Although this site is Mummywale-centric, I thought I might list a few other seemingly exceptional Bay Area haunted events. Many of these have a fee. I found most of these listed on a wonderful Web site: hauntedhouse.com. Do visit it!
The information below is ALL from 1999. Please check hauntedhouse.com for current list.
Cost $8.00 adults, $6.00 12 and under.
I can't wait to go try this one in the Oak Meadow/Vasona Parks in Los Gatos. Dillon`s Haunted Woods operates side by side with The Haunted Forest Phantom Express. After riding the train, come along for a chilling walk through Oak Meadow Park. Attractions include Terminal Jeopardy, Harry`s House of Heads, and Indiana Jones. Included with the price of a Phantom Express train ticket. It is appropriate for all ages. Vital statistics: phone 408-354-6842, web address http://www.hauntedforest.org, and email stuart.kuramoto@dataquest.com.
Directions: The Haunted Forest Phantom Express is located at the Oak Meadow/Vasona Parks in Los Gatos Take any Highway to 880 South/ Highway 17 towards Los Gatos/Santa Cruz exit at Highway 9. Make a RIGHT onto University Ave. Go down several blocks to Blossom Hill Road. There will be police officers directing you to parking areas. The park will be on your left and there will be signs galore!
Cost: $14.95 Sunday-Thursday, $17.95 Friday, Saturday, and Halloween
Discount coupons available at their Web site.
This haunted happening is for ages 12 and over. It is the one I have been trying to get out and see for 4 years now, but I'm always too busy! They boast three 3-D haunted housed on 5 acres of terror. Sounds like a person could make a day of it seeing the stage shows, playing the games, and visiting the concession stands. Last year they even had a celebrity weekend where they invited all us tricksters to meet horror and sci-fi movie and television stars and special effects artists. It moves around from place to place the location given was for 1999, so be sure to check on the location before trying to find it. Vital statistics: phone 888-477-HOWL, web address http://www.worldofterror.com, and email Evil Jack, the Scare Master at eviljack@worldofterror.com.
Cost: $10.00
This one is appropriate for 16 years and older. All they have to say about it is that it is artistic and unique and that there is plenty of free parking (in San Francisco?). I wonder what they do from midnight to dawn? I guess I'll just have to go see! Vital statistics: phone 415-285-8103, web address http://www.audreypratt.com/haunted/html/boo.html, and email info@audreypratt.com.
Directions: Take 3rd street South past Army, left on Evans, go the end... plenty of free parking.
Cost: donation to UNICEF
This haunted house is recommended for ages 6 and older. It has a dark, scary enviornment, flashing lights, smoke, sounds, ghouls, and gore. According to the write up in HauntedHouse.Com, it will scare the life out of you! The owner is Rob Tjader. Vital statistics: phone 650-728-5802, web address http://hometown.aol.com/bruno1992/myhomepage/index.html, and email bruno1992@aol.com.
Directions: From hwy 92 head north 7 miles to Moss Beach. From San Francisco head south to Highway 1 south.Located 3 blocks east of Highway 1. Take the California St. exit(opposite the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve) to Kelmore St make a left and proceed 2 blocks to the corner of Pearl St & Kelmore ST.
This house was featured in the Mercury News in 1999. It seems there are people out there nuttier than us. According to the paper, these two guys have computerized their haunted house, spending about $3000 a year. Don't go right at closing (we went about 15-20 minutes before); the line can be longish and they turn people away.
Cost for photo: $5.00 or $3.00 with canned good
This house is appropriate for all ages. It is the only one that offers photos with the characters that haunt their yard. For more information, email iowac@pacbell.net.
Directions: from Vallejo, take 80 west then take Pinole valley road exit in Pinole, turn right at light you will come to a major street San Pablo, continue straight onto Tennate Ave. The next stop sign turn right, about 1 block down we are on the right side on a corner. From San Francisco/Hayward take I80 going east, exit off the Pinole Valley Road Exit in Pinole, turn left at light, and follow till you hit San Pablo, continue straight onto Tennate Ave, at next stop sign turn right, we will be on right hand side 1 block down.
Cost: $8.00
This haunted house is recommended for ages 12 and over. The contact name is Karl Fields, the owner. Vital statistics: phone 510-657-5621, web address http://www.PiratesofEmerson.com, and email headpirates@hotmail.com.
Directions: 680 to Durham(Auto Mall Parkway). East 1/2 block to Osgood, left to Warm Grimmer - 1/2 mile corner of Grimmer and Warm Springs).
Cost: $2.00 (additional donation of canned goods for the Harvest bank is appreciated)
Thought house is supposed to be appropriate for ages 8 and older, it says it is very graphic and not recommended for young viewers. This is what these guys start preparing 1100 square feet in 12 rooms four months before Halloween. They use motion sensors and air compressors to create moving effects and 30 people participate in the haunting. They get to scare a thousand folks every year. When they say that this is a haunted house that you will never forget, I believe them! A few more details on this upcoming Halloween can be found on HauntedHouse.Com. For more information than that, email the lead creator, Mark McGrath, at K9_Smokey@Hotmail.com.
Directions: Take U.S. Highway 101 and exit on WoodSide Road. once on Woodside Road take a right on Veterans Blvd., go 1 mile then turn left on Jefferson Avenue. Then go about 2 miles and turn right on OakRidge Drive.