When the spirits begin to stir it’s time to escape to Buena Park, CA, the Halloween Capital of Southern California.
Just 5 miles from Disneyland and 20 miles south of Los Angeles, it transforms into a seasonal frightfest of haunted mazes, ghostly events, immersive dining, and family-friendly fun.
There are frights to be had throughout the area from the original Knott’s Scary Farm to creepy cocktails and vampire-themed dinner shows.
Spooky Stays
Stay at the Knott’s Hotel, offering Halloween-themed packages that include Scary Farm admission, parking, and themed dining options.
With dozens of nearby hotels offering amenities like pools, shuttles, and free breakfast, Buena Park is the ideal Halloween home base.
The haunted weekend kicks off with Vampirates at Pirates Dinner Adventure, featuring sword fights, aerial stunts, and spine-tingling fun.
Toast to the night at The Cauldron Spirits & Brews, a gothic witch-themed bar known for its antique décor, secret dining room, and its signature Boysenberry Cotton Candy Cocktail, The Knotty Kid.
The bar hosts an annual Halloween costume contest.
Spooky by Day, Scary by Night
Spend Saturday at Knott’s Spooky Farm, the kid-friendly Halloween celebration with trick-or-treating trails, live entertainment, costume contests, and photo ops with the Peanuts gang in costume.
As the sun sets, the park evolves into Knott’s Scary Farm, the largest and most haunting Halloween experience in Southern California with over 1,000 monsters, spooky mazes, shows, and fog-filled thrill rides.
Sweet Treats
Sunday morning calls for seasonal bites at Porto’s Bakery & Café. Don’t miss fall favorites like the pumpkin muffin and mini pumpkin pies, or year-round bestsellers like the potato ball and guava and cheese pastry.
If visiting October 17–19, swing by Silverado Days at Peak Park, a free Buena Park tradition featuring local eats, live entertainment, and community competitions—from pie-eating contests and chili cook-offs to a dog show and amateur horseshoe tournament.
For the Truly Brave
The 17th Door delivers one of the most intense haunted house experiences in Southern California—so intense, in fact, that guests must sign a waiver and memorize a safe word in case the fear becomes too real.
Buena Park, CA offers thrills, chills, and treats for all ages. Plan a stay in SoCal’s Spookiest City at VisitBuenaPark.com.
