Halloween 2012 South Orange County

Halloween 2012 South Orange County
By Shelley T. Hudson

DANA POINT
On Friday, October 26th from 5 to 8:30 p.m., bring the whole family to Dana Point’s Lantern Bay Park for the Halloween Spooktacular & Moonlight Movie, which features cupcake decorating, a costume parade and pumpkin contests (ages 3 – 10). A 6:15 p.m. screening of Monster House includes free popcorn and other refreshments for purchase. Bundle up your goblins and ghouls, bring plenty of warm blankets and your already-carved or decorated pumpkins.

The Ocean Institute’s annual Tidepool of Terrors is a terrific family day out. This elaborate event combines Halloween traditions with science and hands-on activities. On Sunday, October 28th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., kids can trick-or-treat through the Institute, show off costumes, hear scary stories from a ghost pirate, make crafts and participate in a variety of spooky science labs. Exhibits including Vampires of the Deep and Ghastly Goo will expose kids to the wonders of our oceans. Prizes will be awarded for scariest, most eco-friendly and best ocean-themed costume. Admission is $6.50 for adults, $4.50 for kids, and FREE for members and kids in costume.

On Saturday, October 27th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., a portion of Doheny State Beach will be transformed into a Haunted Campground. A variety of educational booths, crafts, spooky stuff, and fun zones will get kids into the Halloween spirit. Please bring a non-perishable food donation to this free event.

LAGUNA NIGUEL
Laguna Niguel is where the entire family can carve out some fun this Halloween. On Friday, October 5th from 7 to 9 p.m., sixth through eighth-graders can imagine themselves investigating X-files at Ghost Hunters Night. Teams explore the park and search for signs of “paranormal activity,” meet up to share their findings and enjoy pizza and a build-your-own-sundae bar. This unique evening is held at Crown Valley Community Park and is $5 per student.

Don’t be too scared to have a good time while you learn at the Ritz-Carlton’s Creatures of the Night experience. The Ritz has partnered with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment for an exploration of the five senses through activities including the Shadow Game, a Ghoulish Smell, Bump in the Night, Monster Madness, Let Me Pick Your Brain and Candy Bar Taste Test. This event is part of a series of eco-tours by Cousteau’s organization with the mission of exposing the community to our delicate local ecosystems. Wear your costumes and prepare to be amazed! The party is held nightly, October 25th through 27th, from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is $65 per person.

From October 25th through 27th, the ghoulish fun continues at the 11th Annual Haunted Trails event at Crown Valley Community Park. This year’s theme is “Hol-i-daze” and frights of all sorts are planned for the “victims.” From 6:30 to 10 p.m., small groups wander through tents and mazes encountering mad leprechauns, rabid rabbits and other monsters. Wear comfy shoes and street clothes and leave kids younger than eight with a sitter. Admission is $10 and tickets will be sold only at the event.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
Zoomars gets into costume with its annual Pumpkinpalooza for the tiny tots. Zoomars leaves out the scary stuff and hosts a hay maze and crafts tables every day in October from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pick the perfect pumpkin from a patch of more than 5,000 and stop by the petting zoo for a pony or train ride.

The SJC Historical Society’s Ghost Walk Tours will surely send a shiver down your spine. On a stroll down historical Los Rios Street, your guide will share eerie tales of headless monks, big scary dogs and more. Meet at the O’Neill Museum for the 6:30, 7:00 or 7:30 start on Saturday, October 27th. Reservations are a must and tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children younger than twelve.