Note: This article first appeared on UncoverLA and is shared with their permission in partnership with Los Angeleno. You can subscribe to UncoverLA for local retail, fashion and lifestyle news here.
From Halloween at Descanso to the ‘Stranger Things’ Drive-Into and more.
The coronavirus may have forced us to take rainchecks on our favorite spooky soirées and other local Halloween haunts this year (celeb-faved pumpkin patch Mr. Bones postponed its 2020 festivities), but there are still plenty of plein-air pumpkin-filled happenings that Angelenos can enjoy safely.
Getting your Halloween fright fix will be different than in the Before Times. Instead of wandering through crowds of thrill-seekers and masked monsters, we’ll be exploring spooky scenery from the comfort and safety of our own cars. Even better: Many of the masterminds behind L.A.’s best Halloween events — which are now canceled due to the pandemic — are now putting their spine-chilling skills toward those drive-thru experiences, ensuring an equally frightening adventure.
On that note, we’ve rounded up L.A.’s best pumpkin patches, drive-thru Halloween events and other creative ways celebrate the scary season sans crowds. Read on below, don’t forget your masks and check back often as we’ll be updating this list.
Ongoing
A Gentle Halloween Drive-Thru (Santa Clarita): The nonprofit animal sanctuary’s family-friendly, Halloween-themed drive-thru offers a rare peek at its California property, including its Sun Chlorella Healing Center in Agua Dulce (located 10 miles up the road) and its main Gentle Barn grounds where you’ll cast a wish in the wishing well. Guests are encouraged to dress up, and lunch is included; staff will also be safely handing out candy to visitors. If you’re looking to dial up the fear factor, Gentle Barn is also hosting the Haunted Barnyard Drive-Thru starting Oct. 22 (see below for more).
When: Now through Sunday, Nov. 1
Where: Gentle Barn, 15825 Sierra Highway, Santa Clarita, 91390
Tickets: Suggested donation of $28 per person (min. two people per car); buy online here.
Halloween at Descanso (La Cañada-Flintridge): Halloween goes horticultural for the entire month of October at Descanso Gardens, where family-friendly (and crowd-free) alfresco activities include the Pumpkin House and a hay maze. There will also be socially-distanced gourd displays at the Hilltop Gardens and the Japanese Gardens, to name a few, and kids 14 and under are encouraged to wear costumes.
When: Now through Saturday, Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; Halloween week hours from Oct. 26 to 31 are extended to 8 p.m.
Where: Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge, 91011
Tickets: Non-members $5 to $15; buy online here or become a member for free admission.