Halloween Haunts: The 7 Scariest Haunted Houses in California

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Though many of us may avoid scary experiences throughout the year, Halloween is a bit different. This is a fun and spooky time when we start to welcome ghosts, goblins, and ghouls into our lives and embrace a good, old-fashioned fright—and there’s no better way to get a thrill than by visiting a haunted house.

Luckily, the Golden State is home to numerous haunted attractions where you can get into the Halloween spirit and see how your friends and family react to the haunts. From mysterious homes and haunted hotels to mind-bending haunted house attractions so you can fully indulge in the dark and uncomfortable - these are the seven best haunted houses in California you must see for yourself this fall.

1. Sacramento Scream Park

Location: 4909 Auburn Boulevard, Sacramento
Dates: Through November 9
Tickets: $19.99 – $74.99, depending on the admission type

Ultimate Terror Scream Park is one of the most famous Sacramento haunted houses and is known to be among the best in all of Northern California — and for good reason. The scream-inducing attraction features four mesmerizing haunted settings, each of which is inhabited by sinister characters who will strike fear in the hearts of even the most jaded visitors. There are three extra attractions, too: Frightmare Midway, Eerie Essentials, and Respawn Pass. If you are ever looking for haunted houses in Sacramento, you now know where to look.

2. Urban Death: Tour of Terror

Location: 4850 Lankershim Blvd, Los Angeles
Dates: Select dates between October 4 - November 1
Tickets: $23 

This is one of the haunted houses in Los Angeles you should definitely keep an eye out for. Specifically for those who are true horror fans out there, Zombie Joe’s Underground Theater group genuinely brings the art and craft of fear into their Urban Death: Tour of Terror haunted house attraction. Left to navigate the dark, narrow hallways all by yourselves with nothing but a weak flashlight, you never know what lurks in the dark. The terrifying journey ends with a series of truly artistic and disturbing scenes that will leave even the most horror-adoring people shocked. Then, follow the dark trail back to the entrance with completely new frights awaiting you before you finally see the exit and thank the Halloween gods for your freedom.

3. WINCHESTER MYSTERY HOUSE: UNHINGED

Location: 525 South Winchester Boulevard, San Jose
Dates: September - October
Tickets: starting from $69.99, varying by date

The legendary Winchester Mystery House in San Jose has long drawn tourists with its unusual architectural characteristics, such as a door that goes nowhere and a stairway that finishes in the ceiling. It is supposed that widow Sarah Winchester created the mansion in this manner to confound the spirits of those murdered by her late husband's invention, the Winchester rifle. But now there’s another reason to visit this bizarre abode. Just in time for the spooky season, the Winchester Mystery House is offering a new, fully immersive Halloween experience.

During the show ‘Unhinged’, step into a psychological and paranormal thriller as you explore the dark hallways of the cursed estate, where you’ll trespass into forbidden rooms of the house—never before seen by the public—confront malicious ghouls, and encounter terrifying scenes that reveal the home’s twisted tales and secrets. Every year is different so it makes a great annual tradition.

4. NIGHTMARE ON MAIN STREET

Location: 828 14th St., Paso Robles
Dates: Select dates through October and a few dates in November
Tickets: $21.85 - $32.38

Nightmare on Main Street is a terrifying haunted house that's been in operation for 15 years. One great part about this haunted house, aside from the constant scares and unique ideas, is that it helps raise money to support the community; including high school scholarships, Paws for Cause, and science camps. Situated in the Central Coast town of Paso Robles, this house of horrors will not disappoint.

5. REIGN OF TERROR HAUNTED HOUSE

Location: 225 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks
Dates: Select dates through September 27 and November 2
Tickets: $42 – $72

Get ready for 142 bone-chilling rooms and 11 interconnected attractions spread across 32,000-plus square feet at this award-winning haunted house in Thousand Oaks. Long known as one of the best spooky destinations in Southern California, Reign of Terror Haunted House features numerous spaces swarming with wicked spirits. 

6. LOS ANGELES HAUNTED HAYRIDE

Location: 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles
Dates: Select nights September 21 - November 2
Tickets: $38.99 – $122.99

Despite not being a traditional “haunted house” this is one of the most talked-about haunted attractions in the L.A. area that you cannot miss. The LA Haunted Hayride isn’t like any hayride you’d find at a pumpkin patch. Sure, you’ll sit atop a hay wagon pulled by a tractor, but instead of weaving through quaint farm fields and passing by cute farm animals, you’ll go for a ride through horrifying sights and haunted locals. 

7. THE HAUNTED HOTEL

Location: Corner of Balboa Dr and Juniper, San Diego
Dates: September 27 - November 2
Tickets: $34.99 – $49.99

The Haunted Trail is the featured haunt at this great annual spooky attraction. It's headlined by The eXperiment Maze, a 3,500 square foot maze full of twisted fairy tales guaranteed to scare you. It's also supported by The Haunted Trail, another horrifying walk through dense fog and scary sights.