Halloween is upon us! It’s a really fun time of year in the Bay area, but for some parents, figuring out where to take your kids to trick or treat in the San Francisco area can be tricky. Is it safe? Will there be lots of candy? Is it close?
To help, we’ve put together a list of the best places to trick or treat in East Bay:
Oakland
Cleveland Heights and Haddon Hill (just west of Lake Merritt between Lakeshore and Park)
The huge homes in Haddon Hill are well-known for their amazing decorations: cobwebbed front stoops and cemeteries in the front yard are festive sights. Neighbors tend to be very generous with candy, which your kiddos are sure to love!
Trestle Glen Street
Located east of Lakeshore Avenue, Trestle Glen Street is a popular trick or treating spot for East Bay families, so it can get crowded, but in a fun way, if you know what we mean! Halloween is a much anticipated event in this neighborhood, and you’re likely to see parents enjoying the fun just as much as the kids.
Berkeley
Berkeley Hills (Mariposa Avenue)
If you have littles, this is a great place to hit early – you might actually get a parking spot close to the action! You’ll find this street closed off to cars, which makes it a safe and fun option. In addition to trick or treating, you kiddos are sure to have fun in the bouncy house!
Russell Street (between College Avenue and the Claremont Hotel)
Russell Street is another spot well known for the spectacularly decorated homes; you’ll probably spot elaborate graveyards and lots of haunted houses in the front yard! You’ll have lots of company here, as it’s another super popular spot for families. Trick or treating ends promptly at 8:30pm; don’t be surprised to see the Berkeley police managing the area. They are there to ensure everyone stays safe.
Fourth Street Shops
Another great options for littles who need an early bedtime! From 2-5pm, kiddos can trick or treat on Fourth Street, at the merchants between Hearst and Virginia; participating merchants will have pumpkins at the door. Keter Salon will be doing scary hair; we’re talking spider webs, creepy crawlies, spooky wash-out color and crimping. And Dinnie’s Delights will be doing face painting to match your child’s costume. Did we mention these are FREE services? Fun!
Lafayette
Burton Valley
Head to the streets near Burton Elementary School and start with the loop along Merriewood Drive and Silverado. Trick or treating is a long standing tradition in this area; it draws so many kids that homeowners actually disclose the event when they put their house on the market! You’ll find some neighbors giving out full size candy bars, but no matter what your kiddos are sure to get more candy than they’ve dreamed of.
Victoria Court and Victoria Avenue
It’s a smaller neighborhood, but you’ll find this street closed to cars and the entire neighborhood decorated to the hilt! It’s close enough to Burton Valley Elementary School that you could easily hit both of these Lafayette neighborhoods, if you so desire.
