Halloween Trick-or-Treating in the San Francisco Bay Area
a few sure-fire candy-haul places to make this Halloween high on the hyper.
Give me something good to eat!
Sadly, there is a limited amount of time that we can put on a mask, ring people’s doorbell, and have them give us candy rather than call the cops. Those days may have passed us by, but our kids are still in the halcyon days of trick-or-treating—help them get out there and rake it in! Here are a few sure-fire candy-haul places to make this Halloween high on the hyper.
PS – Check out The Poop’s trick-or-treating neighborhood picks (hint: scroll through the comments for the best hidden gems)
San Francisco
Alright, let’s just get Belvedere Street (between Parnassus Ave. and 17th Street) out of the way. It’s big, it’s loud, it’s a party. Haunted garages, dry ice cauldrons, fake entrails and ketchup blood. Not for the faint of heart, as some of these set ups are a little too spooky for your littlest bits. Often, scarier than the houses are the crowds and parking. While everyone’s on Belvedere, visit some of the neighboring streets where tons of candy goes uncollected. If your kids are looking to score big, don’t let the rest of this ‘hood go un-mined.
For your littlest ghouls, try visiting the merchants on 24th Street in Noe Valley. A neighborhood known for its itsy-bitsies, merchants start handing out candy early in the day so you don’t have to worry about that trick-or-treat/bath/bed time crunch. Fair Oaks Street (between 21st and 26th Streets) is also a good bet; the street is closed to traffic so the tots can focus on candy-getting instead of car-dodging.
The Westfield Centre downtown breaks in on the Halloween fun with vendors handing out treats and toys. A good solution to that “What if it rains?” Halloween question.
In search of the elusive “whole candy bar?” Try Sea Cliff and St. Francis Wood, two posh ‘hoods that are more likely to be handing out big bars, but don’t hang your hopes on it—kids have been spouting that “whole candy bar” legend since Halloween began. Don’t forget to hit up Robin Williams’s house in Sea Cliff (Look for large wire dinosaur out front.).
Marin & North
Two areas go all out and give Cole Valley a run for its money with neighborhood spirit: Larkspur and Tiburon. In Tiburon, the Bel Aire neighborhood (behind The Cove Shopping Center) is a popular destination and many of the houses celebrate by, creating ‘cemeteries’ or ‘witches’ cauldrons on the front lawn. The flat streets and closely aligned houses makes trick-or-treating easy even with a stroller. Similarly, the Heatherwood neighborhood in Larkspur (behind Redwood High) follows Heather Way as it intersects with Diane Lane and William St, making an easy-to-navigate circle through the tightly-packed houses and dozens of neighborhood kids.
Join the Halloween Parade in Sausalito and take a walk down Trick-or-Treat Lane where neighboring merchants will be handing out treats (not tricks). Look for a haunted house at the Rec Center, a jack-o-lantern display, and activities in Robin Sweeny Park. Sat., Oct. 31, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Sausalito City Hall
Another during the day outing in Old Town Novato gets the kids sugared up and back down again before nightfall. Bring the tots over in costume for a little afternoon candy-harvesting.Sat., Oct. 31, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Grant Ave., Novato
A good mid-week event to get some mileage out of your Halloween costume investment is the Annual Goblin Parade in San Anselmo. Perfect for the littles as it’s done by 7 pm. Wednesday, October 28, 5 pm–7 pm, San Anselmo Avenue (look for the mob).
Well attended, with plenty of treats to keep your goblins bopping along, the San Rafael Business Improvement District hosts trick-or-treating down 4th Street. Starting in City Plaza, get a free goodie bag and a list of participating merchants, then unleash the hounds! Sat., Oct. 31, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., 4th Street, San Rafael
East Bay
In Alameda, the Towne Centre is hosting a Trick or Treat Party with a free show from Cowboy Jared and a goodie bag for every kid under 12 (while supplies last). Merchants handing out candy will have orange pumpkins in their windows. On Webster Street, drop in for the Halloween carnival with daytime trick-or-treating, a costume contest, and pumpkin giveaway. Sat., Oct. 31, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m., Town Centre, Alameda Sat., Oct. 31, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m, Webster & Taylor Streets, Alameda
Visit the Temescal Telegraph neighborhood for some treats and tastes from the local merchants (Man, what if Genova Deli handed out sandwiches?). Tour through the toddler-friendly haunted house at Sadiedey’s Café (The café will also host a Halloween celebration Oct. 30 with live music, carnival games, treats, and prizes.).
Sat., Oct. 31, Telegraph Ave. between 40th and 51st Streets, Oakland
Fourth Street in Berkeley does Halloween big with live music, face painting, trick-or-treating, and fun! Come by in costume and have a blast!
Sat., Oct. 31, 12:00 – 6:00 p.m., 4th Street (between Hearst and Virginia), Berkeley
For some good old-fashioned, street-to-street trick-or-treating, Cleveland Heights (just west of Lake Merritt between Lakeshore and Park) in Oakland has some nice dense streets and lots of participating neighbors. Get that candy!
Jack O’ Lantern Jamboree at Children’s Fairyland in Oakland. $10 per person, includes jumpy house, unlimited rides and free giveaways. October 24 & 25, 10 am–5 pm
Not-Too-Spooky Halloween at Habitot Children’s Museum. Perfect for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Saturday, October 31 9:30 am–4:30 pm
