Prior to this year, everything I knew about Orange County, CA came from The OC and Real Housewives. And as a tourist? I think they get it right.
Except in one area: the spooky stuff!
Southern California, in general, has a wealth of spooky things to do all year long, thanks to Hollywood creatives loving Halloween and horror.
As a tourist who has spent a lot of time checking it all out in LA and Long Beach the last seven years, I was excited to dive into what Orange County had to offer.
And it didn’t disappoint.
If you’re headed to the area from out of town, here are the five stops I made during my trip for Creep It Real OC, plus 3 more spots to check out.
Spooky Things to do in Orange County
Burnt Umber Coffee
12752 Valley View St., Ste. N P Q
Garden Grove, CA 92845
petalsandpoison.com/pages/tea-room
At the top of my list of places to visit was Burnt Umber Coffee. I love a cute coffee house, and southern California has no shortage of spots with a spooky spin. Burnt Umber is unique for its gothic Victorian decor and tea room, opening in October 2024.
Throughout the year, you’ll find their full menu with tons of creative drinks, as well as regular seasonal and specialty offerings.
I was lucky enough to visit at the beginning of the Halloween season, so I got to enjoy their fall lattes. All three on the 2024 Halloween menu were killer.
Belly of the Beast Speakeasy
14401 Newport Ave.
Tustin, CA 92780
stowawaytiki.com/botb
Hidden in the depths of Stowaway Tiki is a terrifying monster. It will devour you whole and take you to the tiniest tiki bar speakeasy you’ve ever seen.
And while not outright spooky, walking into a speakeasy designed to feel like you’re walking into, well, the belly of the beast felt pretty scary to this ghoul — especially when you learn the whole place is a nod to “Pinocchio,”
The drinks here were delicious, and the food was absolutely killer. It was a fun stop for anyone who appreciates a great cocktail, tiki bars, or Poly-fusion cuisine.
Halloween Boutique at Roger’s Gardens
2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd.
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
rogersgardens.com/pages/halloween
This one is a seasonal pick, but if you find yourself in Corona del Mar in September or October, stopping by Roger’s Gardens is a must.
The local nursery and gardening center has regular pop-up shops, and their Halloween one is well-known for its annual themes. (This year was “The Gathering” and the space was full of faceless witches.)
In addition, you can wander space the size of my 1,600 square foot townhome that is FULL of original pieces from Halloween folk artists as well as unique decor.
The Cauldron
8028 Beach Blvd.
Buena Park, CA 90620
thecauldronbar.com
This is not a hyperbolic statement: some of the BEST cocktails I’ve ever had have come from my two visits to The Cauldron. Located right across the street from Knott’s Berry Farm, The Cauldron is a moody, spooky oasis tucked into an unassuming strip center-style building.
Step inside, and you’ll be welcomed into a world of cozy booths, a stunning bar with moving pictures in frames, and a killer fireplace. The newly opened patio is the perfect spot for any green witch to enjoy a sip and a bite. And, if you’re clever enough, you can even find the bar’s hidden private room.
Bonus points: the food here is all killer and delicious. (The meatballs and pretzel bites were personal faves.) But the drinks? WOOOW. I highly recommend the Grey Witch.
Slasher’s Axe Throwing & Ales
1941 Newport Blvd., Unit 105
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
slashersoc.com
I don’t think a single person in our group believed me when I nailed axe throwing within my first few tries and said I’d never done it before. Beginners luck!
If you love a themed spot, you’ve got to stop by Slashers for a session! The entire place is meant to feel like a horror lover’s summer camp — right down to the staff calling you a camper as they provide instructions for axe throwing.
Each lane is named after a horror icon, and behind the bar you’ll find shelves loaded with decor referencing horror favorites…and a curious creature you should keep an eye on at the top of every hour.
You’ll also want to stop by the restrooms to check out the community bulletin board loaded up with more horror references. And, to top if all off, this place has a seriously killer playlist.
More spooky things to do in Orange County:
With attending Creep It Real OC, we only had time for so many stops. Here are a few more picks to check out!
Haunted Orange County
940 W. Chapman Ave., Ste. 101
Orange, CA 92868
hauntedoc.com
A ghost tour with Haunted Orange County was on the to do list, but their schedule didn’t quite work with ours so we missed out. But when I go back, you better believe I’m going to jump at the chance to take their highly-recommended Black Star Canyon tour.
The Vogel Victorian
621 N. Spurgeon St.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
thevogelvictorian.com
This one caught my eye from seeing it all over social media.
Enjoy a haunted tea service, brunch, or special event in a 1898 Queen Anne Victorian home at The Vogel Victorian. It’s the perfect spot to soak in a little ambiance!
Tanaka Farms
5380 3/4 University Dr.
Irvine, CA 92612
tanakafarms.com
This one is another seasonal pick, but just about every SoCal influencer I’ve ever followed has posted photos from here so it’s on the bucket list.
From mid-September through the end of October, stop by Tanaka Farms for their annual pumpkin patch, and be sure to check the website for fall events.
Which spooky spot in Orange County will you visit?
Share your picks from my list in the comments. Or, better yet, drop a pick for something not on my list in the comments!
