Halloween in San Francisco 2009
Updated: October 28, 2009
Despite what you've heard in the news, SF's Halloween isn't over just because you won't be experiencing the fun, debauchery and occasional gunfire in the Castro. Hit the costume stores early (lines can be terrifying in the couple of days leading up to the big event) and get some good use out of your get-up at these Halloween events suitable for either trick-or-treating tots or leather-clad kinksters.
On this page:What to Wear, Where to Go: For the Kids, Where to Go: Adults Only.
What to Wear
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Cliff's Variety
Read Reviews479 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)
This alternative general store in the Castro stocks a wide selection of wigs, drag wear and unusual get-ups, in addition to the more practical (but seriously less fun) assortment of home decor, housewares and craft supplies that also dot the shelves.
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Piedmont Boutique
Read Reviews1452 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117 (map)
All costumes are created in-house at this legendary drag-queen mecca near the corner of Haight and Ashbury. The selection of crinolines, spandex leggings and pasties can be a little intimidating, but to sex up an otherwise dowdy costume, this is the spot.
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One Stop Party Shop
Read Reviews1600 Church St, San Francisco, CA 94131 (map)
Just as the name implies, this Noe Valley shop stocks some serious goods around Halloween; head here for costume pieces as well as all the paper goods and decorations you need to throw a bash.
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Costumes on Haight
Read Reviews735 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117 (map)
The definitive headquarters for year-round costume shopping, this tiny Lower Haight spot has a line that snakes around the block in the weeks leading up to Halloween. Fortunately, it's worth the wait--find everything from masks to wigs, accessories to buy or full costume rentals.
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Thrift Town
Read Reviews2101 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (map)
With a nearly impossible-to-navigate inventory that changes almost daily, this monster of a Mission thrift store is a destination year-round. Come Halloween, it's a top spot to pick up goods for a last-minute costume for under $10.
Where to Go: For the Kids
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Uss Hornet Museum
Read Reviews707 W. Hornet Ave., Alameda, CA 94501 (map)
Every year on Halloween, this old ship docked in Alameda hosts the Monster Bash, a family-friendly affair that features haunted houses, live music for all ages, a costume contest and a look around the inner workings of the Grey Ghost.
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Exploratorium
Read Reviews3601 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123 (map)
When it comes to a good spooking, this all-ages science museum encourages its visitors to roll up their sleeves and learn about all the creepy, crawly creatures that make Halloween so fascinating. Come in costume for a chance to go trick-or-treating and explore a haunted Victorian as well.
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Castro Theatre
Read Reviews429 Castro Street, San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)
From Oct. 23 to Nov. 5, this iconic neighborhood theater will revive one of animation's most impressive flicks: "The Nightmare Before Christmas," remastered into 3D. The story of Jack Skellington is one suitable for kids but entertaining enough for grown-ups, too.
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Stern Grove
Read Reviews19th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94116 (map)
Get in the mood a week early at "Scare Grove," the park's outdoor Halloween event on Oct. 23 from 4pm to 9pm. Kids will enjoy the haunted house and carnival rides, parents will enjoy the fact that it's only $5 to get in.
Where to Go: Adults Only
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Cow Palace
Read Reviews2600 Geneva Ave, San Francisco, CA 94134 (map)
This SF/Daly City venue is generally a place to avoid, but this Halloween is the place to be. Get out your chaps and corsets for the annual Exotic Erotic Ball (happening here Oct. 24, 8pm), then head on back Oct. 30 for Live 105's Subsonic Halloween Spookfest with performances by The Faint, Basement Jaxx, The Crystal Method, Steve Aoki, Flosstradamus and more.
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The Regency Center
Write a review1290 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 (map)
Get your freak on with DJ Paul Oakenfold on Oct. 30 at this Civic Center event space, or stop by Halloween night for A Nightmare on Van Ness--an evening of rap and hip hop live performances and DJs with open bar access included in the ticket price.
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Metropolitan Community Church Of San Francisco
Read Reviews150 Eureka St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)
Mourning Halloween in the Castro? Then buy tickets for "Halloween in the Castro," a social commentary/opera about the debate between the neighborhood and city over the problems that plague Castro's formerly fun Halloween parties.
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Supperclub San Francisco
Read Reviews657 Harrison St, San Francisco, CA 94107 (map)
Sure, Opaque does this year-round, but on Oct. 29, supperclub hosts a dark dining event designed to both spook and satiate. Enjoy a multi-course meal without being able to see a thing--the blindfolded dining experience is said to push your other sense into overdrive.
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Legion of Honor
Read Reviews100 34th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122 (map)
The inaugural Ghoulish Gala (Oct. 30) is being held at this stunning Presidio museum, where visitors can dance among the undead to the tunes of Pop Rocks and DJ Shissla while checking out an exhibit of old Egyptians and CT scans called "Very Postmortem: Mummies and Medicine."
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