While the COVID19 has restricted most Halloween traditions in 2020, there are still ways to carefully celebrate Halloween while social distancing on the Peninsula this year.
Please note that these activities may require prior ticketing in addition to changing schedules, so please check with these organizations on the most current health and safety guidelines prior to visiting.
San Carlos
Photo Hiller Museum
Hiller Aviation Museum offers a covid-adapted Haunted Hangar this year. This local airplane museum in San Carlos is offering a ‘Great Pumpkin’ Scavenger Hunt for kids, among other holiday offerings.
San Mateo
Photo Curiodissey
Curiodyssey, a science and wildlife center in San Mateo, is hosting Autumn Nights, a glowing harvest evening festival for families. Meet resident animals while walking in costume through festive pumpkin patches.
San Mateo
Halloween-themed drive-in movies: hosted by Par 3, at Poplar Creek, this is a creative way to celebrate the season’s scary mood, get out of the house, and still practice social distancing. Located along a golf course in San Mateo, just off 101 and south of SFO, Halloween-themed movies take top billing this month. Check their website for movie dates and times and buy tickets. Review Covid guidelines on their Eventbrite page.
Woodside
Filoli Gardens in Woodside, the historic estate of the Bourn Family, owners of a California gold mine, hosts some fall happenings, including sales of local autumn baked goods, artist booths, and festive photo op spots.
Two highlights:
- Orchard Days, when the Gentleman’s Heritage Fruit Orchard is open to the public. Note that, unfortunately, fruit picking is not allowed
- Howl at the Moon, taking place on Halloween night when Filoli hosts a scavenger hunt in the gardens. And this year it falls on a ‘blue moon’ (the second of two full moons in one calendar month).
San Jose
Photo Winchester House
Winchester Mystery House, in San Jose, inaugurates a spooky Hallowe’en Flashlight Tour this fall. Will you brave a self-guided evening journey through the dark halls of this reportedly haunted mansion?
Celebrate during the daytime or later in the day but check websites for up-to-date information and ticket availability.
And while we’re all eager to return to our regular holiday celebrations, we urge everyone to follow local health and safety guidelines.
Here’s to a spooky, scary, and safe 2020 Halloween in the peninsula!
And for the pumpkin patches, check here
Merci Lynn Auslander
