Best time to go to Santa Barbara, CA

Halloween Events 2024

Ghost tours through historic downtown and more fun events

Dates: October

Beautiful Santa Barbara, with its Mediterranean-style red-roofed houses, boasts a long and rich history. Hence, there's no shortage of haunted places where mysterious or tragic events have occurred in the past. Take a spooky walking tour with Santa Barbara Ghost Tours to stroll through the downtown streets and learn about all the dark secrets of Santa Barbara and the terrible crimes committed here. The walking tour can also include an optional gourmet dinner to share those scary stories.

University of California, Santa Barbara, holds one of the largest Halloween celebrations in the city. Its annual Dia de Los Muertos event, which occurs in late October, features interactive workshops, performances, and giveaways.

One of the scariest places on the Central Coast, the Grimsley House, is located at the Santa Maria Elks Unocal Event Center. Grimsley Haunt House of Fears is a terrifying attraction that runs through the month of October, from 7 to 11 pm. Children under 12 years must be supervised by an adult to visit this gut-wrenching place.

A not-so-scary Halloween experience is offered at Santa Barbara Zoo. Spooky Zoo is a costumed Halloween spell-ebration with fun decor, tasty treats, and various kids' activities. The Spooky Zoo experience, running from mid-October, is free with Zoo admission, which will let you explore the beautiful 30-acre park, home to 146 animal species.

Santa Barbara might not be the scariest Halloween destination, but thanks to pleasant weather and beautiful beaches, it's perfect for those not yet ready to say goodbye to the summer.

Last updated: by Olga Valchyshen