Halloween Events in SoCal in 2022 #2

Sept 30^th – Oct 31^st: Nights of the Jack

Not a scare-fest, Nights of the Jack, which starts on September 30^th and runs on select nights up until October 31^st, is an immersive Halloween experience, with thousands of hand-carved pumpkins. They are located in the city of Calabasas (which is really fitting since in Spanish Calabasa means Pumpkin) and have a 2/3 mile long trail full of lights and intricately carved Jack-O-lanterns.  At the souvenir shop you can buy a keepsake for the young and the young at heart.  Then go watch the professional pumpkin carvers as they create their complex works of art!

Once you’ve walked the trail (or perhaps before and after) you can enjoy the on-grounds bar for grown ups, where you can get not just wine or beer, but even enjoy a cocktail!  Or you can visit some of the best food trucks in LA that have been gathered to offer selections for the whole family!

• Name: Nights of the Jack
• When: September 30th – October 31st, 2022 6pm – 10pm
• Where: King Jillette Ranch, Mountains & Recreation Authority
  [26800 Mulholland Hwy, Calabasas, CA 91302]
• Website Link: Nights of the Jack
• Other Info:
  • Ticket price ranges from $29.99 to $49.99+ (2yrs & under free)
  • The Experience itself can take an hour to and hour and a half

Halloween Events in SoCal in 2022 #3

Oct 7^th to Oct 31^st: Carved at Descanso Gardens

Running from October 7^th all the way through to Halloween is Carved at Descanso Gardens.  Featuring hundreds of carved pumpkins lining a mile long path through their Camellia Forest, which this year is promoted to be the biggest and best display yet, there is also a pumpkin house, hay maze, UV “black light” experiences, artists sculpting pumpkins and even a Dia de los Muertos installation

• Name: Carved
• When: Oct 7^th to Oct 31^st 2022, 6pm-10pm
• Where: Descanso Gardens
  [1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011]
• Website Link: Carved at Descanso Gardens
• Other Info:
  • Tickets must be purchased in advance, children under 2 are free but still require a ticket.
  • The event takes approximately an hour to enjoy, plus any time enjoying the onsite food and drink options.
  • Ticket is date and time specific, choose your entry time when purchasing your ticket (last entry is 9pm, event closes at 10pm).

Halloween Events in SoCal in 2022 #4

Oct 12^th to 31^st 2022: LA Haunted Hayride

The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride located in Griffith Park, LA, has a vast set up of environments and actors that people can interact with giving you an immersive experience.  There is of course the hayride itself, but they also set up the Midnight Falls Town Square which is full of characters to interact with, the Midnight Mortuary, the SLaughter House, and lastly the Monte Revolta live entertainment show (30 minutes long, multiple times per night) and much more.

Somewhat intense, the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride is not recommended for children under 12, and they do advise you to get your tickets early online as they can sell out.  There are vendors for food and drink but you can’t bring any with you, not take any into the attractions.  No Props, costumes or face paint, and only small purses (subject to inspection).  This is also a non-smoking/ no-vaping event.

• • Name: Los Angles Haunted Hayride
  • When: October 12^th to 31^st, first entrance at 7pm until late.
  • Where: Griffith Park

   [4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027]

  • Website Link: Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
  • Other Info:
    • Prices start from $29.99 for just the Hayride itself
    • Not advised for children 12 or under.
    • One-time tickets are for specific entry time starting from 7pm, last entrance time is much later on weekends (11:45pm), but event appears to be busier on weekends too.
    • No costumes, face paint, prop or handheld items are allowed inside.
    • There is no vaping or smoking allowed.

Halloween Events in SoCal in 2022 #5

Year Round: The Ghosts & Gravestones Frightseeing tour (San Diego)

A 90-minute exploration into the haunted history of San Diego the Ghosts and Gravestones Frightseeing Tour includes Pioneer Park, El Campo Santo Cemetery, and the outside of the Whaley House which is rated by the Travel Channel as one of America’s most haunted places.  You and a trolley full of adventurers (up to 32), under the guidance of a “gravedigger” tour guide will learn about gunslingers, gamblers, ladies of the night, and other historical figures from San Diego’s past.

Their websites mentions that you get to use an electromagnetic field reader (a paranormal investigative device) in Pioneer park, possibly experience icy chills at El Campo Cemetery that happen even on the warmest nights, and hear the man enthralling stories of your gravedigger guide. It also mentions that the Whaley House has been reported to have poltergeists and other ghostly manifestations, but this tour only takes you outside the building, not inside (they have another tour for that)

This tour actually runs throughout the year, so if you can’t make it during the Halloween time you can still enjoy it later on!  Though they sell tickets for youngsters, they say that their dark tales of the notoriously wild and seedy characters of San Diego’s past makes this tour not for the faint of heart, or at least not suitable for some under the age of 13.

• Name: The Ghosts and Gravestones Frightseeing Tour
• When: Nightly (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas, limited tours in December)
• Where: Old Town Market: Old Town San Diego
  [4010 Twiggs St, San Diego, CA 92110]
• Website Link: Ghosts and Gravestones Frightseeing Tour
• Other Info:
  • May not be suitable for children under 13
  • Tour lasts between 90 and 105 minutes (if the Whaley House is included)
  • Tickets start at $37.05 (prices increase slightly on some days such as the weekend before Halloween)