13 Awesome Bay Area Haunted Houses for 2026
Get into the Halloween spirit with some spooks and frights at a Haunted House.
Whether it’s a big production full of elaborate props and character actors or a more local DIY Halloween attraction, you’ll be sure to find a fun way to celebrate this October.
Here’s a list of fantastic, frightful Bay Area Haunted Houses.
Major Haunted Houses
Not for the timid, if you’re looking to scare the bejesus out of yourself, we’ve rounded up the biggest and baddest haunted houses around for maximum chills.
Terror Vault’s “Slashed: Return to Hellville” in SF’s Old 1874 Mint
San Francisco | 88 Fifth St. | Oct. 1 – Nov. 1, 2026 | Tickets start at $60
Exclusive Funcheap Discount – $10 off with w/ exclusive secret promo code FUNCHEAPSan Francisco’s premiere haunted attraction returns to the historic 1874 San Francisco Mint with “SLASHED: Return to Hellville,” an immersive horror experience from Peaches Christ that drops you into a living 1980s slasher movie. Explore three floors of 29 immersive sets, from haunted campgrounds to blood-soaked fraternity houses, with more than 100 scare actors bringing the nightmare to life. Fang Bang, the vampire-themed pop-up bar, is open to the public with no cover charge during show hours. Use promo code FUNCHEAP for $10 off tickets, but hurry: only 50 discounted tickets are available per date. Guests must be 18 or older with valid ID.
– Last updated 10/16/2026
Pirates of Emerson
Pleasanton | Alameda County Fairgrounds, Gate 8, 2005 Valley Ave. | Oct. 2-Nov. 1, 2026 (select nights) | $48 general admission; $38 for two haunted houses
Pirates of Emerson returns for its 36th year with four haunted houses on a six-acre compound at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. This walk-through Halloween attraction plunges visitors into elaborate horror scenes packed with terrifying sets and live scare actors, plus games, a virtual reality ride, live music and a gift shop. General admission includes access to all four haunted houses. Tickets are sold online only, and popular nights can sell out. This one is seriously scary and is recommended for ages 13 and up; anyone under 16 must be accompanied by someone 21 or older.
– Last updated 10/16/2026
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Fear Overload Scream Park
Newark | NewPark Mall, 2086 Newpark Mall Rd. | Sept. 25 – Nov. 7, 2026 | Tickets start at $25
One of the Bay Area’s best-known haunted attractions, Fear Overload returns with two immersive haunted houses: “Fear Overload: Final Descent” and “Greyhaven Hospital: After Visiting Hours.” Expect elaborate sets, live scare actors, and plenty of jump scares. One ticket gets you into both haunts, and fast-pass upgrades are available to help you spend less time in line. Tickets are sold online only, and popular nights can sell out.
Last updated 10/16/2026
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Tricks & Treats at Six Flags
Vallejo | 1001 Fairgrounds Drive | Sept. 19 – Nov. 1, 2026 | Park admission from $39
Fright Fest at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is canceled for 2026, but the park is still hosting its family-friendly Halloween event, Tricks and Treats. Running weekends from Sept. 19 to Nov. 1, this daytime celebration features a Trick-or-Treat Trail, hay maze, costume contests, mask-making activities, live shows, seasonal treats, and rides. It’s a fun option for families looking for Halloween festivities without the nighttime scares.
Experience the transformation and prepare for nights of frights into a realm of haunted horrors and eerie entertainment. With haunted mazes, terrifying scare zones, and hair-raising shows, it’s a scream-inducing extravaganza for thrill-seekers. Enjoy the park’s rides in the dark, making it the ultimate destination chills of the Halloween season. Zombies and ghouls take over Six Flags theme park with spooky family fun during the day and chilling frights at night, with 5scare zones, 5 haunted houses, 4 new scare zones (free with regular park admission), live performances and shows, and of course, rides. You’ll need to purchase a Haunted Attraction pass add-on ($30) if you’d like to enter the haunted mazes, if not included in your ticket purchase.Last updated 10/16/2026
Festival Fright Nights at Winchester Mystery House
San Jose | 25 S Winchester Blvd. | Sept. 18 – Nov. 1, 2026 | Tickets start at $59.99, including fees
The Winchester Mystery House transforms into an immersive Halloween festival with four themed zones and 13 attractions and experiences, including three haunted attractions, eerie entertainment, seasonal food and drinks, and spooky encounters throughout the estate. New for 2026, the experience unfolds in a festival-style format, letting guests explore at their own pace. Add-on experiences include a flashlight-only Underhouse tour, an interactive attic adventure, and a live Houdini séance. Tickets are sold online only, and prices vary by date.
Last updated 10/16/2026
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Blind Scream Haunted House
Santa Rosa | 98 Santa Rosa Plaza | Oct. 9 – 31, 2026 | Tickets start at $25
North Bay’s haunted house returns with two distinct haunts spanning more than 20,000 square feet. In the new Caverns of Carnage, venture through winding underground passages, claustrophobic chambers, and creature-filled caverns. Then test your nerves in Blackout Haunted House, a pitch-black maze where a single glow stick is your only guide. Open just 13 nights, this seasonal scare fest is not recommended for kids 7 and under.
– Last updated 10/16/2026
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Dead Time Dreams: The Veil
San Jose | Eastridge Mall parking lot, 322 Eastridge Loop | Oct. 2 – Nov. 1, 2026 | Tickets start at $25
Dead Time Dreams returns to San Jose with The Veil, an immersive haunted attraction packed with sinister creatures and supernatural scares. Before or after entering the darkness, explore the Midway of Terror, featuring creepy characters, live entertainment, and nightly shows. Free parking is available.
– Last updated 10/16/2026
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New for 2026! Dead Time Dreams: The Devil’s Sea
Alameda | USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum, 707 W. Hornet Ave. | Sept. 24 – Nov. 1 (Select Dates) From $44
Dead Time Dreams brings its haunted experience to the historic USS Hornet with The Devil’s Sea, turning the legendary aircraft carrier into a nightmare at sea. Explore eerie corridors and face terrifying encounters aboard the ship in this immersive Halloween haunt.
– Last updated 10/16/2026
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CANCELLED Tricks and Treats at Great America
Santa Clara | 4701 Great America Pkwy. | CANCELLED for 2026
Great America transforms for Halloween into a spooky, magical, family-friendly over-the-top carnival. Great America no longer offer haunted mazes at Halloween time, but now offers the Land of Tricks, offering two realms with everything slimy, sinister, and strange: Ickyville and Spooky Spires. Or stroll the charming boulevards of the Land of Treats with all the nostalgia of a cozy fall festival with Everfall and Sweet Tooth Acres. Plus, a Trick or Treat Trail, Halloween Costume Contest, a live show, roving characters, and of course, Great America’s most popular rides are open for thrills.
– Last updated 10/16/2026San Francisco
You surely don’t need to leave the city for a scare. These unique, historic San Francisco icons get into the Halloween spirit with their own tantalizing, terrifying tours.
Gregangelo Museum’s “Haunted Doll House: Paranormal Play Date”
San Francisco | 225 San Leandro Way | Oct. 17 – Nov. 1, 2026 (weekends) | $115
Step inside the whimsical Gregangelo Museum for an intimate, immersive paranormal adventure limited to just eight guests per show. Armed with a flashlight and accompanied by a doll, you’ll explore the Haunted Doll House, follow hidden clues, and encounter quirky characters before reaching the grand finale: a spooky tea party with eerie treats, sweets, and plenty of mischief. This unusual Halloween experience is for ages 16 and up, and advance reservations are required.
Last updated 10/16/2026
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Gregangelo Museum’s “House of Weird” at 1886 Victorian Haas-Lilienthal
San Francisco | Haas-Lilienthal House, 2007 Franklin St. | Oct. 16 – 31, 2026 (select dates) | Tickets start at $66
The Gregangelo Museum and SF Heritage transform a historic Victorian mansion into an immersive Halloween experience filled with eerie rooms, strange characters, hidden chambers, and supernatural encounters. Begin with magical elixirs in the ballroom before exploring the mansion’s wonderfully weird corners. The 90-minute experience runs on select dates with timed entry, and advance tickets are required. Suitable for ages 8 and up.
Last updated 10/16/2026
Noe Valley’s “Pirate House” Halloween Decorations
San Francisco | 4274 24th Street | FREE to check out decorations
Although you’re not allowed inside, this Noe Valley house has great decorations that look awesome at night with a full band of pirates who have taken over the Victorian and turned it into a ship with scenes inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean. We’re not sure if it the decorations will be back for 2026 yet.
– Last updated 10/16/2026
SF’s Spooky Decorated Homes
San Francisco | Various Neighborhoods | FREE to check out decorations
Note: These are past Halloween display favorites to check for 2026. Current-year decorations have not been independently confirmed.
- Divisadero Halloween House
284 Divisadero St. | Lower Haight
Known for elaborate, theatrical Halloween decorations. Past decor has featured a front-yard horror scene filled with moving witches, pumpkin creatures, and tons of animatronics.- Skeletons House
2229 Divisadero St. | Pacific Heights
A black Victorian covered in skeletons climbing the walls and hanging from the roof.- Graveyard House
45 Upper Terrace | Corona Heights
Known for its graveyard-themed decorations, tombstones, and skeletons.- Noe Valley’s Pirate House
4274 24th St. | Noe Valley
A Victorian transformed into a pirate ship with scenes inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean. (see above)- Ghostbusters House
85-87 Diamond St. | Castro
Previously featured Ghostbusters-themed decorations, including proton packs and a ghost containment unit.- Waller Street Halloween Displays
600 block of Waller St. | Duboce Triangle
Multiple homes have featured ghosts, spiders, and other elaborate Halloween decorations.- Upper Terrace Halloween Displays
Upper Terrace | Corona Heights
Several homes have featured skeletons, tombstones, and graveyard scenes. Stop by 45 Upper Terrace, to see a holiday lover’s home turned spooky graveyard that goes all-out every season.Last checked October 16, 2026. Confirm current-year displays before visiting
Thanks to Justina Vanessa (@justinavanessa) for sharing a great roundup of some of SF’s best Halloween decorated homes.
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Best neighborhoods for a Halloween drive or walk
- Divisadero Street: Visit the two Divisadero houses together.
- Corona Heights: Make a separate stop at the Graveyard House.
- Noe Valley: Check the Pirate House and stroll nearby streets for additional decorations.
- Cole Valley and Duboce Triangle: Belvedere Street and Waller Street have also been highlighted for neighborhood-wide Halloween decorations
Bonus! SF’s Halloween Block Party
San Francisco | Lake Street between 25th Ave & Park Presidio) | FREE
Thanks to Justina Vanessa (@justinavanessa) for sharing! This SF neighborhood totally nails Halloween; every year, Lake Street between 25th Ave and Park Presidio turns into a massive Halloween block party with spooky decorations, trick-or-treaters, and some of the most creative displays in the city. If you’re in SF, this is the place to feel the Halloween magic.
Thanks to Justina Vanessa (@justinavanessa) for sharing a great roundup of some of SF’s best Halloween decorated homes.
Unique Halloween Attractions
Looking for something different? Here’s quirky Halloween fun.
Ardenwood’s Haunted Train Ride
Oct. 16-18 & 23-25, 2026 | Fridays & Saturdays, 7-9:30pm; Sundays, 7-9pm
Fremont | 34600 Ardenwood Blvd. | $19.50 (ages 3+, includes fees; ages 2 and under FREE)
Climb aboard the Haunted Train for a spooky-not-scary ride through the decorated Eucalyptus Woods at Ardenwood Historic Farm. Designed especially for families with children under 12, this nighttime adventure features live actors, glowing pumpkins, colorful Halloween displays and a visit with the famous Witch of Ardenwood. It’s more playful than frightening, with no jump scares or anything meant to terrify little ones. The round-trip ride lasts about 20 minutes, making it a fun Halloween outing for younger kids and the young at heart. Tickets must be purchased online in advance, and you should arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure.
– Last updated 10/16/2026
Oakland’s “Driveway Follies” Halloween Marionette Shows
Oakland | 3854 Greenwood Ave. | Oct. 30 – 31 | FREE (donations welcome)
For something a little different, Driveway Follies offers a rare chance to see the nearly lost art of marionette puppetry in an intimate, outdoor setting. This beloved Oakland Halloween tradition features professionally staged, family-friendly performances with handmade puppets, elaborate sets and stories celebrating the historic and cultural traditions of Halloween. Shows run continuously from dusk through the evening, usually wrapping up around 9pm. Arrive early for a spot, as seating is limited and the neighborhood gets crowded. Adults attending without children are encouraged to come later in the evening so little ones can get the front-row seats.
– Last updated 10/16/2026
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Immersive Halloween House: “Star Wars: The Mandalorian” at The Alberston House
San Jose | 497 N. 16th St. | Oct. 31 | FREE
The Albertson family and their neighbors transform their San Jose home into an elaborate, immersive Halloween experience with a brand-new theme every year. Now celebrating its 25th year, this beloved neighborhood tradition welcomes 800-1,500 trick-or-treaters and their parents annually. The 2026 theme is Star Wars: The Mandalorian, bringing the galaxy far, far away to life with a life-size Anzellan ship, an AT-RT walker, the Mandalorian Armorer’s forge, Grogu and a bustling street inspired by Navarro. Visitors can also meet costumed characters including Din Djarin, Bo-Katan, Ahsoka Tano and Boba Fett. Expect an over-the-top front yard scene, themed treats and plenty of photo opportunities at this family-friendly Halloween destination.
– Last updated 10/16/2026
Lemos Farm
Half Moon Bay | 12320 San Mateo Rd | Admission Passes start at $18 (attractions vary based on ticket)
Haunted houses aren’t just for Halloween at Lemos Farm, where the haunted house is open year-round with both scary and non-scary versions for different ages. The farm also offers a mini amusement park experience with pony rides, train rides, hayrides, a farm slide, bounce houses, a car barn ride, gem mining, a Dig Zone tractor and a petting zoo. Don’t miss Ol’ Paint, the family’s giant painted horse statue out front, which gets a new look each month to match the season. During fall, the farm transforms into a full-on Halloween destination with pumpkins, spooky decorations and seasonal treats. The 2026 Pumpkin Patch runs Sept. 5-Nov. 15, with daily openings in October.
– Last updated 10/16/2026
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Grimm’s Hollow: Grimm Manor 2026
San Jose | Easterbrook Discovery School, 4835 Doyle Rd. | Select dates Oct. 9 – 31 | FREE carnival, games and movie nights; $15 for the Haunted Trail
Grimm’s Hollow returns for 2026 with Grimm Manor, an immersive Halloween adventure that invites visitors to explore a foreboding manor and its haunted gardens, solve clues and complete tasks to escape the dark forces lurking inside. The family-friendly experience is designed for all ages, with a separate, much scarier version called The Shadows opening after 8:30pm for brave souls seeking a more intense scare. The Halloween fun extends beyond the trail at the Moreland Education Foundation’s Pumpkin Patch, where visitors can enjoy free community games and movie nights, plus paid carnival games, crafts and other activities. It’s a fundraiser supporting Moreland School District’s after-school programs, so your Halloween outing helps local schools, too.
– Last updated 10/16/2026
The Candle Lighters’ Ghost House
Fremont | 39169 Fremont Blvd. | Oct. 10 – 30 | $5 admission
A Fremont Halloween tradition since 1969, The Candle Lighters’ Ghost House transforms a historic 19th-century carriage house into a spooky haunted attraction with a new theme each year. The 2026 theme is Ghost Bride Manor, telling the tale of a bride whose groom vanished before their wedding and whose ghost still haunts the estate. After exploring the haunted rooms, visitors can enjoy a midway of carnival games, caramel apples, a country store and other treats. The volunteer-run attraction raises money for local nonprofits and community projects, making it a Halloween tradition with a charitable twist. For younger kids or anyone who prefers less fright, look for the special Lights On Tour, when the lights are on and spooky sounds and effects are turned off.
– Last updated 10/16/2026
“Beyond the Veil” Macabre Tours
Hayward | Meek Mansion, Cherryland, and McConaghy House, Hayward | Oct. 16 – 17 (Meek Mansion), Oct. 23 – 24 (McConaghy House) | $25 general admission; $15 for members
Explore ghost stories, folklore, spiritual encounters and Victorian-era death traditions during Beyond the Veil, a guided tour through two historic East Bay homes after dark. The 2026 tours feature different themes at each location: Ghosts at Meek Mansion, exploring ghost stories and spirit communication, and Death in the Home at McConaghy House, examining American mourning customs from 1860 through the turn of the century. These are atmospheric, history-focused tours through the dark, not traditional haunted houses. Tours last about an hour and are recommended for ages 14 and up. Advance tickets are strongly recommended, and the earlier 6:15pm tour offers a less intense experience with fewer spooky effects.
– Last updated 10/16/2026
“Haunted Tunnel of Terror” Car WashSan Jose | 655 W. San Carlos St. |
Oct. 28-31 | $20 per vehicle (includes $5 donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital)Sadly, we don’t believe the Haunted Car Wash “Tunnel of Terror” has returned for 2026.Extreme Express Car Wash previously transformed its car wash tunnel into a Halloween attraction, complete with creepy characters and spooky red soap. The event raised money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, but it does not appear to have returned in recent years.
– Last checked 10/16/2026
More Fun Fall Activities
Thursday, October 29
Friday, October 30
Saturday, October 31
