Halloween is right around the corner, and what better way to get in the ghoulish spirit than with an evening stroll featuring over-the-top decorations. With so many creative minds known for dreaming up your favorite film sets, it should come as no surprise that that same creativity extends to holiday decorations. Neighborhoods across Los Angeles go all out for the holiday with streets full of frightening yard displays. Some even go as far as creating walk-through haunted houses that rival theme parks, and they are free to enjoy. Here are 10 L.A. neighborhoods to check out before spooky season comes to an end.
If you are willing to brave a few hills and some spooky mansions, Angelino Heights is for you. As one of the oldest neighborhoods in L.A., it takes little effort to add some Halloween flair to the already haunting streets lined with Victorian-era houses. The neighborhood also served as the music video backdrop for Michael Jackson’s 1982 hit “Thriller,” so you really can’t go wrong with where you choose to start, but if you want to guarantee a spooky evening stroll, Carroll Avenue is known as “The Haunted District.”
If anyone knows how to do Halloween right in L.A., it’s the residents of Burbank. This is no surprise considering the many of the creative minds behind your favorite Halloween films, and the studios that created them, call this neighborhood home. Burbank is host to some of the best haunted houses the city has to offer. If you’re looking to park and take a stroll, California Street, N. Clybourn Avenue and N. Valley Street are all great starting points. Looking for specific houses that are sure to provide a scary good time? Check out the Burbank Barbie house at 1021 N. California St., the Skeleton House at 3211 W. Clark Ave., Trick or Scream presents X-Files: Colonization at 928 N. Maple St., the Burbank Haunt at 857 N. Maple St., Nightmare on Orchard at 2352 N. Orchard Drive or Holiday Fantasies Come to Life at 1505 N. Valley St.
This house in Valencia is sure to give you a fright. Coffinwood even employs some live actors to bring this walk-through to life. Coffinwood Cemetery is open on Friday and Saturday evenings in October from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays are non-scare nights and are kid-friendly. Keep in mind only three to four people are allowed in at a time, so lines can get long. Arriving early is recommended.
Hill Drive in Eagle Rock is known for going all out for Halloween. Decorated Craftsman-style homes give the area a hometown Halloween feel that is perfect for a stroll. The neighborhood also boasts some of the best trick-or-treating around, but crowds can be overwhelming. The surrounding blocks north of Colorado Boulevard participate heavily too, and the elevation gives you views of the decorated streets below as you climb.
If you’re looking for some family-friendly fun, or a place to trick-or-treat, look no further than Pasadena. Monterey Road, Marengo and Fair Oaks avenues and the Madison Heights neighborhood are always decked out with festive decor ready to hand out spooky sweets for the holiday. Shops in Old Pasadena also participate in handing out treats, just look for the “Treat Stop” signs.
Take a stroll through South Pasadena to visit a few of the filming locations from John Carpenter’s iconic slasher film “Halloween.” Laurie Strode’s house is located at 1115 Oxley St., just a five-minute walk from the Michael Myers house at 1000 Mission St. Fun fact: the Michael Myers house originally stood at 709 Meridian Avenue before it was moved in 1987 to save it from demolition. The house is now a California Historical Landmark. Check out SugarMynt Gallery right next to the Michael Myers house for even more “Halloween” themed art and memorabilia. Not a fan of the slasher classic? Streets like Mission, El Centro, Oxley and Montrose are also typically decked out for the holiday.
The Holiday House, located at 3547 McLaughlin Ave., has been bringing holiday cheer to Mar Vista since 2010. This house goes all out for Halloween and Christmas with inflatables, animatronics, decorations, light shows and music. Musical light shows run every night at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Non-show hours run from 2 p.m. till 10 p.m. Be warned! Some of the animatronics leap out towards visitors.
While this house is not exactly decorated for Halloween, the house itself feels like it was plucked straight from a movie. The Spadena House, often called the Witch’s House, in Beverly Hills is a naturally spooky Halloween staple located at 516 N. Walden Drive. Designed by Hollywood art director Harry Oliver, the house was originally built in 1921 as part of a film studio. The building was later relocated to Beverly Hills and is now a locally listed landmark and a perfect addition to your Halloween itinerary.
This valley neighborhood has long been known as an ideal trick-or-treating destination, largely thanks to Bob Hope, who lived on Moorpark Street. Generations of local residents still recount tales of full-sized candy bars handed out by the comedy legend. The neighborhood still brings in crowds for trick-or-treating fun on the day of Halloween, but you can check out the elaborate displays of decorations long before the crowds arrive. Ledge Avenue, Moorpark Street, Forman Avenue, Mariota Avenue, Clybourn Avenue and Toluca Estates Drive are widely recognized for their spooky displays.
The Venice Canal neighborhoods are no strangers to Halloween theatrics. Areas around Dell Avenue and S. Venice Boulevard are known to have some of the best decorations, with every detail down to the boats in the canals beautifully executed. Parking can be difficult and the narrow walkways do get crowded, so be sure to leave early to check out this festive display.
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