La Jolla has some frighteningly fun events in store for Halloween this year, including a haunted fishy adventure at the Birch Aquarium, free kid-friendly fun at the La Jolla Recreation Center and a La Jolla Shores restaurant that goes above and beyond with Halloween decorations for its favorite holiday. Barbarella’s ‘Howl-O-Ween’ It would be impossible for passersby on Avenida de la Playa not to notice a funky little Italian joint called Barbarella’s. The front patio and façade are spilling over with ghouls, goblins, ghosts and ghastly characters of all sorts, adding a few extra guests to the table. Pirate skulls and a giant red demon leer over guests as they eat, creatures of all sorts creep out of bushes and a group of skeletal mummies jealously oversee guests enjoying scrumptious meals while they remain bound by chains on the restaurant’s outdoor patio. Barbarella’s invites creatures of all sorts, including pets, for their “Howl-O-Ween” pet costume contest on Oct. 20 at 11 a.m. Pets can also enjoy items from their very own “doggie menu” including “Rover Easy,” “Barbarella Bits” and “Puppy Delight.” Barbarella’s is located at 2171 Avenida de la Playa. For more information or to make reservations, call (858) 454-7373 or visit www.barbarellarestaurant.com. “Shipwrecked” at Birch Aquarium Kids can discover the lurking mysteries of the deep in a haunted “Shipwrecked” adventure at the Birch Aquarium on Oct. 21 and 22. The experience will include live music and dancing with Billy Lee and the Swamp Critters, a “deep sea” slime lab and the chance to collect tricky treats throughout the three-hour evening exploring eerie creatures lurking in the depths. Games will also be provided by the City of San Diego Water Conservation, San Diego Audubon Society, Baskin Robbins, Cliff Bar and Birch Aquarium volunteers. Spooky story times will take place throughout the evening and a costume raffle ensures anyone who comes dressed to impress will have a shot at winning prizes. “Shipwrecked” will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Birch Aquarium, located at 2300 Expedition Way. Tickets are $12 for members in advance, $15 for nonmembers in advance and $17 at the door for all. To purchase tickets, visit www.aquarium.ucsd.edu or call (858) 534-7336. LJ Rec Center’s Halloween Festival The La Jolla Recreation Center has planned three hours of free kid-friendly fun for its annual Halloween Festival on Oct. 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. The festival will include pony rides, an inflatable jump and slide, carnival games, a balloon artist, cakewalk, face painting, music and free arts and crafts for kids. Halloween prizes will be awarded for carnival game winners and a traditional costume contest will award a total of 25 children — five children from each of five 10 and under age groups — with prizes including a trophy and Target gift card. Tickets are four for $1. Carnival games are only one or two tickets apiece. La Jolla Recreation Center is located at 615 Prospect St. For more information, call (858) 552-1658.