Spooky Season in California's Haunted Houses
California is well known for its haunted houses and hangouts where you may be able to find some ghostly activity at any time during the year. But come the spooky season around Halloween, Californians turn pro to get a good scare. From theme parks creating mini haunted attractions within them to haunted happenings appearing in select cities, you’ll find tons of new and improved haunted attractions throughout California that aren’t for the easily spooked or faint of heart. Check out some of the more impressive 2024 hauntings happening now.
Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights, Hollywood, CA
Universal Studios knows a thing or two about special effects and the annual Halloween Horror Nights events brings the movies to the real world. Some of the best Halloween costumes and makeup are on full display in spooky themed attractions that bring your nightmares to life.
Knott’s Scary Farm, Buena Park, CA
Knott’s Scary Farm is pretty family-friendly but during Halloween, the farm theme park gets a little spookier and a whole lot scarier. Check it out if you’re into things that go bump in the night or want to spend a sunny day in a state of terror.
Fear Overload Scream Park, Newark, CA
In Northern California, head to the annual Fear Overload Scream Park. A neighborhood haunted house attraction that continues to grow in size, scariness, and popularity the Scream Park takes haunted houses with volunteers and special effects to the next level.
Sacramento Scream Park, Sacramento, CA
A little further south, the same producers offer the Sacramento Scream Park, a spook-filled attraction in Sacramento. The Ultimate Terror Scream Park features three haunted houses, each filled with a special brand of terror and torture techniques.
The 17th Door, Fullerton, CA
The 17th Door is not for the faint of heart, easily frightened or spooked. A series of terror-filled rooms are designed to get a reaction out of people that have become dead inside from the usual scary happenings. Be prepared to get wet, touched, screamed at and otherwise terrorized at this very scary attraction.
Queen Mary Dark Harbor, Long Beach, CA
The Queen Mary cruise ship has long been known to be haunted and you can take a ghost tour at any of time of year. But around Halloween ship turns chronically spooky and all the ghosts are allowed to come out for a fright filled celebration.
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, Los Angeles, CA
The Old LA Zoo has been out of commission for years but the location in Griffith Park is now home to the Haunted Hay Ride, an interactive and imaginative haunted attraction. You can also check out similar haunted events like Dead End Diner or Trick or Treat that all take place in the area. Costumes by riders aren’t allowed, except on Halloween when you can dress up. Check out the website for detailed guidelines and a list of attractions.
All Saints Lunatic Asylum, Apple Valley, CA
The mental hospital themed haunted attraction is like every horror movie you’ve ever seen about the criminally insane come to life in one big production in a small town. Be prepared to get poked and prodded as the asylum comes to life during the time of ghosts and goblins.
Key Insights at a Glance
- California is known for its haunted houses and hangouts, especially during Halloween season.
- Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights in Hollywood features spooky themed attractions with special effects.
- Knott's Scary Farm in Buena Park offers family-friendly scares and spooky attractions.
- Fear Overload Scream Park in Newark and Sacramento Scream Park in Sacramento offer terrifying haunted houses.
- The 17th Door in Fullerton is a very scary attraction with interactive terror-filled rooms.
- Queen Mary Dark Harbor in Long Beach offers ghost tours and a spooky celebration around Halloween.
- Los Angeles Haunted Hayride in Griffith Park features interactive haunted attractions like Dead End Diner and Trick or Treat.
- All Saints Lunatic Asylum in Apple Valley is a mental hospital themed haunted attraction with a big production andscares.
