Best Of LA - Week Of October 26
There's a festively frightening event happening every day this week leading to Halloween night. The week kicks off with a Halloween themed day at the zoo, while Escape Room LA invites you to enter their haunted Theater and free the ghost within, or be locked inside forever. Lots of Halloween favorites are back for another year of creepy fun, including the Haunted Hayride at Griffith Park, and "Halloween Horror Nights" at Universal Studios Hollywood. Among L.A.'s Halloween night offerings are the popular Zombie Crawl and WOK-ing Dead after party in Santa Monica, and a ghoulish rooftop party in West Hollywood. Recover from the week of Halloween festivities on Sunday with brunch and a drink from the new cocktail menu at The Little Door Santa Monica.
BOO At The LA Zoo
Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 644-4200
www.www.lazoo.org/BOO
If creepy crawlies are on your Halloween agenda, the Los Angeles Zoo is the place to be today. Animal lovers of all ages will enjoy daily activities like dimly lit spooky caves spotlighting the incredible powers of animals, an up close experience with slithering creepy crawly critters, a graveyard safari through a hay bale maze, a photo op in the haunted barn, and a chance to come face-to-face with rare snakes, poisonous frogs, and venomous lizards. Kids are welcome to come in costume, and contests will be held throughout the month. Activities are free with paid zoo admission.
Escape Room L.A.
120 E 8th St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 689-3229
www.escaperoomla.com
Escape Room L.A. is the ultimate immersive game experience. In the newly opened game "The Theater," you'll enter an old haunted theater where you'll have only one hour to free the ghost inside, or be trapped forever (or until they unlock the door). Explore the dressing rooms and backstage to uncover clues and puzzles you'll need to solve in order to create a spell that will release the ghost before time runs out. The creepy vibe in the haunted theater is perfect for Halloween week. Escape and you'll get not only bragging rights, but make it into the Hall of Fame.
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
Griffith Park
4730 Crystal Springs Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(310) 993-8289
www.losangeleshauntedhayride.com
One of L.A.'s favorite Halloween traditions is back for another season of terror, this time with a very special guest - the Boogeyman. This season's trail promises to be more disturbing and startling than ever before. In addition to the new 25 minutes of extended trail, fright-seekers can look forward to five scare zones: L.A. Haunted Hayride (new from the ground-up), In-Between Dark Maze, Trick or Treat, House of Shadows, and Purgatory. Many crowd favorites will be back as well, including Jack's Carving Shack, Scary-Go-Round, Theatre Macabre, and more. Hump day is a great day to visit, as Super Saver tickets are available for Wednesday and Thursday rides.
"Halloween Horror Nights"
Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
(800) 864-8377
www.universalstudioshollywood.com
Every year Universal Studios Hollywood terrifies the masses with Halloween Horror Nights, and with new mazes, new Terror Tram experience, and all new Scare Zones, this year promises to be just as scary. Drawing inspiration from shows and movies like The Walking Dead, Insidious, Crimson Peak, Halloween, and This Is The End, guests are immersed in a living, breathing world of terror. In addition to all the frightful fun, energetic hip-hop dance performances by the Jabbawockeez will headline this year's new show. Tonight is the last night before Halloween to get in on the "Killer Deal Night" price, which is $20 off the regular ticket price. If you want to splurge a bit, pony up some extra cash for a Front of the Line ticket, which gives you priority access to various shows and attractions.
Watch "Ghostbusters" on the Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 458-8901
www.santamonicapier.org
If you're not afraid of ghosts, make sure to head to the Santa Monica pier tonight for a free screening of Ghostbusters, presented by Eat|See|Hear. Concluding this fall's Front Porch Cinema film series, the screening will include food, drinks, DJ, and more. Cozy up in an old-timey lawn chair as the pier transforms into an inviting front porch environment - perfect for a night under the stars. The movie starts at 7:30pm, with the Cinema Lounge and pre-movie music opening the night at 6pm. Parking is available in the lot north of the pier, and a free bike valet will be provided. Costumes not required, but highly encouraged.
"Maliboo" Country Mart
Malibu Country Mart
3835 Cross Creek Road
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 456-7300
www.malibucountrymart.com
Before darkness descends and families spread out across the city for trick-or-treating, "Maliboo" Country Mart will be celebrating the day with a variety of festive activities for children and families from noon - 2:00pm. Decked out in pumpkins and hay bales, the Mart will transform into a spooktacular haunt where ghouls and gals can trick-or-treat at select shops. A costume contest will take place at 2:00pm at Jester Fountain, with winners taking home gift cards for $50, $75, and $100. Kids can run out that candy-induced sugar rush at the children's playground, complete with chemical-free sandbox and play equipment.
Zombie Crawl & WOK-ing Dead Party
Starts at Rusty's Surf Ranch on the Santa Monica Pier
256 Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica, CA 90401
zombiecrawlsm2015.eventbrite.com
Stagger, moan, and growl your way from the pier to the Promenade in the third annual Santa Monica Zombie Crawl. Drag your limbs through the city for spooky drink and food specials all night with your official wristband ($12 advance, $15 at the door). Participating locations include Rusty's Surf Ranch, Big Dean's Oceanfront Cafe, Del Frisco's Grille, Ye Olde King's Head, Cabo Cantina, Barney's Beanery, and West 4th/Jane. Your wristband will also get your undead body into the Official Zombie After Party at Wokcano. The WOK-ing Dead Party is the Westside's largest Halloween party, and will feature Top 40 and House music by DJ Frankie, food and drink specials, and a costume contest with a chance to win hundreds in prizes.
E.P. & L.P. Halloween Rooftop Party
E.P. & L.P.
603 N La Cienega Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 855-9955
www.eplosangeles.com
Celebrate Halloween under the stars at West Hollywood Asian eating house E.P. & L.P. As the sun sets, the expansive 5,500 square foot rooftop transforms into a cemetery, with Frankie's Private Bar becoming a haunted house for the night. Costumed guests can enjoy themed small bites, while a special guest DJ provides entertainment through the night. From 8pm - 10pm, general admission partygoers can sip spirited cocktails from the open bar, and VIP guests can access the exclusive Veuve Clicquot Lounge for an additional hour. Several package options are available for the Thriller-themed Halloween bash, and tickets are required to get in.
Brunch & New Cocktail Menu at The Little Door Santa Monica
The Little Door Santa Monica
246 26th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90402
(310) 310-8064
www.thelittledoorsm.com
Recover from all the Halloween hooplah with brunch at The Little Door Santa Monica. Offering endless mimosas and bellinis ($15) or bloody marys ($20) from 10am - 3pm, the Mediterranean eatery is the perfect place to treat yourself to a little hair of the dog. If you've partied too hard and miss brunch, you can still make their "Little Hour" happy hour from 5:30pm - 7:00pm, and try one of the new cocktail menu items from prominent mixologist Vincenzo Marianella. Pair an Imperfect Manhattan (Bourbon, Martini Bianco, Martini Rosato & Organic Lemon Juice) or a Shades of Green (Vodka, Pressed Cucumber Juice & Organic Lime Juice) with a treat from their new small bites menu and end the week right.