Hey there, boils and ghouls! All Hallows’ Eve is nearly upon us, bringing candy, costumes, pumpkin spice lattes, and Ugg boots as far as the eye can see—truly the scariest sight of all.

As a true scream queen and October baby, Halloween season is my playground. Cool air, horror flicks, and scare pranks are enough to make my mischievous heart skip a beat. And today, I’m here to share my favorite part of this holiday: the haunts—big and small—from iconic scream-fests everyone knows to hidden, homegrown gems worth every shiver and scream. This is my guide to SoCal’s must-see haunts.

The Big Haunts

Let’s start with the big ones everyone in SoCal knows. These haunts are the titans of terror, pulling out all the stops to make Halloween unforgettable. Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights and Knott’s Scary Farm are the legends of the Southern California haunt scene.

Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights has become a true icon, with unmatched production value that turns its soundstages into blockbuster-level haunted houses. Each year, HHN secures exclusive rights to some of the biggest horror properties, so you can step straight into the worlds of The Last of Us, Stranger Things, and The Exorcist. The scare zones and themed mazes are so immersive that you feel like you’re in the middle of a horror movie, and the attention to detail and artistry in every corner is insane. This haunt is for true horror fans who want an experience that blurs the line between reality and cinematic nightmare.

Knott’s Scary Farm, on the other hand, delivers a different flavor of fear. As the longest-running Halloween event in SoCal, it brings that classic, spooky charm with an old-school vibe that appeals to both haunt lovers and Halloween traditionalists. Knott’s creates its own original mazes, with recurring characters and themes that build on each year’s lore. From ghost towns to haunted houses, Knott’s manages to keep its scares innovative, nostalgic, and immersive. With mazes like Origins: The Curse of Calico, the Western-style scares feel homegrown and authentic, giving it an edge you won’t find elsewhere.

Six Flags Fright Fest is a bit different—here, the thrill is as much in the rides as it is in the scares. Known for its heart-pounding rollercoasters, Six Flags focuses on adrenaline over ambiance, giving you the rush of a haunted park while soaring through the sky at breakneck speeds. The event has sometimes lacked in the scare factor, with more emphasis on the attractions than the atmospherics. But with Six Flags’ recent merger with Cedar Fair and licensed IPs like Trick ‘r Treat, there’s big potential on the horizon for Fright Fest. Who knows? Next season could bring an exciting overhaul to the haunt experience here.

Then there’s SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream—the hidden gem of the big leagues. For over two decades, SeaWorld has quietly built up a solid haunt reputation with thrilling haunted houses, creatively themed scare zones, and live entertainment that doesn’t shy away from R-rated scares. This one’s a wild card: with ocean-themed horror, from undead pirates to sunken ship graveyards, Howl-O-Scream goes all in on immersive Halloween thrills with a unique coastal twist.

But enough about these giants—let’s talk about some lesser-known haunts that might just surprise you with a scare or two.

The Medium Frights

Then there’s Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, blending SoCal’s haunt scene with a splash of real paranormal history. The Queen Mary herself is famously haunted, with countless ghost stories tied to the ship’s eerie past, from shadowy figures in the engine room to ghostly apparitions roaming the corridors. This haunted attraction takes full advantage of the ship’s natural creepiness, adding immersive haunted mazes that wind through the Queen Mary’s haunted decks and chambers. Haunt actors have a blast here, but it’s the ship’s real, rumored spirits that give Dark Harbor its spine-tingling edge—nothing says “authentic scare” like a location with its own ghost stories.

LA’s Haunted Hayride, an attraction birthed from a pitch on Shark Tank, brings heavy metal horror to Griffith Park. Known for its intense, gritty atmosphere, Haunted Hayride isn’t your average hayride; it’s an interactive, multi-sensory experience that takes you through pitch-black woods where anything can (and will) happen. Each year, the attraction’s themed scare zones and mazes change up the scares, with recent years including an eerie “town” with sinister residents and devilish creatures. And with extras like axe-throwing and tarot card readings, this haunt packs plenty of fun alongside the frights.

Delusion is the haunt for those looking to live out a horror movie of their own. Founded by Hollywood stuntman Jon Braver, this immersive horror experience puts you directly in the middle of an interactive story where you become part of the action. With professional actors guiding you through an elaborate set, Delusion is half haunt, half theater, as each season presents a new narrative. This year, you might find yourself trapped in a Victorian mansion, running from supernatural beings or battling curses. Expect top-notch acting and an experience that feels cinematic and spine-tingling, perfect for haunt fans who want to do more than just watch—they want to play a role in the horror.

Reign of Terror in Thousand Oaks takes the haunted house concept to the next level. As one of the longest-running and most extensive indoor haunts in Southern California, Reign of Terror offers over 130 rooms spread across multiple themed areas, from twisted asylums and haunted mines to an infected biohazard zone. Each area has its own story, unique decor, and scare tactics, making it a diverse experience that’s packed with genuine chills. It’s designed to leave no room for a breather, keeping visitors on edge from the first room to the last, making it a top recommendation for anyone seeking a well-rounded, traditional scarefest.

Castle Dark in Riverside, meanwhile, offers a scrappier, family-fun vibe with a horror twist. It may not rival the bigger haunts in terms of production, but it makes up for it in charm. Located at Castle Park, this haunt includes several mazes and scare zones with a playful horror theme, perfect for families or newcomers looking for a milder Halloween experience. It’s especially worth a visit if you’re nearby or bringing younger thrill-seekers, as it mixes just enough spook with a bit of lighthearted fun.

Enough about the well-trodden paths of terror—let’s dive into the real hidden gems, the obscure haunts crafted by locals and horror fans for those who crave something unique.

The Real Stars: Small Town Screams

Now, for the whole reason you’re here: the underdog haunts created by horror lovers for horror lovers. These haunts are raw, handcrafted nightmares, often set up by dedicated locals and horror buffs who just have a love for the game.

Haunted Harvest in Chino, CA
Nestled in Frosty’s Forest—a Christmas tree farm turned Halloween haven—Haunted Harvest is a labor of love, a fusion of handmade horror and eerie, cornfield-covered chaos. Amidst the cozy corn maze and pumpkin patches, the distant roar of chainsaws hints that Haunted Harvest holds more thrills than your typical Fall Festival. This attraction is truly a sight to be seen, with six themed houses set in a cornfield maze that instantly warps your sense of direction.

The first house, HauntBuster, transforms a mock Blockbuster into a horror haven, complete with meticulous horror movie displays and a killer on the loose over “late fees.” It’s nostalgic, hilarious, and downright creepy. Other standout houses include Frosty’s Revenge, a warped, Christmas-themed haunt that nods to the farm’s winter business, and Gordy’s, a Five Nights at Freddy’s-inspired nightmare arcade, where you’ll encounter grotesque, decaying animatronics. These original concepts, paired with heavy-metal artistry throughout, make Haunted Harvest a hidden gem every horror aficionado should experience.

The 907 Haunt in Burbank
Next up, Burbank’s 907 Haunt—an infamous, small-scale, home haunt with a loyal local following. Built by the homeowner for over 30 years, each season unveils a new theme. This year’s “Rotten Apple Express” is a Twilight Zone-style train ride that never quite reaches its destination—Bakersfield, that is. (Oooh, scary, I know.) Instead, you’re thrust into a horror dimension, with zombies bursting through windows as the train “moves.” It’s creative, well-timed, and feels like you’re stepping into a horror movie, despite being a walk-through backyard haunt. But get there early; lines get long, and they only let in one group at a time for a truly intimate scare.

Perdition Home in Yorba Linda, CA

For another underground haunt experience, check out Perdition Home, a high-scare, low-budget backyard haunt in Yorba Linda. Every Halloween, local horror fans set up this haunt with Hollywood-level creativity, including intense scenes, detailed makeup, and surprising animatronics—all on a small scale. Known for its intense actors and tight spaces, Perdition Home is for those looking for a real fright without the big price tag.

So, if you’re a true horror enthusiast looking to support local creators while getting spooked out of your wits, these small-town haunts bring the scares right to SoCal’s own backyards.

And so, we come to the biggest horror of all…the end of this article.

That’s my 2024 lineup of SoCal haunts, from the icons to a few hidden gems. If I missed your favorite, don’t worry—there’s always next season for a deeper dive into every dark corner SoCal has to offer. Until then, keep it creepy, horror hounds!