As Halloween approaches, Southern California transforms into a wonderland of spine-tingling thrills and festive fun. From the legendary Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, where guests can explore haunted mazes aboard the historic ship, to the enchanting Witches Paddle at the Paddle Sports Center in Santa Barbara, there are plenty of exciting events for every ghost and goblin. Families can enjoy immersive experiences like the Halloween Drag Brunch at the Mainzer theater in Merced, while the atmospheric Obscure Distillery in downtown Los Angeles offers a unique blend of mixology and storytelling. Whether you’re seeking chilling scares or playful festivities, this guide highlights the best Halloween happenings that promise to delight and entertain throughout the season.
Greater Palm Springs, CA
For a fun-filled family Halloween experience, the annual Howl-O-Ween event at The Living Desert is a must. Both kids and adults can participate in Halloween-themed activities while learning about over 600 species of desert wildlife. Those seeking a more spine-chilling adventure can join the Zombie Walk at the River, an all-ages event where participants can dress as their inner zombie and roam the streets of Rancho Mirage. Another exciting option is the annual Halloween Spooktacular in Cathedral City, featuring over 50,000 pieces of candy and plenty of Halloween games. Families with children ages 10 and under can also enjoy the Munchkin Masquerade at The Shops at Palm Desert throughout October.
Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara, known as the “American Riviera,” offers a variety of spooky activities for Halloween enthusiasts. Starting October 18, the Santa Barbara Zoo hosts its Boo at the Zoo celebration, a family-friendly event where guests can don their best costumes and enjoy trick-or-treating, a scare zone, a hay maze, and animal encounters. Throughout the harvest season, local pumpkin patches add to the festive spirit, with Lane Farms Pumpkin Patch offering hayrides, a petting zoo, a corn maze, and a picturesque pumpkin patch. For those seeking a more haunting experience, local professor Julie Ann Brown leads Santa Barbara Ghost Tours, sharing ghostly tales as she guides visitors through Downtown. For a more exclusive option, the VIP Historical Dinner Tour provides a unique opportunity for guests to enjoy an elegant dinner with their guide at a private, membership-only club.
Paseo & Céntrico – Anaheim, CA
Located in the Downtown Disney District and helmed by Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytán, Paseo and Céntrico offer innovative Mexican dining experiences that elevate authentic classics in spaces reflecting Mexico’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. For this year’s Día de los Muertos and Halloween, both restaurants are introducing special seasonal offerings:
At Paseo, guests can enjoy a Muertos Margarita, crafted with Don Julio Blanco, RIPE Margarita Mix, orange juice, pineapple juice, and topped with salted black sugar foam. Another fall treat is the Pumpkin Dulce, a spiced sponge cake with maple syrup ganache, walnut crumble, pumpkin mousse, and Gruyère, served with rosemary ice cream.
Céntrico will feature two special drinks for the season—Pumpkin Spice Horchata and the Casa de Sangre Margarita, a spooky cocktail made with Casamigos Blanco, black cherry syrup, Alma Finca liqueur, lime juice, and a black cherry garnish, served in a tiki cup. For a Día de los Muertos-inspired dessert, the Halloween Buñuelo offers fried dough topped with spiced chocolate, cinnamon sugar, and seasonal corn.
Naples Ristorante – Anaheim, CA
Patina Restaurant Group’s Italian eatery, Naples Ristorante, located in the Downtown Disney District, is celebrating the season with a Pumpkins and Pancakes Event on select dates in October. Guests can enjoy a family-style breakfast featuring hot cocoa, cider, and bottomless mimosas for those over 21. Along with the fall-themed menu, families can take part in pumpkin picking, decorating, photo opportunities, and take-home treats. For those unable to attend the event, Naples offers seasonal specials throughout fall.
For breakfast, guests can indulge in pumpkin pancakes—two pumpkin spice pancakes topped with mascarpone cream, candied pecans, and maple syrup—or enjoy the “Blood-erscotch” Cannoli, filled with pumpkin and butterscotch chip cream, served with whipped cream, a red caramel “blood” drizzle, and a spooky sugar knife.
For a Halloween-themed drink, Naples offers the “Haunted Casa,” made with Casamigos Blanco Tequila, Sour, and Butterfly Pea Flower Tea, and the “Monster Mule,” a twist on the classic mule with Casamigos Reposado Tequila, lime juice, and ginger beer. Non-alcoholic options include the Strawberry Brains, a lemonade mixed with strawberry purée and black sugar.
Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor – Long Beach
After a four-year hiatus, the legendary Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor returns, offering a chilling spectacle of madness. This renowned attraction is a haven for horror enthusiasts, transforming the historic ship and surrounding harbor into a massive Halloween festival. The event features haunted mazes, hundreds of monsters, immersive attractions, live entertainment, VIP experiences, themed bars and lounges, carnival rides, festive food and drinks, and countless photo-worthy moments. Brave guests are invited to explore five terrifying mazes, including exclusive areas of the Queen Mary not open during regular tours. The all-new Lullaby maze takes visitors into the eerie depths of the ship’s first-class swimming pool, while other mazes include the brand-new Infirmary and Big Top Terror, the reimagined Feast maze set in the ship’s kitchen, and a two-part labyrinth delving into the twisted mind of Samuel the Savage.
Mission Inn Hotel & Spa – Riverside
Riverside’s historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa will debut a “Spooktacular” Halloween tour throughout October, offering a rare glimpse into the hotel’s catacombs, a subterranean area that has long been off-limits to the public. This exclusive tour allows guests to explore the hidden history of the nearly 150-year-old property. Originally designed by hotel owner and chief developer Frank Miller, the catacombs were intended as a space to showcase his art and offer guests a cool retreat before the advent of air conditioning. While these areas are typically closed off, visitors can usually spot vents where cool air rises from the catacombs. Now, brave participants ages 16 and up can venture into these passageways and infamous suites on a 30-45 minute guided tour of the eerie catacombs.
Mainzer – Merced, CA
In the heart of the Central Valley, the historic Mainzer theater in Merced is hosting a variety of Halloween events throughout October, offering a classic Americana setting for spooky season festivities. The month kicks off with a Halloween Drag Brunch and costume contest on October 4, hosted by local queens Katalina and Gigi. The following day, Mainzer will feature a Hocus Pocus-themed brunch, complete with elevated comfort food, a self-serve beer wall, and a screening of the beloved holiday film. Throughout the rest of October, guests can enjoy scary movie screenings in Mainzer’s cozy upstairs cinema, including classics like The Shining, The Exorcist, and Halloween. Tickets for all events are available on Mainzer’s website.
For those looking to extend their stay, the nearby El Capitan Hotel, a sister property just down the block on Merced’s Main Street, offers an ideal accommodation option. With roots dating back to the 1800s and a renovation completed in 2021, El Capitan retains its historic charm—and perhaps even a ghost or two. Guests can take advantage of the Fall Into Comfort package, offering up to 18% off select stays through November. Located in Merced, known as the “gateway to Yosemite,” Mainzer and El Capitan are conveniently positioned for a road trip, just over two hours from Silicon Valley and four hours from Los Angeles.
Witches Paddle, Paddle Sports Center – Santa Barbara, CA
Get ready for some whimsical Halloween fun as the Paddle Sports Center gears up for its fifth annual Witches Paddle on October 27. This lighthearted, family-friendly event invites participants to channel their inner witch by dressing in black gowns, grabbing their broomsticks, and setting off on paddleboards across the scenic Santa Barbara harbor. It’s a playful way to embrace the spooky season and make lasting memories with fellow witches on the water!
The Obscure Distillery & Cocktail Experience – Los Angeles, CA
The Obscure Distillery, located in the Arts District of downtown Los Angeles, invites those seeking a haunting evening of mixology and storytelling. The Obscure is a permanent, immersive cocktail experience where both ethereal and distilled spirits blend in a mysterious atmosphere. Inside, dim candlelight illuminates a dreamy bayou-inspired setting with glowing waterfalls and otherworldly ruins, creating a multi-sensory adventure. Each spirit and cocktail comes with its own captivating story, drawing guests into forgotten tales and legends with every sip.
Open Thursday through Sunday, The Obscure offers two seatings at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Tickets, priced at $64, include three house spirits and three cocktails crafted by award-winning bartenders. With over 30,000 visitors in its first two years, The Obscure has become a top destination for Halloween enthusiasts and curious souls alike. Powered by Fever’s ticketing platform, it is the highest-rated cocktail experience in the U.S., boasting over 500 five-star reviews.
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