Halloween is right around the corner, and chances are your little goblins are getting eager to grab lots of goodies on the big night. If you happen to live in a trick-or-treating friendly neighborhood, you’re all set, but there are many communities in Marin where the candy is sparse and the decorations are few. Plus, we’re not even sure if the lights will be on or off this year. Either way, there are plenty of good destinations around the county for both tricksters and treaters. Here are a few of our favorites.
Fairfax—Downtown
Start off the evening early by hitting the annual Fairfax Halloween Parade, a time-honored tradition that begins at 5 p.m. in front of the historic Fairfax Theater on Broadway. Stroll down Broadway and Bolinas, gathering goodies along the way, and end up in the “haunted grove” in Bolinas Park for a costume contest. If your little ones aren’t too tuckered out by then, there’s plenty of neighborhood action on nearby Dominga and Napa streets, both of which are blocked off for the evening.
San Rafael—Forbes Avenue
Running through the Sun Valley neighborhood, Forbes Avenue is a yearly destination for trick or treaters in Central Marin. You’ll find lots of candy and spooky decorations to enjoy.
Novato—Pacheco Creek
Pacheco Creek Drive and its adjacent streets, which wind through a preserve, is one of the best neighborhoods for trick or treating in Novato for two reasons: the street is blocked off so kiddos can roam freely, and the Halloween decorations are insanely good. Those two reasons alone are enough to hit up this hot spot.
Ross—Shady Lane
With an eerily good name like Shady Lane, it’s no wonder that the residents like to go all out on Halloween night with spookily bedecked homes and gobs of candy to share. Running from Ross to San Anselmo, a portion of the street is blocked off on Halloween make it pedestrian friendly.
Terra Linda—Bamboo Terrace
Close to Terra Linda Park and Scotty’s Market, Bamboo Terrace is one of the best spots to spend Halloween in all of Marin. Residents go crazy with elaborate decorations, with some of them going as far as setting up outdoor movie screens. For even more spooky fun, head over to 985 Las Ovejas Street and tour the neighborhood’s haunted house. Entry to the house is free, but donations are welcome. This year’s theme? Haunted Circus.
Mill Valley—Sycamore Avenue
This popular street, which runs adjacent to Sycamore Park in Mill Valley, is always a hot destination for many are locals on Halloween. It can be crowded, but festive and loads of spooky fun.
Keep Fire Safe on Halloween
With much of California suffering from wildfires, it’s more important that ever that you make sure to be fire safe on Halloween. Here are 5 fire safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association:
- Use a battery-operated candle or glow stick in jack-o-lanterns
- When choosing costumes, stay away from long trailing fabric
- Teach children to stay away from open flames, including jack-o-lanterns with candles in them.
- Dried flowers, cornstalks, and crepe paper catch fire easily. Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters
- Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume.
- Remember to keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes. Make sure all smoke alarms are working.
A freelance writer in Marin who writes about family, kids and parenting, Glass is the mother to one son, one dog and a hamster named Miss Geri. When she’s not writing, trekking up steep hills in Marin or driving her kid to sports practice, she and her family spend time in their tiny cabin in Lake Tahoe. She avidly supports the California Academy of Sciences, a world class science museum and research institution, and the Institute on Aging which provides much needed services to Bay Area seniors and disabled adults. Glass is obsessed with baking the perfect loaf of banana bread, something she makes so often she no longer needs to look at a recipe card.
