San Francisco can very well be dubbed as Halloweentown, given how the city comes fully alive during this season. Halloween is definitely not just for kids here, as people of all ages pull out all the stops to dress up to get into the spirit of the holiday. It’s not strange to spot someone walking dressed like a ghoul, a witch, or some other fantastical creature on the days leading up to October 31. If the costumes aren’t enough, there are enough urban legends and ghost tours in the area that would help establish the creepy mood that this season calls for. There are plenty of other places to visit as well.
Certainly, you can organize your very own Halloween adventure while in the city by the Bay. For instance, you can book a visit to Winchester Mystery House, hop on a boat to explore Alcatraz at night, or go ghost hunting in the Pacific Heights neighborhood, which survived the earthquakes and fire in 1906. There are plenty more famous buildings in the city you can visit. However, if you want something more organized or don’t want to worry about what spots to put into your itinerary, there are guided tours available that you can join if you want to see the area in a different light. Below are a number of events that you can check out if you’re planning to spend Halloween in San Francisco!
Where to go trick-or-treating in San Francisco:
- Belvedere Street: This street in Cole Valley is a hot spot for Halloween celebrations, and according to the San Francisco Standard, the entire street gets blocked off for the festivities. I think it's a great place to spend Halloween with the family!
Most haunted locations in and near San Francisco
San Francisco is a great place to celebrate Halloween! Just so you know where to go for a scare, here’s a list of handpicked locations that make up some of the most haunted spots in and near the city:
Angel Island: This island in San Francisco Bay might seem unassuming at first, but it has a gruesome history that provides for an eerie aura that surrounds it today. It was initially designated as an immigration checkpoint but later devolved into a detention center for the many hundreds of thousands trying to get into the USA. Chinese immigrants made up the majority of the detainees, and according to San Francisco Ghosts, its most famous haunting is of a young Chinese bride who killed herself after being ordered to be deported.
Alcatraz: The infamous prison housed many of America’s most wanted, including Al Capone, who died in the prison. It’s said that his ghost still haunts the cells of the defunct prison, you need only listen for his tell-tale banjo tune.
Neptune Society Columbarium/The San Francisco Columbarium & Funeral Home: It wouldn’t be a surprise if a funeral home was haunted, and such is the case with Neptune Society Columbarium. The beautiful structure is said to house eerie residents long past their time on this Earth, but I’d still love to take a tour of the place! According to Crawl SF, you can even catch glimpses of these spirits.
Queen Anne Hotel: While most hauntings have a touch of the sinister, some of the ghosts at this hotel are friendly, according to The Haunt Ghost Tours. The most iconic ghost is that of the headmistress, signaling to the hotel’s past as a boarding school.
The Presidio: With a history going back to 1776, The Presidio served as an army camp for much of its time and is said to be haunted by its long-departed veterans and other spirits. According to SFWeekly, its Officer’s Club even drew in SyFy’s famous Ghosthunters, who were able to record a video of a ghostly woman walking across the ballroom.
Halloween tours and experiences in San Francisco
1. Enjoy a ghostly tour of Chinatown
San Francisco’s Chinatown, one of the biggest Chinatowns in the US, is often visited for its cultural and culinary fare. This tour, however, allows guests to look at it from a different lens: one with a supernatural element thrown in the mix.
Besides learning more about the history and the rich culture of the area, joiners also get to hear the ghost stories tied to the area, making for an interesting 1.5-hour long experience. Mythology fans will love the fact that the guide will also provide information about Chinese mythology - and even the history of the mooncake - as they traverse the streets of Chinatown. History lovers, meanwhile, will learn more about how the story of how the Chinese community settled in the area, and how life was like for these early immigrants. I think it’s a great way to discover a lesser-known cultural angle of Chinatown. The activity is held at night - said to be the time when ghosts come out to play with the living - to help add to the creepy, yet delightful experience.
Haunted and eerie stops:
St. Mary’s Church
Tin How Temple (local customs related to the supernatural)
Portsmouth Square
What guests are saying about this tour:
“This tour was fantastic. Our guide was super knowledgeable. I’m looking at Chinatown in a whole new way. We will definitely take this tour again and bring family and friends.” - by Johnnie C
Book Tours : San Francisco Chinatown Ghost Walking Tour
2. Go out touring with a vampire
Vampires have experienced a resurgence in popularity in the past decade thanks to the release of novels that feature these mystical beings. If you’re a fan of these blood-sucking creatures, make sure to join the vampire tour of San Francisco’s Nob Hill District. Decked out in a vampire costume, the guide takes guests on a 1.5-hour tour of the city with tales of its history that are part truth, part lie, which, when mixed together, creates a fun story. The tour starts at California Street & Taylor Street and ends at InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco. Make sure to dress for cold weather as Nob Hill can get cold in the night.
One of the highlights of this experience would probably be the visit to Fairmont Hotel, said to be one of the most haunted places in San Francisco. Give yourself goosebumps as you explore its halls, while learning about its history from your vampiric guide. Rates are already inclusive of snacks, and I think it’s a great tour to take with friends who share the vampire craze. While a certain amount of walking is needed for the tour, it is wheelchair-friendly, and there are stops throughout the tour if guests need a bit of rest.
Haunted stops:
Grace Cathedral (has a history related to vampires)
Nob Hill
Huntington Park
Pacific Union Club
Fairmont San Francisco (has a history of hauntings)
The InterContinental Mark Hopkins building
What guests are saying about this tour:
“Very informative, funny, and a great way to learn about the history of San Francisco during the 1800’s.” - by Gayle W
Book Tours : Vampire Tour of San Francisco
3. Learn more about the eerie history of San Francisco
Explore the haunted corners of San Francisco’s downtown area with this one-hour walking tour. Led by an expert, the tour will take you through areas such as Nob Hill and Union Square and tell you tales from times past. While there will be plenty of opportunities to take photos, video recording is not allowed. Smoking and alcohol aren’t allowed either.
Since this is a walking tour, visitors should don comfortable shoes. It might not be suited for those who cannot walk more than 1 mi (1.61 km).
Haunted stops:
Sutter buildings (known for its ancient Mayan secrets)
The Westin St. Francis
What guests are saying about this tour:
“The guide was very knowledgeable and very talkative. She not only talked about hauntings and history, but she also spoke about conspiracies. There is a lot of walking on this tour and, being San Francisco, there are alot of hills to walk up. My wife and other people guests needed to take breaks going up these hills. Overall the tour was great!” - by Robert
Book Tours : San Francisco Ghosts: Gold and Ghouls Tour
4. Have a fun time on a haunted pub crawl
Sit down at the bar and join US Ghost Adventures for a two-hour haunted pub crawl through San Francisco’s historic district. You’ll start at High Horse and learn about the dark history of the Barbary Coast.
There are eight haunted locations to explore in total, four of which are pubs. Investigate the mysteries behind Jayne Mansfield’s death, drink at a saloon built into a Gold Rush shipwreck, and explore the haunted streets of Chinatown and Pacific Avenue. Make sure to dress appropriately for the weather.
Haunted stops:
High Horse Saloon
Gold Street
Chinatown
Pacific Avenue
5. Hunt for ghosts on the streets of San Francisco
Join this 1.5-hour ghost-hunting tour in San Francisco for a thrilling adventure you’ll remember. After starting at Transamerica Pyramid, you’ll walk the ghostly streets of Jackson Square, and learn the eerie lore of Chinatown.
This tour gives visitors a chance to test their courage while learning more about the city from a professional guide. The price also includes an EMF meter and a collectible sticker.
Haunted stops:
Transamerica Pyramid
Jackson Square
Chinatown
6. Get goosebumps on a haunted history tour
Join guide Christian Cagigal on this 90- to 100-minute ghost tour of San Francisco’s haunted landmarks. This tour has been running since 1998 and combines historical research, storytelling, and close-up magic. It’s organized in the Pacific Heights neighborhood, which is known for its beautiful Victorian architecture, and I think it would be a great experience for architecture enthusiasts. This neighborhood survived the devastating 1906 earthquake.
You’ll meet your guide at Healing Arts Center. The tour will either end at the starting point or at the nearby Hotel Majestic for a drink. Walk ghostly streets, uncovering stories of notorious spirits and paranormal activity.
Haunted and eerie stops:
- Pacific Heights (tour will take you along the streets and a hill)
7. Immerse yourself in the true crime tales of Haight-Ashbury
Join this two-hour walking tour of Haight-Ashbury, where music legends and notorious criminals meet. See the homes of music icons and learn about the “Summer of Love.” Go in chilling visits to the former residences of serial killers Charles Manson and Jim Jones and hear true crime stories about the Zodiac Killer and the murder of Mayor George Moscone. Visitors will also get to explore Buena Vista Park and its hidden tombstones. If you’re a fan of true-crime podcasts, I think you’ll love this tour!
This wheelchair-accessible tour is led by an English-speaking guide and is a mix of history and intrigue.
Haunted and eerie stops:
Homes of Charles Manson and Jim Jones
Buena Vista Park
What guests are saying about this tour:
“Robert was great. He shared a lot of personal stories and connections to the times, events”
Book Tours : San Francisco: True Crime Tales from the Haight
8. Discover the spooky past of Chinatown and Gold Rush neighborhoods
Get up close and personal with the paranormal side of San Francisco on this 1.5-hour walking tour. Armed with ghost-hunting tools, including an EMF detector, dowsing rods, and a spirit box, you’ll explore the alleyways of Gold Rush neighborhoods and Chinatown after dark as your guide regales you with true crime tales and haunting stories from the city’s past. See forgotten graves, the devastation of the 1906 earthquake, and residual spirits. In Chinatown, you’ll learn about mysterious deaths and the city’s biggest massacre. Finish with a ritual to ensure no spirits follow you home.
This wheelchair-accessible tour is perfect for both thrill seekers and history lovers.
Haunted and eerie stops:
Jackson Square Historic District
Old neighborhoods in the area
Chinatown
What guests are saying about this tour:
“As a professional psychic medium, and average American, this was my very first professional ghost tour. What a better place to do it than in beautiful San Francisco! This tour takes you through some of the most interesting and haunted parts of our city. Focusing on historical and ghostly education, every guest gets a personal EMF reader. If you’re lucky enough to pick up on a spirit, your tour guide will bring out extra tools to further investigate and communicate with said spirit. Our guide Jamie was phenomenal! Whether you’re on your first ghost tour or your 100th I’d highly recommend it. Thanks again Jamie and “The Haunt”“ - by Dottie
Other activities to enjoy on Halloween
9. Tour San Francisco with a drag queen
Whoever thought that a drag show and a walking tour don’t mix definitely needs to try this experience. This tour is conducted by Rick Shelton, who will let the history of the city come alive for guests in his guise as Countess Lola Montez, an infamous character from San Francisco’s history.
The 2.5-hour long walking tour takes tourists around the city where they will learn not just about the stories behind some of the known landmarks in the area, but also the lives of the people who walked the same paths that the guests will take. The tour will cover about 2 miles (3.22 km). The length, as well as the occasional uneven pavements, may not make this a recommended tour for those who use wheelchairs or have mobility issues. The tour will start from Portsmouth Square and will conclude at Comstock Saloon.
Tour stops:
Portsmouth Square
Golden Gate Fortune Cookies Co
Tin How Temple
Jackson Square
Comstock Saloon
Book Tours : Drag Me Along Tours
10. Have a blast on a pub crawl
For many people, Halloween is the opportunity to dress up. For others, it’s the chance to swap ghost stories or go on a horror movie marathon. For others still, it’s the opportunity to cut back and enjoy a few drinks and food. It is for this last group that this tour has been developed.
Running for approximately two to three hours, this package takes joiners on a San Francisco pub crawl, allowing them to try out the city’s after-dark food and drink offerings. Besides the gastronomic experience, guests will also learn more about the various entertainment options - both past and present - that one can find in San Francisco.
Book Tours : TenderNob Pub Crawl
11. Drink it up at popular clubs
This tour is another option for those who plan on partying the night away while they’re in San Francisco on Halloween. This three-hour experience takes guests to four of the most well-known bars in the area. The package does not just bring guests to the entertainment hotspots in the city, it also essentially serves as a nightlife gate pass - they get VIP treatment and don’t need to fall in line to get to the hottest clubs.
What’s more, they also get to enjoy drinks specials and even free shots on this pub crawl. Have fun and make new friends as you party the night away in the city by the Bay. Do note that this tour has a set dress code: flip-flops, tank tops, t-shirts, baseball caps, hoodies, and athletic attire are not allowed for the guys who want to join.
Book Tours : 3-Hour Pub Crawl in San Francisco
San Francisco: The real-life Halloweentown
To say that San Francisco is serious about Halloween would be an understatement. Locals and tourists alike use October 31 - and even the days leading up to it - as an excuse to get decked out in their costumes, and various establishments cook up all sorts of events to help hype up the holiday. There’s always a treat - or maybe even tricks - lurking around every corner in the city during this season, so if you’re a big fan of Halloween, head on over to San Francisco and spend the holiday with your kindred spirits!
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