Halloween in California

California’s arboretums and botanical gardens will play host to garden goblins, forest ghouls and talking birds this Halloween when they stage some of the spookiest Halloween events and parties in the state. Read on to find out more about twilight adventures in ghost-ridden forests, storytelling in scary groves, and trick-or-treating amid the shifting colors of autumnal landscapes.

Event: Spooky Stories in the Redwood Grove

Berkeley’s enchanted grove will come alive this Halloween with talking pumpkins, birds and trees as well as storytelling with Bobbie Kinkead and Jean Ellisen. Costumes welcome.

Where: The University of California Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive #5045 Berkeley, California 94720-5045

When: October 28, 10am to 11:30am

Admission: $10 for one child and one adult; $3 for each additional child or adult; $8 for members

More Info: Garden@uclink4.Berkeley.edu; 510-643-2755

Event: Halloween Party and Parade

Thirty-five acres of tropical rainforest, bamboo groves and native Californian plants will be the backdrop for trick-or-treats, songs and a parade. No masks or scary costumes allowed.

Where: Quail Botanical Gardens, 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas, California 92024

When: October 30 10am to 11:30am

Admission: normal fee plus $10 for materials

More Info: info@qbgardens.org; 760-632-0917

Event: Halloween Twilight Tour

A gem hidden in the foothills of Montecito, Lotusland Botanical Garden will bewitch and entrance visitors this Halloween with its atmospheric fall gardens and their spooky inhabitants.

Where: Ganna Walska’s Lotusland, Santa Barbara, 695 Ashley Rd, Santa Barbara, California 93108

When: October 28

Admission: $40 for members; $50 for non-members

More Info: mpetrini@lotusland.org; 805-969-9990

Event: Haunted Garden in the Arboretum

Visit Fullerton Arboretum this Halloween and join Frankentstein, Count Dracula, Bela Lugosi, bats, bullfrogs, goblins and ghouls. Snacks and drinks provided.

Where: Fullerton Arboretum, 1900 Associated RD, Fullerton, California 92831-1659

When: October 28 to 30 6:30pm to 9:30pm

Admission: prebooked adults $10 and children $6; at the door $13

More Info: lmckenna@fullerton.edu; 714-278-4792

Event: Tree-ker-Treat

Trick-or-treating in the only horticultural theme park in California, which includes six gardens and the world-famous Circus Trees.

Where: Bonfante Gardens, 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy (Hwy 152), Gilroy, CA 95020

When: October 28 to 29 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Admission: Free with park admission

More Info: info@bonfantegardens.org; 408-840-7100

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