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 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.
Table Of Contents
San Francisco haunted houses
1. House of Spirits: A Haunted Cocktail Masquerade
For those seeking a sophisticated escape from typical Halloween thrills, House of Spirits is an upscale soirée like no other. Sip on an exquisite flight of mini cocktails as you discover the sinister tale of Volkov Manor, where enigmatic specters and a peculiar array of guests await. Encounter a grand Ouija board and mesmerizing macabre performances in an interactive, chilling experience. Dress to impress—this is one of San Francisco’s most exclusive Halloween gatherings.
🗓️ Dates: Open now through Nov. 2, 2024
🎟️ Tickets: House of Spirits: A Haunted Cocktail Masquerade
📍 Location: 460 9th St. San Francisco, CA 94103
2. Nightmare: House on Franklin St.
San Francisco’s Haas-Lilienthal mansion in Pac Heights will be transformed into the ultimate haunted mansion, courtesy of the team behind Unhinged at the Winchester Mystery House. This is a unique guided tour experience through the historic building, where you’ll join a group of 20 in an immersive haunted storyline. Guests can enjoy drinks before or after the visit at the 21+ Cellar of Cursed Spirits.
🎫 Price: Starting at $59
🗓️ Dates: Oct. 18 – Nov. 1, 2024
🌐 Website: Nightmare: House on Franklin St.
📍 Location: 2007 Franklin St, San Francisco, CA 94109
3. Fatal Abduction 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 “Fatal Abduction,” in which a mysterious extraterrestrial force unleashes horror on humanity. They’re also bringing back the ’80s Fang Bang Vampire Bar, which serves Halloween-themed cocktails and snacks.
🎫 Price: Starting at $60
🗓️ Dates: Oct. 4 – Nov. 3, 2024
🌐 Website: Into The Dark
📍 Location: San Francisco Mint, 88 5th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
4. 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, which 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.
🎫 Price: $92.55
🗓️ Dates: Thursday-Saturday in September and October
🌐 Website: Gregangelo Museum
📍 Location: 225 San Leandro Way, San Francisco, CA 94127
East Bay haunted houses
5. Fear Overload Scream Park
Find two excellent haunted houses at this award-winning Newark location. “Darkmoor Penitentiary” takes you through an abandoned prison haunted by a sinister warden who conducted twisted experiments on the inmates. “Slotch Sanitorium” is a horrifying asylum haunted by the ghosts of its deceased patients. Get ready to scream, because these are widely considered to be the best haunted houses in the Bay Area.
🎫 Price: $24.99-33.99. Prices increase closer to Halloween.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 21 – Nov. 2, 2024
🌐 Website: Fear Overload Scream Park
📍 Location: 2086 Newpark Mall, Newark, CA 94560
6. Piedmont Avenue 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
🗓️ Dates: Open now
🌐 Learn more: Piedmont Avenue Pumpkin Patch on Facebook
📍 Location: 4414 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611
7. 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. This year, anyone under 16 must be accompanied by someone 21+.
🎫 Price: $40-45
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 27 – Nov. 2, 2024
🌐 Website: Pirates of Emerson
📍 Location: Alameda County Fairgrounds, Valley Ave, Pleasanton, CA 94566
8. Beyond the Veil at Meek Mansion
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.
🎫 Price: $30 general admission
🗓️ Dates: Oct. 18-19 and 25-26, 2024
🌐 Website: Hayward Area Historical Society
📍 Location: 17365 Boston Rd, Hayward, CA 94541
South Bay haunted houses
9. Unhinged: Hotel at the Winchester Mystery House
Unhinged: Hotel brings a new chapter to the famous Winchester Mystery House. See if you can brave the immersive indoor maze through three floors of the house, the outdoor scare zone, and a limited-time Halloween museum. Be sure to decompress afterward with themed cocktails and food, plus endless spooky photo ops.
🎫 Price: $75 – 96
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 13 – Nov. 2, 2024
🌐 Website: Winchester Mystery House
📍 Location: 525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128
10. Grimm’s Hollow
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 Maelstrom, where you’ll have to find your way out of a locked space while angry spirits wreak havoc around you.
🎫 Price: $15
🗓️ Dates: Oct. 13 – 31, 2024
🌐 Website: Grimm’s Hollow
📍 Location: Easterbrook Discovery School, 4835 Doyle Rd, San Jose, CA 95129
11. 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 haunted 1920s village and macabre carnival games. 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 $45
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 20 – Oct. 26, 2024
🌐 Website: California’s Great America
📍 Location: 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054
12. 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: Available with farm pass costing $10-25
🗓️ Dates: Open year-round
🌐 Website: Lemos Farm
📍 Location: 12320 San Mateo Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
13. Scotts Valley Haunted House
This beloved haunted house in Scotts Valley has been bringing the frights for over 20 years. Last year they hinted that it may be their last run of the haunted house, but in an exciting turn of events, they’re bringing it back for one weekend in October. This is a tamer version designed for elementary school children and parents, with a haunted village theme and candy for the brave.
🎫 Price: $10 per person until October 22nd, then $15 per person
🗓️ Dates: Oct. 24-26, 2024
🌐Website: SV Haunted House
📍 Location: 555 Glenwood Dr, Scotts Valley, CA 95066
14. 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. This year they’ve introduced a less-scary daytime version with no actors or jumpscares. But if you visit for the night show, be ready to scream.
🎫 Price: Starting at $25
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 20 – Nov. 3, 2024
🌐Website: The Bernal Scream
📍 Location: Almaden Plaza, 5353 Almaden Expy., San Jose, CA 95118
15. The Candle Lighters Ghost House
This adorable haunted house in Fremont is run by nonprofit organization Candle Lighters, which supports community projects in Fremont, Union City, and Newark. Their annual Ghost House is their main fundraiser, promising adorable family activities, food, games, and a spooky tour through the 19th century Chadbourne Carriage House.
🎫 Price: $5
🗓️ Dates: Oct. 12 – 30, 2024
🌐Website: Candle Lighters
📍 Location: The Chadbourne Carriage House in Williams Historical Park, 39169 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA 94538
North Bay haunted houses
16. Blind Scream
Blind Scream presents Reflections of Terror, where you’ll explore a grotesque abandoned home buried deep in an overgrown forest. The 20,000-square-foot attraction is renowned for its production value every single year. For the resident scaredy cats, Blind Scream has also introduced Guided Ghostly Tours where you’ll walk through the house with all the lights and sounds, but none of the monsters.
🎫 Price: $25-35
🗓️ Dates: Oct. 11 – 31, 2024
🌐 Website: Blind Scream
📍 Location: 98 Santa Rosa Plaza, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
17. 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 in complete darkness, scare zones, spooky shows and performances, multiple haunted houses, and ghoulish themed food and drinks. For the kids, Six Flags is also hosting Boo Fest, a tamer experience where families can watch fun live shows and go trick-or-treating in costume.
🎫 Price: Starting at $29 for one-day ticket
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 21 – Nov. 3, 2024
🌐 Website: Six Flags
📍 Location: 1001 Fairgrounds Dr, Vallejo, CA 94589