San Francisco is an excellent place to spend Halloween — and not just because the temperate weather and foggy bay make it feel like it’s fall all year long! There are so many fun things to do for Halloween in the Bay Area that you’ll have trouble picking just a few. That’s why we compiled this short list of our top suggestions for a spooky, safe, and seriously fun holiday in 2024. While in town, don’t forget to check out the delicious restaurants, bustling nightlife scene, art museums, breweries, and gorgeous parks. From cruises on one of the Nation’s spookiest islands to ghost-hunting adventures and candlelit concerts, take a peek at our top picks for some of the best things to do in San Francisco for Halloween.

Have a Spooktacular Time on San Francisco Bay for Halloween

Bay Discovery Cruise – If you’re in the market for a National Park tour, we’ve got just what you’re looking for. This 90-minute sightseeing adventure cruise on the San Francisco Bay is full of iconic San Francisco landmarks, such as The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Angel Island, Fort Point, and Ghirardelli Square, to name a few. “It was great!” one happy customer writes. “We enjoyed the historical and informational experience. The guides are very cheerful.”

San Francisco Signature Dinner Cruise – Looking for some laid-back lounging on the water? You’re in luck: Enjoy a sophisticated and fun evening on our San Francisco Signature Dinner Cruise, featuring a delicious buffet with chef-prepared entrees, salads, and desserts, creative cocktails from our well-stocked bar, and City Cruises’ distinctive hospitality. Take a spin on the dance floor with local DJs playing top-40 hits. Experience the best sights in the city with unbeatable San Francisco views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, and Alcatraz. Whether planning a Halloween party or a night of fun on the water, this is your ticket for an unforgettable evening dinner cruise.

All-Aboard to Alcatraz for Some Haunted Halloween Fun

Alcatraz Night Tour – Sounds spooky already, right? On the Alcatraz Night Tour, you and your guests can experience the many moods of Alcatraz Island with an evening visit. Enjoy the beauty of a sunset silhouetting the Golden Gate Bridge, experience a cell door demonstration, and hear compelling stories about the Island’s history and residents. Evening talks by Island expert historians are offered on a variety of topics and change every night. The Alcatraz Night Tour is a unique program limited to just a few hundred visitors per evening that includes special programs, tours, and activities not offered during the day. Be sure to check out the visiting and permanent exhibits during your visit.

Alcatraz Behind The Scenes Tour – If you’ve already done the day cruise and are looking for more fun on Alcatraz Island, this will be right up your alley. Discover areas not otherwise available to the public! Join a group of 30 people or fewer on a guided 4–5-hour adventure to explore off-limits areas and hear little-known stories about the Island’s fascinating past, then join the Alcatraz Night Tour (including Cellhouse Audio Tour) for a whole evening’s experience.

Other Things to Do in San Francisco for Halloween

Candlelit Halloween Concerts – There’s nothing like an eerie soundtrack to raise the Halloween spirit. For spooky music and gorgeous scenery, check out the series of Candlelit Halloween Concerts, which play everything from Halloween classics to spooky movie theme songs and more. Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to life in unique venues in San Francisco!

San Francisco Ghost and True Crime Tour – Interested in ghosts? You and your guests can experience the supernatural with a storyteller and ghost hunter on a nighttime adventure perfect for believers and skeptics alike—especially around Halloween! The Haunt has plenty of tours available, ranging from Ghost Hunting in Old San Francisco and exclusive private haunted tours to exclusive access to one of the city’s most haunted hotels for after-dark access and hands-on ghost hunting.

Visit a Haunted House – This is a no-brainer, folks—unless zombies are involved! A good haunted house is a time-honored Halloween stalwart, and if you’re in the mood, you can’t beat the Fear Overload Scream Park for some seriously spooky fun. “It was soooo scary!!! I went with my wife and we were scared at every turn,” one reviewer writes. “The actors’ costumes and makeup were amazing, a good mix of scary and creepy! Our first scream park but definitely one to remember!”

City Cruises is the Perfect Partner for your Halloween Fun in San Francisco!

Halloween has something for everyone. Whether you’re all about haunted houses and ghost tours or if you prefer something light-hearted, San Francisco is the place to be this spooky season. To make Halloween truly memorable, pair one of City Cruises’ unforgettable experiences with your holiday plans!