13 Scary Places to Go for Halloween in Los Angeles (2025 Edition)

Los Angeles may shine with movie stars and palm-lined streets, but every October its glamour fades into shadow. Behind the red carpets and neon lights lies a city built on stories of tragedy, superstition, and restless spirits. If you’re hunting for scary places to go for Halloween in Los Angeles, you’ll find that beneath the sunshine lives something colder.

From haunted ships floating off Long Beach to cemeteries where legends still linger, I’ve spent years tracing LA’s darker corners. Each one has its own story—some steeped in Hollywood lore, others whispered by locals who still refuse to walk certain streets after dark.

The 13 Scary Places in Los Angeles For All Spooky Celebrations

In this 2025 guide, I’ll share 13 must-visit haunted spots, from iconic hotels to forgotten theaters. Some you can explore year-round, others come alive only during Halloween events.

Whether you crave ghost tours, eerie film sites, or real encounters with LA’s haunted past, these are the scary places to go for Halloween in Los Angeles you shouldn’t miss.

1. Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Hollywood Forever Cemetery blends beauty and unease. Walking its grounds feels peaceful in daylight, but the mood changes after sunset. Locals have long claimed to see a woman in a black veil drifting near the mausoleums, believed to be a mourning spirit tied to early film stars. The grave of Rudolph Valentino still attracts flowers and whispered prayers from fans hoping to glimpse his ghost.

The cemetery sits on Santa Monica Boulevard and remains open during the day, but guided night tours often sell out fast around Halloween. Bring a flashlight and stay on marked paths; security is strict about respecting burial grounds. The soft glow of lanterns reflecting on marble headstones creates a surreal calm—until you hear the wind move through the palm trees like faint voices.

If you plan to photograph, go near twilight. It’s when shadows lengthen and details sharpen, offering the most dramatic view without breaking rules.

2. Cecil Hotel (Downtown Los Angeles)

Few places in LA carry darker energy than the Cecil Hotel. Located on Main Street near Skid Row, it’s tied to a disturbing history of crime, tragedy, and the unexplained. I first visited in 2017 while researching haunted sites downtown. Even from the sidewalk, you feel a strange chill—part atmosphere, part imagination, part memory of what’s happened inside.

The hotel gained worldwide attention after the mysterious death of Elisa Lam, whose final elevator footage still unsettles viewers. Before that, serial killers like Richard Ramirez stayed here, adding to its grim legacy. The building is now closed to guests, but you can view its haunting façade from across the street near the intersection of 6th and Main.

Avoid exploring back alleys or side entrances. Stick to public areas and visit during early evening if possible. Locals know to keep their distance after dark, but for travelers seeking eerie history rather than danger, the Cecil remains one of the most infamous places to go for Halloween in Los Angeles.

3. Greystone Mansion & Harold Lloyd’s “Dead” Pool (Beverly Hills)

Tucked in the quiet hills of Beverly Hills, Greystone Mansion feels timeless until you walk its echoing corridors. I first toured the estate years ago while documenting historic film sites. Even in daylight, the silence feels heavy, as if the house still remembers the tragedy that struck here in 1929 when Ned Doheny Jr. and his friend Hugh Plunkett were found dead inside.

The pool area, once used in Harold Lloyd’s film shoots, has its own chilling presence. Locals call it the “Dead Pool,” and some say the air turns colder near its edge at night. You can stroll the gardens for free during the day, but after sunset the gates close. If you linger near the fountains as the last light fades, the mansion’s windows sometimes seem to move with unseen reflections.

For photographers, early evening offers the best balance of color and shadow. Keep noise low—security often patrols to protect this landmark’s fragile calm.

4. Griffith Park — Old Zoo & Table 29

Griffith Park isn’t only for picnics and city views. Beneath its hiking trails lie abandoned cages from the Old Zoo, a favorite site for urban explorers and ghost hunters. I’ve walked those cracked paths after dusk with local friends who swear they’ve heard growls echo from empty enclosures.

But it’s Table 29 that carries the park’s darkest tale. Legend says a man named Griffith J. Griffith was cursed by a woman he wronged, and her spirit still haunts the picnic area known as “Dona Petronilla’s Table.” Some hikers report whispers or sudden drops in temperature while passing by. The area around CRYSTAL SPRINGS DR is where these stories linger.

If you go, bring a small flashlight and stick to visible trails. A guided tour is available near Halloween for safer access. Standing there under the city lights, you can feel how close beauty and fear coexist in Los Angeles.

5. American Horror Story / Rosenheim Mansion (Westchester Place)

If you’re a fan of the series, this one’s iconic. The American Horror Story house, officially called the Rosenheim Mansion, looks ordinary from afar but carries a disturbing aura up close. Built in 1908, it served as the show’s “Murder House,” but its real-life history is stranger—rumors of eerie sounds, shadows moving behind curtains, and visitors feeling watched even from the street.

I once stopped here during a late-night photo walk through Westchester Place. The street was silent, yet the air around the mansion felt charged, almost expectant. It’s a private residence, so admire it respectfully from the sidewalk. Locals recommend visiting around golden hour for safe lighting and privacy.

Though access is limited, this is one of the most scary things to do for Halloween in Los Angeles if you love horror culture. The ornate red brick and Gothic windows capture the unsettling blend of history and fiction that defines much of Los Angeles’ haunted charm.

6. The Entity House (Culver City)

The quiet suburban streets of Culver City hide one of California’s most unnerving hauntings. Known as The Entity House, it gained fame after the real-life story of Doris Bither inspired a film in the 1980s. I visited the block years ago with local paranormal researchers who pointed out subtle temperature drops and flickering streetlights, both of which they considered early signs of activity.

You can’t enter the property—it’s a private residence—but the street view still sends a chill. Locals say late-night passersby sometimes hear faint knocks or smell ozone in the air. The story blends urban legend with documented accounts, making it one of the scary places to go for Halloween near me if you’re staying around the Westside of Los Angeles.

The house sits quietly among well-kept lawns, a reminder that not every haunting hides behind old gates or crumbling walls. Sometimes, it’s right next to a family barbecue or kids playing on Halloween night.

7. Bela Lugosi’s Apartment (Los Feliz / Hollywood Hills)

My fascination with old Hollywood ghosts started here. Bela Lugosi, the man who defined Dracula, lived in this modest Los Angeles apartment complex during his final years. Locals still whisper that his ghost walks near Franklin Avenue, especially when fog settles over the Hollywood Hills.

You can only view the building from outside, but that’s enough to feel its uneasy energy. During my twilight visit, the shadows seemed thicker near the front steps, where residents often leave roses or bat-shaped trinkets. Some even say his reflection appears faintly in upper windows when the streetlamps flicker.

Though subtle, this spot offers one of the more atmospheric stops among haunted places in the city. Bring a camera for long exposures, but remember to respect privacy—people still live here, even if one tenant might be more famous in spirit than in life.

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8. Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

Step into the Hollywood Roosevelt, and it feels like time pauses. The hotel’s Art Deco design hides layers of haunted history. I’ve stayed here twice during Halloween season, and both visits came with strange moments—lights flickering in hallways, cold air near the ballroom, and a mirror in the lobby where guests claim to glimpse Marilyn Monroe.

The hotel remains active and open, making it one of the most accessible places to go for Halloween in Los Angeles. Ask about room 928 or the old Blossom Ballroom, where staff sometimes hear footsteps and distant music. Even skeptics agree there’s something unique about the energy here after midnight.

If you plan to stay overnight, request a higher floor for quieter rest. And if the elevator stops unexpectedly between levels—just wait. Locals say it’s not mechanical failure, but one of the hotel’s resident spirits taking a short ride.

9. Queen Mary / Dark Harbor (Long Beach)

Few ships carry as many ghost stories as the Queen Mary. I boarded it during a past Halloween season when Dark Harbor transformed the decks into a labyrinth of fog, lights, and screams. The mix of authentic naval history and theatrical fright made it unlike any other haunted attraction in Los Angeles County.

The ship’s history dates back to the 1930s, and crew members still share tales of phantom footsteps echoing through the engine room. During Dark Harbor, visitors explore themed zones, eerie haunted mazes, and the infamous “Submerged” area that recreates underwater terror. If you’re lucky enough to grab VIP venue entrance tickets, you’ll get shorter lines and a collectible credential as a souvenir.

To avoid crowds, go on Thursday nights. You’ll experience the event’s eerie ship corridors, themed bars, and costumed actors up close. Whether you believe in spirits or not, the Queen Mary remains one of the best scary Halloween events in Los Angeles.

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10. Los Angeles Haunted Hayride (Griffith Park)

Each October, Griffith Park transforms into Midnight Falls, a fictional town where time loops on Halloween night. The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride is its beating heart—half carnival, half nightmare. I first rode it with friends during the 2023 season, sitting on hay bales while chainsaws roared and costumed ghouls leaped from the mist.

Operated by Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, the event includes Haunted Corn Maze paths, live performers, and cinematic set design that rivals major studio productions. You can grab priority access tickets to skip the long lines or upgrade for Fright & Fast Lane privileges.

Arrive before sundown to explore the town square, filled with pumpkins, food stalls, and eerie photo booths. As night deepens, Midnight Falls glows in amber light, creating perfect moments for both thrill-seekers and photographers chasing that perfect haunted frame.

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11. Silent Movie Theater (Fairfax / West Hollywood)

The Silent Movie Theater may look quaint, but after dark, the past resurfaces. The site’s tragic history dates to the 1940s, when its original owner was shot in the lobby. I’ve attended screenings here, and even modern projectors can’t drown the tension that lingers once lights dim.

Some say the scent of old film chemicals wafts through the halls, especially near the projection room where the murder occurred. Others claim to see figures reflected in the glass booth upstairs. Though it now hosts indie screenings and events, its haunted past adds a strange electricity to every visit.

If you attend during Halloween week, watch for special horror franchises retrospectives or guest-curated nights. Grab a seat near the back for the full eerie effect—just maybe skip the last row.

12. Drum Barracks (San Pedro / Wilmington)

Down near the harbor lies the Civil War-era Drum Barracks, one of the oldest surviving military buildings in Southern California. I first visited during a quiet weekday afternoon, expecting a history tour, not ghost stories.

But the museum guide—an older veteran—spoke of soldiers seen standing by windows after closing time and boots echoing on empty floors.

You can tour the barracks during the day or join a Halloween weekend event run by local historians. Inside, antique weapons and faded uniforms line the halls, while the air feels oddly heavy, as if still charged from long-forgotten drills. Outside, the breeze from Long Beach adds a soft whistle that almost sounds like a bugle call.

Visitors should park inside the main gate and avoid side streets at night. Though small, the site’s mix of military history and lingering mystery makes it one of the most authentic places to go for Halloween in Los Angeles for history buffs.

13. Linda Vista Hospital (Boyle Heights)

The Linda Vista Hospital in Boyle Heights once treated railroad workers and trauma victims. Over the decades, countless deaths gave rise to rumors of shadowy figures roaming the corridors. When I joined a local film crew here years ago, the abandoned wards still smelled faintly of disinfectant and dust. Footsteps echoed where no one walked, and a door creaked open behind us without warning.

While access today is limited, you can view the site’s façade from St. Louis Street. Some LA Ghosts tours pass nearby and share stories about the hospital’s “Zombie Room” and a chilling sub-basement once used for storage. Paranormal teams claim EVP recordings captured moans and faint radio chatter.

Respect no-entry zones and stay on the sidewalk after dusk. Even from outside, the structure’s empty windows seem to watch every passerby. Few scary places to go for Halloween in Los Angeles carry such genuine unease.

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Grouped Haunted Crawl Routes

To explore efficiently, divide your Los Angeles adventure into themed routes:

Hollywood / Central LA Crawl
Start at the Hollywood Roosevelt, then visit Bela Lugosi’s Apartment, the American Horror Story house, and Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Each stop is within a 20-minute drive, ideal for one eerie evening.

Downtown + Skid Row Loop
Cover the Cecil Hotel, Linda Vista Hospital, and nearby historic theaters. Visit before midnight for safety, as these districts quiet down fast after dark.

Long Beach / Harbor Detour
Combine the Queen Mary, Dark Harbor, and Drum Barracks for a coastal day-to-night itinerary. The contrast between ocean breeze and ghost stories makes this route unforgettable.

For drivers, expect 25–40 minutes between clusters. Start late afternoon to catch both daylight architecture and full Halloween ambiance. Keep your camera ready—each stop reveals a different shade of haunted Los Angeles.

Seasonal Haunted & Halloween Events in / Near Los Angeles

Each October, Los Angeles becomes a stage for horror lovers. Between theme parks, concerts, and pop-up attractions, the city turns into one of the top scary places to go for Halloween in Los Angeles. Here are the standout events you shouldn’t miss:

1. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood
   I’ve attended this event three times, and it never disappoints. Expect themed mazes based on famous horror franchises like The Exorcist and Stranger Things. Use the Universal Studios Hollywood App for real-time updates, and grab priority access tickets to skip the long lines. The Terror Tram remains a highlight—driving guests through eerie backlots filled with live actors and sound effects that rattle your nerves.
2. Dark Harbor at the Queen Mary
   Set aboard the historic Queen Mary in Long Beach, Dark Harbor combines maritime history with theatrical horror. Managed by the Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, it features new mazes every year. Expect chilling zones like Tim Burton’s Graveyard and Dante’s Inferno, complete with themed spirits and elaborate set design. Upgrade to VIP venue entrance for shorter lines and grab a collectible credential before they sell out.
3. Family-Friendly Halloween Fun
   For something lighter, visit pumpkin patches in Santa Monica, join the Candlelight series for intimate Halloween-themed concerts, or stop by Spirits Bar pop-ups downtown. Each offers a relaxed way to soak in the season’s vibe without the heavy scares.
4. Delusion Productions Live Narrative Theatre
   This immersive experience lets you walk through a story rather than watch it. Hosted by Delusion productions, the show explores the circle of Hell through chilling live narrative scenes, costumes, and atmospheric lighting. It’s intimate, unsettling, and perfect for anyone seeking interactive storytelling.
5. Knott’s Scary Farm and Six Flags Fright Fest
   These two theme park giants dominate LA’s Halloween scene. Knott’s Scary Farm delivers intricate mazes like Haunted Corn Maze and spooky zones such as Midnight Falls, while Six Flags Fright Fest pairs high-speed rides with roaming monsters. Bring a souvenir bottle or an event T-shirt—they’re great keepsakes from a night you’ll remember every October.

Each of these events captures a different side of LA’s haunted energy—from high-budget terror to community fun. Plan early, wear comfortable shoes, and keep your camera ready… the city doesn’t stay quiet for long once Halloween begins.

Final Thoughts

Writing this guide took me back through years of exploring Los Angeles during its most electric season. I’ve walked ship decks at midnight, stood outside locked hospitals with the hair rising on my arms, and watched thousands of people flock to scary places to go for Halloween in Los Angeles in search of a thrill. Each spot on this list blends history with spectacle, fact with folklore, and it’s that tension that makes Halloween here so powerful.

If you go, plan your routes, respect private property, and buy tickets early for major attractions like Halloween Horror Nights, Dark Harbor, or Knott’s Scary Farm. Mix big events with smaller finds—haunted theaters, old hotels, or neighborhood tours—to feel the full spectrum of the city’s haunted personality.

Traveling for Halloween in LA isn’t only about scares. It’s also a window into the city’s layered past, its immigrant stories, its shifting neighborhoods, and the creative energy that keeps building new myths every year. Take your time, photograph respectfully, and listen to locals. You’ll leave with more than a scare—you’ll leave with stories you’ll tell for years.

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