As October arrives, California transforms into a paradise for Halloween enthusiasts and thrill-seekers. From night tours to eerie ghost adventures, the state offers numerous spine-chilling experiences to satisfy your craving for a spooky atmosphere. Here’s a rundown of 10 things to do in California during the spooky season this October


1. Meet the Bride of Frankenstein at Universal Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles

Photo: instagram.com/horrornights

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood is a must for horror fans. This annual event turns the famous film studio into a nightmare realm. Expect haunted houses, scare rooms, and live shows inspired by popular horror franchises. This year, one of the haunted houses is dedicated to the female characters of Universal Monsters: the Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula’s daughter, and Saskia Van Helsing. You’ll also find classic bloody horrors in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre house, and monsters from the universe of the first two A Quiet Place films.

Dates: Wednesday through Sunday until November 3
Price: Tickets start at $77 (separate from the theme park admission)
Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
Website:https://www.halloweenhorrornights.com

2. Escape from ghosts at Winchester Mystery House, San Jose

Photo: instagram.com/winchestermysteryhouse

Fall is a great time to visit this 160-room mansion (we previously mentioned it in the list of 10 Unusual Places in California You Must See). The mansion’s eccentric owner, Sarah Winchester, spent her life trying to ward off ghosts, who, legend says, still haunt the place. There are supposedly many, as the mansion is said to house the spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles (invented by Sarah’s father-in-law, Oliver Winchester).

This year’s event, Unhinged Hotel, continues this story: a group of friends, stranded due to car trouble, stumbles upon an old hotel with plenty of available rooms. After the event, you can visit the new Halloween museum and relax outdoors.

Dates: Friday and Saturday nights through October 31
Price: Starting from $69.99 (prices vary by date)
Address: 525 S Winchester Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95128
Website:https://winchestermysteryhouse.com

3. Visit giant spiders at Knott’s Scary Farm, Buena Park

Photo: instagram.com/knottsscaryfarm

Once a small family farm, this place has become one of the largest and scariest Halloween parks in California. There’s an amusement park, a water park, and a hotel, so you can spend several family-friendly evenings there (note that the scary park is not recommended for children under 13). At Knott’s Scary Farm, you’ll find 10 mazes (new this year: giant spiders in Widows and a terrifying cannibal monster in Eight Fingers Nine), five scare zones, and spine-chilling shows.

Dates: Thursday through Sunday until November 2
Price: Starting at $59.99 (separate from park admission)
Address: 8039 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park, CA 90620
Website: https://www.knotts.com

4. Have fun at Boo at the Zoo in various zoos

Photo: instagram.com/sacramentozoo

Many zoos across California (in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Oakland, and others) host family-friendly Halloween events. They usually include parties, contests, shows, and trick-or-treating. For example, this year in San Francisco, there will be a dance costume party and a VR haunted train ride, while Oakland is planning a treasure hunt.

Dates: Weekends in October
Price: Usually included in the zoo admission ticket

5. Explore Heartstoppers Haunted House in Rancho Cordova, Sacramento

Photo: instagram.com/heartstoppershh

At this haunted house, you can walk through four terrifying zones linked by a chilling storyline. New in 2024 is the dark hospital on the hill, The Ward, and the stage show Redemption! After enjoying the scary adventures, relax outdoors, listen to live music, watch a fire show, sample local cider, and join in carnival games.

Dates: Until November 2 on Fridays and Saturdays
Price: General admission starts at $35
Address: 2300 Mine Shaft Lane, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
Website: https://heartstoppershaunt.com

6. Listen to real ghost stories at the Sacramento History Museum

Photo: instagram.com/sachistorymuseum

Every Saturday during Ghost Tours, you can hear real-life stories of Sacramento residents, told directly… from the grave. You’ll meet rebellious miners, murder victims, and other Gold Rush-era characters while learning about an age of epidemics, chaos, and charlatans.

Dates: Saturdays, October 5, 12, and 19
Price: Tour $35
Address: 101 I St, Sacramento, CA 95814
Website:https://sachistorymuseum.org

7. Watch horror films at Boardwalk Fright Flicks, Santa Cruz

Photo: beachboardwalk.com

Sip a cocktail and scream along to your favorite horror movie at this 21+ event held on the historic beach Boardwalk. The lineup includes Us, Dawn of the Dead, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, and Trick ‘r Treat. Also, find out what other horror films are showing in theaters in October 2024.

Dates: Wednesdays until October 30
Price: General admission $35
Address: 400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website:https://beachboardwalk.com/boardwalk-fright-flicks

8. Test your nerves at The 17th Door Haunt Experience

Photo: the17thdoor.com

The 17th Door Haunt Experience is considered one of the scariest and most technologically advanced shows in the country. They go beyond regular scare tactics, incorporating elements like electric shocks. This place is not for the faint-hearted—guests must sign a waiver before entering. Each year they update the program, and in 2024, according to spoilers, guests will have to endure a 100-mph hurricane at the end of Perpetuum Prison’s torturous maze, a room with earthquake simulators, and a corridor with live insects.

Dates: Until November 3
Price: General admission starts at $39
Address: 8420 On the Mall, Buena Park, CA 90620
Website:https://the17thdoor.com

9. Take a night tour of Alcatraz Island, San Francisco

Photo: instagram.com/alcatraztoursf

Night tours of Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay are not exactly Halloween-themed but offer a truly haunting experience year-round. The infamous former prison is considered one of the most haunted places in America. The tour includes a boat ride around the island and a guided walk through the prison.

Dates: Tuesday through Saturday, year-round
Price: Night tour tickets are typically around $50 for adults, $31 for children ages 5-11
Address: Alcatraz Island Golden Gate National Recreation Area, 201 Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA 94123

10. Visit the most famous haunted house at Disneyland, Anaheim

Photo: instagram.com/disneyland

Of course, no spooky list would be complete without the legendary Disneyland. The park has long celebrated Halloween year-round with its Haunted Mansion attraction. This famous tour features 999 ghosts, skeletons, monsters, and other ghouls. In 2024, guests can also enjoy a pumpkin festival on Main Street, U.S.A., a Halloween parade of beloved Disney characters, fireworks, Ray Bradbury’s Halloween Tree inspired by his novel, and many other themed events.

Dates: Themed events run until October 31, but the mansion is open year-round
Price: Tickets start at $154 in October
Address: 1313 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA 92802
Website:https://disneyland.disney.go.com

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