Southern California 2017 Haunted Attractions Guide
All Around SoCal
Boo!! Once again, it's after Labor Day, and that means it's officially Halloween Season!! Just as we did last year, we're taking some inspiration from our friends at Theme Park Adventure and putting out our own spin on a directory for haunts in Southern California (which basically involves categorizing them by geography rather than by type). This page also serves as an index of our reviews from last year and our coverage of this season's haunts that we visit. Remember to check back to this page throughout the season as we update information and add more listings as we find them.
If you are a local haunt in the Southern California area and want to be added to this list (or need to update or correct any information listed), feel free to reply in the comments or send us a message. We'd love to help promote!
Each Halloween season offers a mix of traditional mainstays and new and exciting haunts, so lets look at what's on the bill this year!
Los Angeles County Area
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood
- Where: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
- When: Friday, September 15 - Saturday, November 4 (select nights)
Halloween Horror Nights has always been the place to experience horror movies brought to life, and this year is no different. American Horror Story: Roanoke, The Shining, and Ash vs Evil Dead headline the top billing of this year's mazes. Interestingly, the rest seem to reuse a lot of previously-explored IP's (intellectual properties), with mazes devoted to Freddy, Jason, and Leatherface (all in one maze), plus Saw, Insidious, and the Blumhouse franchises. The Terror Tram, also, is a bit of a rehash, with the same Freddy/Jason/Leatherface "Titan's of Terror" assaulting guests on a tram hosted by Chucky. There's a new Jabbawockeez show for those into that, and for (I think) the first time ever, none of the scare zones have a 'z' in them!
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 coverage for overview thoughts and reviews on mazes and scare zones and the Terror Tram.)
(Check out Westcoaster's 2016 reviews for mazes part 1 and part 2, the Terror Tram, scare zones, and closing thoughts.)
The Exorcist maze from last year's Halloween Horror Nights.
Dark Harbor at the Queen Mary
- Where: 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, CA 90802
- When: Thursday, September 28 - Wednesday, November 1 (select nights)
The only major haunt set in a location with numerous reports actual supernatural activity returns for its biggest and most expanded season of watery scares. 2017 introduces another new icon--The Chef, and his cannibalistic maze, Feast, located as a new and fourth maze on the ship itself. Back for another year are Deadrise, featuring The Captain and Half-Hatchet Henry; The Circus, featuring the Ringmaster; B340, featuring Samuel the Savage; Lullaby, featuring Scary Mary; Soulmate, featuring Graceful Gale; and Intrepid, featuring The Iron Master. Deadrise and Circus promise some notable changes, and there will also be "hidden bars" inside a couple of the mazes on site! If you like to booze with your boos, Dark Harbor has pegged you as a target!
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 coverage for mazes and everything else and the Sliders Unite special event!)
(Check out Westcoaster's 2016 reviews for mazes and everything else and the Sliders Unite special event)
Scary Mary (pictured here in Lullaby) returns with a host of other spirits to Dark Harbor this year!
Los Angeles Haunted Hay Ride
- Where: 4730 Crystal Springs Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90027
- When: Friday, September 29 - Tuesday, October 31 (select nights)
Another haunt with more dates than before, the Haunted Hay ride has been spooking the Old Zoo at Griffith Park for over half a decade now. Bringing the Midwestern tradition of haunted hay rides--wagon rides through static and dynamic horror sets--to accompany a couple of mazes, this even offers a unique Halloween experience. This year, clowns have taken over the Hay Ride. Those who prefer mazes can go on the venerable House of Shadows and the surprisingly super fun Trick or Treat, where guests can actually trick or treat with monsters!
(Check out Westcoaster's 2016 review here.)
A tower of jack-o-lanterns at the L.A. Haunted Hay Ride.
Long Beach Zombie Fest
- Where: 400-403 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802
- When: Friday, October 20- Sunday, October 22
Want to be immersed in a festive and exciting zombie apocalypse? This three day event includes a Zombie Walk on each day for the undead-in-training, plus a haunted maze, scavenger hunt, workshops, live music from the Oingo Boingo tribute band, Dead Man's Party, flash mobs, movie sessions, and more. It's fun for the ghoul family at Long Beach's Rainbow Lagoon!
Los Angeles Live Steamers Ghost Train
- Where: 5202 Zoo Dr Los Angeles, California, CA 90027
- When: Friday, October 13 - Tuesday, October 31 (select nights)
The Ghost Train was a beloved family-friendly haunt located in Griffith Park for many years--offering spooky but fun ride-by displays and dioramas to guests of all ages--before last year's unexpected and somewhat controversial shutdown. Fortunately, the new Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum Board has announced that this popular attraction will return this year, running select nights starting the middle of October.
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 review here.)
Ghost Train is arguably the best family-friendly Halloween attraction in L.A.!
Creep L.A. presents Lore
- Where: 1986 Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90007
- When: Thursday, October 5 - Sunday, November 12 (select nights)
Creep L.A. is one of the best immersive theater experiences in Los Angeles. They have put on many experiences over the past few years, including the ethereal Willows, and this fall, they have teamed up with the Amazon Prime podcast series, Lore, to bring a new 60-90 fully immersive and haunting experience to guests. Each group is intimately capped at 8 people, and it is sure to be an unforgettable sojourn!
Urban Death: Tour of Terror
- Where: 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601
- When: Thursday, October 5 - Tuesday, October 31 (select nights)
The sinisterly twisted and addictively depraved show that put Zombie Joe on the Halloween map returns for its fifth year! This condensed version of Zombie Joe's regular, full length Urban Death show sees guests entering Zombie Joe's Underground Theater Group's small performance space to witness a shocking, sensual, eerie, and sometimes disturbing series of performances, loosely tied together. Nudity is present, so the event is extremely recommended for adults only.
(Check out Westcoaster's Tour of Terror 2017 review here and 2016 review here.)
Urban Death returns for another year of disturbing terror!
(Photo courtesy of Zombie Joe's)
Wicked Lit
- Where: 2300 N. Marengo Ave., Altadena, CA 91001
- When: Friday, September 29 - Saturday, November 11 (select nights)
Another veteran performance experience, Wicked Lit is a three part theater play that takes place in an actual cemetery, upping the spooky ambiance factor. Each performance lasts nearly three hours and contains "mature themes, theatrical violence, and sexual situations." The cast and crew that puts this together does a phenomenal job, and it's a true haunted theater-in-the-round. This is another alternative to the usual "pop-out scare" haunted house experience.
Force of Nature Productions presents Fallen Saints - Día de los Muertos
- Where: 1001 W Olive Ave Burbank, CA 91505
- When: Friday, October 13 - Saturday, October 28 (Fridays & Saturdays
This new stage production is another haunted theater experience. "Day of the Dead. One of the most cherished and celebrated holidays in Mexico. A time for families to visit and celebrate the lives of those who have passed. As spirits gather on earth to be remembered, a small village faces an evil spirit whose dark secret was buried ages ago. Join Force of Nature Productions as they take you deep into old Mexico and to the place where the legend began!" This production had a preview at Midsummer Scream this year, and by all accounts, it was received with high acclaim. Why not take a venture to the full show this fall?
Into the Black
- Where: 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768
- When: Friday, October 6 - Tuesday, October 31 (select nights)
This new haunted experience takes guest to the Black House, infamous abode of the occult, where demons still lurk. Featuring a solo walk-through and an supplemental VR experience, and supported by Boneyard Effects, Into the Black is one of the most anticipated haunts of 2017. Located at the L.A. Fairplex in Pomona, it's sure to be a scream!
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 review here.)
Kaidan Project: Walls Grow Thin
- Where: Secret Mid City Warehouse, Los Angeles, 90019, Somewhere between Arlington Ave and 6th Street (revealed after ticket purchase)
- When: Friday, October 13 - Sunday, November 5 (select nights)
This is "a multi-sensory, immersive, site-specific experience refracting ancient Japanese ghost stories through a modern, multi-cultural lens." Small groups of twelve enter a room alone, the walls begin to thin, and the darkness within participants reveals itself. The immersive experience is set within a large 10,000 square foot warehouse space and involves active participation, projected media, puppetry, live actors, and special effects.
The Backwoods Maze
- Where: 1912 N. Pepper St., Burbank, CA 91505
- When: Friday, October 13 - Tuesday, October 31 (Fridays thru Sundays plus Halloween Night)
This infamous and incredible home haunt sets the high bar for homemade haunted house with professional quality sets, make-up, masks, and scares. Having terrorized Burbank for many years, The Backwoods is back with another edition for 2017 with an additional weekend of scares. That's more chances for haunt fans to check out this fantastic production!
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 review here.)
The level of detail and theming in The Backwoods is utterly unreal.
Rotten Apple 907 presents The Portal
- Where: 907 N. California St., Burbank, CA 91505
- When: Saturday, October 21 - Tuesday, October 31 (Saturdays and Sundays plus Halloween Night)
This long-standing home haunt in Burbank is proof that quality and amazing effects don't have to come from big boy professionals. It just needs dedicated enthusiasts. Our visit last year as absolutely awe-inspiring, and we can't wait to return again. Admission to this haunt is free, but donations are welcome to support the annual charity of choice (to be revealed soon).
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 review here and 2016 review here.)
Last year's Rotten Apple feature, the Not So Enchanted Forest.
Manhattan Beach Haunted House presents Demons of the Night
- Where: 1648 10th St., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
- When: Tuesday, October 31
Manhattan Beach is one of those communities that goes pretty all out during Halloween season, with plenty of houses in the beachfront area decorating and really getting into the spirit of the haunted season. So it's no surprise that at least one of them might make a home haunt out of things and provide a Halloween-only treat (and tricks) for the neighborhood. This year, they take on vampires!
The Opechee Haunt
- Where: 1307 Opechee Way, Glendale, CA 91208
- When: Saturday, October 21 - Sunday, October 22 and Saturday, October 27 - Tuesday, October 31
If you want to feel like you've accomplished nothing in life, compare yourself to high schooler Sam Kellman, a life-long Halloween addict who started his own haunt (with his family's help, of course) at the tender age of eleven. But Sam has crafted worlds that haunters twice his age haven't been able to do, incorporating technology and savvy production to grow a legend that is impressive regardless of whether you consider his age into question. This year brings a family-friendly haunt called the JamBOOree! Sounds wickedly delightful!
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 review here.)
A look at Opechee Haunt's mini-haunt from Midsummer Scream.
The Haunted Rose presents The Maritime Horror
- Where: 12116 Groveland Ave, Whittier, CA 90604
- When: Saturday, 28, Sunday, October 29, and Tuesday, October 31
Returning for a second years is this free home haunt from PROliFX, which has worked with major movie studios and brand name theme parks on producing molds and fabrications for props and set pieces. This is a family friendly haunt, light on gore but heavy on detail and story. Last year's received major acclaim, and their Midsummer Scream Hall of Shadows offering was quite nicely put together. This should be on the list of every eager haunted attraction fan in the area!
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 review here.)
The Haunted Rose provides some of the best and most photogenic visuals and theming in a home haunt that we've ever seen!
Haunted by Memories Manor
- Where: 9914 Alesia St, South El Monte, CA, CA 91733
- When: Sunday, October 29 and Tuesday, October 31
This yard display with walk-through maze is another home haunt that has gotten a bit of buzz recently. Last year was a bit of a break-through year for them, and they'll be back for another round of spooks this Halloween as well. Plus, their attraction carries a charitable side by integrating a canned food drive, which is always a wonderful incorporation.
Rosehill Haunt
- Where: 11560 Acama St, Studio City, California 91604
- When: Saturday, October 28 - Tuesday, October 31
This home haunt in Studio City takes a different theme every year. This year, it's El Cucuy: The Boogieman, based on the Spanish legend parents used to tell their children. They're taking inspiration from Halloween Horror Nights' iteration a few years ago, so check it out Halloween weekend for some brooding terror!
Attack from the Graveyard
- Where: 11238 Califa St., North Hollywood, CA 91601
- When: Tuesday, October 31
This mini-haunt features a cemetery under siege from a host of creatures and ghouls. The owner has a decade and a half with many professional haunts and has decided to create something to give Halloween spirit back to the community this year!
Orange County Area
Knott's Scary Farm
- Where: 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA 90620
- When: Thursday, September 21 - Tuesday, October 31 (select nights)
It's Year 45 for the granddaddy of them all! Nine mazes, two shows, and four scare zones will greet guests who will come to the place that invented the Halloween haunted attraction event. New mazes this year include Dark Ride, Pumpkin Eater, and Trick or Treat: Lights Out. The trio joins the returning Voodoo, Paranormal Inc, The Tooth Fairy, The Red Barn, Shadowlands, and Special Ops: Infected. Ghost Town, Carnevil, Fiesta de los Muertos, and The Hollow are back as scare zones. The Hanging is also back, as is a new and final-year Elvira show. The Log Ride will have a family-friendly spooky overlay this year in the form of the Halloween Hootenanny. Meanwhile, the Knott's Scary Farm Season Pass returns for Haunt fans who want to come over and over again!
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 coverage for new mazes, returning mazes, scare zones, and shows.)
(Check out Westcoaster's 2016 coverage for initial thoughts, new mazes, returning mazes, scare zones, and shows.)
The incredible Shadowlands returns to Knott's Scary Farm this season.
Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland
- Where: 1313 Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, CA 92802
- When: Thursday, September 20 - Tuesday, October 31 (select nights)
Most of the events in this list are geared toward people who want to be scared, but for those who want to take younger tykes or dress up or get candy or a combination, there is Disneyland's Halloween event. In addition to wearing costumes, meeting villains, trick-or-treating, and riding Disneyland rides in shorter lines, guests can be entertained by the fantastic Halloween Scream fireworks show, the Cadaver Dans undead a capella troupe, and the returning Frightfully Fun Parade!
(Check out Westcoaster's 2016 review here.)
Family fun frights, fantastic shows, trick-or-treating, and less crowded access to rides and attractions await at Mickey's Halloween Party, a separately ticketed event part of HalloweenTime at the Disneyland Resort.
Sinister Pointe presents HEX
- Where: 120 W. 5th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701
- When: Friday, October 27 and Saturday, October 28
Although they put on a fun production last year, by all accounts, 2016 was the last year Sinister Pointe will ever do a haunted attraction, as the trials and tribulations of putting a large scale professional haunt have become too much for the team to manage. Instead, the team is organizing a haunted costume ball, and all the fiends are invited! This is essentially a two night Halloween party, and it sounds like a devil of a time!
The 17th Door
- Where: 1851 W Orangethorpe Ave, Fullerton, CA 92833
- When: Friday, September 22 - Tuesday, October 31 (select nights)
New location, new story, new scares, same intensity. One of the best haunts period returns this year with an asylum-themed storyline, moving the story from Gluttire University to the sadistic Perpetuum Penitentiary, the new home for tragic Paula after she commits a horrific crime. Taking up residence where Sinister Pointe did their haunt last year, The 17th Door is sure to continue pushing boundaries and preying on people's biggest squeamish points!
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 review here and 2016 review here.)
Poor Paula seems eternally doomed to nightmare and tragedy at The 17th Door, which takes horrors from reality and warps them into more twisted and depraved personifications.
Mable's 6 Feet Under
- Where: 1960 S. Anaheim Way, Anaheim, CA 92805
- When: Friday, October 6 - Saturday, November 4 (select nights)
This is the former "Motel 6 Feet Under," now with a name change! But the haunt still carries the same [relatively] family friendly, gore-free, fun spooks that past year's iterations have maintained. This is a haunt specifically dedicated to getting people lost--they intentionally design the layout that way! Plus, the haunt benefits B.O.O., a non-profit that assists under-developed youths with practical skills related to theater set building, electrical work, and other construction related skills to provide them with tools to help themselves.
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 review here and 2016 review here.)
Carnival style spooks abound at Mabel's 6 Feet Under, a haunted attraction with scares and fun, reminiscent of the classic haunted houses back in the day.
The Fleshyard
- Where: 5702 La Palma, Anaheim, CA 92807
- When: Friday, October 13 - Tuesday, October 31 (select dates)
The Fleshyard is definitely up there in terms of gore factor. There's nothing pretty about this high intensity haunt, which shares influences with Perdition Home Haunt (which makes a lot of sense, since owner Adam LeBlanc used to work on that one). What does 2017 bring? We shall see...
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 review here and 2016 review here.)
The Fleshyard is a high gore, high intensity haunt, so parents beware. Even though it's in a pumpkin patch, sometimes the creatures can spill out into the fray!
Haunt at Heritage Hill
- Where: 25151 Serrano Rd., Lake Forest, CA 92630
- When: Friday, October 13 - Saturday, 14
This teen and adult-oriented haunted attraction takes place a couple of weekends before Halloween and isn't particularly elaborate or intense, but it does offer a fun haunt that supports the local community and carries a bit of a more casual flair.
Boot Hill
- Where: 16 Goldenrod, Irvine, CA 92614
- When: Friday & Saturdays October 13-14 and Fridays - Sundays, October 20-22 & 27-29
For nearly two decades, Boot Hill has delighted visitors with a rich and elaborate yard display and partial walk-through featuring intricate props, splashy projections, beautiful lighting, and a few monsters to keep guests on the edge. It is definitely worth a visit for anyone visiting, especially in concert with other nearby haunts. Note that Boot Hill will not be open Halloween night this year.
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 review here.)
Perdition Home
- Where: 5181 Manor View Dr., Yorba Linda, CA 92886
- When: Thursday - Sunday, October 19-22 and Friday - Tuesday, October 27-31
Last year, the Perdition Home haunted house "took a break," and still managed to craft a smaller scale haunt that was richly detailed and sinisterly startling. It's a testament to the prolific production of Brandon and Trevor, the co-creators of this notoriously gory haunt. This year, Perdition Home will be open nine blood-curdling nights. I can't wait to see what they have up their sleeves with a fully unleashed version!
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 review here and 2016 review here.)
Perdition Home returns with a full terror offering this year. It's sure to be gory!
The Haunt at Daisy Avenue
- Where: 16887 Daisy Ave., Fountain Valley, CA 92708
- When: Tuesday, October 31 (full scare) & Wednesday, November 1 (non-scare)
Unfortunately, after nearly two decades of home haunt scares, this will be the final year of the Haunt at Daisy Avenue. This year brings a trip to Ravenwood Manor, haunted by the remnants of a seance gone wrong. After that, the creators are looking to produce a year-round horror escape room experience. With such an hallowed history, this haunt deserves a fitting send-off!
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 review here.)
Mystic Motel
- Where: 36 Lewiston Ct., Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
- When: Monday, October 30 - Wednesday, November 1
There are home haunts, and then there's Mystic Motel, which is just someone who decided to build a full fledged dark ride inside his garage! This is a family friendly haunted attraction, done in the style of the classic haunted house carnie dark rides, and it's a lot of fun! After being dark last year, it's great to hear that it's returned for 2017!
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 review here.)
Check into Mystic Motel freely. Check out... maybe not so much.
Ventura County, The Valley, and North of Los Angeles
Fright Fest at Six Flags Magic Mountain
- Where: 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy., Valencia, CA 91355
- When: Saturday, September 16 - Tuesday, October 31 (select nights)
Over the past few years, Six Flags Magic Mountain's Fright Fest has made a commitment to increased quality in mazes, theming, and visuals to elevate itself into a comparable standing as one of Southern California's "Big Four" haunts (with Scary Farm, Horror Nights, and Dark Harbor). This year is bigger than ever, as a new Dead End maze and Damned 'n' Disguise scare zone join last year's maze spectacular, Aftermath 2: Chaos Rising and a host of other mazes and scare zones to produce the most extensive Fright Fest yet. Plus, the hit Suicide Squad Fright Fest Experience is back again for a second year!
(Check out Westcoaster's 2016 reviews of new attractions, returning mazes, and returning scare zones.)
Aftermath 2: Chaos Rising was possibly the most epic scaled theme park haunted maze ever assembled, and it was absolutely awe-inspiring!
Reign of Terror
- Where: 197 N. Moorpark Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
- When: Saturday, September 30 - Tuesday, October 31 (select nights)
For years, RoT has terrified guests with its nearly 100-room long layout packed with detailed, high quality props and decorations that are movie studio quality. Reign of Terror is eight haunted houses rolled into one, with each one transitioning into the next. The Haunted House, Miner's Revenge, Casa Blood, Quarantine, The Asylum, Infected, Backwoods, and Fun House... there's bound to be a theme in here that will hit a nerve in someone!
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 review here and 2016 review here.)
Reign of Terror always brings an extended scare experience with top-notch theming and animatronics.
Zombie Hunter Train
- Where: 364 Main St, Fillmore, CA 93015
- When: Saturday, October 7 - Sunday, October 29 (select nights)
Hop on board a train through a zombie infested wasteland. Armed with paintball guns, guests can shoot up all the zombies they want, and they won't face any repercussions.
Boccali's Haunted Hayrides
- Where: 3277 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023
- When: Fridays & Saturdays, October 13-14, 20-21, and 27-28
The L.A. Haunted Hay Ride might get the major publicity when it comes to hay rides in Southern California, but this haunt in Ventura County offers a more family-friendly experience, combining a hay ride with a neighboring pumpkin patch to give guests tamer frights and focus on the fun aspect of Halloween. Hungry visitors can also get pizza and pasta at the Boccali restaurant next door!
Zombie Town Los Angeles
- Where: 34481 Ridge Route Rd, Castaic CA 91384
- When: Friday, October 13 - Tuesday, October 31 (select nights)
Enter an abandoned town overrun by zombies and battle it out in a rollicking game of zombie laser tag. The event is open 7-11pm every night of its operation and is part of a string of zombie battle events that seem to have popped up around Southern California this season!
Talladega Frights
- Where: 3825 Riverlakes Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93312
- When: Friday, September 29 - Sunday, October 29 (Thursdays - Sundays)
Enter Beacon Point State Hospital and come face to face with the deranged patients left for dead, filled with a thirst for vengeance after years of being experimented upon. This dark medical facility carries what horror is made of.
Beware the Dark Realm
- Where: 28621 Sugar Pine Way, Santa Clarita, CA 91390
- When: Saturday, October 14, and Fridays & Saturdays, October 20-21 & 27-28
Another impressive home haunt with a medieval torturous theme, Beware the Dark Realm is back for its fifth year. It features creative design from people with four and half decades of amateur and professional haunt experience. Definitely worth checking out for anyone nearby or passing through!
Spooky Hollows
- Where: 16418 Gilmore St., Van Nuys, CA 91406
- When: Friday, October 27 - Tuesday, October 31
A past Scare L.A. and Midsummer Scream staple, Spooky Hollows is a great home haunt with some fantastic props, special effects, and fun scares built in. This year, Legends of the Swamp returns with a taste of marshland macabre!
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 review here.)
Spooky Hollows brings us face to face with swamp things and other mutations.
Restless Souls Manor
- Where: 38143 52nd St. E., Palmdale, CA 93552
- When: Saturday, October 28 & Monday, October 30 (to be confirmed)
It may seem like going to the high desert is a little far just for a home haunt, but Restless Soul Manor is another super well done haunt that has garnered critical acclaim from haunters and high marks from guests. It's a classic haunted house theme, but everything is done quite well and with a clear passion from the creators.
Murder House Productions presents Trick 'R Treat
- Where: 2240 Ranch View Pl., Thousand Oaks, California 91362
- When: Thursday, October 26 - Saturday, October 28 and Tuesday, October 31
It's very rare to see a home haunt take on an IP as inspiration for a maze, but that's what Murder House Productions has done. In its second year, it's using the 2018 movie, Trick 'R Treat, as the basis for a maze with Halloween Horror Nights level theming and detail, and it's done a fantastic job!
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 review here.)
If Halloween Horror Nights was transformed into a home haunt, the quality and polished execution would be what Murder House Productions brings with its haunts!
Dead Zone 805
- Where: N/A, Now a Mobile Escape Room
- When: Bookings Upon Request
This is a bit outside the haunted attraction genre, because Dead Zone 805 has actually transformed itself from a haunt to a mobile escape room. This means that the attraction can actually come to you, and it's great for events and parties. Currently, teams of up to six people have a limited amount of time to find the cure to a zombie outbreak before the infection spreads to the mass populace. Can you prevent zombie apocalypse in time?
Dead Zone 805 offered a sneak peak at their mobile escape room at Midsummer Scream.
VanOaks Cemetery
- Where: 5822 Norwich Ave., Sherman Oaks, CA 91411
- When: Sunday, October 15 - Tuesday, October 31 (nightly)
Another yard display worth mentioning, VanOaks Cemetery features some richly detailed props and theming that wholly undersell the term "amateur." The theming here is richly intricate and practically professionally designed from computer to physical reality. This visually stunning yard display is another one of those testaments to the passion of regular folks who just happen to really, really love Halloween!
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 review here.)
VanOaks Cemetery is a yard display, not a haunt, but the detail and craftsmanship are superb, and literally everything here is custom and personally fabricated, not store-bought!
The House at Haunted Hill
- Where: 4400 Saltillo St., Woodland Hills, CA 91364
- When: Saturday, October 28 - Tuesday, October 31
After a year off, this elaborate yard display returned last to great acclaim. Featuring incredible projections and sumptuous lighting, The House at Haunted Hill serves as magnificent Halloween eye candy. Do not miss this attraction if you are nearby!
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 review here.)
House at Haunted Hill is a dazzling yard display and show like no other!
Mourning Rose Manor
- Where: 5250 Aurelia St., Simi Valley, California, CA 93063
- When: Sunday, October 8 - Wednesday, November 1 (nightly)
Another fun yard display with some spooky animatronics and great attention to detail, this is a fun quick stop and worth a trip for anyone in the area!
The Inland Empire
Coffin Creek
- Where: 14600 Baron Dr., Corona, CA 92880
- When: Friday, October 6 - Tuesday, October 31 (select nights)
Apparently, Coffin Creek's comeback last season, flew relatively low under the radar. But under new management and with an overhauled crew this year, this legendary Riverside County haunt has some exciting updates ahead of it. The four mazes and hay ride are separately operated, but one ticket will get you into that plus the Dark Market.
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 review here.)
Coffin Creek brings out the deranged, among other nasties.
Field of Screams: The Haunted Stadium
- Where: 500 Diamond Dr., Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
- When: Thursday, October 5 - Tuesday, October 31 (select nights)
The Inland Empire's biggest Halloween event returns with four all new mazes for 2017, plus additional attractions.
(Check out Westcoaster's 2017 review here.)
Field of Screams features a host of enthusiastic young talent.
The Haunt at Scandia Fun Center Ontario
- Where: 1155 S. Wanamaker Ave, Ontario, CA 91761
- When: Fridays & Saturdays, September 29 - October 21, Thursday - Tuesday, October 26 - 31
Scandia has traditionally held a haunt every year, and it's one where the standard rules of professional haunt operations are a little bit slippery. It adds a sense of unpredictability to this haunt!
ZombiEmpire
- Where: 1101 California St., Redlands, CA 92374
- When: Friday, October 6 - Sunday, October 29 (select nights)
Splash Kingdom Waterpark has a zombie themed haunt this season that features mazes, a killhouse, photo ops, beer garden, executions, and performers all revolving around and involving zombies! For those who want to rid the world of everything undead, this might be the place for them!
All Saints Lunatic Asylum
- Where: 22521 Shawnee Rd., Apple Valley, CA 92308
- When: Friday, October 6 - Tuesday, October 31 (select nights)
Enter the remnants of an asylum that was forced to close fifty years ago and left to deteriorate. Unfortunately, this mental hospital wasn't quite abandoned, for the patients and doctors who where there still roam the hallways, ready to wreck havoc onto any unsuspecting guests who dare enter!
The Hyde Street Massacre
- Where: 30167 Silver Ridge Ct., Temecula, CA 92591
- When: Friday, October 20 - Tuesday, October 31 (to be confirmed)
The folks at Hyde Street Massacre put on a grand ol' show at Midsummer Scream, and this story of a gruesome serial murderer named Otis mixes a bit of dark humor with its gore. A high quality home haunt, it's definitely a top attraction for folks in the area!
The Dreich Society presents Dark Christmas
- Where: 1472 E. Highland Ct., Ontario CA 91764
- When: Saturday, October 28, Sunday, October, 29, and Tuesday, October 31
This home haunt in Ontario brings a twisted take on the holidays. Krampus-themed haunted attractions have been featured in professional haunts, now, but I haven't seen a home haunt tackle this yet, and it should be interesting to see how The Dreich Society puts their spin to things!
San Diego County
Halloween Spooktacular at Sea World
- Where: 500 Sea World Dr., San Diego, CA 92109
- When: Saturdays & Sundays, September 23 - October 29
San Diego residents looking for a family-friendly attraction can visit Sea World with their children to dress up, go trick-or-treating, and see Halloween versions of their favorite live animal shows. It's all fun and no scares and a great alternative for those with younger Halloween fans.
The Scream Zone at Del Mar Fairgrounds
- Where: 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA 92014
- When: Friday, September 29 - Tuesday, October 31 (select nights)
Every year, the location of the San Diego County Fair operates a multi-haunt attraction with plenty of thrills to boot. A horror-themed obstacle course called The Running Dead joins the House of Horror haunted maze, a haunted hayride attraction, and a freak show of the bizarre known as KarnEvil. It all sounds rather psychotic!
The Haunted Hotel
- Where: 424 Market St., San Diego, CA 92101
- When: Friday, September 22 - Tuesday, October 31 (select nights)
Featured on the Travel Channel and rated as one of the scariest haunted attractions in the country, The Haunted Hotel is San Diego's longest-running haunted attractions. This will be their 25th year in operation, and they show no signs of letting up anytime soon!
The Haunted Trail at Balboa Park
- Where: 6th Ave., San Diego, CA 92101
- When: Friday, September 29 - Tuesday, October 31 (select nights)
By day, Balboa Park is a beautiful, verdant urban green space with pretty views and a serene ambiance. By night, during Halloween season, it becomes a terrifying trail of devious macabre and insatiable maniacs. This year features horror icons and strange manifestations, plus apparently lots and lots of chainsaws. That's always good--plus, they can double as tree trimming for park maintenance!
The Haunted Lodge & Trick-Or-Treat Trail
- Where: 1400 E.Washington Ave. El Cajon, California 92019
- When: Thursday, October 26- Tuesday, October 31
This two-fer haunted attraction down in south San Diego County features a family-friendly haunted trail where kids can trick or treat plus a haunted house maze. Located at the El Cajon Elks Lodge #1812, this is a fun event put together by Scareventures, which was featured in last year's Midsummer Scream Hall of Shadows!
Savage House presents Unhinged
- Where: 1640 Camino Del Rio North, San Diego, CA 92108
- When: Thursday, September 28 - Tuesday, October 31 (select nights)
Savage House doesn't appear to be letting some of last year's mental health / haunt controversies be getting in the way of its haunt for this year. Take a trip to the Early Hills Sanitorium, where the souls of the tortured and insane still haunt the halls of this abandoned asylum, waiting to exact vengeance.
Immersive Theater and Escape Rooms
We had a listing of escape room, immersion community, and other not-specifically-haunt-oriented attractions last year, but even within just this past year, there's been an even bigger explosion of these and augmented reality and immersive theater attractions. Although we love these types of experiences, they're not really our forte in terms of coverage, so instead, we're going to refer you over to the fine folks at Haunting.net and Escape Authority for great listings and reviews of the best Southern California has to offer--many of them horror themed (but operating year-round)!
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Again, we'll update this post throughout the season as we become aware of other haunts or receive more finalized information. But we hope this serves as a nice tool for you to plan your own haunted attraction explorations all across this SoCal land!
Architect. Photographer. Disney nerd. Haunt enthusiast. Travel bugged. Concert fiend. Asian.
