Metrolink Matters Take Metrolink to experience these especially “spirited” events across Southern California this fall! From pumpkin patches, to zoos with some extra “boo” made to celebrate Halloween, and a Día de los Muertos celebration in DTLA, here are 11 of the best destinations to explore with friends or family via train.
Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
Directions: From L.A. Union Station take B Line (Red) to Universal / Studio City Station
This year’s annual spook fest event combines a collection of terrifying mazes, sinister scare zones, outrageous live entertainment and some of the park’s most exhilarating attractions like the Jurassic Park adventure ride. Bring a buddy (or two) to hide behind, as you face nightmarish creatures prowling the streets of Universal Studios. Watch your back as you make your way through terrifying mazes and conquer thrilling rides.
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Directions: Take Metrolink to Burbank-Downtown Station. Transfer to Metro Bus 96. Exit at Zoo Drive/Riverside Drive and walk to Hayride area.
The Haunted Hayride is back in-person, at Griffith Park! Or should we say, “Midnight Falls,” circa 1985? In addition to the event’s signature hayride, extra features for this year’s event include a Trick or Treat Maze, the Midnight Mortuary Tour, and the Dead End Diner.
Haunted Adventure presents: The Escape Rooms
McCambridge Recreation Center – 1515 N. Glenoaks Blvd.
Directions: Take Metrolink to Burbank-Downtown Station. Transfer to ride share for 2 mile; 7-minute ride to destination.
Can you solve the mystery in 30 minutes or less? On October 22nd, October 23rd, October 29th, October 30th, and October 31st at McCambridge Recreation Center in Burbank, families and friends can compete at one of two Escape Rooms: Art Thief Mystery & Zombie Laboratory for a spooky and spectacular experience.
Fall Harvest at Underwood Family Farms
3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark, CA 93021
Directions: Take Metrolink to the Moorpark station. Take rideshare or taxi 4 miles to the destination.
The Moorpark location of Underwood Family Farms is overflowing with harvest this season alongside and the classic colors of fall. Visitors of this family-friendly farm can embark on autumn adventures, such as picking their own sunflowers for one dollar each, or zinnias and marigolds for 25 cents per stem. The onsite Animal Center is also open, as well as the farm’s vast 50-acre pumpkin patch. There are wagon rides, corn trail ride-throughs, and plenty of places for photo opps — such as the enormous tractor display. Families, couples, and friends alike can enjoy a socially distant and safe experience at Moorpark’s Underwood Family Farms.
Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch
5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612
Directions: Take Metrolink to the Tustin Station. Take rideshare 4.8 miles; 10 minutes to destination
Tanaka Farms grows pumpkins of all sizes, colors, and varieties! From white, to green, pink, speckled, and of course orange pumpkins, they’re all ready for harvest. The 30-acre Orange County hosts a plethora of fall programming, in addition to their famous pumpkin picking. Monday thru Thursday, visitors can enjoy a continuous Wagon Ride, Barnyard Educational Exhibit, and a U-Pick Vegetable Patch. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October, in addition to the Wagon Ride, Barnyard Educational Exhibit, and U-Pick Vegetable Patch, the farm also offers ATV rides, the Pumpkin Cannon, and interactive activities for children.
“Boo at the Zoo” at the Santa Ana Zoo
1801 E. Chestnut Ave. Santa Ana, 92701
Directions: Take Metrolink to the Santa Ana station. Take rideshare or taxi 1.5 miles to destination.
The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park in Orange County is home to more than 50 species of animals and has been a local and visitor favorite in the area for over 70 years. This Halloween season, the zoo is hosting a family-friendly event, “Boo at the Zoo,” where children and adults alike can check out the “merry, not scary” Halloween decorations on a curated trail through the Zoo during extended admission hours. There are sweet goody bags for each child on the way out and masks are required for admission.
Mr. Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin Patch
1841 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028
Directions: Take Metrolink to LA Union Station. Take the Metro B (Red Line) to Hollywood/Highland station. Exit station and turn left to walk 500 feet on Hollywood Boulevard toward Highland. Turn left again and walk 0.2 miles up Highland Avenue, and arrive at the pumpkin patch.
Mr. Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin Patch in Hollywood is an admission free, festive, family friendly destination offering a wide variety of fall-themed activities including games, pumpkin picking, carving kits, and other fall decor and entertainment including a pumpkin decorating station and photo station, onsite. With a wide variety of pumpkins ranging from baby pumpkins to the pumpkins weighing in at over 50 pounds, there’s a perfect pumpkin here for everyone! It’s an ideal destination for friends, family and couples to get into the fall spirit.
Haunted Tales DTLA Walking Tour
430 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Directions: Take Metrolink to LA Union Station. Walk south on Alameda Street to N Los Angeles Street. Follow N Los Angeles Street to Main Street.
The “Dark” side of sunny Los Angeles is revealed on this haunted tales tour which features some of the most disturbing histories of LA’s murder mysteries and unsolved crimes. This two-hour tour covers two miles of walking around downtown LA, and includes insider insight into the most haunted and spooky LA heritage.
It’s a fitting activity for families and friends who are interested in diving into the deeper depths of the dark side of LA’s past. Highlights include the Chinatown Massacre of 1871, the L.A. Times bombing, the tale of the Black Dahlia and more.
Downtown Dia De Los Muertos 2021
200 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Directions: Take Metrolink to Grand Park by taking the B Line (Red) or D Line (Purple) from L.A. Union Station to Civic Center/Grand Park Station.
Grand Park is celebrating Día de los Muertos or “Day of the Dead” in downtown LA with a 12-day public art installation taking place from October 22 through November 2, 2021. This event is meant to honor the people, places and ideas of this cultural holiday through free, family-friendly programming.
The event kicks off with The Noche de Ofrenda (“Night of the Offerings”) in-person ceremony on Saturday, October 23, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. Noche de Ofrenda is a contemplative ceremony and night of reflection that connects the community to tradition, and highlights indigenous practices during a modern celebration event. There will be a performance by Danza Divina de Los Angeles, with special guest and legacy danzante General Lazaro Arvizu, as well as free LACMA led calavera (“skull”) art workshops inspired by Aztec art which is open to all ages.
Boonion Station at L.A. Union Station
800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Directions: Take Metrolink to L.A. Union Station
“Boonion Station” transforms L.A. Union Station downtown into a Halloween spectacular, on Halloweekend. From a fun (not frightening fuzzy spider forest), a range of spooky crafts, tarantula tattoos and mad scientist slime sessions, as well as a “treats-on-track trail,” and monster mash dance parties — it’s delightfully devilish fun for the whole family.
Hours:Saturday, Oct. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 31, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. with two spirited sessions each day from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Dads’ Club Halloween Spooktacular
Verdugo Woodlands Dads Club, 1728 Cañada Boulevard, Glendale, CA 91208
Directions: Take Metrolink to Glendale Station. Take rideshare or taxi 4.6 miles; 15 minutes to destination.
Spooky Season at Dads’ Club means a spooktacular Halloween event, with a fun-filled evening of tasty treats and entertaining tricks. Play Games at The Candy Arcade, where kids can take home the sweetest of prizes while having a blast, playing ghoulish games.
Those who are feeling lucky can try to help save the Dads’ Club from a mysterious curse — “Ooooohh! Reverse The Curse” is an entertaining twist on the traditional haunted house, that combines both theatrical fun with interactive challenges for the whole family to enjoy.
