Uncover California's 5 Best-Kept Halloween Secrets

California is Fair Travel Co.'s home base—which means I'm extremely excited to share this event edit with you. We've mixed and matched events our guides have enjoyed since childhood with ideas newly brought to life by creative locals looking to iterate on Halloween's chilling, autumnal vibes. Whether you are looking for a good scare, a wholesome day in an apple orchard, or a unique way to explore a new city, you'll find it here.

1. Winchester Mystery House's Unhinged Hotel

San Jose, CA (1 hour from San Francisco)
Now-November 2, 2024
Price: Starting at $69.99

CHECK IN, NEVER CHECK OUT.
The Winchester Mystery house is a local Bay Area gem (and my favorite site for childhood birthday parties). The mansion was home to Sarah Lockwood Pardee Winchester, the widowed heiress to a significant portion of the Winchester® Repeating Arms fortune. Long before her death, she became enshrined in local lore. Legend has it Mrs. Winchester believed she was being haunted by the ghosts of those felled by the “Gun that Won the West." Guided by psychics and spirits, the well-educated socialite cut herself off from the world and began construction that "never-stopped" to both appease and confuse her ghosts. Each Halloween the mansion devises an incredible theme to showcase the mansion and entertain the community.

Introducing this year's chapter: Unhinged Hotel – 'Step into the darkened halls of the Winchester Mystery House and navigate a hauntingly immersive maze...Stranded with car troubles, a group of friends seek help in a nearby hotel. Little do they know, the seemingly empty hotel is hiding more than just empty rooms. As they venture deeper into the halls, an unsettling feeling creeps in. They’re not alone. Are you brave enough to step inside and uncover the dark secrets hidden within the walls? '

Fun eco-fact: In its heyday the house was a shining model for then cutting-edge conservation designs—particularly in water conservation.

2. Witches & Warlocks Paddle

Morro Bay, CA (half-way between Monterey Bay and Santa Barbara)
2:00PM to 4:00PM - October 26, 2024
Price: Free

WHO NEEDS A BROOMSTICK WHEN YOU'VE GOT A PADDLE?

The 11^th Annual Morro Bay Witches Paddle is sure to be a haunting success! Don your favorite witches hat or best cloak and join the 500 paddlers and 1,500+ spectators for a ghoulish morning on the water. The event will occur fog or shine—after all, witches always float.

Whether you prefer to kayak or SUP, all are welcome. Not only is Morro Bay strikingly beautiful, but you should be off the water early enough to jaunt out to Hearst Castle—another California gem—for a day trip!

Bonus: Your wicked fun does some wicked good! This year's event supports the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County. Remember to bring a donation.

Note: This is an ad-hoc event primarily spread by word of mouth (we're sharing local secrets, remember?). Make sure to bring your own equipment and verse yourself in water safety.

3. Gold Country: Perfect for Leaf Peepers & Tombstone Tourists

HIT THE LEAF CHANGING MOTHERLOAD!
Eastern California from Lake Tahoe to Madera—See Map
October-November, 2024
Price: $30-$750

While over 23 million leaf peepers—roamers who travel to see fall foliage—flock to the United States' East Coast each fall, you don't need to travel far to find a great show. California's Gold Country has everything you need to see bright yellow leaves. Add in some Old West cemeteries from California's iconic Gold Rush era and you have the makings for excellent tombstone tourism as well!

This vibrant secret yields itself perfectly to micro-adventures: pack a picnic, go for a quiet hike, take a private sightseeing tour, explore one of the many local caves, or enjoy a romantic weekend getaway.

Personally, I'm a big fan of Volcano, CA—a quaint town with a population somewhere between 59-103. There you can admire the foliage, grab a pint from the pub, nestle into a cozy room at the St. George Hotel, and sneak away during the witching hour to your choice of three cemeteries—one Catholic, one Methodist and one Protestant. From big (try Placerville) to small (mountain bikers like Downieville), you can't go wrong. Just follow the fresh air and stunning orange hues.

Not in California? That's okay! Check out Explore Fall's Fall Foliage Map 2024 to find dazzling autumn colors near you.

4. The U.S.S Hornet (Grey Ghost)

Alameda, CA (Short ferry from San Francisco)
Select nights through October 27, 2024
Price: $20-$60

GET AN AFTER LIFE.
The USS Hornet—also known as the Grey Ghost—is an aircraft carrier docked in Alameda, CA. The ship is such a local whisper many SF Bay Area residents don't even know it's there! But trust us, this is a secret best unkept.

This living piece of history is interesting to visit year-round, but it especially comes alive at Halloween—something I didn't learn until a mico-adventure mishap landed me there overnight during a ghost tour with the East Bay Paranormal Society! It was simply amazing.

This year's line up looks to be no less fierce:

• Oct. 18: Spaghetti & Spirits - Hear real firsthand accounts of the Hornet’s haunts at dinner followed by a paranormal investigation of the ship.
• Oct. 19: Gathering of the Goths - San Francisco’s 5^th Annual Goth Festival will feature an all star lineup of Post-punk, Dark Wave, and Synth Punk bands from California
• Oct. 25: History Mystery "After-Hours" Tour - Behind the scenes tour of the ship's eerie places—those reported to host unseen visitors and areas that have not yet been opened to the public, virtually untouched since the ship’s decommissioning over forty years ago.
• Oct. 26: Annual Monster Bash! - Prepare to rock the night away with 2 bands, a huge dance floor, a haunted sick bay to explore, great food options and several no host bars! 
• Oct. 27: Casper Movie and STEM Night - Become a real-life ghostbuster, enjoy a movie screening, and add-on an after-hours flashlight tour!

5. Apple Picking is a Must!

RIP-E FOR THE PICKIN'
Santa Cruz and Sebastopool, CA
October 12 - November 2, 2024
Pricing: $2/lb to $35 per car

Long before Silicon Valley became an innovation hub for tech startups, it was known as "The Valley of Heart's Delight" for its abounding orchards. In much of the surrounding area, you can still find hard working farms willing to let you on property for delicious fruits. From the Santa Cruz Mountains to Wine Country, nothing says fall in Northern California more than enjoying a "U Pick" day—when you pick your own apples—followed by a hunt in the local pumpkin patch. Don't worry, they'll give you a basket. All you need is a good pair of shoes and a stereotypical flannel.

This year the winter fruit is coming in late, meaning you still have plenty of time to collect your apples. The only catch? You should call ahead to make sure your location is open. My favorite farm, Gizdich Ranch, announced they are closed for the season to catch up on picking. Due to fires, late fruit, and farm-work, this year's picking times are variable.

Bonus: Find a Ghost Tour Near You!

Eureka to San Francisco to San Diego, California
Now through November 2, 2024
Price: $25 to $95

Okay, this one isn't exactly a secret nor is it unique to California. But what list of Halloween events would be complete without a proper ghost tour mention? Enjoy a fright in San Diego's Gaslamp District. Savor a 'paranormal pairing' during wine tasting in Santa Barbara. Walk with spirits during a San Francisco pub crawl. Or maybe you prefer to explore the dark underbelly of Hollywood at haunted hotels and true crime locales.

Unfortunately, our favorite ghost tour sells out in seconds—we didn't even snag tickets!—so that's a local secret we may just have to keep...

No matter which California destination you choose, open your mind to the macabre and enjoy the sinister experience!