PUMPKIN PATCH PARADISE
Skunk Train’s Pumpkin Express
This autumn, take a trip into the heart of Mendocino’s redwoods on the Skunk Train’s Pumpkin Express. With seasonal treats, a pumpkin patch to pick your very own, and beautiful fall scenery to indulge in, there is no better way to ring in the festivities.
Pumpkin Picking in Apple Hill
Hit the road and follow Highway 50 to the scenic and flavorful Apple Hill for some pumpkin picking this fall. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada Foothills, Apple Hill has nearly 30 farms to explore for pumpkin patches, apple orchards and bucolic vistas.
Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm
Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm in Wheatland is the largest U-Pick pumpkin farm in the country and is back in business starting Sept. 10 through the end of October. Enjoy picking pumpkins, wandering through a corn maze and eating pie with friends and family.
Peltzer Pumpkin Patch
Peltzer Pumpkin Farm in Temecula Valley is bringing back their pumpkin pass. Back by popular demand, the pumpkin pass grants visitors access to unlimited weekly visits, entry to their petting farm, and discounts on their pumpkin painting classes. But don’t forget your pumpkin!
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FESTIVITIES
Halloween at Hagan Community Park
Halloween at Hagan in Rancho Cordova will take place on Oct. 29 from 3:00 – 6:00 pm. The event includes the popular “trunk-or-treat," in which local organizations decorate their cars for Halloween so little ones can trick-or-treat at each trunk and enjoy fun games with prizes.
Caramel-by-the-Sea Halloween Birthday
On Oct. 31, celebrate Caramel-by-the-Sea’s 106th Halloween Birthday with a Halloween Parade, trick-or-treating, and fall festivities throughout the coastal village.
Torrance Marriott Movie Night
Enjoy movie night this October at the Torrance Marriott Redondo Beach every Saturday at sunset. Movies will be played at the Boardwalk, with Halloween-inspired cocktails for mom and dad, along with soft drinks, snacks and popcorn for the kids. Throughout the month, films range from spooky favorites like The Addams Family or Casper the Friendly Ghost.
Anaheim’s Halloween Parade
Celebrate Halloween this year in Downtown Anaheim on Saturday, Oct. 29, at the annual Fall Festival & Halloween Parade. Check out their behemoth floats and vibrant performances, their kids and pet costume contests, and enjoy some crafts, live music, food and more.
HALLOWEEN SPRITZ, COCKTAILS, AND BEER
McCloud Halloween Pub Crawl
Celebrate with Siskiyou County in their 5th annual McCloud Halloween Pub Crawl. A crawl passport is just $5, and participating businesses will have themed food and beverage specials. Check out at least three and be in the running to win prizes.
Oktoberfest Napa Valley
Celebrate Oktoberfest in Napa Valley, with nearly two dozen breweries, microbreweries and pubs serving up all varieties of craft beers – it even has its very own Ale Trail. Beer connoisseurs can enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience, with some spots even offering unique bottling from a single barrel.
Mystery at The Darling
Help solve a Halloween mystery during a stay at the Darling Hotel in Visalia. The property’s one-of-a-kind dinner experience invites guests to become part of the action with twists and turns around every corner. Enjoy this immersive live theatre experience with a four-course meal and specialty cocktail. Guests are encouraged to dress in their best 1930s or vintage Halloween attire.
Creep the Halls: Midnight Circus
On Oct. 29, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will transform into a Midnight Circus of surprises during their adults-only Halloween celebration. Arrive in costume to enjoy drinks, food and live music – and don’t forget to look out for the spectacular finale under the big top!
DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS
Honoring the Dead in Hornitos
With its deep-rooted Mexican history, the town of Hornitos in Mariposa County plays host to Día De los Muertos/All Souls Day on Nov. 2. Visitors can meet in the town’s plaza and follow a candlelight procession up the hill to historic St. Catherine’s Church and cemetery to honor the dead. Face paint and costumes are welcome.
Rocktober at Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica’s “Rocktober” event on Oct. 22 will put on a special Día de los Muertos light performance on their Ferris wheel, and Downtown Santa Monica will have three blocks full of large Catrinas (elegantly dressed skeleton figures) designed by Nayarit-born and raised artist, Ricardo Soltero.
‘Maya Mash’ at Hotel Maya
Join Hotel Maya in Long Beach for their ‘Maya Mash’ and Día de los Muertos celebration. The property’s restaurant, Fuego, hosts a “Creepy Cabana” for anyone trying to dine in the Halloween spirit. On Nov. 1–2, guests can enjoy live music, food, and drink specials and enter the “Best Sugar Skull Face” contest.
Día De los Muertos at Jacobs Park
San Diego Symphony will host a Dia de los Muertos Celebration on Oct. 30 at their waterfront venue, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park in downtown San Diego. The evening will honor Latinx music and culture, memorialize those passed, and serve special Día de los Muertos food and drinks.
HAUNTED HAPPENINGS
Heartstoppers Haunted House
Heartstoppers Haunted House in Rancho Cordova is one of the Sacramento region's top-rated haunts. Test your grit at their four immersive haunted house experiences. Wander the zombie deadlands, escape the Ward or dare to enter the mineshaft - the Murk.
Field of Screams
The Higbee Horror Haunt, just off Highway 99 at John Thurman Field in Modesto, is an intense experience that will wind you through four themed haunted houses - a theme for every base fear you have. You’ll find yourself in Scare Zones, with roaming monsters and creepy crawlies.
Dead of the Night Ghost Tour
Santa Barbara Ghost Tours shines a light on the “friendly ghosts” of hauntingly beautiful Santa Barbara. Each tour is curated, researched, and led by Santa Barbara City College professor Julie Ann Brown.
Haunted Ghost Town
The San Diego Heritage Museum and the Ovation Theatre host the first-ever Haunted Ghost Town at Heritage Ranch in Encinitas. The brand-new production will turn an innocent stroll through the artifacts and exhibits of the ancestors into a 25-minute spine-chilling tour of pranks and secrets of the departed.
HALLOWEEN THEMED ATTRACTIONS
Boo at the Zoo
Boo at the Zoo celebration at Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka will host a family fun experience where you can learn about bats, spiders, snakes and creatures of the underground. Don’t forget to enjoy their costume parade and join the costume contest.
Aquarium of the Pacific
Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach will host three Halloween-themed events – Family Halloween Night on Oct. 21, Fright Dive on Oct. 29, and Scarium of the Pacific Oct. 29-30. Enjoy a fun Halloween scavenger hunt, live music, underwater pumpkin carving and more. Don’t forget to dress up!
Knott’s Scary Farm
Bring your nightmares to reality at in Buena Park, as Knott’s Scary Farm turn its theme park into unnerving scare zones, macabre mazes and shocking shows. Goblins and ghouls rule the park from Sept. 22 - Oct. 31.
Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND
LEGOLAND®, in Carlsbad, presents their Brick-or-Treat celebration with an all-new Monster Party - a children’s Halloween celebration where visitors can dress up and celebrate with LEGO monster characters, enjoy treats, and get an exclusive showing of “The Great Monster Chase!”. The celebrations run every Saturday from Sept. 17 to Oct. 29 and Sunday, Oct. 30