From Spooky, Family-Friendly Movies to Frightening Drive-Thru Events, There’s No Shortage of Festive Scares This Year! 

Written By: Ameihia Turingan Halloween in Southern California

With spooky costumes, delicious candy and the feeling of magic in the air, the Halloween season always has something fun and frightful to look forward to. While Halloween celebrations may look a little different this year, there are still plenty of ways to get into a ghoulish mood. Check out these 24 festivities around Southern California for a safe and entertaining holiday experience. From virtual costume parties to scream-worthy drive-thru fright fests, you’ll be bewitched by these incredible Halloween events!

 

Virtual Scare-a-thon

There’s no shortage of spooks and scares this Halloween. Take a virtual trip for an inside look at Bran Castle, which was the inspiration behind for Dracula’s Castle in Romania! Stay tuned for a murder mystery with Madame Tussauds in London and a family-friendly monster show at Warwick Castle. The Festival of Fright, hosted by Tiqets, takes place on Oct. 30. Sign up for these free events here. 

 

Los Angeles Halloween in Southern California

Día de los Muertos Pairing Dinner

Location: Shade Hotel Redondo Beach rooftop

Who: Friends and Family

Reserve your Halloween weekend dinner at Shade Redondo Beach for a Día de los Muertos celebration. On Oct. 30 and 31, enjoy a four-course Mexican-inspired dinner paired with beer from George Lopez Brewing Company. Reservations are required for this socially-distanced event and costumes are encouraged!

 

Haunt’oween LA Halloween in Southern California

Where: Woodland Hills 

Who: Family-Friendly

This mesmerizing and interactive drive-thru experience is chock-full of engaging activities from “door-to-door” trick-or-treating, pumpkin picking and photo ops to drives through an elaborate jack-o’-lantern tunnel and mini-maze routes. Journey through the magical Hauntoween from Oct. 9-31.

Haunt’oween LA
6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd
Woodland Hills, CA 91367

 

Ha-LOEWS-ween Halloween in Southern California

Where: Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel

Who: Family-Friendly

On Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel has a weekend full of tricks and treats planned for the whole family. On Friday, watch Hotel Transylvania on the pool deck with candy and popcorn! On Halloween itself, enjoy tarot card readings and a double movie feature of Hotel Transylvania and Hocus Pocus. Face masks are required, and you must reserve a spot in advance for the movie showings! Looking to stay the night? Check out the Linger Longer package. 

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
1700 Ocean Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.458.6700

 

Haunted Hayride Drive-Up

Where: San Dimas

Who: Date Night, Thrill-Seeking Friends

A combination of a drive-thru and drive-in experience, the Haunted Hayride event features a scary trip through All Hallows Lane before the creepy Movie Spooktacular at the Midnight “Drive-In.” Enjoy this sinister route filled with monsters lurking outside your car door.

Haunted Hayride Drive-Up
120 E Via Verde Dr
San Dimas, CA 91773

 

Nights of the Jack Halloween in Southern California

Location: Calabasas

Who: Family-Friendly

In this drive-thru experience, watch as thousands of pumpkins transform into illuminated jack-o’-lanterns and larger-than-life installations. Along with Halloween themed displays, you’ll love the intricate carvings of your favorite celebrities and animated characters.

Nights of the Jack
26800 Mulholland Hwy
Calabasas, CA 91302

 

Virtual Kids Club Event with Kiddle Karoo

Location: Virtual 

Who: Kiddos!

Head to The Point’s Instagram page on Oct. 15 at 11 a.m. for a musical takeover by Kiddle Karoo and puppet friends. In Kiddle Karoo’s Halloween Adventure, puppet Molly learns how fun this holiday can be. Kids of all ages will enjoy this “spooktacular” story.

The Point
850 S Pacific Coast Hwy
El Segundo, CA 90245
310.414.5280

 

LA Zoo Drive-In Movies

Location: Los Angeles Zoo 

Who: Family-Friendly

The LA Zoo has drive-in movies happening all October long! While the drive-in begins on Oct. 16 and lasts until Nov. 1, Hair-Raising Halloween—packed with spooktacular Halloween classics like Goosebumps and The Addams Family—is Oct. 29-Nov. 1. Festive decor, bags of candy and a virtual costume contest are a few perks! 

Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323.644.4200

 

Orange County Halloween in Southern California

Rock & Brews Halloween in Southern California

Location: Buena Park, Corona, El Segundo, Redondo Beach, Tustin

Who: Family and Friends

Get in the Halloween spirit this year by dressing up as a rockstar! Show up with your most creative mullets, air guitars and tight pants. The best part is you’ll get a free Opening Act appetizer at Rock & Brews on Halloween. You have to mention this offer, and there is a limit of one free appetizer per table. Rock on! 

 

Urban Legends Haunt

Location: OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa

Who: Date Night, Thrill-Seeking Friends

Elevate your night with this drive-thru Halloween haunt complete with four theatrical, live-action show zones, performances and an immersive show with FX, strobe lights and sound. Open until Nov. 1, prepare yourself for terror, thrills and nightmares.

Urban Legends Haunt
88 Fair Dr
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

 

Taste of Fall-O-Ween at Knott’s Berry Farm

Location: Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park

Who: Family-Friendly, Foodies

Get ready to satisfy your taste buds at Knott’s seasonal food event. Dive face-first into treats like pumpkin spice churro sticks, caramel apple cheesecake trifles and grim reaper sandwiches. Celebrate the spirit of Halloween with art shows, local craft items and the children’s Camp Snoopy Trick-or-Treat Trail.

Knott’s Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd
Buena Park, CA 90620

 

Tanaka Farms Drive-Thru

Location: Tanaka Farms, Irvine 

Who: Family-Friendly

Hop out of your car and select your pumpkin straight from the patch! Pick the Saturday drive-thru option or the U-Pick Pumpkin with Wagon Ride to explore the 30-acre farm with a tour guide. On this leisurely ride, you’ll view the pumpkin cannon launch, farm animals, scarecrow contest and more. 

Tanaka Farms
5380 3/4 University Dr
Irvine, CA 92612
949.653.2100

 

OC Parks Spooky Series

Location: Fountain Valley 

Who: Family-Friendly

Visit OC Parks’ Facebook and Instagram from Oct. 26-31 for crafts, trivia, Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” and a “rock-and-ghoul performance” from Past Action Heroes. Before the virtual programming, bring your little monsters to the “Hocus Pocus” drive-in from Oct. 23-25 at Mile Square Regional Park.

Mile Square Regional Park
16801 Euclid St
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
714.973.6600

 

Howl-O-Ween Yappy Hour

Location: A&O Kitchen + Bar, Balboa Bay Resort

Who: Four-legged Friends 

On Oct. 29 from 3 to 6 p.m., bring your furry friend down to the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach. Drinks for both you and your pup (greyhounds and salty dogs!) will be available as well as dog treats and a “Best Dog Costume” contest. 

Balboa Bay Resort
1221 W Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.645.5000

 

San Diego Halloween in Southern California

Family Halloweekend

Location: Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa

Get in the spooky spirit with a family Halloween weekend at Carlsbad’s Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa. Enjoy socially distanced trick or treating, movies under the stars, a costume contest and more! The little ones are sure to love this weekend-long celebration. These festivities are available to resort guests only, so book your spooky staycation now.

Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa
7100 Aviara Resort Dr
Carlsbad, CA 92011
760.448.1234

A Grand Halloween

Location: Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

This Halloween, Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego is offering a package chock-full of festive activities. Embark on a socially distanced trick-or-treat trail in the hotel’s grand event space and ballroom with treats including full size candy bars, toys, activity packs and more. Then, go for a spooky moonlit swim after dark and cozy up for an outdoor Halloween movie. Finally, with views of the San Diego skyline, families can take part in a halloween-inspired arts and crafts on the rooftop!

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
1 Market Pl
San Diego, CA 92101
619.232.1234

Ranch 45

Location: Ranch 45, Solana Beach

This year, to celebrate Halloween, Ranch 45 has partnered with Friendly Feast to host a Halloween-themed pop-up in Solana Beach. On Saturday, October 31 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., guests can enjoy pastry boxes filled with Halloween treats made by some of San Diego’s top chefs. You can pre-order boxes for $35 on Friendly Feast’s website starting October 20, with boxes ready for pickup on Halloween. Proceeds will benefit Friendly Feast and Monarch School, whose mission is to educate students impacted by homelessness.

Ranch 45
512 Via De La Valle, Ste 102
Solana Beach, CA 92075
858.461.0092

Drive-Thru Scream Zone

Location: Del Mar

Who: Date Night, Thrill-Seeking Friends

The Del Mar Fairgrounds is transformed into “Scaregrounds,” complete with attractions like Horror Icon Way, Conjuring Row, Clown Alley, Dead End Truck Stop and Zombie Carnival Row. Ready to be frightened? Lock the doors as you drive through this mile-long course filled with dreadful horrors.

Drive-Thru Scream Zone
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd
Del Mar, CA 92014
858.755.1161

 

Halloween at Liberty Station

Location: Liberty Station

Who: Family-Friendly

Don your best costume and pose for the camera at Liberty Station. After your photoshoot, upload the best capture to social media with #HalloweenAtTheStation to participate in the costume contest. Winners across the kids, family and pets categories will receive giveaways and gift cards from the center’s retailers.

Liberty Station
2640 Historic Decatur Rd
San Diego, CA 92106
619.756.7992

 

Witches of Westgate Tea

Location: Westgate Hotel 

Who: Date Night, Family-Friendly, Foodies

Discover the elegant and magical experience of afternoon tea at Westgate Hotel. Dress up ready to enjoy delicious pastries like chocolate passion fruit tartlets and Parisian macarons, buttermilk scones with berries and cream, savory tea sandwiches on slices of brioche and cups of gourmet tea.

Witches of Westgate Tea
1055 Second Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
619.238.1818

 

Night of Boos

Location: The Cassara Carlsbad

Who: Family-Friendly

Take a staycay this Halloween weekend at The Cassara Carlsbad and enjoy an overnight stay in a spacious room, free parking and a Halloween Boo Bag filled with candy, party favors and a pumpkin decorating kit. Get in the Halloween spirit by taking the free shuttle to the Carlsbad pumpkin patch! 

The Cassara Carlsbad
5805 Armada Dr
Carlsbad, CA 92008
760.827.3232

 

Halloween Movies Nights Halloween in Southern California

Location: Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Del Mar

Who: Family-Friendly

On Oct. 30 and 31, pack a picnic, put on your costumes and head to Hilton Garden Inn Del Mar for free Halloween movies: Hotel Transylvania, Beetlejuice, Monsters, Inc. and Hocus Pocus. Reservations are required; popcorn, burgers, nachos, hot cider, cocoa and adult beverages will be available to purchase.

Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Del Mar
3939 Ocean Bluff Ave
San Diego, CA 92130
858.720.0500

 

Greater Palm Springs  

Renaissance Esmerelda Spooktacular Weekend

Location: Renaissance Esmeralda, Indian Wells

Who: Date Night, Family-Friendly

Treat yourself to a festive weekend getaway in Indian Wells from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1. Enjoy Halloween balcony decorations, delicious in-room pizza, sweet treats and time at the pumpkin patch on Saturday. Along with spooky amenities and crafts, relax in the comfort of this newly redesigned hotel.

Renaissance Esmerelda
44400 Indian Wells Ln
Indian Wells, CA 92210
760.773.4444

 

The Living Desert Howl-O-Ween

Location: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Palm Desert

Who: Family-Friendly

Make Halloween memorable by spending it with your family’s favorite zoo animals. Explore the Zoo, participate in a self-guided scavenger hunt and watch the animals receive special pumpkin enrichments throughout the day. Don’t miss the fun on Oct. 31 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
47900 Portola Ave
Palm Desert, CA 92260
760.346.5694

 

#HauntedTides Halloween in Southern California

Location: Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa

Put on your suit and head to Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa this Halloween for a “scary” dive-in movie with extended spooky pool hours from 7-10 p.m. The property’s all-new HyTides water park will be decked out for the holiday, and kids will receive goodie bags with candy. Hyatt Indian Wells will also host a pumpkin carving contest, where guests can vote for their favorite pumpkin!

Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa
44600 Indian Wells Ln
Indian Wells, CA 92210
760.776.1234