Halloween Hot Spots in San Carlos

That glorious sugar-infused evening that we know as Halloween is only a little more than two weeks away. When I was growing up, that simply meant putting on whatever costume I conjured up and then hitting the normal neighborhood around my parent’s house.

But Halloween is now becoming a destination event, and rather than just hitting their local neighborhood, kids are flocking to specific neighborhoods where they know that lots of other kids will be, or there will be some sort of special event taking place.

I know of a few of them, which I will list below. But if you know of a “don’t miss” street or neighborhood, please leave a comment below, and I’ll add it to the highlight list.

In no particular order, here are three prime San Carlos destinations for your kids on Halloween:

The Goblin Walk

This annual event is organized and hosted by the San Carlos Park and Recreation Department, and is geared toward the younger trick-or-treaters, usually 7 years old and younger. It takes place along Laurel Street in Downtown San Carlos on Friday, October 30th, and stretches between San Carlos and Arroyo Avenues. That stretch of Laurel will be closed to vehicular traffic, so it’s safe for everyone to walk and enjoy the evening.

Instead of trick-or-treating at residences, the kids will be hitting up business owners for candy and treats. The first 600 kids who show up will get a free Halloween bag from the City, but there are usually way more kids than that who will participate, so either plan on getting there early, or just bring your own bag to be safe. Since it runs on the early side from 4:00 – 5:30 PM, it’s a great option for the really young kids to experience the spirit and fun of Halloween in a safe and visible environment. For many, it will be their first Halloween experience.

Eucalyptus Avenue

Just imagine all of the pomp and glitter of the typical month-long Holiday Lights on Eucalyptus Avenue, but packed into one crazy night. That’s pretty much what Halloween is like along those two blocks of famous San Carlos real estate.

Just like they do at Christmas, many of the residents along Eucalyptus really put a lot of effort and imagination into their decorations, making it quite the spectacle. In year’s past, there has even been live music and other events that make this one of the most popular destinations for families and older kids.

Just a note – it gets very crowded, and it might be overwhelming for the youngest trick-or-treaters. And I can tell you from first-hand experience that it’s very easy to lose sight of your own when they are dressed in costume around hundreds of other kids also dressed in costume.

Highlands Park

This is easily one of my favorite neighborhoods for selling real estate, but it’s also a prime destination for local trick-or-treaters. Locals report that hundreds and hundreds of kids descend on the neighborhood every year, and they give out a LOT of candy.

This area is ideal for parents to keep an eye on their kids because it’s a self-contained neighborhood that’s simply a loop that’s comprised of Aberdeen Drive, Glasgow Lane, and Dundee Lane. There’s only one way in and out, so it’s easy to navigate and to keep track of the kids. And with over 75 homes to hit in a single loop, it’s a big bounty for candy hunters.

Any More?

As I mentioned at the outset of the post, let me know in the comments if there’s another street or neighborhood in San Carlos that does Halloween justice. I’ll be happy to add them to the list!