Which flavor of Halloween do you prefer—the holiday that includes candy and carved pumpkins, or the kind that makes you want to jump out of your skin? California has a fun mix of both, thanks to a deep inventory of local festivals, festive zoos and aquariums, and some historic sites with legitimately creepy backstories.
You can start celebrating as soon as late August—check out these Halloween events at California theme parks—but that’s only the beginning. Here are many more Halloween season events worth planning a trip around—some even last beyond Oct. 31.
Northern California
Sept. 18–Nov. 1: Festival Fright Nights at Winchester Mystery House, San Jose
Autumn is prime time for this 160-room mansion in San Jose, which has a bizarre origin story: It was built by an eccentric heiress who was trying to ward off ghosts. “Festival Fright Nights” includes three main attractions, including the all-new “House of Spirits,” which pits departed Sarah Winchester’s loyal butler against all manner of ill-wishing spirits. After the experience, peruse the house’s Halloween Museum and catch your breath outside with snacks and drinks at Café 13.
Sept. 25–Oct. 31: The Dreams of Darkness Haunted House, Redding
Freaking out visitors for more than 30 years, this ranch in Redding is one of the longest-running haunted houses in the nation. Embark on an unguided route that runs through ghost towns, abandoned mines, and swamps, as well as the home of The Clown.
Select dates in October: Heartstoppers Haunted House, Rancho Cordova
Scream your way through four scare zones—with themes like zombies (“Deadlands, the Town of the Living Dead”) and a collapsed mine full of bloodthirsty victims (“Misery Mine”)—on select nights in this decked-out, three-story building in Rancho Cordova. To release the tension afterward, enjoy the outdoor offerings of carnival games, live performances, and character photo ops.
Select dates in October: Boo at the Zoo at the Oakland Zoo, Oakland
Explore Oakland’s zoo and enjoy activities such as the hay-bale maze and a scavenger hunt, then collect as your prize: an Oakland-made OCHO candy bar. Come dressed for the holiday—just no inflatable costumes, which reportedly scare the animals—and enter the themed costume contest by tagging the Oakland Zoo on social media. Contest winners will receive tickets to Glowfari, the zoo’s holiday nighttime event that runs during the holiday season. All admissions are arranged online and event capacity is limited, so book your tickets ahead of time.
Oct. 1–31: Skunk Train's Pumpkin Express, Mendocino County
Combine a train ride with a pumpkin patch on this excursion on Mendocino County’s Skunk Train, which departs from Willits. Enjoy seasonal treats during the ride on the 1885 train, then explore both a redwood forest and pumpkin patch, where you can pick out your own gourd and take pictures before getting back on the train. Runs on select dates, mostly on weekends and Wednesdays.
Select dates in October: Boardwalk Fright Flicks, Santa Cruz
Watch scary movies and enjoy a cocktail at this 21-and-up event that happens every Wednesday during the Halloween season at Santa Cruz’s Beach Boardwalk. The movie lineup typically includes horror flicks like Scream, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Halloween.
Oct. 3: Murder Mystery Train, West Sacramento
Take the Halloween edition of this seasonal ride on Yolo County’s River Fox Train. The Saturday-evening excursion on a vintage train lasts about 2.5 hours and includes an interactive Murder Mystery Show, dinner, and dessert.
Oct. 17–18: Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, Half Moon Bay
The town of Half Moon Bay, located on the San Francisco Peninsula, is surrounded by pumpkin patches and is the self-proclaimed “World Pumpkin Capital.” This beloved festival includes enormous pumpkins, sculpted pumpkins, a Great Pumpkin Parade, and pie-eating contests, along with seasonal craft beer, pumpkin-infused ales, and cocktails.
Oct. 31: Zombie Bike Parade Festival, Davis
The Yolo County town of Davis is a bicycle-friendly town, even for zombies. This free event welcomes you to join a 12-mile bike parade of zombies along the Davis Bike Loop, and also features Halloween train rides around Community Park, a “zombie mash afterparty” with music and BMX performers, and even skydiving zombies.
Nov. 2: Dia de los Muertos, Hornitos
Pay your respects to ancestors in the near-ghost town of Hornitos (population. 38) in Mariposa County, about 50 miles from Yosemite National Park. The town is known as the home of “bandit-hero” Joaquin Murrieta, whose spirit may still wander here, especially near the town’s hilltop cemetery. Start in the town plaza (fun fact: it was home of the first Ghirardelli store, and you can still see its ruins) then follow the candlelight procession up a hill to the historic St. Catherine’s Church and cemetery.
Ongoing: San Francisco Ghost Tour, San Francisco
Take this walking tour from tour operator The Haunt that explores real scare zones in San Francisco’s Chinatown and Jackson Square—haunted sites associated with graves, crimes, and buried treasure. It’s not just stories, either: You’ll get to use special gear that helps detect possible paranormal activity.
Central California
Sept. 28–Oct. 30: Casa de Pumpkin Patch, Hollister
The fruit stand, gourmet shop, and RV resort Casa de Fruta pulls out the stops for the season with a field of pumpkins as well as a kiddie train, a carousel, and gold-panning. On weekdays, the San Benito County attraction also offers educational activities for groups as small as 10: sift for gemstones at Casa de Miner’s Sluice, or create a Plant-a-Garden beaded bracelet by selecting beads that represent soil, fruits, and vegetables (though October).
Oct. 1–31: Cambria Scarecrow Festival, Cambria
Take a coastal day trip to Cambria this October for the Annual Scarecrow Festival. More than 200 handcrafted characters—spooky, silly, and pop-culture inspired—line streets, shop windows, trails, and beachfront paths, creating a whimsical open-air gallery. (The spectacle extends to neighboring San Simeon as well.) One-of-a-kind creations by locals delight families with fresh surprises and photo ops.
Select dates in October: Nightmare on Main St., Paso Robles
Brave Nightmare on Main Street in Paso Robles, the Central Coast’s scariest haunted house, celebrating 16 years of screams. Explore pitch-dark rooms, creatures, and 3D frights at 828 14th Street. Gather your friends—and your courage—and book this hair-raising experience ahead of time. Held typically every weekend (Fri.-Sat.-Sun.) in October.
Oct. 22–25: Boo at the Zoo at the Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara
Come in costume to Santa Barbara’s zoo on weekend evenings (Friday through Sunday) for trick or treating, a train ride, wacky-mad scientist experiments, and encounters with creepy-crawly zoo residents.
Oct. 24: Old Town Boo Fest, Camarillo
Bring the family to Old Town Camarillo’s free Boo Fest from 12–4 p.m.to trick-or-treat along the “Boooulevard,” enter family, adult, pet, or youth costume contests, scan historic stickers, and play Chapel City Carnival games for sweet prizes and treats. While in Camarillo, check out the Scary Dairy—if you dare.
Oct. 24: Channel Islands Harbor Parade of Frights, Oxnard
The Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard starts the holiday boat parade season early—with boats decked out in Halloween decorations for the evening. During the day leading up to the parade, activities along the harbor typically include a costume parade, craft booths, and a scavenger hunt at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum and the 110-foot Mystic Whaler Tall Ship.
Oct. 25: Witches and Warlocks Paddle, Morro Bay
Wear your best witch’s hat or warlock’s cape and rent a kayak or board for this fun event in San Luis Obispo County’s Morro Bay, under the watchful presence of Morro Rock. Proceeds benefit a local food bank.
Oct. 31: Halloween on the Wharf: Trick-or-Treat by the Bay, Monterey
Wear your Halloween best to Monterey’s historic Old Fisherman’s Wharf, which features a costume contest, trick-or-treating, and a Halloween DJ.
Oct. 31: Birthday Party and Halloween Parade, Carmel-by-the-Sea
The Monterey County town of Carmel-by-the-Sea celebrates the town’s Oct. 31 incorporation with both a birthday party and Halloween parade, as well as trick-or-treating at village businesses. This year, the town turns 11009.
Southern California
All season: Halloween Fun in Buena Park
Located close to both Knott’s Scary Farm and Disneyland’s Halloween Time, Buena Park offers its own hub for seasonal fun. Sip themed cocktails at The Cauldron Spirits & Brews then enjoy the Vampirates show at Pirates Dinner Adventure, or shriek your way through the standalone haunted house The 17th Door. Check out the fall-themed treats at Porto’s Bakery too.
Oct. 2–Nov. 1: Carved at Descanso Gardens, Pasadena
Pasadena may showcase rose-petal-based parade floats in January, but the Los Angeles County area excels at carved pumpkins too—as in, hundreds of them—along a 1-mile walk in the park’s Camellia Forest. You can also watch demos to learn how to better carve your own masterpiece at home.
Select dates in October: HalGLOWeen at the San Diego Zoo, San Diego
The world-famous zoo in San Diego stays open late on select nights so partiers can enjoy music, bubbles, acrobats, and more—all aglow under spooky black lights. Runs on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during October. Bonus: Since it’s Kids Free San Diego during October, kids 11 and under get into the zoo for free.
Select dates in October: Headless Horseman Wagon Ride, Temecula
Many people experience Temecula Valley from a hot-air balloon, but this seasonal event offers a different perspective: You’ll clip-clop along on an old-fashioned wagon ride, driven by Temecula Carriage Company through “Wine Country Hollow.” The family ride explores a few not-too-spooky spots while everyone keeps an eye out for the legendary Headless Horseman. Typically weekend evenings (Fri.–Sat.) throughout the month of October.
Check out more of Temecula Valley’s Halloween-season fun, such as haunted walking tours of Old Town and the largest corn maze in Southern California.
Oct. 17–18, 24–25: Boo at the L.A. Zoo, Los Angeles
Dress up to explore the zoo located within Los Angeles’s Griffith Park. Weekend activities include special shows, a maze, education stations, and pumpkin feedings for the zoo residents.
Oct. 25–Nov. 2: Dia de Los Muertos Festival, Los Angeles
One of Los Angeles’ largest Day of the Dead remembrances for departed ancestors—rooted in Mayan, pre-Colombian, and Aztec traditions—is celebrated in Gloria Molina Grand Park. Come each evening for the processions, featuring blessings, dances, treats, and face-painting. Not far away, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery will do its own one-day festival on Oct. 24.
Oct. 31: Halloween Carnaval, West Hollywood
The epic street party in West Hollywood returns for a join-the-fun parade of costumes and self-expression along Santa Monica Blvd., between North Doheny Dr. and La Cienega Blvd. The event is free, but given its reputation for risqué costumes, you might want to leave the little ones with a sitter.
