Local Halloween Events for South Bay, California

The Bay Area is a great place for holiday events. This upcoming holiday, Halloween, is no exception. There are plenty of places around to spend this festive, yet haunting, time of the year, so matter what part of the bay you live in. Here is a list of places from Santa Cruz/Felton, to Gilroy, San Jose and Santa Clara, too. Maybe one of these events is close to you.

Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton, offers a scary Halloween train ride. While the Legend of Sleepy Hollow is narrated, the train glides over the rails, through the redwood forest, in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains. This event runs October 23^rd and 24^th only. Reservations are required; go online or call 831-335-4484. The ticket prices for adults are $27.00 each and the train leaves at 6 p.m. and again at 8 p.m. There is no price listed for children, so I recommend calling to inquire if you are bringing children.

Gilroy Gardens (formally Bonfonte Gardens) is located in Gilroy. This is the fourth year they are offering an adventurous idea. You and your family can camp on October 30, staying overnight, then enjoy the park experience the next day. Gilroy Gardens is not your normal amusement park. It is a horticulture experience with rides and attractions. On Halloween, the park transforms into Middle Earth, with wizards and treasure hunts. I have never even been there, but have heard great things about this place. If you have children of elementary school and middle school age, then they would love this place.

Raging Waters in San Jose, is hosting Gyro's 4-D Fear Factory. This is an activity for the strong hearted ones that love fear, blood and gore. This event is not for small children. Raging Waters is hosting Gyro's 4-D Fear Factory for almost the entire month of October: Thursdays & Sundays from 7-10 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 7-midnight. This event is closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Gyro's price is $19.99 per person, but you can get ½ price tickets if you purchase a season pass to Raging Waters.

Great America, located in Santa Clara, CA is an amusement park, and for Halloween, they are hosting a special event called Haunt. This is a PG-13 event and not for small children. This is an event that involves a separate ticket to the park, as well as park admission. This event is Friday and Saturdays from October 2-31, and Sunday October 25 from 7 pm to midnight. After researching this event, it is indeed expensive. If you are planning a trip to Great America, then you will need to purchase a ticket (unless you already own a season pass) for $54.99, and then the admission for the special event is as high as $39.99. There are special discounts for pre-sale and student IDs. If you already have a season pass, then the discounted rate is a high as $24.99.

Swank Farms in Hollister offers a maze and labyrinth to explore, and is for all ages. Click on the mazes and labyrinth icon on the homepage and it will explain it in detail. I saw the aerial shot and my jaw dropped! I have heard stories about that place, and now that I have seen the website, I really want to go there! It is truly amazing. You can experience it in the daylight hours, and in the dark, too... if you dare! They have pumpkin slingshots, Pedal Karts, a giant jumping pillow and even more. Take a minute and visit this website, it is worth your jaw hitting the table!