Best Places to Trick-or-Treat on Halloween in San Francisco

Trick-or-treat at some frightfully delightful places on Halloween in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Neighborhoods take Halloween seriously and often go big for the holiday. San Francisco houses and doors are already some of the most Instagrammed curbs in the country. Add Halloween decor, and those Victorian homes practically beg kids to ring the doorbells and say, "Trick-or-treat!"

Streets are usually blocked off for the night, so families can roam free from door-to-door without worrying about traffic. Trick-or-treating is a Halloween tradition, and it can bring a community together. Plus, kiddos love the candy and knowing which neighborhoods give out those full-size candy bars. We've rounded up the best neighborhoods to trick-or-treat on Halloween, so get those costumes and treat bags ready for some Halloween fun!  

San Francisco and the Bay Area come alive for spooky, good Halloween fun. Discover the best Halloween events for kids in San Francisco, have a gourd time at the best pumpkin patches near San Francisco, and find more festive Halloween entertainment in our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for San Francisco Kids. 

 
One of the few San Francisco areas to trick-or-treat with flat streets. Photo courtesy of Slow Sanchez Street SF via Facebook

Best Spots to Trick-or-Treat in San Francisco

1. Noe Valley

Kids of all ages can stroll in costume and see the elaborate Halloween decorations on front door stoops and windows. We love this neighborhood for its flat streets, a win for strollers and wagons! 

2. Cole Valley

One of the most well-known Halloween party spots, Belvedere Street, gets pretty crazy as families flock to it after dark. Make sure to visit these houses early, as candy is sure to run out. Cole Valley is also on a hill, so strollers and wagons beware. 

3. NoPa

Trick-or-treating, a haunted house, and a kids-only costume contest are all happening at the 1500 and 1600 block of Grove St. Families are encouraged to bring a bag of candy to the event as a donation. 

4. Sea Cliff

Attracting a couple hundred trick-or-treaters each year, this ritzy neighborhood (and home to the late Robin Williams) with huge houses goes all out on Halloween. It's mostly flat with wide sidewalks, making it an easy walk, and parking is pretty simple, too. 

5. Mission

The go-to spot in the Mission is Shotwell St. between 18th and 24th, where houses are all about the spooky vibes with some culture in the mix. Dia de Los Muertos is big here, and you'll see homes and streets with ofrendas and sugar skulls honoring those who have passed. 

6. St. Francis Wood

Historic and stately homes tucked between tree-lined streets make this a picturesque place for a night of trick-or-treating. The giant homes are a sight for little ones, and the candy is just as generous. 

7. Presidio Heights

Meet up with friends and make new ones on Halloween in Presidio Heights. The Presidio Terrace cul-de-sac has stunning homes that go all out for Halloween. Make sure to grab some candy from the local businesses as well! 

8. West Portal

The block party on Wawona Street has been going on since the 1980s, with fun activities like a public haunted house that will bring the scares. There is plenty of trick-or-treating with houses that love celebrating the spooky holiday. 

RELATED: Best Halloween Events in San Francisco for Kids and Families

 
Dig into full-size candy bars. Photo by Quinn Dombrowski via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Top Places to Trick-or-Treat in the East Bay

9. Haddon Hill- Oakland

The haunted-looking mansions near Lake Merritt are known for their front stoops, front yard cemeteries, massive skeletons, and ghosts galore. The treats are as giant as the decor—be on the lookout for those full-size chocolate bars! 

10. Ricardo Avenue — Piedmont

The residential neighborhood is all about community and keeping everyone safe. Tons of homes go all out with decorations, including elaborate pumpkin carvings. The sweet spot is on York and Manor Drive.

11. Russell Street in Berkeley

The graveyards in this neighborhood often resemble that of Michael Jackson's Thriller music video, which is a must-see for Halloween buffs. Take the younger kids on the early side to avoid larger crowds as the night goes on. 

12. Alameda

Know for its well-lit, walkable streets, and friendly neighbors, this island is ideal for the little ones who need something a little calmer on Halloween. 

RELATED: Best Pumpkin Patches near San Francisco

 
Trick-or-treat early to avoid the crowds. Photo courtesy of the Menlo Park Government Facebook page

Trick-or-Treat Areas in the Peninsula

13. Cabrillo Avenue — Burlingame

Want an easy trick-or-treating experience? Head over to Burlingame. Parking is fairly easy, there are no stairs, and houses go all out to showcase their Halloween scenery. 

14. Brisbane

Check out Brisbane for an epic trick-or-treating night that is great for kids of all ages. Hundreds of houses will give out the sweet treats, and there's a passionate sense of community and excitement for the holiday. 

15. Downtown San Carlos

The Goblin Walk in downtown San Carlos is perfect for kids seven and under every Halloween. Trick-or-treaters can admire the elaborate decorations and feast on the yummy treats handed out on the popular Eucalyptus Street. 

16. Pope Street — Menlo Park

Kids of all ages can get all the spooky goods on Pope Street in Menlo Park. Younger kids can go early to avoid the crowds and still get generous helpings of candy. 

RELATED: Best Harvest & Fall Festivals in San Francisco for Fall Family Fun

 
Take advantage of closed off streets for trick-or-treating. Photo by Joe Shlabotnik courtesy of Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

South Bay Spots to Trick-or-Treat 

18. Almond Grove — Los Gatos

The streets are closed off for pedestrians on Halloween night, so kids can roam freely and collect as much candy as they can carry. The decorated houses are top-notch and almost as good as the candy given out. 

19. Willow Glen

The charming tree-lined streets and homes decked out in spooky decor, families have been strolling through the Willow Glen neighborhood on Halloween for years. It's a great trick-or-treat pick for families with younger kiddos. 

20. Downtown Los Altos

Young trick-or-treaters can get their candy haul early in downtown Los Altos. Local businesses give out sweets before dinner and bedtime. 

21. Campbell

Campbell hosts its very popular Creepy, Crawly Halloween costume extravaganza event downtown, with dancing zombies, trick-or-treating, and tons of spooky fun. The event is on October 29, so you'll still have time to go trick-or-treating and collect more candy on Halloween! 

Best North Bay/Marin County Places to Trick-or-Treat 

22. McDonald Ave — Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa goes all out for Halloween, but it's best for older kiddos who want a good scare. The McDonald Mansion put on a lavish haunted house experience with past themes like Alice in Wonderland and Jack the Ripper. 

23. Bamboo Terrace — Terra Linda

One of the best spots to spend Halloween is in Marin. The residents go nuts with decorations, with some even setting up outdoor movie screens. There is even a haunted house that you can tour for free. 

24. Heatherwood — Larkspur

The Heatherwood neighborhood is sure to have kids dressed up and ringing doorbells for sweet treats on Halloween night. Streets are easy to walk with strollers and wagons. 

25.  Bel Aire — Tiburon

With the picturesque waterfront setting and scenic streets, it's a gorgeous setting for trick-or-treating if you live in Marin County. Tons of houses give out candy, so bring a big treat bag!