10+ Things to Do for Halloween in San Francisco

By Katie Sagal
Published: July 18, 2024
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Thinking about spending this Halloween in San Francisco? Check out a few of these festive attractions to get you in the holiday spirit. From tours and parties to special family-friendly events, there’s something for everyone on this list. Keep in mind that some events may require reservations; research the attractions you are interested in. You may need to purchase tickets before you go. All of these attractions are great for families with kids, but exercise caution when it comes to spooky stuff and small children.

Fright Fest at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

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If you visit during the day, Fright Fest is a gently spooky excursion for the little ones. You'll experience cookie-decorating, trick or treating, and all their favorites rides and other attractions. If you come around at night, however, you best beware. Everything is turned upside down through deliciously terrifying scare zones, wandering monsters, delightfully themed entertainment, and the creepiest haunted mazes you could imagine. Getting In: Admission to Fright Fest at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go San Francisco pass. For more information about this event and to purchase tickets, please visit the event website. General admission to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is included with the Go San Francisco pass.

The San Francisco Dungeon

If you want to see something truly spooky and horrible this October, head to the San Francisco Dungeon, where the weird and wild of San Francisco's history come out to play in force. Wander through several lively exhibits with costumed actors, enjoy amazing recreated historic sites, and be more than a little scared by some of the horrific things going on in these recreations. Getting In: San Francisco Dungeon tickets are included with the Go San Francisco® pass.

SuperNatural Halloween at California Academy of Sciences

This festive family event sees the California Academy of Sciences transformed into a spooky scientific dreamland. From traditional activities like pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating to extra surprises like face painting and magic shows, this event has everything that makes Halloween special. Scientists will also be on hand to demonstrate the “spooky” scientific phenomenon and to encourage the educational element of the event. It’s bound to be a great time for the whole family! Getting In: Admission to SuperNatural Halloween is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go San Francisco pass. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the event website. General admission to the California Academy of Sciences is included with the Go San Francisco pass.

Halloween Haunt at California's Great America

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Come visit California's Great America during this truly spooky season of terrors and frights. There's so much to enjoy (and be terrified by!) at this attraction, you won't know what to do first. Wander through nine mazes and spooky attractions, stumble through three horrifying scare zones, enjoy four live shows, and have a blast on dozens of delightful rides. Getting In: Admission to Halloween Haunt is only $26 for Go San Francisco pass or Explorer Pass customers. General admission to California's Great America is included with the Go San Francisco® pass.

The Great Pumpkin Fest at California's Great America

This is one for the younger kids at California's Great America. See Planet Snoopy transformed into the gentle Planet Spooky, where kids 12 and under can trick-or-treat with the whole PEANUTs gang in costume. Various activities include a fun hay maze, creative pumpkin decorating, a play-in-able pumpkin patch, and the chance to watch talented pumpkin-carvers practice their craft. A daytime event, this is great for really little ones who aren't ready for after dark scares. Planet Snoopy is transformed into Planet Spooky where kids 12 & under can show off their costumes as they trick-or-treat along with Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the rest of the PEANUTS friends. Getting In: Admission to The Great Pumpkin Fest is only $26 for Go San Francisco pass customers.

Monster Bash & Haunted Hornet

USS Hornet

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Visit this historic aircraft carrier under special circumstances – as a guest at their annual Monster Bash! The USS Hornet transforms into a haunted ship, filled with spooky entertainment and festive music. Take the “Haunted Sick Bay” tour and explore some of the creepier areas of this iconic vessel. Come in costume and enter into a fun costume contest with a $500 cash prize! There will also be a dedicated Children’s Zone with a festive magician and a kids-only costume contest. Getting In: Admission the Monster Bash and Haunted Hornet is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go San Francisco pass. For more information about this event and to purchase tickets, please visit the attraction website. If you're interested in visiting the USS Hornet on non-spooky times, you can visit the Go San Francisco pass.

Halloween Hoopla

Children’s Creativity Museum

The 15th annual Halloween Hoopla at the Children’s Creativity Museum, this popular family event is ideal for kids 10 and under. Filled with interactive performances, festive displays, and seasonal crafts, the Hoopla is a great way to spend an educational and fun afternoon in the beautiful Yerba Buena Gardens. Everyone will enjoy dancing, funny clowns, palm readings, and even more festive activities. Kids can even design their own trick-or-treat bags! Getting In: Admission to the Halloween Hoopla is free.

Ghost Tours

Downtown San Francisco

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San Francisco has quite the history, and certainly has the ghosts to prove it! There are a wide variety of ghost tours for you to choose from this holiday season, each of which captures something unique about the Bay Area’s haunted happenings. Take a night tour of Alcatraz and visit one of the eeriest places in America at a particularly eerie time of day! Or, opt for a Chinatown Ghost Tour for a dose of the Chinese culture and mythology that permeates modern San Franciscan culture. One of our favorites is the “Haunted Haight” tour, featuring all the spooky supernatural things of the Haight-Ashbury arts district. Getting In: Haunted San Francisco tours are separately ticketed and are not included with the Go San Francisco pass. For more information about each tour and to purchase tickets, visit the individual tour company sites.

Spooktacular Halloween Party

Japantown Peace Plaza

This free, kid-centric event takes place in one of San Francisco’s most charming public squares. Kids will be able to enjoy trick-or-treating, festive crafts, and seasonal games, in addition to Halloween décor and artistic displays. The carnival-like atmosphere continues with additional offerings like a bouncy house, temporary tattoos, and even seasonal face painting. Come in costume! Getting In: Admission to the Spooktacular Halloween Party is free.

Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch

1620 7th Ave.

Are you a local looking for a convenient place to pick a few pumpkins, or a visitor trying to celebrate the holiday in a new town? Either way, Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch should be your go-to stop for all things pumpkin related. Choose from a wide variety of pumpkins – including some rare varieties not found elsewhere. Go on a hayride through San Francisco, or explore a hay maze. You can even score some gourds, Indian corn, and apple cider. Getting In: Admission to Clancy's Pumpkin Patch is free.

Let's Recap

So there you have it. Our list of some festive and spooky things to do for Halloween in San Francisco this year. Remember, a number of these options are available on the Go San Francisco pass, where you can save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Please note, the Halloween events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with the Go San Francisco pass. Consider adding a few of these fun options to your mid-fall getaway itinerary.

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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San Francisco in October

Few US cities thrive quite like San Francisco in October. While many other popular destinations begin to simmer down from their summertime peak, the Bay Area continues to enjoy an idyllic fall climate and a plethora of exciting cultural events taking place throughout the month. If you’re looking for a great destination this fall, San Francisco is hard to beat. Visiting San Francisco in October Average Temperature: 54 - 68°F • Average Rainfall: 4 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 9 hours/day Though fall may technically count as San Francisco’s second shoulder season of the year, following the larger waves of tourists throughout summer, that certainly doesn’t mean it’s quiet in October. In fact, fall is easily the city’s second busiest season, maintaining much of its summertime buzz and bustle. With that, you'll want to be sure to book hotels, activities and venues in advance if you want to avoid any potential disappointments. Unlike many similar destinations which thrive on the summertime climate, San Francisco gets some of its best weather during fall. Temperatures typically range between mild and fairly warm throughout October, with some fairly regular sunshine adding to the idyllic conditions for exploring the city streets. Things to do in October Chances are that if you’re visiting San Francisco, you’ll want to explore some of the Bay Area’s most lauded sights. Take a stroll beneath the crimson beams of the Golden Gate Bridge, and snap some classy photos of the Victorian Painted Ladies lining Alamo Square Park. Though you can certainly explore much of the city on foot, one of the best ways to get around San Francisco is atop a Hop-On, Hop Off Bus Tour. Operating a central route passing by many of the city’s top sights, the tour offers visitors a convenient way to explore the Bay Area, accompanied by optional audio commentary in a selection of major languages. Another popular destination is Fisherman’s Wharf, an impressive waterfront complex popular for its brimming selection of unique activities, intriguing stores and delicious eateries. Explore the outlets of the Pier 39 shopping center, admire the impressive celebrity wax figures at Madame Tussauds, and snap some photos of the playful colony of barking sea lions that frequent the area. History buffs visiting the Golden City will be no stranger to Alcatraz Prison, whose chilling cells, once home to some of the nation’s most notorious criminals, now sit open for the public to explore. For a slice of something a little more tame, the California Historical Society and the Contemporary Jewish Museum offer some truly valuable insights into various aspects of San Francisco’s history. If you’re keen to make the most of the often more idyllic weather throughout fall, why not take the chance to take a stroll through the wide-open green space and gardens of Golden Gate Park, or settle down for a picnic with a view over the city skyline at Mission Dolores Park? Be sure to check out the beautiful displays of the Botanical Garden and Conservatory of Flowers, too. For a truly exquisite view over San Francisco’s gorgeous skyline, head to the beautiful art-deco Coit Tower for unobstructed panoramic views right down into the Bay. Alternatively, the Twin Peaks summit makes for a brilliant romantic spot to catch the sunset and spend an evening beneath the stars. What’s On in October Fleet Week Thousands of onlookers flock to Fisherman’s Wharf each October to catch the hotly-anticipated Fleet Week Air Show. Featuring the US Navy Blue Angels alongside a host of other iconic aircraft, both military and commercial, the air show takes place several days throughout the week as the procession of aircraft takes over the skies over the Bay. Accompanying the show are a variety of similar events and activities, including a particularly popular program of special ship tours along the Bay. Visitors can set themselves up on the waterfront to enjoy the Parade of Ships or hop on a cruise to watch the Blue Angels perform up close. Film Festivals The Bay Area is no stranger to its fair share of film festivals held throughout the year, and October is no exception. For a little over a week, the United Nations Association Film Festival takes place across a variety of venues throughout San Francisco, screening a huge program of documentaries covering some of the most pressing issues from around the world, typically centered around an annual theme. Among the most powerful and profound genres of film are short movies, capable of exploring often complex themes in depth within very short time constraints. The SF International Festival of Short Films aims to celebrate exactly that. Over the course of a weekend, this film festival features a variety of screenings from across the world and across a host of different themes. Those with a keen interest in Japanese culture should make their way to Japantown where, for a little over a week in October, visitors can catch the Japan Film Festival of San Francisco. The event offers a great opportunity to explore Japanese culture and features a variety of cultural events, activities and panels highlighting various aspects of modern Japanese pop culture. Litquake Held over several weeks in October, San Francisco’s longest-running literary festival brings great reads and underrated authors to the limelight in celebration of the world of literature. Litquake comprises a vast program of events, workshops, panels and readings held throughout a variety of venues, from bookstores to bars, allowing avid readers to engage with authors and fellow literary nerds alike. Hardly Strictly Bluegrass For a weekend in October, Golden Gate Park transforms into the grounds of the huge and uniquely free Hardly Strictly Bluegrass music festival. Hosting some of the biggest names in the Bluegrass genre, the event draws in thousands of cult followers and new visitors alike, many attracted by the largely untamed and independent character afforded by its entirely non-commercial nature. Urban Art Market The Urban Art Market stands as America’s largest outdoor design festival, with various branching events taking place across the country. Each event centers around sustainable design, community building and supporting local and independent artists. Head to San Francisco’s market in October if you’re keen to explore some responsible fashion, home decor and various other types of independent art products. Halloween You’d be hard-pushed to find a destination in the US that doesn’t go all out for Halloween, and San Francisco certainly won’t be the first to break that trend. Throughout October, the city becomes adorned with all manner of spooky decor, and various venues host their own Halloween parties, activities and events on or around October 31. Keep an eye out for party cruises along the Bay for that true San Francisco Halloween experience!
Robert Heaney
Raindrops on the windshield on a rainy day, traffic light background, San Francisco, California
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Things to do in San Francisco when it rains (Popular indoor activities)

So you've planned a vacation to lovely San Francisco by the Bay and the weather forecast informs you that it's going to rain (not a big surprise in San Fran, to be honest). Now what do you do? If you're searching for some ideas, check out our list of included indoor activities, full of cultural and artistic museums, kid-friendly attractions, and much more.
Katie Sagal
Alcatraz Island in San Francisco
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San Francisco in May

With spring drawing to an end ready to usher in San Francisco’s busy summer season, May is a fine time to visit the Golden City, thanks to its mild climate and the kicking off in earnest of the city’s colorful festival season. If it’s pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and affordable accommodation you’re after, May in the Bay could well be for you. Visiting San Francisco in May Average Temperature: 51–64°F • Average Rainfall: 3 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 10 hours/day Daytime temperatures in May reach average highs in the mid-60s, meaning it's still cool enough to explore the city on foot. So the chances of looking like you’ve just stepped off a treadmill in those essential hilltop selfies are vastly reduced. There’s also little or no need to remember to pack an umbrella. April showers having apparently purged the clouds of their cargo for the foreseeable future, you can expect a mere three days of rain on average in May. Better yet, hotel prices have yet to rise for peak season and it’s another month before the tourist hordes descend, meaning shorter queuing times at the big attractions. What more can we say to convince you to spend May in San Francisco? Read on... Things to do in May Of course no visit to the Golden City would be complete without seeing the bucket-list attractions. The Golden Gate Bridge will be at the top of most itineraries and May is as good a time as any to visit. Better, perhaps, as the summer fogs are yet to roll in and shroud it. Top tip: wrap up warm if you’re planning to stroll out to the middle of the bridge for those picture-perfect Bay views – it can be breezy and teeth-chatteringly chilly up here at the best of times, so stick on your thermals and a fleece. Or two. Bay cruises are another great way to get a different perspective on the famous San Francisco skyline, and May’s clear blue skies will make for some fine photo opportunities. Most cruises will take in the Pier 39 sea lion colony, the historic waterfront, the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. You can also just get straight to the notorious island penitentiary, should you so desire, with a cruise and tour of the facility. Those rolling historic landmarks that are San Francisco’s painted wooden cable cars can get really busy, and we mean sardines-in-a-can busy, in summer. You’ll likely still find queues in May, but nothing like during peak season. It’s worth the short wait to travel in style, as the bell rings out and your carriage rattles over the San Francisco hills, affording splendid views of the Bay, loopy Lombard Street and the ultra-luxe hotels in swanky Nob Hill, depending which of the three lines you take. And if the weather gets a little too cool for your liking, duck into any number of world-class museums around the city. Art museums including SFMOMA in the heart of downtown and the striking, copper-clad de Young in Golden Gate Park are among the best in the country. Golden Gate Park is also where you’ll find the California Academy of the Sciences which contains – beneath its living rooftop – a planetarium, an aquarium, a rainforest dome and a huge natural history museum. Embarcadero icon the Exploratorium is the place for interactive art and science exhibits: step into a tornado, get lost in the fog and see the San Francisco skyline modeled from thousands of tiny toothpicks. What’s on in May? Memorial Weekend May sees San Francisco’s festival season crank up a gear as Mother’s Day and Memorial Weekend give locals all the excuse they need to celebrate. Memorial Weekend is the biggie, with a major ceremony at the National Cemetery in the Presidio to honor and remember America’s veterans. Expect a reflective but celebratory tone that includes music, parades, speeches and a 21-gun salute. Down in the trendy Mission district, it’s all kicking off as the two-day Carnaval Festival rolls into town. This riot of color and sound celebrates the arts and traditions of Latin America and the Caribbean through lively street performances, flamboyant costumes and some of the best street food this side of the Mexican border. Beer and cannabis gardens help you stay mellow and there is, of course, a grand parade through the streets. Cinco de Mayo Also held in The Mission (we’re sensing a pattern here), the Cinco de Mayo festival celebrates Mexican and Central American culture and is held annually on – as the name suggests – the 5th of May. Families bring picnics and deckchairs to immerse themselves in the action in and around Valencia Street, where food vendors hawk spicy treats and live bands get the party started with mariachi, salsa, merengue music and more. There are costumed dancers, artists, magicians and street performers galore, and even a petting zoo to keep the kids entertained. Bay to Breakers Bay to Breakers is a 12k fun run that usually takes place on the third Sunday of May. Weaving its way east to west from the Embarcadero to Ocean Beach, it takes in nine of the city’s neighborhoods. Fun-loving San Franciscans have gamely established a tradition for donning fancy dress during the race, which means you can expect to see overgrown chickens, shambling pantomime horses and huge conga-lines in which teams of 13 or more runners tether themselves together for the duration of the race. In other words: it’s great fun. Get involved yourself: it includes many fun sections like Golden Gate Park, where you might even get to spot the resident buffalo. On the other hand, Hayes Street Hill is an absolute beast that rises over 200 feet above sea level and will challenge even the most seasoned runner. If all that sounds a bit much, you can always just find a nice spot on the sidelines and enjoy all of the fun with none of the exertion. Save on attractions in San Francisco Save on admission to San Francisco attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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