Top Must-See Halloween Haunted Houses in California for 2024
As Halloween 2024 approaches, TheScareFactor.com has curated a list of the top must-see haunted houses in California, ensuring thrill-seekers experience the biggest, best, and scariest haunts this season. Our selections are based on our comprehensive reviews (where available), popularity metrics, and social media presence, featuring only the most terrifying and immersive attractions. Whether you’re searching for a local haunt or planning a spooky road trip, our state-by-state guides provide detailed summaries of each top attraction, along with links to in-depth reviews, our in-depth listings. Dive in, explore the best haunts, and prepare for an unforgettable Halloween adventure!
#10: Halloween Horror Nights (Los Angeles, CA)
Halloween Horror Nights 2024 at Universal Studios Hollywood promises a thrilling experience with a lineup of new and returning haunted houses, including The Weeknd: Nightmare Trilogy, A Quiet Place, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Legacy of Leatherface. The event also features the notorious Terror Tram, themed scare zones, and select park attractions like Jurassic World – The Ride.
#9: Dark Harvest (Garden Grove, CA)
Dark Harvest is a spine-chilling experience that has quickly become a top must-see haunt for thrill-seekers in Orange County. This family-operated haunt features two terrifying mazes: Shady Pines Asylum: The Escape and The Scary Clowns Maze. The haunt has expanded its space after outgrowing its previous location in Anaheim, allowing for even more elaborate setups and scares. The experience typically lasts about 20 minutes, with ticket prices ranging from $30 to $45. Due to its intensity, Dark Harvest is recommended for ages 13 and up.
#8: Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor (Long Beach, CA)
Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor is returning for the 2024 Halloween season after a multi-year hiatus. This iconic Southern California event, held aboard the famously haunted Queen Mary ship, will run select nights from September 20th through November 2nd, 2024. Each year, Dark Harbor transforms the ship and surrounding harbor into a sprawling festival of fear. This year’s event will feature returning fan-favorite mazes and new attractions alongside themed bars, lounges, and festive food options. Dark Harbor is one of the region’s most haunted and highly anticipated Halloween events, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
#7: All Saints Lunatic Asylum (Apple Valley, CA)
All Saints Lunatic Asylum is a renowned haunted attraction that offers a terrifying experience emulating a real asylum. They feature a variety of horror-themed events throughout the year, including special holiday haunts as well! This attraction is not for the faint of heart and is recommended for ages 10 and up. Visitors can expect an all-indoor experience with realistic scares and interactive elements that make them feel like they’ve stepped into a horror movie. The asylum’s unique blend of low-tech effects and creative storytelling sets it apart from other haunts in the region, making it a must-see attraction for haunt enthusiasts.
#6: Into the Dark Terror Vault (San Francisco, CA)
Into the Dark Terror Vault at the Old San Francisco Mint is a fully theatrical experience that combines elements of haunted mazes, interactive horror, and escape room challenges. Each year, the theme changes, offering a new storyline filled with chilling characters and unsettling environments. Participants can choose their level of interaction, opting for a more hands-on experience where they may be touched and directly involved in the action, or opting out to remain a more passive observer. The experience lasts about 45 minutes and is known for its high-quality performances by the cast. Terror Vault is recommended for those 21 and over, and it includes a themed bar (called “Fang Bang”) where visitors can enjoy drinks before or after their experience. The show is not for the faint of heart, and it’s designed to push the boundaries of fear through psychological and physical elements.
#5: Sacramento Scream Park (Sacramento, CA)
Sacramento Scream Park is one of Northern California’s most elaborate and popular haunted attractions. The scream park features three distinct haunted houses: Swamplands Hollow, Happy Days Asylum, and Haunted School House. Each offers a unique and terrifying experience, from creepy swamp creatures to deranged asylum inmates and haunted schoolhouse horrors. The special effects, including animatronics and strategic scare tactics, are designed to maximize fear, making it an unforgettable experience for thrill-seekers. Sacramento Scream Park also offers a midway area known as Frightmare Midway, where guests can enjoy various activities and interact with roaming characters. The park is recommended for ages 12 and up.
#4: The 17th Door Haunt Experience (Buena Park, CA)
The 17th Door is known for being one of the country’s most extreme and interactive haunted attractions. Their storyline plunges guests into the horrors of Perpetuum Penitentiary, a nightmarish prison where terrifying experiments and sadistic practices are the norm. The experience lasts about 35 minutes and is designed to push psychological and physical boundaries. Guests must sign a waiver before entering, as they may be touched, restrained, and subjected to various intense scenarios. The haunt is famous for its “safe word” system, allowing participants to tap out by saying “mercy” if the experience becomes too overwhelming. Each year, The 17th Door evolves with new scares, making it a must-see haunt for new and returning visitors alike. In 2024, they promise to deliver even more “shocking” and innovative scares, continuing its tradition of pushing the envelope in the haunted attraction industry.
#3: Raisin Hell Ranch Haunted Corn Field (Madera, CA)
Raisin Hell Ranch is one of the most terrifying haunted attractions in California’s Central Valley. Known for its extreme and intense scares, this outdoor haunt offers two main attractions: Deadwood and Sinister. Deadwood takes guests through a haunted cornfield filled with eerie characters and scare-inducing scenes, while Sinister produces a nightmarish realm of psychotic freaks and depraved maniacs. The haunt is open from October 4th through the 31st, 2024, and is not recommended for children under 12.
#2: Knott’s Scary Farm (Buena Park, CA)
Knott’s Scary Farm is SoCal’s longest-running and most famous Halloween theme park event, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024! Known for its immersive and terrifying experiences, the event features haunted mazes, sinister shows, and over 1,000 crazy creatures lurking throughout the park. This year, visitors can expect a mix of returning favorites and new attractions, with highlights including the Timber Mountain Log Ride: Halloween Hootenanny, a seasonal overlay that transforms the classic ride into a spooky experience, and Le Magnifique Carnaval du Grotesque, a dark carnival show featuring death-defying acts. For those looking to make the most of their visit, Knott’s offers various ticket options, including single-night tickets, season passes, and the Fright & Fast Lane pass for priority access to all mazes and rides. The event also features the “Boo-fet,” a dining experience where guests can eat with the monsters before enjoying early entry into the park.
#1: Hobb’s Grove (Sanger, CA)
Hobb’s Grove is one of Central California’s most iconic haunted attractions, celebrating its 25th Halloween season in 2024 and featuring three main attractions: a haunted house, a haunted forest, and a classic haunted hayride. Each provides a combination of old-school scares and high-tech fright tactics! The entire site is transformed into a creepy and mysterious world, making guests feel like they’ve stepped into another realm. The Midway area adds to the fun with food concessions, spooky music, palm and tarot readings, and various booths offering merchandise and curiosities. The atmosphere is perfect for those looking to experience both terror and Halloween festivities. Hobb’s Grove is located just outside of Sanger, only about 20 minutes from Fresno, making it easily accessible for those in the area. It’s a family-friendly event, though it’s designed to scare even the bravest visitors.
As you plan your trips to haunts this season, be sure to check our Reviews Page for updated reviews and ratings, as well as our YouTube Channel for possible videos of some of the top must-see haunted houses in California for 2024!
