Best Neighborhoods For Trick-Or-Treating In Sacramento
While Halloween revelers in other parts of the country face cold, rain or even snow, the dry, temperate weather in Sacramento makes it easy to take the kids out for trick-or-treating. When choosing where to go, there are two important factors to consider. Parents want to find the safest neighborhoods and children want to find houses giving away the yummiest treats. These are a few of the best spots in Sacramento to make everyone happy on Halloween.
The Fabulous Forties
Bordered by C St. to the north, Folsom Blvd. to the south, 48th St. to the east and 38th St. to the west
This East Sacramento area earned its nickname based on location, but it could have also been due to the fabulous time that trick-or-treaters have there every year. Vintage homes, built from the 1920s to 1950s, are decked out in cobwebs and coffins, broomsticks and bats and mobs of hungry zombies. Neighbors provide excellent treats to the scores of visitors that show up on Halloween. If your costume plans include wearing a presidential mask, be sure to visit 1341 45th St., Ronald Reagan's former home when he was the governor of California.
Land Park
Bordered by Broadway Blvd. to the north, Sutterville Rd. to the south, Freeport Blvd. to the east and Interstate 5 to the west
Batman might particularly appreciate going door-to-door here, given the many "stately manors" found along the streets in Land Park. Beautifully maintained, elegant and often high-value properties make for a lovely walk on All Hallow's Eve, and offer hope for above-average treats. The homes, while not as highly decorated as during the Christmas season, still feature enough pumpkins, spooky lights and faux skeletons to amuse a steady stream of ballerinas, werewolves and super heroes.
Marshall School – Midtown
Bordered by American River to the north, J St. to the south, Capital City Freeway to the east and 16th St. to the west
This area is a great combination of fun, funky small businesses and cool homes. Many of the residents decorate to the nines for the spookiest holiday of the year and happily welcome little ghosts and hobgoblins. Shops offer sales and trick-or-treat goodies, and the Midtown Business Association teams up the Front Street Animal Shelter for an annual "pooch parade" for costumed pets and people. The residential area is nicely lit and is known for being a safe place to stroll while seeking out Twizzlers, candy corn and popcorn balls.
Elmhurst
Bordered by Highway 50 to the north, V St. and Second Ave. to the south, 57th St. to the east and Stockton Blvd. to the west
The main drag in Elmhurst is T Street, where residents get hundreds of Halloween visitors each year. Beautiful ash, oak and elm trees add to the cozy, small-town feel of this family-friendly neighborhood. The grown-ups are just as likely as the children to wear costumes, and it is a fun environment. The homes are decorated in a variety of ways, from huge inflated jack-o-lanterns and smiling ghosts to gloriously spooky havens for vampires and monsters.
Curtis Park
Bordered by 2nd Ave. to the north, Sutterville Rd. to the south, Highway 99 to the east and Freeport Blvd. to the west
For sweet treats on a spooky night, get everyone in costume and head for Curtis Park. The streets radiate out from a tree-covered park, which serves as an ideal gathering spot for goblins, angels, cowboys and ninjas. Eclectic, vintage homes and bungalows go from beautiful to bewitching on Halloween night, and quality treats get high marks from the many children that go door to door.
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Valerie Heimerich is a freelance writer out of Sacramento. She typically covers animals and community issues. She has volunteered and worked for many organizations helping animals and people.
Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
