Autumn is finally here! There are plenty of fun seasonal activities to enjoy during this time, from apple picking to pumpkin carving. But if you’re looking for something a bit more spooky, you’re in the right place. We’ve rounded up some of the best 2026 Bay Area haunted houses in no particular order, ranging from family-friendly to downright terrifying. Read on to start planning your Halloween season.
Want a tamer experience? Check out our lists of local ghost tours and haunted places in SF.
House of Weird at Haas-Lilienthal House
San Francisco’s Haas-Lilienthal mansion in Pac Heights will be transformed into the ultimate haunted mansion, courtesy of the team from SF’s Gregangelo Museum. House of Weird is an offbeat adventure beginning with magical elixirs in the ballroom before leading visitors through dark corridors, hidden chambers, and strange sensory encounters.
🌐 Learn more: Haas-Lilienthal House
Terror Vault at the SF Mint
The San Francisco Mint is one of the city’s oldest buildings, and every year it transforms into the ultimate immersive haunted show courtesy of Into The Dark. This year’s theme is “Slashed: Return to Hellville,” which puts visitors into a 1980s horror movie. They’re also bringing back the ’80s Fang Bang Vampire Bar, which serves Halloween-themed cocktails and snacks.
🌐 Learn more: Terror Vault
Haunted Doll House at the Gregangelo Museum
SF artist Gregangelo Herrera owns this unbelievable four-story house in Balboa Terrace, decorated with all manner of eccentric decorations for the public to come and experience. This year, the Gregangelo Museum presents an immersive Halloween showcase where you’ll encounter a formidable collection of real haunted dolls, who you can join for an eerie tea party. Keep your eyes open for the hilariously macabre Teddy Bear Hospital and learn about balloon twisting from menacing clowns.
🌐 Learn more: Gregangelo Museum
Fear Overload Scream Park
Find two excellent haunted houses at this award-winning Newark location, widely considered to host the best haunted houses in the Bay Area. Each attraction is rebuilt with a new theme for each Halloween, and production value is fantastic across the board, from in-line entertainment to a delightful horror boutique with exclusive spooky merch.
🌐 Learn more: Fear Overload Scream Park
Pirates of Emerson
This walk-through haunted theme park has four different haunted houses across six acres of the Pleasanton Fairgrounds. The immersive themed sets are designed to place you in the center of the action, with a spooky pirate theme and lots of practical effects, including fire. Make sure to buy timed-entry tickets in advance because they sell out quickly and are only available online.
🌐 Learn more: Pirates of Emerson
Beyond the Veil at Meek Mansion or McConaghy House
If you want a spooky experience with fewer jump scares, this eerie, lights-off haunted tour of Meek Mansion is a great option. In this guided experience through the historic Victorian home, you’ll learn about ghost stories and sightings on the property. The experience is for ages 14+, and if you want a less scary tour, book the option at 6:15pm.
🌐 Learn more: Beyond the Veil
This Halloween, The Winchester Mystery House debuts a brand–new haunted experience in collaboration with the minds at Thirteenth Floor. Guests are invited to join an eerie masquerade party hosted by a mysterious Maestro on Halloween night, 1924, two years after the death of Sarah Winchester. The experience covers numerous floors and immersive areas, including the terrifying basement and the garden.
Grimm’s Hollow
Take your friends on a wild family-friendly journey through twists and turns of a dark manor and haunted garden. The bravest among you can take a stab at the scarier The Shadows, where the lights go out and the scares become even more terrifying.
🌐 Learn more: Grimm’s Hollow
The Bernal Scream
The Bernal Scream started as a free backyard show over a decade ago, but took an indefinite hiatus in 2016. After a successful return in 2023, this San Jose haunted house is back with a new story, elaborate special effects, and numerous memorable characters. They’ve introduced a less scary daytime version with no actors or jump scares. But if you visit for the night show, be ready to scream.
🌐 Learn more: The Bernal Scream
Blind Scream
Blind Scream presents Caverns of Carnage, where you’ll explore a grotesque graveyard maze in the heart of a swamp. The 20,000-square-foot attraction is renowned for its production value every single year. For those wanting to step it up even more, Blind Scream offers a blackout version where visitors must navigate the maze in pitch darkness.
🌐 Learn more: Blind Scream
Tricks and Treats at Six Flags
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is gearing up for Tricks and Treats, a special daytime park experience where kids can wear costumes, enjoy spooky shows and performances, and try ghoulish themed food and drinks. The park is not hosting its scarier Fright Fest event in 2026.
🌐 Learn more: Six Flags Tricks and Treats
Lemos Farm
Make a day of it at this family-friendly farm with a pumpkin patch, pony rides, train rides, a petting zoo, and this year-round haunted house. There’s a non-scary version for younger kids and a scary version for older kids.
🌐 Website: Lemos Farm