Nothing quite sets the stage for Halloween like an eerie exploration of a haunted house. Are you prepared for spine-tingling encounters? Exclusively for thrill-seekers like you, we've curated a compilation of the eeriest haunted houses, ghostly tours, and an array of other haunting experiences right here in the Bay Area. Are you daring enough to embark on these bone-chilling adventures?
For more Halloween adventures, explore my blogs Best Trick or Treat Spots in Silicon Valley and Best Pumpkin Patches in Silicon Valley!
Important Note: Please keep in mind that attraction details are subject to change without prior notice. It's advisable to visit the venue's official website for the latest updates and ticket purchases. Additionally, remember to review the websites for any age restrictions, as some of these attractions may be a bit too spine-tingling for the little ones.
Winchester Mystery House
This Halloween, dare to explore the enigmatic Winchester Mystery House where restless spirits and supernatural forces are said to have guided its construction. Sarah Winchester, the reclusive widow of firearm magnate William Winchester, believed the house was haunted by the malevolent spirits of those claimed by the Winchester rifles. She oversaw continuous and bizarre construction on the house for nearly four decades. Its unsettling architectural oddities include staircases leading to nowhere, doors that open into walls, and a bewildering labyrinth of rooms and hallways. The mansion's peculiar design is believed to be an attempt to confuse and appease the vengeful spirits that she believed were pursuing her. Are you brave enough to uncover the secrets of this enigmatic mansion at the spookiest time of the year?
This year, the Bay Area’s most iconic house, is celebrating Halloween a with a special show Unhinged: Housewarming on select nights through October. General admission tickets grant you access to one spine-tingling route within the indoor haunt. All ticket holders also have the opportunity to experience an electrifying outdoor spectacle, complete with a scare zone, Halloween museum, interactive games, food and drinks, sideshow entertainers, and themed photo opportunities to capture the chilling memories. For an elevated experience, upgrade to RIP (Rest in Panic, not a typo!) tickets for an additional $25. But act swiftly, for capacity is limited, and tickets are vanishing like ghosts in the night.
For an entirely new experience, join the "Walk With Spirits" tour, a journey into the realm of the paranormal. Guests will participate in a solemn wake for a departed soul in the home's parlor and an immersive Victorian-era séance. This daytime tour offers a different perspective on the enigmatic Winchester House, where you can explore its eerie history and intriguing connections to the spiritual world.
The 10th installment of the "Centennial Speaker Series" in on Saturday, October 21st at 2pm, where Elizabeth Kile, author of Haunted San Jose, explores common tropes in ghostly tales. $5 entry.
Gather your family and mark your calendars for October 29th as the day of the Winchester Mystery House's "Little Pumpkins Harvest Fest", where kids embark on an adventure packed with Halloween delights.
Too spooked for the nighttime show? Not to worry, as the Winchester House welcomes visitors during daylight hours for its regular tours. The Sarah Winchester Garden Tour, Axe Throwing at the Stables and Sarah’s Attic Shooting Gallery are also available year round.
- Location: Winchester Mystery House, 525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128
- Phone: (408) 247-2000
- Email: info@winchestermysteryhouse.com
- Hours: Open 10am - 5pm weekdays and 10am - 7pm weekends with special nighttime Halloween events through October.
- Admission: General tickets for Unhinged start at $65. RIP passes are $90 and $100.
Dead Time Dreams Haunted Attractions
They're BAAAACK! After a brief hiatus, Dead Time Dreams Haunted Attractions is back in a new location. Not only do they aim to provide a incredible Haunted House experience, they deliver an unforgettable adventure that goes beyond mere observation. Here, you're not just strolling through painted room scenes; you're stepping into the heart of the horror movie itself, where every detail, every sensation, is meticulously crafted for a fully immersive, sensory assault on your psyche. Brace yourself as you navigate the eerie depths of the attractions and battle to keep your wits about you amidst the unceasing waves of terror.
Midway Of Terror: Immerse yourself in the pre-show, designed to not only set the mood but also send a chill down your spine before you venture into the shadowy corridors of horror. Witness the appearance of never-before-seen Freaks and Creatures, and partake in special nightly shows, each offering a unique and spine-tingling experience. The Midway of Terror promises an intense and dark journey that surpasses most haunted attractions you've encountered to date.
Nightmares: Billed as A FRIGHT WALK through VARIOUS NIGHTMARES, this outdoor journey unveils fear in multiple layers. The open-air walk provides ample space to flee from lurking monsters. However, be forewarned, they'll be tracking your every move, leaving no escape. As you traverse through this ominous alley, it's like stepping right into the heart of a horror movie and the midst of the relentless action.
- Location: 2300 Eastridge Loop (on the Tully side of the Eastridge Mall parking lot across from the Wellsfargo), San Jose, CA 95122
- Phone: (408) 422-7749
- Email: dtdhauntedattraction@gmail.com
- Dates: Open October 6th - 31st, 7:30pm - 10:30pm weekdays and 7:30pm - 11pm from Fri - Sat.
- Admission: Tickets are available at the ticket booth starting at 7:00pm. General Admission is $20 and V.I.P (Fast Pass) is $30.
Napa Downtown Ghost Walk - Ghosts & Legends of the Red Light District & Main St.
The Napa Downtown Ghost Walk - Ghosts of the Redlight District & Main St. promises a memorable experience. Meet the spirited denizens who once roamed the wild side of early downtown Napa City – from the intriguing ladies of the evening to enterprising individuals who peddled dreams and amassed fortunes. Discover the unsettling history of life in the Napa Asylum as you journey through Main Street, First Street, and the former Red Light District. Learn about the mysteries of Chinatown and uncover obscure, captivating facts. Ghost tours come with a dash of humor and the tools to detect the spectral residents. Bring an open mind! Suitable for ages 15 and up.
While you are there, you might want to check out the Haunted Traveling Museum and its creepy contents!
- Location: Old Napa Courthouse, 825 Brown Street, Napa, CA 94558
- Phone: (707) 606-5050
- Email: napaghosts@gmail.com
- Dates: Open year round Thu & Sat at 8pm with extra dates during Halloween season.
- Admission: Tickets are $30, and may be purchased online.
Sonoma Plaza Ghost Walking Tour
Did you know about Sonoma's dark past?! You can explore some of its history on the Sonoma Plaza Ghost Walking Tour. Meet the ghosts of Sonoma as you journey through its captivating and enigmatic history. Encounter the lingering spirits of Native Americans who linger near the Mission and stand on the very ground of a bank robbery gone wrong with its ensuing shoot out. The streets of Sonoma teem with ghostly spirits eager to share their tales. As you step onto the El Camino Real, converse with the spirits near Mission Solano and explore the enigmatic stories of one of California's oldest and most blood-soaked cities. Delve into the tales of those who fought for freedom from Mexico and discover the concealed mysteries hidden beneath the city's historic surface. This is a journey through time you won't forget.
- Location: 1st Street East at The Large Oak Tree, Sonoma, CA 95476
- Phone: (661) 261-5430
- Email: napaghosts@admin
- Dates: Open year round on Wed & Fri at 8pm with extra dates during Halloween season.
- Admission: Tickets are $30, and may be purchased online.
Tricks and Treats at California’s Great America
Tricks and Treats at California’s Great America is a relatively new Halloween celebration that promises to be "...packed with fun and family-friendly eeriness. From little goblins to grown-up ghouls, everyone will find ghastly great things to do for Halloween. Plus, [they]’ve got skeleTONS of delicious seasonal treats, drinks and, of course, candy!"
There’s so much to see and do at Tricks and Treats! Explore the Land of Tricks, promising playfully spooky, gross, and weird adventures. Or do you stroll the charming boulevards of the Land of Treats with all the nostalgia of a cozy fall festival. In every Land, witches and warlocks of all ages can enjoy Halloween fun. Solve mysteries, play exciting games, meet quirky characters, and join a costume contest. Get crafty with pumpkin decorating and take home unique souvenirs. Guests are encouraged to come in costume.
The most popular rides are also open during the Halloween event. Families and friends can enjoy live entertainment, from side-splitting game shows to mesmerizing musical performances. Relax and savor the enchanting tales spun by master storytellers, or share a chuckle with a friend.
- Location: California’s Great America, 4701 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA
- Dates: Open select days through October 28th from 7 pm - midnight
- Admission: Tickets start at $39.99. Purchase them online to save as much as $30 off price at the gate. Ticket includes available rides.
Pirates of Emerson Haunted Theme Park
The Pirates of Emerson Haunted Theme Park is a time-ed entry WALK THRU event for 2023. The attraction is billed as "where your worst nightmares become real. As you enter the Adventure, you enter a world of suspense and terror. The only thing on your mind will be your survival." Children are allowed, but it is not recommended for those under 13 years of age. Also there is a new age limitation. Anyone under 16 years old MUST be accompanied by an Individual 21 or over.
You must purchase tickets online. Tickets are not sold at the event.
- Location: Alameda County Fairgrounds (Corner of Bernal & Valley Ave), Pleasanton, CA 94566
- Dates: Open Thursday through Sunday most weekends at 7:05pm with extra date on Halloween.
- Admission: General admission is $40 and gives you access to all four Haunted Houses. Speed and VIP passes are also available for extra charge and give you speedier entry, as well as access to Oddities Attraction.
Fear Overload Scream Park
The Fear Overload Scream Park is billed as the Bay Area’s scariest and most elaborate haunted house event! The terrifying walk takes you through hair-raising sets, filled with countless scares and trained actors. It's not for the faint hearted. There are two attraction this year:
House of Phobia: In the heart of Frightmare town stood the infamous "House of Phobia," a haunted house unlike any other, with a sinister reputation that lured the curious. As the moon reached its zenith, the gates creaked open, beckoning the brave inside. Each room tailored to exploit individual fears, from claustrophobia to the dread of darkness and heights.
Happy Days Asylum: Tread the line between terror and fascination. Inside, dimly lit hallways revealed faded murals and chilling desolation. Ghostly echoes of screams echoed, and reenacted medical horrors blurred the line between sanity and madness. The haunting experience painted a tapestry of anguish and hopelessness, awakening the patrons' souls to the depths of human suffering.
Note, this attraction is not recommended for children under 12 years old. Tickets may be purchased online. Save on ticket price by purchasing in advance.
- Location: 2086 Newpark Mall, Newark, CA 94560
- Dates: Open now through to Nov 5th, except Oct 17th. See full schedule on their webpage.
- Admission: General admission ranges from $23.99 - $32.99. Faster and Fastest admission are an additional $11 and $22, respectively.
