One of the (many) perks of living in LA? Homeowners around town go all out for Halloween. (Thank you, Hollywood creatives!) From the Venice Canals to Toluca Lake and beyond, these neighborhoods provide closed-down streets, over-the-top decor, and all the candy. Of course, if you prefer to stay closer to home come Oct. 31, you can still make an evening of strolling through these spooktacular haunts pre-Halloween - before the masses of trick-or-treaters arrive! Read on for all the details.
photo: Shannan Rouss
Toluca Lake
Toluca Lake is legendary for trick-or-treating. Rumor is Bob Hope used to personally give out full-sized bars at his home located in the tony neighborhood just off the 134. We can't vouch for the story's authenticity, but we can tell you that Toluca Lake has seized on the idea that they do Halloween best and the neighborhood is closed to traffic, filled with decked out lawns and homes (loads of people in the industry live here and love to show off their amazing prop and set design skills), and yes, there’s plenty of candy!
Where: Toluca Estates Dr. and Valley Spring Lane
photo: rawpixel via Unsplash
Silver Lake
The biggest Silver Lake Halloween street party takes place along Armstrong Ave. and the best part is, it’s closed to vehicle traffic so you can feel safe gathering that loot. If you prefer a less crowded walk, head to North Coronado St. between Sunset Blvd. and Scott Ave. There are several houses that go all out with full Halloween theatrics, yard haunts and special effects. And the rest of the neighbors love to dress up and greet the trick or treaters. Note: parking is tight up in the hills, so park on Sunset and walk-up.Where: Sunset and Coronado
photo: Rawpixel
Mid-City Los Angeles
Head south of Third St. and west of Fairfax to this sidewalk-friendly neighborhood where plenty of doorbell ringing and candy-giving will be in full swing. Have a friend in the hood? Hang at their house for some pre-party fun and then head out in big groups to gather loot. Houses are brimming with pumpkins, ghosts, spiders, witches, and more.Where: Sweetzer Ave. and Drexel Ave.
photo: Pixabay
Studio City
This modest neighborhood, just west of Laurel Canyon is the go-to spot for families living in the surrounding hills. It’s like one big block party with homes decorated to the hilt with pumpkins galore, haunted scenes, and witches brews. Residents say that more than 700 little candy gobbling goblins routinely make their way down these streets, so it’s a lively and fun atmosphere. Begin your pilgrimage on Mound View and fan out to the surrounding streets. While you’re at it, keep your eyes peeled for the likes of Will Ferrell, who has been spotted in previous years ringing doorbells with his kids.Where: Laurel Terrace and Mound View
photo: Unsplash
Hancock Park
This neighborhood is notorious for hundreds of trick-or-treaters who roll through every Halloween night by the busload (literally). With over-the-top decorations and fabulous haunted mansions, the most popular streets like Arden, Rossmore, or around the Larchmont shopping area can see hundreds of kids in a night. However, this neighborhood is best for early trick or treating, as it can get very crowded as the night goes on and might be overwhelming for the under-five set. Trick or treat tip: Stay north of 3rd St. if you’ve got little ones, as the houses to the south can be so tricked out they scare tiny tots.Where: North of Wilshire Blvd.
photo: Geminio via flickr
Manhattan Beach
Amazing decorations like a life-sized guillotine, with Styrofoam heads, haunted houses, spooky lighting, and grownups who get in on the action and take their Halloween entertaining seriously. The streets just off the Strand become one big block party: there are no cars, so no worries about tiny goblins crossing in traffic. Grownups have glasses of wine on their street-side patios and kids don’t even have to walk up to the door—they just go from patio to patio. It’s one of the easiest places to trick-or-treat and still get a whole major experience.Where: Streets off the Strand
photo: Pexels
Burbank
Hooray for Hollywood: this quiet neighborhood is home to some Disney folks who take Halloween seriously. Some of the homes go all out with decorations worthy of a movie set, and a few even set up haunted houses and shows on their lawns. The best of Halloween while being safe and fun.Where: Mariposa and Valleyheart
photo: Rawpixel
Santa Monica
Our favorite spot for little ones who tire quickly is Gillette’s Regents Square in Santa Monica where you will save those little feet a lot of walking around and still get plenty of candy not to mention, plenty of chances to show off that super costume.Another great spot (and another celeb haunted locale) in Santa Monica? 16th St. north of Montana between Alta on Georgina but it tends to get a little spooky for little ones.
Where: Gillette’s Regents Square
photo: Scott Beale via flickr
Venice Canals
This traffic-free destination is ideal for trick or treating. The four-block area is magically spooky with pumpkins and twinkle lights strung along the canals, fantastic decorations, and plenty of the requisite sugar treats. Homeowners get dressed up to dole out candy and even some of the boats are sporting ghoulish displays. Remember that the narrow walkways get crowded with little ones on a mission, so get there early—parking can be difficult as well.Where: Dell and South Venice Blvd.
photo: mob mob via flickr
Sherwood Forest
Not only can you take your little Robin Hood to a mythical sounding place to trick or treat, but this neighborhood also goes all out with some really unique features, including a front lawn haunted maze and a Hogwarts-esque castle, complete with gargoyles. P.S. That’s not a Halloween prop—that’s the actual house and it’s worth the drive just to see the house!).Where: Near the Valley Performing Arts Center
photo: George Estreich via flickr
Beverly Hills
One look at the famous Spadina House, a.k.a. the “Beverly Hills Witch House” at 516 Walden Dr., and you’ll know you’re in the right place for Halloween. Get there at 5-5:30 p.m. to beat the crowds. The flats of Beverly Hills make for easy walking and big homes make for bigger candy bars, which delights little sugar fiends.Where: Walden Dr.
photo: Jessica Merz via flickr
Pasadena
While the happenings in Old Pasadena can’t be beaten with all the shops handing out candy, costume contests, and more, for good old-fashioned trick-or-treating head to either of these two neighborhoods. Families are out in full force pulling little ones in wagons while older tykes charge safely from house to house filling their bags.Where: Monterey Rd. between Windsor Pl.; Diamond Ave; Marengo Ave. and Fair Oaks
photo: Gwen via flickr
Brentwood Glen
This pocket neighborhood just West of the 405 freeway is ideal for toddlers enjoying their first trick-or-treat experience. The neighborhood is filled with family homes located very close to one another, most of which have great decorations. There are also several kid-friendly ‘haunted’ houses and very few cars.Where: The ‘Alphabet’ Sts. between Church and Beloit
photo: Lars Plougmann via flickr
Pacific Palisades
This Palisades neighborhood is flooded with parents, kids, and beautifully decorated Halloween houses. Some residents get really into the “spirit” and give out wine and hot toddies. Yep, we’re looking out for you, as well as your kids. The narrow Alphabet Streets north of Sunset (also known as North Village) are some of the best, most trick-or-treater friendly streets, with street names that go in alphabetical order, good for remembering where you started and how many streets it will take to get back.Where: Monument and Bashford St.
photo: istock
Sierra Madre
We love this spot for the small-town vibe, where gorgeously decorated craftsman-style houses are all decorated and it’s not just about the treats. Bonus: Being in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains means that there are lots of trees around and kids actually may get to scuffle through crunchy, dry leaves as they make their way down the streets, giving a dose of nostalgia to East Coast and Mid-West parents.Where: Baldwin and Alegria
photo: Marco via flickr
Malls and More
Not ready to hit the streets with your tiny Halloween revelers? You can trick or treat at a variety of other locations this Halloween season. And, there are as many options as there are types of candies. Check it out:The Del Amo Fashion Center is holding a trick or treating event in their Lux Court on October 31 from 4 p.m. to -6 p.m. It's free of charge and includes games and prizes for the best costume.
Culver City's Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch will hold its Trick or Treat Spooktacular on October 25 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and it's free with admission into the patch.
Trick or Treat at the West Field Shopping Mall in Culver City on the big day, October 31 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Retailers will be handing out candy and the Culver City Police Department and Fire Department will be handing out their own treats in the center court.
Trick or Treat at Los Angeles' very own Japanese Village Plaza. Businesses will be handing out candy to trick or treaters on October 26 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. while supplies last. Look out for fun Halloween-themed activities for the whole family.
The Westminster Mall will hold a Candy Crawl on October 31 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Kids can collect candy from a large list of participating stores. No masks are allowed at this event!
The Lakewood Center is offering trick or treating to all who wear a costume on October 31 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Kids will also love the Manhattan Village Boo Bash on October 31 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. In addition to trick or treating there will be spooky crafts and an epic monster mash dance party.
