Southern California 2018 Haunted Attractions Guide

All Around SoCal

Post Labor Day means Halloween Season is officially and universally acceptably upon us! For the third year in a row, we're putting out our own spin on providing a directory for haunts, Halloween attractions, and spooky theater and interactive attractions in Southern California (which basically involves categorizing them by geography and providing basic information and descriptions directly below). This page also serves as an index of our reviews and coverage of any haunt we have visited or will stop by.

It's worth noting that this guide was inspired by Theme Park Adventure's listings, and we're saddened to learn of Rick's recent decision to retire his legendary and highly influential site after 24 long years. But we should point out that TPA's haunt coverage has played a huge role in motivating Westcoaster's efforts to branch further out and provide more in-depth and high quality reviews of as many of the fantastic haunted attractions around Southern California as we can. So to Rick, Johanna, and company, thank you.

Remember to check back to this page throughout the season as we update 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!

Without further ado, lets look at what's haunting this year!

Los Angeles County Area

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood
- Where: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
- When: Fri., Sep. 14 - Sat., Nov. 3 (select nights)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of HHN Hollywood ]

Another year of IP mazes is upon us. New for 2018, Universal brings to life:

Stranger Things - covering season 1 of the hit Netflix series
Poltergeist - inspired by the classic 1982 horror film
The First Purge - another year, another Purge maze
Trick 'r Treat - based on the cult classic (that Murder House Productions did last year!)
The Horrors of Blumhouse: Chapter Two - featuring Truth of Dare and Unfriended
Halloween 4: the Return of Michael Myers - it's an interesting year when this gets 6th billing
Universal Monsters - inspired by Universal's classic horror monsters, with music by Slash
The Walking Dead - the year-round haunted house is open for Horror Nights again

The Jabbawockeez return for another season of high energy dance shows, and this year, the Terror Tram returns a new chapter of an old original favorite in the form of Hollywood Harry's Dreadtime Storiez. The serial killer clown is back to hunt the backlot, and he's brought five different terrifying bedtime stories with him--only they'll be after your blood!

As good as clockwork, this year's Halloween Horror Nights features another Purge.

Dark Harbor at the Queen Mary
- Where: 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, CA 90802
- When: Thu., Sep. 27- Thu., Nov. 1 (select nights)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Dark Harbor ]

Less is more at Dark Harbor this year, although also, more is more, as the Queen Mary has enlisted former Knott's Scary Farm maze designer Jon Cooke to revamp and reimagine all of their mazes to realign a cohesive and consistent storyline and theme. This year will bring no new mazes and six total--down from last year--but all of them will be new to some extent!

Feast - the cannibalistic Chef has returned now serves the living to the dead
B340 - enter the deranged mind of the psychotic Samuel the Savage
Lullaby - Scary Mary just wants to play, forever and ever and ever
Deadrise - The Captain and Halfhatch Henry lead a crew of the undead against the living
Circus - the freaks come out at Dark Harbor in this carnival of carnage
Intrepid - The Ironmaster's pact for immortality drove him insane, and how he has a lust for new souls

Of course, there will be plenty of entertainment options, bars galore, and monsters and sliders lurking in the midway. Dark Harbor paints a new chapter this fall. Don't miss it!

Dark Harbor is being reimagined with the help of Plague Productions this year.

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
- Where: 4730 Crystal Springs Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90027
- When: Sat., Sep. 29 - Wed., Oct. 31 (select nights)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of the L.A. Haunted Hayride ]

The L.A. Haunted Hayride celebrates its tenth year by bringing back classic Hayride themes and features of years' past! Remember the demon church of 'The Congregation'? Or the legions of psychopathic clowns from 'Though The Eyes Of A Child'? Maybe a ride back through 'The Rift' is on the wish list? This year's Hayride resurrects all of these, plus new surprises.

In addition, the House of Shadows maze and Trick-or-Treat maze/actual spooky trick or treating return, plus The Purgatory central gathering area and pseudo scare zone. The Theatre Macabre presents eerie entertainment, and the Scary Go Round will once again give guests a spirited spin!

A tower of jack-o-lanterns at the L.A. Haunted Hay Ride.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour presents Horror Made Here: A Festival of Frights
- Where: 3400 W. Riverside Dr., Burbank, CA 91505
- When: Fri., Oct. 5 - Sun., Oct. 28 (select nights)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Horror Made Here ]

This year marks a transformational year for Warner Bros. Studios, as they make their serious entry into the very busy Southern California haunt scene. Horror Made Here will actually be produced for its third season, but after what was mostly a film festival in year one and a small haunted attraction effort last year with the It House and a couple other haunted attractions, this year, Warner Bros. is bringing a more complete but still intimate horror experience! Brave three mazes this season:

It Knows What Scares You - based on the upcoming It sequel, Pennywise is back, and he wants to see you float in the Neibolt House!
Escape from Arkham Asylum - the Joker and a host of DC supervillains await those who enter Gotham's most infamous institution
The Conjuring Universe - the terrifying film series is recreated on the Warner Bros. lot

Plus, check out a 4D cinematic "screaming" in The Exorcist: Forbidden Screening, and brave the grounds where Jason hunts in Nightmare on Crystal Lake, a dark, haunted tour across the Warner Bros. backlot. There will also be a creepy carnival with rides and live entertainment, a Tim Burton movie exhibit, an arcade, special effects / make-up demonstrations, and food and drinks.

Long Beach Zombie Fest
- Where: 400-403 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802
- When: Fri., Oct. 19 - Sun., Oct. 21

Want to be immersed in a festive and exciting zombie apocalypse? This three day event returns with a Zombie Walk on each day for the undead-in-training, plus a haunted maze, scavenger hunt, workshops, live music, 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: Sat., Oct. 13 - Wed., Oct. 31 (select nights)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Ghost Train ]

Last year, the Ghost Train made a triumphant return after a year off and came back better than ever. This year, this adorable and delightful family-friendly attraction will continue to entertain guests, and it will have a new, separately ticketed neighbor in Boney Island (see below)! This makes this a great, family-friendly duo to visit. Ghost Train itself takes guests on straddled model trains through a series of highly themed environments and is full of spooky charm and beautiful sets. It’s one of the best Halloween attractions locally—period.

Note that Boney Island and Ghost Train are each separate admission with separate tickets.

Ghost Train is arguably the best family-friendly Halloween attraction in L.A.!

Boney Island
- Where: 5202 Zoo Dr Los Angeles, California, CA 90027
- When: Thu., Oct. 11 - Wed., Oct. 31 (select nights)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Boney Island ]

After being dark due to frivolous neighborhood and city politics, Burbank's Boney Island is returning in a new location practically next door to Ghost Train! Though the attraction will now be a $15 charge as opposed to free, the relocation allows the creators share their love of Halloween to the public. This incredible walk-through will be a great partner attraction to the similarly beloved Ghost Train!

Note that Boney Island and Ghost Train are each separate admission with separate tickets.

Pumpkin Nights Los Angeles
- Where: 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768
- When: Fri., Oct. 12 - Sun., Nov. 4 (nightly)

This fun, family-friendly event seems to take its cue from the old Rise of the Jack-O-Lantern events, providing a host of pretty pumpkin-themed lands, a fire show, pumpkin artist demonstrations, food trucks and treats, and activities for kids. It's located at Fairplex in Pomona, home of the L.A. County Fair, and it looks like a spectacular celebration of fun Halloween!

Urban Death: Tour of Terror
- Where: 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601
- When: Fri., Oct. 5 - Sat., Nov. 3 (select nights)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Zombie's Joe's ]

The sinisterly twisted and addictively depraved show that put Zombie Joe on the Halloween map returns for its sixth year! As part of Zombie Joe's Year of Urban Death, this condensed version of Zombie Joe's regular, full length show sees guests entering Zombie Joe's Underground Theater Group's small performance space through an extremely dimly lit maze portion to witness a shocking, sensual, eerie, and sometimes disturbing series of performances, loosely tied together. Then it's back out the maze, which has taken on a different appearance! Nudity is present, so the event is extremely recommended for adults only.

Zombie Joe with co-director, Jana Wimer, at last year's Urban Death.

Wicked Lit
- Where: 2300 N. Marengo Ave., Altadena, CA 91001
- When: Thu., Oct. 4 - Sat., Nov. 10 (select nights)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Wicked Lit ]

Wicked Lit returns for its tenth year with a few changes but the same eerie cemetery and mausoleum setting and high quality and enchanting production! This year brings two stories instead of three: Teig O'Kane and the Corpse and The Chimes: A Goblin Story. There are also two showings a night instead of one, reduced group sizes, and reduced prices. There's no pre-show performance either, but there will be a "museum" of past year's artifacts. Regardless of the adjustments, Wicked Lit is one of the top haunted theater attractions around, and definitely highly recommended.

Force of Nature Productions presents Fallen Saints: Dark
- Where: 1001 W Olive Ave Burbank, CA 91505
- When: Mon., Oct. 1, 8, 15

This annual favorite is providing encore showings on Mondays the first half of October. The latest chapter of the popular Fallen Saints series takes a psychological journey that explores the dark and creepy corners of one's mind.

HorrorWorld
- Where: 1600 S Azusa Ave, Rowland Heights, California 91748
- When: Fri., Sep. 28 - Wed., October 31 (select nights)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of HorrorWorld ]
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Into the Black ]
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of The Fleshyard ]

Two different haunts from past years have merged into one, as Larry and Cheryl Bones of Boneyard Effects have partnered with Adam LeBlanc of The Fleshyard to produce a multi-haunt attraction that's located inside the Puente Hills Mall (one of two mall haunts this year--scroll to the OC section for the second). There will be three haunted mazes in total:

Into the Black - walk alone into the twisted history of the 19th century home belonging to the infamous, devil worshipping, and occult following Black family
The Psycho Sanitarium - enter the confines of a dark and destitute psychiatric facility, a crumbling reminder of humanity's ability to neglect and mistreat those deemed "unfit" for society...but what happens when the tormented fight back?
The Fleshyard - the spirits of the violently butchered Kearny family cannot rest and continue to haunt their land while they seek vengeance for their untimely demise

Horrorworld will also feature a variety of vendors that are bringing Horror and Halloween related products, plus a Blacklight Horror Themed Game Area where guests can win prizes.

The Fleshyard returns as part of Horroworld this year in the Puente Hills Mall!

Rogue Artists presents Señor Plummer's Final Fiesta
- Where: 7377 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
- When: Fri., Oct. 12 - Sun., Nov. 4 (select nights)

Enjoy this site-specific interactive theater experience in West Hollywood! It’s 1942, and guests receive an invitation to the book launch of Señor Plummer: The Life and Laughter of an Old Californian, Eugenio Plummer’s (mostly) true account of his life in early Los Angeles. Guests arrive in the newly dedicated Plummer Park, only steps away from where Plummer himself has lived since 1877 - but the festivities stir up a merry band of ghosts and shadows who sweep you into a past filled with wild west duels, pirates, land-grabs, violent mobs, shark-riding, romances, epic court battles, and, of course, fiestas.

Drunken Devil presents Bacchanalia & Le Cirque du Diable
- Where: 2 Locations, Los Angeles, CA
- When: Sat., Oct. 13 & Wed., Oct. 31

You might remember that a few years ago, the Drunken Devil tried its hand at a haunted attraction in the form of Sinner’s Soiree. While that didn’t quite work out as successfully as hoped, the happy byproduct is that the producers discovered that they’re pretty good at putting together gothic parties. This year, they return with another degenerate party paired with immersive theater.

This Halloween, experience the reign of one of the most infamous emperors in Roman history, Caligula, as you enjoy a wild party in his gleefully deranged and degenerate court. As guests sip on libations, an immersive theatrical narrative unfolds around them. Guests choose a path as they interact with various members of Caligula's court, but not all at this wild party is as it seems…

Meanwhile, at Le Cirque du Diable, revelers on Halloween night leave a costume party and are lured to a traveling circus on the outskirts of town. Upon arriving, they discover that this carnival is, quite literally, hell on earth, run by the Drunken Devil and his host of carnivorous carnies, and they unknowingly—and unwillingly—become part of the evening’s fiendish entertainment. From the moment guests set foot in Two Bit Circus, they’ll find themselves in the midst of this dark narrative, until they are led into a secret room to dine and drink with the devil and his malicious minions.

Haunted Little Tokyo
- Where: Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, CA
- When: Fri., Oct. 5 - Wed., Oct. 31 (select nights)

Less a specific attraction and more a series of events, Haunted Little Tokyo returns for the second year with pumpkin patches, trick-or-treating, spooky sounds, ghoulish games, free Halloween movie screenings, ‘haunted’ walking tours, themed specials, and more ending with a frightfully-fun block party and costume contest on Saturday, Oct. 27

The Backwoods Maze
- Where: 1912 N. Pepper St., Burbank, CA 91505
- When: Fri., Oct. 12 - Wed., Oct. 31 (Fridays thru Sundays plus Halloween Night)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of The Backwoods ]

The magnitude and detail of this intense home haunt is utterly incredible, and it's amazing that this much detail and density can be crammed into a residential property. But The Backwoods does just that, creating elaborate and complex sets and sprawling ambiances that warrant repeat walk-throughs. Just come early. This very popular haunt always attracts a long line!

The creatures in The Backwoods are as twisted as they are quirky.

Rotten Apple 907 presents Killppetto's Toy Shop
- Where: 907 N. California St., Burbank, CA 91505
- When: Sat., Oct. 20 - Wed., Oct. 31 (Saturdays and Sundays plus Halloween Night)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Rotten Apple 907 ]

One of the longest-running and most well known home haunts brings yet another new theme this year. It seems Pinocchio's creator may not have been as benevolent as we all thought. This year's theme seems to bring another "fairy tale gone bad," and it will undoubtedly be a ton of spooky excellence and fun!

Note that the line may be cut off before the 10:00pm closing, as by city permit, Rotten Apple must be shut down by 10pm, not simply line-capped.

Last year's Rotten Apple feature, The Portal.

Opechee Haunt presents The Donnie Darko Experience
- Where: 1307 Opechee Way, Glendale, CA 91208
- When: Sat., Oct. 20 - Sun., Oct. 21 and Fri., Oct. 26 - Sun., Oct. 28
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Opechee Haunt ]

Sam Kellman may have started his haunt career being known for "the kid haunt," but he's deepened his creativity each year he's done Opechee, providing a new theme and story and presenting a evolution of attractions that have ranged from a traditional, multi-themed haunt to a haunt utilizing smart phone technology to add interactivity to a whole family-friendly, animatronic show. This year brings a tribute to a cult classic film, Donnie Darko, and Sam has taken painstaking steps to bring plenty of iconic and subtle movie details to life. Oh, and guests also have to traverse the maze alone. Good luck...

Donnie Darko haunts your nightmares at this year's Opechee Haunt.

Forbidden Woods Cemetery
- Where: 11238 Califa St., North Hollywood, CA 91601
- When: Tue., Oct. 30 & Wed., Oct. 31

Formerly an elaborate yard display, this partial haunt embarks on its second year as something a little bigger. The scares are mostly family friendly, with a touch of more sinister spooks. But guests to this residence’s previous year’s productions know that the theming and detail is pretty meticulous, with plenty of fun props and animatronics and a delightfully spooky atmosphere.

Rosehill Haunt presents The Final Celebration
- Where: 11560 Acama St, Studio City, California 91604
- When: Fri., Oct. 26 - Sun., Oct. 28, Wed., Oct. 31
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Rosehill Haunt ]

This home haunt in Studio City takes a different theme every year. This year, it's an original tale: the dark sorcerer Macabre has decided to overthrow Rosehill Haunt's typical happy haunts with dark spirits. It’s up to guests to find the spell book and reverse the curse! Rosehill Haunt features talking skeletons, talking pumpkins, and other interactive show elements.

Orange County Area

Knott's Scary Farm
- Where: 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA 90620
- When: Thu., Sep. 20- Wed. , Oct. 31 (select nights)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Knott's Scary Farm ]

The grandaddy of them all is back for a 46th year, with two new mazes and a new scare zone, plus an increase on the entertainment and more commitment to providing a fully immersive environment with no escape! On the maze front, there are nine total:

Dark Entities - a mysterious creature is attacking a desolate space station
The Depths - disappeared miners and a notorious sea creature punctuate this H.P. Lovecraft-inspired maze
Dark Ride - last year's instant-classic returns with its murderous carnies
Paranormal Inc. - join a ghost hunting documentary crew at a haunted hospital
Pumpkin Eater - the monstrous villain of fairy tale lore searches for new victims
Shadowlands - enter a world haunted by the bloody life of the samurai
Special Ops: Infected - "zombie laser tag" is back with more action and surpries
The Red Barn - a clan of murderous hicks needs more blood for its fiendish sacrifices
Trick or Treat: Lights Out - Haunt's oldest maze returns for another experience in the dark

Foresaken Lake joins the scare zone line-up that includes the familiar Ghost Town Streets, Carnevil, and The Hollow. And Haunt will have 4 shows this year! The Hanging is back for yet another year of lampooning. Awaken the Dead is a dance party in Fiesta Village. Conjure brings intimate magic and comedy to the Bird Cage Theatre. And Hacks! Cutting Room Floor brings improv hilarity to the Charles M. Schulz Theater!

Last year's instant-classic, Dark Ride, returns to Knott's Scary Farm this year!

Knott’s Spooky Farm
- Where: 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA 90620
- When: Sat., Sep. 29 - Wed., Oct. 31 (Saturdays & Sundays & Halloween day)

This family-friendly daytime Halloween overlay at Knott’s Berry Farm is geared toward kids 3-11 and features trick-or-treating through Ghost Town, fun Halloween shows, and the Log Ride Halloween Hootenanny. It’s included with regular park admission and the Knott’s Berry Farm Season Pass, and it’s a great way to have Halloween fun with children not yet ready for more intense thrills like Scary Farm!

Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland
- Where: 1313 Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, CA 92802
- When: Wed., Sep. 19 - Wed., Oct. 31 (select nights)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Mickey's Halloween Party ]

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 Screams fireworks show, the Cadaver Dans undead a capella troupe, and the returning Frightfully Fun Parade!

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's The Scary Place
- Where: 24100 Laguna Hills Mall, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
- When: Fri., Sep. 28 - Wed., Oct. 31 (select nights)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Sinister Pointe ]

The haunt community was saddened when Sinister Pointe seemed to step away from haunts after 2016. Last year, they put together a spooky themed social event instead. But old habits certainly die hard, and we're ecstatic to see Sinister Pointe return this year with a three-maze haunted attractions occupying three floors of the mall complex!

Phobias - this fully interactive maze tests your fears and your worst nightmares
Evil on 2 - guests check into a haunted hotel and hope the evil spirits don't target them
The Boogeyman Express - this terror train the wilderness brings victims to the Boogeyman

There will also be scream zones, magic and entertainment, food, drink, and craft vendors, and games and exhibits. It's practically a haunted expo! A scary place for an expo...

When we last saw Sinister Pointe as a haunt, they were taking people through a multi-route haunt. This year, they return in a multi-haunt route!

The 17th Door
- Where: 1851 W Orangethorpe Ave, Fullerton, CA 92833
- When: Fri., Sep. 21 - Wed., Oct. 31 (select nights)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of The 17th Door ]

Last year, The 17th Door moved to a new location in Fullerton and brought a prison theme to poor Paula's tragic story--no-longer-innocent Paula, sentenced to jail time after convicted of murdering her infant baby at Gluttire University. The move meant that the traditional detail wasn't quite up to year 1 and year 2 standards, but with a full year in that site to build, year 4 promises to be more intense, detailed, and insane than ever. The Luthers have had a full year to dream up and implement their twisted conjurings into real life, and there is sure to be plenty of new triggers that will have guests screaming the safe word: MERCY!

A year later, and Paula is still in Perpetuum Penitentiary. And so are the terrors.

Haunt at Heritage Hill
- Where: 25151 Serrano Rd., Lake Forest, CA 92630
- When: Fri., Oct. 12 & Sat., Oct. 13

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.

Pageant of the Monsters
- Where: 650 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, CA
- When: Fri., Oct. 26 - Sun., Oct. 28 and Wed., Oct. 31

This family friendly invitation to the backstage of Laguna Beach's famed Pageant of the Masters seems to only manifest every five years or so, and this year falls under that cycle! Resurrecting an event from years past, the Pageant’s backstage will transform into a haunted house with an artistic twist. The Festival of Arts grounds will be filled with ghoulish tricks and treats including art activities, live music, wandering zombies and other “spook-tacular” surprises.

Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch
- Where: 5380 3/4 University Dr., Irvine, CA 92612
- When: Sat., Sep. 22 - Wed., Oct. 31 (daily)

There are tons of pumpkin patches around Southern California, but only one has a partnership with Hello Kitty and the Sanrio characters, if you’re into that sort of thing. The pumpkin patch itself is scenic and pretty cute, and there is a corn maze, petting zoo, and assorted activities. Great for families! Note that parking must be purchased in advance.

Boot Hill
- Where: 16 Goldenrod, Irvine, CA 92614
- When: Fri. & Sat. Oct. 12-13 and Fri. - Sun., Oct. 19-21 & 26-28
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Boot Hill ]

An Orange County classic 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 once again not be open Halloween night this year.

Boot Hill boasts one of Orange County's longest-running and most-beloved haunted yard displays.

Haunt on Hibiscus
- Where: 718 Hibiscus Way, Placentia, CA 92870
- When: Sun., Sep. 30 - Wed., Oct. 31 (nightly)

This richly ornamented haunted yard display is packed with detail and layers of theming, from a host of witches to beastly creatures to jack-o-lanterns and more. Plus, the house itself is lit up and synchronized to a bevvy of Halloween medleys, from “Thriller” to Nightmare Before Christmas. Did I mention projections? Yeah, there are projections here too. It’s quite a grand presentation!

Haunted Mansion Haunt
- Where: Millwood Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92679
- When: Fri., Oct. 26 - Thu., Nov. 1 (nightly)

It’s back! This yard display and partial walkthrough devoted to one of Disneyland’s most beloved attractions has been dark the past couple of years, but it’s back this year. Incredible recreations of Haunted Mansion figures and props are on display in this charming and slightly spooky attraction that features plenty of eye candy and some grim grinning ghosts!

Hull House
- Where: 6688 San Alano Cir, Buena Park, CA 90620
- When: Sat., Oct. 13 - Wed., Oct. 31 (nightly)

This great yard display is located very close to Knott’s Scary Farm and even has a bonus brief haunted walk-through on Halloween night. The entire production is a one-man job and a great Halloween display!

Perdition Home
- Where: 5181 Manor View Dr., Yorba Linda, CA 92886
- When: Thu., Oct. 25 - Wed., Oct. 31 (nightly)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Perdition Home ]

Always among the goriest of home haunts, Perdition packs a lot of punch in a small residential layout. Last year, Perdition unleashed their "Brujeria maze" to the public--an expanded version of their 2016 last minute mini-haunt they constructed almost for fun. This year's theme is unannounced, but you can expect the same bloody carnage and unrelenting scares!

Perdition's La Brujeria maze last year was full of blood and guts. This year should be more of the same!

Hauntington Beach Manor
- Where: 9631 Sailfish Dr., Huntington Beach, CA 92646
- When: Fri. & Sat., Oct. 5 - Oct. 27, and Wed., Oct. 31

This intensely rich home haunt has been scaring people for charity for half a decade now. This year, they bring the theme of Quarantine to the quiet streets of Huntington Beach. Admission is a $5 donation per person that goes to Choc Children's Hospital and Patriots and Paws, so the terror is going to a terrific cause!

Twisted Dreams Haunt
- Where: 5815 Panama Dr., Buena Park, CA 90620
- When: Fri., Oct. 26 - Sat., Oct. 27 and Tue., Oct. 30 - Oct. 31

Before Dairyland, descendants of the rural area, cattle ranchers, farmers, and trainmen alike survived generations. With no town in place, these group of tough minded farmers did what was necessary to preserve their way of life. As urbanization approached, surrounding city councils wanted to obtain the forbidden land. Most of the land was taken by condemnation through eminent domain. During this time, many bizarre, grizzly murders surfaced, as city officials began to disappear. Rumors arose of sinister cults furthered investigations. One of the highest suspects in these heinous crimes was known as the conductor, a train man who was known to process and transport livestock. It was later determined that the scattered remains of these city officials were found in box cars of trains that transported exotic animals and cattle throughout the Sierra Nevadas. There were whispers of human bodies being preserved for food. Detectives could not find the families responsible for the vicious crimes. Eventually, Dairyland was no more and the case closed....unsolved. For the locals, this will forever be known as the Great Sierra Western.

Mystic Motel
- Where: 36 Lewiston Ct., Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
- When: Tue., Oct. 30 - Thu., Nov. 1
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Mystic Motel ]

This South County classic is literally a dark ride inside of someone's home. Done in the style of the classic spooky house carnival rides, this labor of love is a neighborhood favorite and an impressively charming Halloween attraction!

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: Sat., Sep. 15 - Sun., Oct. 28 (select nights)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Magic Mountain's Fright Fest ]

This year's Fright Fest brings three new mazes this year and a total of six:

Sewer of Souls - dare to enter a foul-smelling wretched wasteland
Condemned: Forever Damned - explore the recently abandoned home of a habitual collector of things
Hell Fest - from the new movie, Hell Fest, where all of your screams come true
Red's Revenge - not your grandma's Red Riding Hood, this maze upends the classic tale
Aftermath 2: Chaos Rising - a mysterious agent is infected Ash Valley with a horrific virus
Willoughby's Resurrected - Fright Fest's classic haunted house returns for more fear

In the scare zone department, Fright Fest also brings a trio of debuts: the massive Witches Lair in the Metropolis area, The Shadows over by Roaring Rapids, and City Under Siege in the DC Universe area. Returning are perennial favorites, Demon's Door, Exile Hill, TERRORtory Twisted, and Frightmares: A Twisted Fantasy.

Willoughby's Resurrected becomes the longest running maze at Six Flags Magic Mountain's Fright Fest this year.

Reign of Terror
- Where: 197 N. Moorpark Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
- When: Sat., Sep. 29 - Sat., Nov. 3 (select nights)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Reign of Terror ]

For years, RoT has terrified guests with its massively 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 with unrelenting vigor. 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!

Included in the updates for 2018 is an entirely new attraction, called “Inbred”, which features a group of strange and creepy family members living in a ramshackle shack in a forgotten corner of the countryside. Also new for 2018 is “The White-Out Experience”, located inside Reign of Terror’s Fun House attraction. The “White-Out Experience” gives visitors a uniquely unsettling sense of time and place. In addition, on November 3, Reign of Terror will host its first-ever “Lights OUT” event. Visitors to “Lights OUT” will walk through all 105 rooms of the maze in total darkness, lit only by one small glow stick per person. This will allow guests to experience Reign of Terror like never before.

Reign of Terror always brings an extended scare experience with top-notch theming and atmosphere.

Zombie Hunter Train
- Where: 364 Main St, Fillmore, CA 93015
- When: Sat., Sep. 29 - Sun., Oct. 28 (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: Closed This Year

Unfortunately, due to this year’s Thomas Fire, Boccali’s Haunted Hayrides will not be operating this season.

Beware the Dark Realm
- Where: 28621 Sugar Pine Way, Santa Clarita, CA 91390
- When: Sat., Oct. 13, and Fri. & Sat., Oct. 19-20 & 26-27
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Beware the Dark Realm ]

A legendary home haunt with a medieval torturous theme, Beware the Dark Realm is back for yet another year. The most intense home haunt in the Santa Clarita Valley, Beware the Dark Realm’s medieval theme is put together by haunters who have been doing their craft for over three decades. This year, their fundraising is supporting the local Child & Family Center for domestic violence victims.

Shiver Haunt
- Where: 26154 Montolla Ln, Santa Clarita, CA 91355
- When: Fri., Oct. 26, Sat., Oct. 27, & Wed., Oct. 31
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Shiver Haunt ]

This is the first official year for this Santa Clarita Haunt. Featuring themes ranging from dolls to swamps to clowns to religion, Shiver brings a scary but good-humored take on the home haunt scene!

Club Fear - Nightmares
- Where: 23501 Clearidge Dr., Santa Clarita, CA 91354
- When: Fri., Oct. 26 - Sun., Oct. 28, & Wed., Oct. 31
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Club Fear ]

Your parents always warned you about the creepy old house at the end of the street. Club Fear is that house, and this home haunt packs a lot of content within a tight, three car garage footprint!

Coffinwood Cemetery
- Where: 27159 Waterford Dr, Santa Clarita, CA 91354
- When: Fri. & Sat., Oct. 19-20 & 26-27, & Wed., Oct. 31
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Coffinwood Cemetery ]

This long-running Santa Clarita yard display and sometimes-haunt (depending on the evening) is beautifully themed, with impressive figures and atmosphere that looks absolutely stunning!

Pumkin Jack’s Haunted House
- Where: 28603 Natalie Lane, Santa Clarita, CA 91390
- When: Sat., Oct. 27, Sun., Oct. 28, & Wed., Oct. 31

This intense and high energy home haunt adapts Stranger Things this year and brings guests into Hawkins and the Upside Down. There are some deviations for the sake of scares, but the theming and quality are quite high!

Spooky Hollows
- Where: 16418 Gilmore St., Van Nuys, CA 91406
- When: Fri., Oct. 26 - Sun., Oct. 28 & Wed., Oct. 31
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Spooky Hollows ]

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, Spooky Hollows explores the terrifying history of the now drained swampland surrounding the Sepulveda Basin. A mysterious figure, thin and hairless, has been glimpsed lurking in the marshy areas around the LA River. Is this a SoCal Slender Man? The answer lies in the valley this Halloween...

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: Sat., Oct. 27 & Wed., Oct. 31

For those in the high desert, 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 marvelously and with a clear passion from the creators. Operating hours this year are 7:00 - 9:30 both nights.

Murder House Productions presents Resurrection
- Where: 2240 Ranch View Pl., Thousand Oaks, California 91362
- When: Wed., Oct. 24, Fri. - Sun., Oct. 26 - 28, Wed., Oct. 31
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Murder House Productions ]

Last year, Murder House Productions presented a home haunt done so well that Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights stole it for a maze in Hollywood. Okay, so maybe not literally, but MHP did craft a literally HHN-quality haunt that blew guests away with its integration of sound and lighting effects and excellent timing and immersive theming. This year, they present an original theme maze! In the quiet town of Southvale, Virginia, a local urban legend comes to life. Enter the dilapidated Milbury Farms barn, where slaughtered livestock return from the dead to take revenge on the living.

Last year's astonishing Trick 'r Treat maze from Murder House Productions.

Starview Manor
- Where: 6159 Starview Dr., Lancaster, CA 93536
- When: Sat., Oct. 27 & Wed., Oct. 31

Mary has been locked away for years in the Manor, but The Good Doctor is back and has other plans for Mary… . Starview Manor is a donation based Haunt that raises money to help student nurses pay for their graduation.

Nights of the Jack
- Where: King Gillette Ranch, 26800 Mulholland Hwy, Calabasas, CA 91302
- When: Thu., Oct. 11 - Sun., Nov. 4 (select nights)

This family-friendly walk-through experience features thousands of hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins along a 1/2 mile trail at the King Gillette Ranch, out in Calabasas. Advance tickets are required, but it’s a fun, charming, and photogenic way to experience a bit of Halloween!

VanOaks Cemetery
- Where: 5822 Norwich Ave., Sherman Oaks, CA 91411
- When: Fri., Oct. 19 - Wed., Oct. 31 (nightly)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of VanOaks Cemetery ]

Seeing a cemetery spring forth in someone's front yard is not an unusual sight in most neighborhoods in Halloween. But the quality and technology at VanOaks Cemetery sets it apart from most yard displays. With richly textured tombstones, moving effects, and home-made projection scenes, this Sherman Oaks attraction is well worth a full stop to appreciate the effort that owner Derek Young pours into its creation each year! VanOaks Cemetery springs to life starting from sundown until 11:00pm on the dot each night.

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!

Mourning Rose Manor
- Where: 5250 Aurelia St., Simi Valley, California, CA 93063
- When: Mon., Oct. 1 - Wed., Oct. 31

This richly detailed Simi Valley yard haunt is chalk full of elaborate details and sinister ambiance. The theming would rival that of a solid haunted house, if they ever chose to turn it into that. But in the meantime, guests can enjoy the macabre environment crafted in this eerie front yard!

The Inland Empire

Coffin Creek
- Where: 14600 Baron Dr., Corona, CA 92880
- When: Fri., Oct. 5 - Wed., Oct. 31 (select nights)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Coffin Creek ]

Coffin Creek returns this year with five attractions:

The Haunted Asylum - the inmates have taken over, and they're looking for revenge
The Catacombs and the Raven Cult - a mysterious group haunts the old burial grounds, looking for sacrifices
The Prado Witch Trail - brave the dark woods, where supernatural forces conjure
Uncle Zeds Zombie Safari - take a wagon ride through undead-infested wilderness!
The Dark Realm - fantasy and horror intermingle as you look to fend off evil forces

Last year was a great rebound year after a largely unheralded return year in 2016. The talent in each maze was especially engaging, with each maintaining character in unnerving and unhinged ways. Excellent timing of startle scares and a genuine sense of creepy dilapidation added to the Asylum and Catacombs mazes, and the Prado Witch Trail provided the visceral feeling of vulnerability in the open, dark wilderness. This year's Zombie Safari replaces last year's haunted hayride, which was unfortunately lackluster. Meanwhile, The Dark Realm brought a unique fantasy role-playing feel to a haunt, mixing in "Dungeons and Dragons-esque" style. Also returning is the Dark Shadow Marketplace, where guests can shop a selection of ghoulish wares.

Coffin Creek brings out the deranged, among other nasties.

Field of Screams: The Haunted Stadium
- Where: 500 Diamond Dr., Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
- When: Fri., Oct. 5 - Sat., Oct. 27 (select nights)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Field of Screams ]

This Inland Empire haunt fixture is partnering with Sinister Valley this year to bring four all new terrifying mazes. Field of Screams literally takes place within the stadium of the Class A Lake Elsinore Storm minor league baseball team. This year, the partnership with Sinister Valley has been a reboot of sorts, with newer and better immersive scares and significantly improved theming and atmosphere! The four mazes include:

Hallowed Grounds - Enter Field of Screams through a dense jungle of wildlife and creatures.
Rocking Horse Tavern - This once lively tavern is now home to tortured victims and the remains of those flayed by a murderous butcher who lurks within.
Miner’s Paradise - Once a booming gold mine just outside the town of Sinister Valley, its source of wealth became the cause of its destruction. Now, only dark creatures linger.
Silver Bullet Lounge - Enter this remote hunting lodge in the hills for the chance to hunt various creatures and monsters, but who is really hunting who?

Field of Screams brings more of a home haunt feel, but plenty of enthusiastic talent.

Castle Dark at Castle Park
- Where: 3500 Polk St, Riverside, CA 92505
- When: Fri., Sep. 28 - Sun., Oct. 28 (select nights)

Castle Park boasts four mazes and a small fun center park haunted by the mysterious Lady in White! This year, brave:

Nightmare - Dare to enter a dark, twisted bedroom where a young girl has been thrown into a cursed nightmare by her evil stepmother, the Lady in White.
Along Came a Spider - The Lady in White's favorite nursery rhyme takes a life altering turn. Take a journey into this picturesque cottage that has been overrun by soul stealing spiders.
La Vey Institute - Venture into the torturous institute that has become a scientific nightmare with ghastly creatures born half man and half beast. Guests entering will see the master summoning the last spell to release Oblivion.
Oblivion - Enter through the gates of Oblivion to find the Lady in White's mind. Try to escape the tormenting demons and monsters to restore balance and release her from her nightmare.

The Haunt at Scandia Fun Center Ontario
- Where: 1155 S. Wanamaker Ave, Ontario, CA 91761
- When: Fri., Sep. 28 - Sat., Oct. 27 (Fri. & Sat. only), Tue., Oct. 30, Wed., Oct. 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!

Scare Valley Farms
- Where: 1601 E. Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear City, CA 92314
- When: Sat., Sep. 15 - Fri., Nov. 2 (Fri. & Sat. nights)

Head to Big Bear for a truly horrifying Halloween experience, traveling back in time to the early 1900s where creepy carnivals, live executions, haunted mine shafts, terrifying slaughterhouses, and ghostly cemeteries had their hey day. This “incredibly scary” haunt has been designed by expert propmasters and features professional scare actors intent on delivering the stuff of nightmares.

All Saints Lunatic Asylum
- Where: 22521 Shawnee Rd., Apple Valley, CA 92308
- When: Fri., Oct. 5 - Wed., Oct. 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: 38801 Los Corralitos Rd., Temecula, CA 92592
- When: T.B.A. (select nights)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of The Hyde Street Massacre ]

Otis Thatcher was just a weird kid who loved Halloween who happened to have the misfortune of being orphaned by his father's untimely death and his mother's abandonment and grew up into a weird adult who kept alone and became a neighborhood outcast. But he just wanted to enjoy Halloween, and decorated his house every autumn. One Halloween night, however, after catching vandals destroying his decorations, he snapped and dragged them into his home, where unspeakable carnage and mutilation and torture was inflicted upon them. Otis was never captured for the crime, but every Halloween, his spirit returns to his house to re-enact the horror he once unleashed upon this otherwise quiet neighborhood!

All Otis Thatcher wanted to do was enjoy Halloween.

Reichland Asylum
- Where: 3900 Bandini Ave., Riverside, CA 92506
- When: Fri., Oct. 26, Sat., Oct. 27, Tue., Oct. 30, and Wed., Oct. 31

The patients of Reichland Asylum have rotted in these long abandoned halls. And in the doctors’ absence, a devious Reverend has enslaved his fellow madmen to serve in his Church of The Damned. Once a year the doors open for the brave to take their chances exploring the asylum. Who will survive the terrors, and who will be broken like so many others?

The Dreich Society presents Seance
- Where: 1130 E. Highland Ct., Ontario, CA 91764
- When: Sat., Oct. 27, Sun., Oct. 28, and Wed., Oct. 31
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of The Dreich Society ]

What happens when a seance goes wrong and summons the types of spirits who angrily want to possess your soul, instead of just talking thing out like any regular, better etiquette ghosts? Find out at this Ontario-based home haunt, whose quality has given it a presence at Midsummer Scream the past two years!

A look at The Dreich Society's entry into Midsummer Scream's Hall of Shadows this past summer.

Caitlyn Manor Haunted House
- Where: 6880 Caitlin St., San Bernardino, California
- When: Fri., Oct. 12, Sat., Oct. 20, Fri., Oct. 26, Sat., Oct. 27, Sun., Oct. 28, Tue., Oct. 30, and Wed., Oct. 31

This creepy, doll-filled home haunt is full of terror and promises a hauntingly unforgettable experience. $8 donation ($12 for express line) is required for admission. Proceeds help fundraise for medical expenses for the family’s Metachromatic Leukodystrophy-diagnosed daughter.

Desert Decay Manor
- Where: Chaparral Rd and Calico Ave, Whitewater, CA 92282
- When: Sat., Oct. 27, and Wed., Oct. 31

Nestled in the foothills of the West Palm Springs Village, the Killgore family has resided on these hallowed grounds for generations. Some left trying to escape the family curse of a horrific untimely death. Gravely, they always come home, to dwell within the halls and walls of the manor, hoping to never be sent to the depths of hell which loom so close to their souls. Some turned murderous, some became victims. All are ghostly apparitions that remain here with their secrets to haunt the living in their attempt to take the souls of all who enter and send them to hell in their place.

San Diego County

Halloween Spooktacular at Sea World
- Where: 500 Sea World Dr., San Diego, CA 92109
- When: Sat., Sep. 22 - Sun. Oct. 28 (Sat. & Sun. only)

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: Fri., Sep. 28 - Wed., Oct. 31 (select nights)

Every year, the location of the San Diego County Fair operates a multi-haunt attraction with plenty of thrills to boot. House of Horror plunges guests into a manic abode of twisted killers. Haunted Hayride takes guests into the wilderness to encounter clowns, zombies, and possessed dolls. Karnevil brings murderous clowns to the table as well, in the form of a carnival full of the demented!

The Haunted Lodge & Camp Calavera Trick-Or-Treat Trail
- Where: 1400 E. Washington Ave. El Cajon, California 92019
- When: Fri., Oct. 5 - Wed., Oct. 31 (select nights)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Scareventures ]

Scareventures presents another iteration of its Haunted Lodge--the darker manifestation of the El Cajon Elks Lodge, where fiendish characters pursue blood and victims inside a remote nature lodge. Trapped within its confines, guests must come face to face with these murderous mavens with a twisted slant on hospitality. Adjacent is the Camp Calavera, where "Light fright" trick-or-treating is offered from 5:00 - 6:30pm. From 7:00 - 10:00pm, the light goes down, and the frights go up for the full haunt!

Take a wilderness lodge and add some murderous nature folk, and you've got a pretty terrifying place!

The Haunted Hotel
- Where: 424 Market St., San Diego, CA 92101
- When: Fri., Sep. 21 - Wed., Oct. 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 26th 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: Fri., Sep. 28 - Wed., Oct. 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!

Savage House presents Backwoods
- Where: 1640 Camino Del Rio North, San Diego, CA 92108
- When: Thu., Oct. 4 - Wed., Oct. 31 (select nights)

This year's Savage Productions haunted house deposits victims--er, guests into an environment of murderous hillbillies fixated on slaughtering trespassers. Savage House has always done a gory job of creating a horror movie atmosphere around guests, and this year promises another round of chills and thrills!

Immersive/Interactive Theater and Escape Rooms

We're bringing back a list of immersive theater and escape room attractions that share a horror theme, after deferring to other sites last year. Here are a few options for horror that are a little beyond the traditional haunted house or show set-up!

(And for a more comprehensive listing of immersive experiences and escape rooms, we refer you 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!)

Delusion presents The Blue Blade
- Where: 5257 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
- When: Thu., Sep. 20 - Sun., Dec. 16 (select nights)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Delusion ]

Delusion is back! Delusion is back! Delusion is back! After a year off, Jon Braver and his team that redefined haunted immersive theater have brought forth a new adventure ranging on the sci-fi end of things that takes place in commercial property for the first time.

After going dark in 2017, Delusion is back with a new adventure this year!

Creep: Awake
- Where: 777 Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90021
- When: Thu., Sep. 27 - Sun., Nov. 4 (select nights)
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Creep L.A. ]

Another pinnacle of haunted immersive theater, Creep L.A. is back for another autumn with a stirring, moving, deeply enveloping experience that explores the modicum of nightmares and how real they can become. The hour-long, multi-sensory experience makes guests at times observers and at times participants, and it has enthralled fans in its past three iterations. This is not a haunted house jump-scare experience. It's a deeper, more cerebral interaction with dread and tension, highlighted by stirring performances by an experienced company of actors who draw you into their world of creepy conjurings.

The Basement Escape Room
- Where: 12909 Foothill Blvd., Sylmar, CA 91342
- When: Year-Round

One of the first horror-themed escape rooms out there, this popular room remains a big hit because of its combination of active puzzles and terrifying environment. You are the victim of a deranged serial killer, Edward Tandy, who has a taste for human flesh but a penchant for giving his victims a sliver of a chance to escape his clutches, if they are proven worthy enough by solving his puzzles. The Basement itself is immaculately themed and detailed and even features a live actor to increase the intensity level. And it remains a constant barometer to which other escape rooms--horror or not--are compared. And if you like it enough, check out its companion escape rooms at the same venue: The Boiler Room and The Study!

The Bunker Experience
- Where: 20 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
- When: Year-Round

It's a post-apocalyptic, sci-fi world at The Bunker, and teams must work together to avoid the vandals who threaten them. Taking advantage of its real-world settings to incorporate into an extremely immersive storyline, The Bunker Experience is actually two escape rooms--one a sequel of the first--that grip players from the opening moment all the way to the final moments.

Crossroads Escape Games presents The Hex Room
- Where: 4245 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807
- When: Year-Round
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Crossroads Escape Games. ]

The Hex Room is not specifically horror themed, but it does carry a horror inspiration in that guests who play are assigned a stereotypical character from a horror movie and then required to work together to escape the machinations of a mad serial killer who has trapped them individually in their own cells. Though the ambiance is more suspenseful than gory, there is an active threat constantly looming, and after escaping their own cells, teams also have to work together to escape the room as a whole. This is an expert level room, but it's a whole lot of fun!

Cross Roads Escape Games has more than one escape room, but The Hex Room is the one that brings a horror movie to life!

Escapade Escape Rooms presents Zoe
- Where: 624 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92832
- When: Year-Round

Get trapped in this haunted house that has some possessing characteristics. Zoe is what happens when a nightmare becomes tangible. Guests are immersed into a world where reality and dreams blend together, and a crazy axe-wielding murder could be a figment of your imagination--if he wasn't so viscerally breathing down upon you. Zoe is one of the scariest escape rooms around, increasing the puzzle difficulty level through the adrenaline rush of fear. Plenty of groups have literally run out of the escape room and forfeited their game. Will you join them?

The Cromwell Estate
- Where: 1088 N. Tustin Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807
- When: Year-Round

Take a tour through the mind of Isaac Cromwell and live through his overarching story by solving his twisted, bone chilling puzzles. Can guests overcome their fears in his challenges and survive the night? This escape room has been thrilling guests for the past couple of years and shows no signs of letting up!

Dead Zone 805
- Where: Mobile Escape Room Based in Ventura, CA
- When: Bookings Upon Request
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Dead Zone 805 ]

Dead Zone 80 transformed itself from a haunt to a mobile escape room last year. This means that the attraction can actually come to you (it's a little extra for visits outside of Ventura, though), and it's great for events and parties. 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.

Black Market Escape Rooms presents Murder CO: Hardcore
- Where: 1220 W 9th St. Upland, CA 91786
- When: October, dates T.B.A.
[ Click here for Westcoaster coverage of Black Market Escape Rooms. ]

The nation's first R-rated escape room promises an even more intense and extreme experience this fall with Murder CO: Hardcore. This immersive, horror-themed attraction is already full of intimate thrills and scares. What happens when the "artists" ratchet up their carnage even more? Murder CO: Hardcore offers an experience for those seeking a more intense interactive experience. In this version guests are subjected to being touched, separated from their groups, locked up in small spaces, and likely to end up a bloody mess. Do you dare enter?

The artists are getting even more extreme this October at Murder Co!

The Curiosity Shop
- Where: 3466 Suite-B University Ave., Riverside, CA 92501
- When: Year-Round

Guests are trapped inside a strange shop with cursed souvenirs and a mysterious supernatural entity who might be bent on destroying said guests. With unearthly effects and plenty of clues and puzzles to solve, this escape room promises a fun, eerie time!

The Entrapment Escape Rooms presents Bloodmore Manor
- Where: 7990 Dagget St., Suite A-10, San Diego, CA, 92111
- When: October (select dates)

Normally Fogmore Manor, this has been transformed into a whole new escape room with new puzzles and frights! Enter a long abandoned manor during a growing storm in search of a missing business partner. But be careful, not all the spirits that inhabit the mystical antiques in this house are friendly!

If all of this isn't enough, you can find even more local haunted attractions (especially of the home haunt variety) over at the Southern California Haunt List. They started putting out a beautiful physical pamphlet last year that served as a great resource guide, and they're back at it again this year!

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!