Top Haunted Houses in Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles is one of the most prolific Halloween markets in the United States — and for good reason. The entertainment industry's capital city brings Hollywood-level production values to its haunted attractions, making LA a bucket-list destination for horror fans every October. Whether you're chasing family-friendly frights or full-contact adult nightmares, the City of Angels has something to make you scream.

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride — Griffith Park

Address: 4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Now in its 16th year, the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride is the most beloved Halloween tradition in Southern California. Set in the atmospheric Crystal Springs area of Griffith Park, the event transforms the foothills into the fictional haunted town of Midnight Falls. Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, has been a featured presence in recent seasons, lending the attraction a retro horror-icon energy that appeals to all ages. Beyond the hayride itself, multiple walk-through attractions, scare zones, and themed entertainment fill the venue for a complete Halloween evening. Tickets routinely sell out on weekends — booking in advance is essential.

Reign of Terror Haunted House — Thousand Oaks

Address: 285 N Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Consistently ranked among the best haunted houses on the entire West Coast, Reign of Terror has been delivering nightmares since 1999. Located inside the Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks — about 30 miles northwest of downtown LA — this award-winning attraction boasts over 135 uniquely designed rooms spread across ten distinct themed sections. The sheer scale makes it unlike anything else in Southern California. Past sections have included asylum, clown, slaughterhouse, and supernatural themes, with fresh elements added every season. Budget 30–45 minutes inside, and brace yourself throughout.

Queen Mary's Dark Harbor — Long Beach

Address: 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802

Few haunted experiences in the world can match the atmosphere of Dark Harbor, staged aboard the legendary RMS Queen Mary — a ship with its own verified ghost stories. Each fall, the historic ocean liner transforms into a massive Halloween festival featuring multiple haunted mazes, hundreds of roaming monsters, live entertainment, themed bars, carnival rides, and festive food. Recent seasons have introduced mazes like Voodoo: The Queen's Curse, set in a decayed bayou environment, alongside perennial favorites like Lullaby and Infirmary. Since coming under Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group management in 2024, the event has seen major production upgrades that have elevated it to must-visit status.

Halloween Horror Nights — Universal Studios Hollywood

Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood is the crown jewel of LA's commercial haunt scene — a park-wide transformation featuring eight full-scale haunted houses, multiple scare zones, live entertainment, and access to world-famous thrill rides after dark. Universal leverages its entertainment IP to create immersive worlds based on iconic horror franchises and original concepts. The event runs on select nights from mid-September through early November. Tickets include standard and Express Pass options; the Express Pass is strongly recommended to avoid long queue times on busy October weekends.

Knott's Scary Farm — Buena Park

Address: 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620

Just 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles in Buena Park, Knott's Scary Farm holds the title of Southern California's largest and longest-running Halloween event. Since 1973, the 160-acre park has been transforming into a fog-shrouded nightmare each fall, with over 1,000 monsters roaming scare zones, a full roster of haunted mazes, sinister live shows, and major thrill rides running in complete darkness. The event's scale and legacy make it an essential pilgrimage for SoCal Halloween enthusiasts. Multi-night passes and Haunt After Dark upgrades are available.

Delusion: Immersive Haunted Theater — Los Angeles

For those who want rich storytelling woven into their scares, Delusion is in a class of its own. This invitation-style, ticketed interactive theater production immerses small groups in a cinematic horror narrative where participants become characters in the story. Acclaimed for its production quality and narrative originality, Delusion has announced the Beckett Mansion as its permanent home starting in 2026 — a historic Los Angeles location that promises to deepen the immersive experience. Tickets are limited and highly sought-after; watch the official site for release announcements and move quickly when they go live.

The Basement: A Live Escape Room Experience — Los Angeles

Equal parts escape room and haunted attraction, The Basement places small groups inside a serial killer's lair and challenges them to escape before time runs out — with live actors playing key roles throughout. Located in Los Angeles, The Basement is consistently rated one of the most intense actor-driven horror experiences in the country and has earned national attention for its extreme approach to interactive fear. Multiple scenarios are available, all recommended for adults and older teens only.

Tips for Visiting Haunted Houses in Los Angeles

Book tickets in advance. LA's top haunted attractions routinely sell out on weekends and the week of Halloween. Most venues offer online ticketing; buying early often saves money on standard admission and locks in your preferred date before it fills up.

Arrive at opening or go late. Lines at popular LA attractions like Halloween Horror Nights and the Haunted Hayride can stretch for hours at peak times (8–10 PM on Saturdays). Arriving at opening or in the final hour of operation typically means significantly shorter waits.

Dress for the experience. October evenings in Los Angeles can be warm, but outdoor attractions like the Hayride cool down after dark. Comfortable closed-toe shoes are a must for any walk-through haunt. Avoid large costumes or accessories that could slow your group down inside tight spaces.

Plan geographically. Given LA's sprawl, cluster your haunt itinerary by location. Pairing Knott's Scary Farm with Dark Harbor at the Queen Mary makes for an efficient South Bay haunt night. Reign of Terror pairs naturally with other Ventura County activities.

Know the scare intensity. LA attractions range from family-friendly (early sessions at the Hayride) to extreme (The Basement, Delusion). Most venues publish intensity ratings on their websites — check them before bringing younger guests or anyone with severe anxiety around claustrophobic spaces.

Haunted Houses Near Los Angeles

The greater Los Angeles metro and surrounding Southern California region offer even more haunt options beyond the city limits. Anaheim hosts the Disneyland Resort's seasonal Oogie Boogie Bash — a family-friendly Halloween party at Disney California Adventure with light scares and beloved characters. Pomona and the broader Inland Empire feature several independent and charity haunts each fall with lower price points and shorter drive times from the 909 corridor. Santa Clarita has a strong local haunt scene with independently produced walk-through attractions. Ventura County (Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Camarillo) rounds out the northwest corridor with Reign of Terror as its anchor attraction. Further afield, San Diego hosts world-class Halloween events including haunts at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and Balboa Park, making for a popular overnight Halloween road trip from LA.

Find more haunted houses in California — browse the full California directory on HauntHarvester