The best haunted houses in Los Angeles

Far from those kid-friendly rides through a pumpkin patch, this hayride unleashes all sorts of demons and bogeys on Griffith Park. It's an actual hayride—a long one—paired with a “scary-go-round” for wee ones (and 'fraidy cats), a number of scare zones and a pitch black maze filled with "demons and maniacs," and probably lots of frisky teenagers. This year's theme, "Clown," brings back the clown tent finale and is sure to trigger some serious coulrophobia.

Confront familiar foes at Universal Studios' annual Halloween festivities, where big-budget scares meet iconic horror movie characters. Navigate eight mazes, scare zones and the "Terror Tram" with tie-ins such as The Walking Dead, The Shining, Ash vs. Evil Dead, American Horror Story and more.

Encounter free-roaming monsters, terrifying mazes and a final season of performances from Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, as Knott's Berry Farm transforms into Knott's Scary Farm every evening. More than 1,000 monsters roam through nine mazes, four scare zones and two live shows.

The only thing better than a haunted attraction is a haunted attraction in the dark, cramped confines of a giant boat. You'll find all the usual horrors at the Queen Mary—fog, seven mazes and countless monsters—as well as an icy bar stuffed into the ship's fictional chef's meat locker. Tip: Arrive before 8pm for $20 "Happy Haunting Hour" tickets.

The minds behind Creep L.A. and the Willows team with Amazon Prime Video on “Lore,” a walk-through experience based on Aaron Mahnke’s podcast of the same name about folklore and myths. Groups of eight at a time brave a one-hour journey through horrors both beautifully macabre and deeply unsettling.

Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group hosts a chilling series of vignettes. Armed with a shoddy flashlight to illuminate the their path, guests navigate a labyrinth of terror before enduring a series of shocking scenes that will unsettle even the most stoic of horror fans.

This multi-sensory haunt from Bone Yard Effects unfurls via a short film (which you can watch online) followed by an on-site virtual reality experience. It culminates in real life inside the Black House, a sprawling Victorian home. Oh, and scaredy cats beware: You must enter all alone.

Spend a night in an Altadena cemetery as you're led across the grounds for three spooky theatrical productions. Wicked Lit stages classic horror stories and invites a limited number of patrons (35 people in three groups for a max of 105 a night) to experience the immersive performances each night. This year's stories include The Damned Thing, Thoth’s Labyrinth, The Open Door and Liliom.

This homegrown haunt has been bringing thrill-seekers to Torrance since 1997. This driveway maze is low on gore but filled with hand-built props and effects—to give you a better idea, the haunted house's creator describes himself as that guy on your block who always plans an over-the-top Halloween. You can visit the house (5112 Maricopa St) in groups of two to four, and best of all, it's completely free.

All aboard this family-friendly ride through a sort-of-frightening stretch of track in Griffith Park. The beloved Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum tradition returns from the dead following a gap year.

Halloween parties are your best excuse to dress provocatively, drink excessively and be (or go home with) someone else for a night. After you've got in a few scares at a haunted house, it's time for more of a dance party vibe. So hit up a costume stop, get your posse together, and take your pick from these top Halloween parties in Los Angeles.