Best Alternatives To Trick Or Treating In Orange County
Though trick or treating is a time-honored tradition on Oct. 31, there are always safety concerns, especially when visiting a new neighborhood. Orange County offers plenty of alternatives to ringing doorbells this year, however. At various venues, you can play games, ride a train, visit an Old West town or simply spend some time with family, friends and neighbors. When it's time to put on the costume, check out the following list of spooky and fun places to be on Halloween.
Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch
1 Irvine Park Road
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 997-3968
www.irvineparkrailroad.com
Dates: Now Till October 31, 2016
Open through Saturday, October 31, the Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch offers plenty of scary games and rides in addition to their awesome pumpkin patch. On Halloween, your children can tackle a giant hay maze, pan for gold or jump in the bounce house. Everybody can enjoy a ride on the train, too. Weather permitting, it is open weekdays from 10am to 5pm, and on weekends from 9am to 6pm. It's fun for the entire family.
Boot Hill
16 Goldenrod
Irvine, CA 92614
(818) 633-0300
www.legendofboothill.com
Dates: October 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, & 30 from 7-10pm; Halloween October 31, 2016 from 6:30pm to 10:30pm
For the 17th year in a row, the ghost of Jedediah Smith will haunt the grounds at 16 Goldenrod in Irvine. For several nights in October, the old west town of Bridgewood, complete with a church and cemetery, appears to terrify and entertain Halloween enthusiasts. Admission to Boot Hill is free, but donations are accepted with part of the proceeds going to Children's Hospital of Orange County. Limited parking also is available at Springbrook Elementary School until 10 p.m.
Knott's Scary Farm
8039 Beach Blvd.
Buena Park, CA 90620
(714) 220-5200
www.knotts.com/scaryfarm
Dates: September 22, 2016 - October 31, 2016
During the Halloween season, this popular Orange County amusement park transforms itself into a scary place complete with mazes, scare zones and spooky shows. Is one night not enough? For $80, Knott's offers a pass for the entire run of this event. Buying a Fright Lane pass for $110 gives you admission to the park plus priority access to 10 of their scary mazes. Knott's Scary Farm is open on select Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 7pm to 1am and select Friday and Saturday evenings from 7pm to 2am. A full schedule of the theme park's transformation into Knott's Scary Farm can be found here
Related: Best 2015 Halloween Events For Kids In Orange County
City Of Cypress Halloween Carnival
Cypress Community Center
5700 Orange Avenue
Cypress, CA 90630
(714) 229-6780
www.ci.cypress.ca.us
Date: October 31, 2016 from 6pm to 9pm
The city of Cypress turns their community center into a safe and friendly Halloween zone on October 31, 2016. For a $3 admission charge, everyone can enjoy family games, a glow-in-the-dark fun zone and a trip down "Trick or Treat Street." Children younger than one are admitted free of charge; food and snacks also will be available for sale. The spooky fun begins at 6pm and volunteers for the event are always welcome.
Trunk Or Treat
King of Kings Lutheran Church
13431 Newhope St.
Garden Grove, CA 92843
(714) 530-6584
www.kingofkingsgg.org
Date: October 31, 2016 from 6pm to 8pm
Located on the church parking lot, King of Kings' "Trunk Or Treat" turns Halloween into a real family event. Instead of going door-to-door, you and your children can stop at the parked cars to play a game or get a candy treat. The church also offers a light meal and raffle prizes during this community event.
Related: Best Places For Halloween Costumes In Orange County