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 haunted houses in the Bay (in no particular order) plus some ghost tours for those wanting a tamer experience. Read on to start planning your Halloween season!
1. “The Summoning” at the SF Mint
The San Francisco Mint is one of the city’s oldest buildings, and it has been transformed into the ultimate immersive haunted show. The theme is a séance ripping a hole into the supernatural world with different levels of interactive experience. They’re also bringing back the Fang Bang Vampire Bar this year, which serves Halloween-themed cocktails and snacks.
Dates: October 7 – November 5
Price: $55-75
Location: 88 5th St, San Francisco
2. SF Ghost Hunt Walking Tour
The SF Ghost Hunt is an essential ghost tour experience in San Francisco. Learn about the haunted Victorian homes of Pacific Heights and the neighborhood spirits. You’ll see the haunted trees of abolitionist Mary Ellen Pleasant, learn about the Chambers Mansion poltergeists, and more. This special Halloween version led by Christian Cagigal will take you looking for ghosts yourself!
Price: $29.99 for standard tour, $100 for special Halloween tour with VIP experience on October 29, 30, and 31
Dates: Now through Halloween
Location: Meet in front of Healing Arts center, 1801 Bush St, San Francisco
3. Haunted SF: Ghosts, Murder and Mystery
Here’s another SF ghost tour that takes you through Chinatown alleyways and the old Gold Rush district with your own ghost hunting equipment! This exciting tour investigates both paranormal activity and true crime throughout SF history. Learn about forgotten graves, notorious brothels, and the underground “Shanghai” tunnels.
Price: starting at $38.94
Dates: Daily, year-round
Location: Start at Transamerica Pyramid, 600 Montgomery St, San Francisco
4. Fear Overload Scream Park
Find two excellent award-winning haunted houses at this Newark location. “Blind Asylum” will take you through a twisted asylum from the point of view of a patient, with hair-raising whispers and terrifying patients. The other experience is “Undead Underpass,” in which you’ll enter the gates of Hell and descend through the increasingly sickening underworld. Get ready to scream, because these are widely considered to be the best haunted houses in the Bay!
Price: $19.99-32.99
Dates: September 30 – November 5
Location: 2086 Newpark Mall, Newark
5. Piedmont Pumpkin Patch
This popular spot in Oakland has 2 haunted house options. You can do the “less scary” version for kids and scaredy cat adults, where they’ll turn on the lights and shut off the creatures. Or you can try the scary version, in which something dark lurks around every corner…
Price: $8 per person
Location: 4414 Piedmont Ave, Oakland
6. Unhinged: Nightshade’s Curse at the Winchester Mystery House
The famous Winchester Mystery House is stepping it up a notch for the fall season! Unhinged: Nightshade’s Curse brings an old-timey haunted carnival with spooky sideshows onto the mansion’s grounds. Guests can wander the halls of the mansion for an immersive and spine-chilling haunted experience, and then decompress at the Spookeasy Bar with fun themed cocktails and food. There will also be plenty of interactive carnival games on the grounds and an outdoor performance from Madame Nightshade herself.
Price: $64.99 – 84.99
Dates: September 30 – October 31
Location: 525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose
7. Blind Scream
This blood-curdling house is haunted by 3 terrible witches, who have cursed all who dare cross the threshold. The experience is not for the faint of heart, so come prepared for a terrifying time!
Price: $25-35
Dates: October 7-31
Location: 98 Santa Rosa Plaza, Santa Rosa
8. Tricks and Treats at Great America
A family-friendly Halloween event with two themed sides: Tricks and Treats. The Land of Tricks is filled with all things slimy, creepy, and spooky, including a zombie cover band and a silent disco. The Land of Treats capitalizes on the coziness of fall and Halloween nostalgia, with pumpkin decorating, a candy witch, seasonal craft beers and cocktails, and endless fall-themed food. Tricks and Treats is the perfect option for those who aren’t up for a haunted house but still want to lean into their spooky side.
Price: Starting at $39.99
Dates: September 23 – October 31
Location: 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara
9. 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.
Price: $20-78
Dates: September 30 – October 31
Location: Eastern end of Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton
10. Grimm’s Hollow
This haunted house in San Jose is part labyrinth, part haunted house, and part escape room. Take your friends on a wild family-friendly journey through twists and turns of a haunted maze, where you can either get stuck in a dead end or unlock a secret path. The bravest among you can take a stab at the much scarier Oubliette dungeon after-hours, where you’ll have to find your way out of a locked space while angry spirits wreak havoc around you.
Price: $10
Dates: October 14-15, 21- 23, 28-31
Location: Easterbrook Discovery School, 4835 Doyle Road, San Jose
11. 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.
Price: $15-30 (includes unlimited access to other attractions)
Dates: Year-round, Wednesday-Saturday
Location: 12320 San Mateo Rd, Half Moon Bay
12. Mayhem Mansion at the Haas-Lilienthal house
San Francisco’s Haas-Lilienthal mansion in Pac Heights will be transformed into the ultimate haunted mansion in this guided tour experience. Learn all about the famous building in a special Halloween-themed tour, but be wary of what lurks around each corner! Guests can then enjoy the 21+ Spookeasy in the house’s Ballroom saloon.
Price: TBA, tickets on sale October 1
Dates: October 21-22, 27-29
Location: 2007 Franklin St, San Francisco
13. Fright Fest at Six Flags
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is gearing up for Fright Fest, a special park experience where guests can enjoy haunted rides and attractions, scare zones, spooky shows and performances, and ghoulish themed food and drinks.
Price: starting at $25, general admission park tickets sold separately
Dates: Select dates, September 30-October 31
Location: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, 1001 Fairgrounds Dr, Vallejo
14. Nightmare Island
Test your bravery in this 45,000 square foot warehouse with enormous lofted ceilings and roll-up doors for an open-air haunted house feeling. There’s also a Halloween market with local vendors selling all your spooky necessities.
Price: $20-30
Dates: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in October
Location: 1080 Nimitz Ave, Vallejo
Haunted houses canceled for 2022
10. Dead Time Dreams
*Canceled for 2022* Location: 2501 Tully Rd. at East Capitol Expressway, San Jose
11. Scotts Valley Haunted House
*Canceled for 2022* Location: 555 Glenwood Drive, Scotts Valley
Featured image: Fear Overload