of a chilling basement. Surveying your surroundings, you discover that your friends have fallen victim to the same dire predicament as you.
The crushing reality dawns upon you, sending a shiver down your spine. You gradually come to the unsettling realization that you have been kidnapped! How did this come to pass? Who is responsible for your abduction?
Despite your best efforts, your memory fails to provide any answers. Fortunately, a fleeting chance for liberation presents itself, offering you a glimmer of hope.
The kidnapper's whereabouts remain unknown, creating the perfect opportunity for your escape. Will you summon the strength to break free from your restraints and conquer the obstacles that lie ahead, ensuring your freedom before the abductor returns?
Time is of the essence, as you only have an hour to secure your release. Hurry, the clock is ticking!"
Player Review
"We had a great time. It was a big space!! The flow of the puzzle was pretty great and the atmosphere was dark and suspenseful. We would recommend it! We were a group of 4 and we finished right at the hour. They say up to 12 can be in there, but that may be too much, even though it's a large space. I wouldn't go with more than 8, Super fun and the guy working there was great." - Laura Brooks (Google Reviews)
Ashley: Exxcape Games
About the experience
Ashley, created and conceptualized by Exxcape Games, immerses you in a spine-chilling escape game experience.
Prepare to revisit the halls of your high school, but be warned, a dark shadow looms over the memories. Something dreadful has befallen Ashley, one of your fellow classmates, forever altering the once-familiar surroundings.
As you venture deeper into the corridors of your former school, an uncanny sense of déjà vu envelops you, leaving you disoriented and adrift.
Casting your gaze around, you encounter other individuals who, like you, appear lost and bewildered, their faces etched with confusion.
Who are these strangers? Why have you all returned to the high school, of all places? What transpired that led to Ashley's misfortune?
The creaking of the school gates opening serves as a stark reminder that unraveling these enigmas now rests squarely upon your shoulders.
Do you possess the resolve to confront the impending challenges? Are you truly prepared for the harrowing journey ahead, filled with terror and suspense?"
Player Review
"We booked this new escape room Ashley by Exxcape Games and it is so amazing!!! The trailer they made got me so hyped and figured I should definitely play this escape room. It turned out so well! it's scary and so fun! The settings and music provide an excellent image of a haunted school. The actors in the game put this game to another level! All the interactions between the actors and us made the game even more scary, which is amazing! The puzzles are fun and challenging. Overall, I really recommend this escape room, and it's definitely a must-go!" - John Z (Google Reviews)
Scary Escape Rooms in San Diego
Once Upon a Time: Red Door Escape Room
About the experience
Red Door Escape Room has created Once Upon a Time, an immersive escape room game.
In this captivating fantasy-themed adventure, you and your team will delve into the story of Rumpelstiltskin, a mysterious man who has cunningly snatched three powerful magical artifacts.
These items possess the potential to wreak havoc upon the kingdom and its inhabitants. Upon discovering this perilous situation, your team is entrusted with a critical mission: to recover the stolen magical items and thwart Rumpelstiltskin's sinister plans.
Time is of the essence, as the malevolent schemer is poised to set his terrible intentions in motion. Are you up to the challenge of retrieving the stolen artifacts before it's too late?
Don't hesitate-book your game now and uncover the answer!
Player Review
"Rachel and Erica are beyond great! We loved Once Upon a Time. It was magical and every time we solved a clue, we celebrated. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to have fun while using their brain" - Linda Hollander (Google Reviews)
Kids/Family Friendly Escape Rooms in San Diego
Mystery at the Last Point Lodge: Brainy Actz
Dr, Gunther Guiles is a genius solving the greatest mysteries of human life. And Dr. Gunther Guiles has gone missing! He was last seen before heading to a retreat to solve the greatest mysteries of human life. It has been months since then, and there has been no communication with him.
You and your troupe of reporters are tasked with uncovering the secrets and mysteries and reporting the truth to the world. What led to the sudden disappearance of Dr. Guiles? What did he find that cost him his life? Do you have what it takes to crack the peculiar case before it is too late?
Find out answer to these questions by solving engaging puzzles that require smart teamwork and manipulation of time to succeed set this virtual reality escape experience apart from anything you've seen before! Book a spot at Mystery at the Last Point Lodge today!
Player Review
Such a fun experience. We were first timers and they were so helpful. They gave us little hints to help us find clues which was nice because we were able to escape in enough time. At the end of the game he gave us his card with a discount for the next game whenever we wanted to return.Asia Foncham (Google Reviews)
This escape room San Diego will give you a major Indiana Jones throwback! Find the treasure before the natives get a hold of it.
Do you agree with our list? Engaged in any of these experiences? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. If you believe we missed out on any great experiences, share your suggestions, we'll make sure to consider them!