Bay Area Halloween and October Festivities for the Whole Family
Houses are decorated, candy corns are a-plenty, the air will soon be getting crisp, and it’s time for the family to come together to celebrate the spookiest time of the year! No matter where you live in the Bay, we’ve provided you with some of the greatest family-fun thrills the area has to offer.
And ready for the best part…? They’re all F-R-E-E! So, rally the family, grab a blanket and kick-start one of the best months of the year!
SAN FRANCISCO
What: “Boo at the Zoo”
Where: San Francisco Zoo
Dates/Times: Oct. 25th and 26th, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Admission: FREE with paid San Francisco Zoo admission
Details: Bring your family to “Boo at the Zoo” for incredible thrills and chills! Roam the Zoo in search of candy, see special animal enrichment, create take-home crafts, take your picture with Casper the Friendly Ghost and much more.
What: “Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch and Hay Maze”
Where: 1620 7th Ave., San Francisco
Dates/Times: Oct. 1st to 31st, 9:00 am to 10:00 pm
Admission: Free
Details: Three generation family-owned pumpkin patch. In addition to pumpkins of all sizes, there are gourds, corn stalks and Indian corn. Crawl through a hay maze after picking out your pumpkins.
PENINSULA
What: Menlo Park “Halloween Hoopla“
Where: Fremont Park, intersection of Santa Cruz Ave. and University Dr., Menlo Park
When: Oct. 25th, 11:15 to 3:00
Admission: FREE
Details: Come in costume and participate in the annual parade to Fremont Park. Participants will receive a trick or treat bag. A performer will be at the park to entertain parade participants. There will also be art and craft activities, a candy guess and a pumpkin weight guess. After the parade, trick or treat through Downtown Menlo Park at participating stores.
What: Webb Ranch Farm Pumpkin Patch
Where: Webb Ranch Farm, 2720 Alpine Rd., Portola Valley
Dates/Times: Opens Sept. 17th, Sun-Thu: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm; Fri-Sat: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm; hours for certain activities may vary
Admission: Free
Details: Pumpkin patch, haunted house, and jumpy house are open daily. On weekends also enjoy pony, hay rides, train rides, face painting and a petting zoo. Webb Ranch asks that you not bring any dogs.
EAST BAY
What: Berkeley Thrills and Chills Haunted House
Where: MLK Jr. Youth Services Center, 1730 Oregon St., Berkeley
Dates/Times: Oct. 31, 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Admission: Free; fun for ages 5-15 years
Details: Get ready to scream as you enter the scariest haunted house in Berkeley. Come join in the fun as you have a ghastly and ghoulish good time! Get your best Halloween outfit ready for an evening of music, food, fun, and fright.
What: Speer Family Farms “Bay Street Pumpkinpatch”
Where: 5600 Christie Ave., Emeryville
Dates/Times: Sept. 19th to Oct. 31, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Admission: Free
Details: Pumpkin Patch features local grown coastal pumpkins, pumpkin carving kits and contest, hay maze, petting zoo, jumpy house, play area, and more!
NORTH BAY
What: Kevin’s Strawberry Villa Pumpkin Patch
Where: 100 Shoreline Hwy., Mill Valley
Dates/Times: Oct. 4th to 31st, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Admission: Free
Details: Pumpkin patch off Highway 101 with pumpkins, an inflatable slide, and an inflatable jump house.
What: Petaluma Creamery “Great Peter Pumpkin Patch”
Where: 4235 Spring Hill Rd., Petaluma
Dates/Times: Sept. 27th to Oct. 31st, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Admission: Free
Details: Pick your own pumpkin, taste fresh cheeses, homemade ice cream, dig for potatoes, pet baby animals, milk a cow, wander through the hay maze, and hay rides. Fun for all ages and live music on weekends!
Thanks to NBC Bay Area for the suggestions. Visit NBC’s list of October Festivities for more Halloween fun!