Haunting choices
Get into the Halloween spirit with haunted houses and ships, pumpkin crafts and displays, and costumed fun , all on the weekend events lineup in Southern California.
El Monte and South El Monte
Walk, bike or skate in costume at 626 Golden Streets, a Halloweenthemed event on Santa Anita and Tyler avenues. Hubs along the four-mile route offer trick-ortreating, chalk art, Day of the Dead altars, a silent disco and other activities. When: 9 a.m. Oct. 26 Cost, info: Free. Family friendly. Dogs OK. (626) 566-8302, 626golden streets.com
Topanga
The main stage at Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum is transformed into a haunted house for the annual BOO-tanicum fundraiser. Fuel up for the scares — as well as carnival games, spooky stories and a kids maze — with mulled wine, themed cocktails and hot food for sale. When: 4 p.m. Oct. 26 Cost, info: $22 in advance, with reduced prices for kids and families. Family friendly. No dogs. (310) 455-3723, theatricum.com/ boo-tanicum/
Los Angeles
Halloween fun starts early at Haunted Little Tokyo. Costumed kids can trick-or-treat at local businesses in Japanese Village Plaza and celebrate their loot at a block party on Second Street. When: 5 p.m. trick-ortreating, 6 p.m. block party Oct. 26 Cost, info: Free. Family friendly. Dogs OK. (213) 293-5822, golittletokyo .com/haunted
Marina del Rey
DJs, magicians and jugglers entertain at the Marina del Rey Spooktacular at Burton Chace Park. Go during the day for pumpkin crafts, Día de Los Muertos-themed dance sessions and kid-friendly haunted pirate ship tours. In the evening, attendees can explore a blackout maze, a graveyard treasure hunt and scary ships. When: 11 a.m. Oct. 26 and 27 Cost, info: Free. Family friendly. Dogs OK. (424) 526-7900, bit.ly/MdR Spooktacular
Oxnard
Science fiction, Victorian-era history and steam-powered machinery collide at the Oxnard Steampunk Fest at Heritage Square in Oxnard. Dress for a costume contest, then play games, watch live music and peruse merchant goods. When: 11 a.m. Oct. 26 and 27 Cost, info: $10. Family friendly. Dogs OK. (805) 483-7960, oxnard steampunkfest.com
Pomona
More than 3,000 pumpkins are carved into giant jack-o’-lanterns, dragons and other displays at Pumpkin Nights at the Pomona Fairplex. Stroll through seven themed Pumpkin Lands, including the gnome-filled Enchanted Pumpkin Forest. When: 5:30 p.m. nightly through Nov. 3. Closed Oct. 31. Cost, info: From $14 to $20; free for children 3 and younger. Family friendly. No dogs. pumpkinnights.com/ los-angeles