The best SCREAM in the Bay Area happens each year in Fremont, during the month of October. This is a cross between the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland, with some VERY REAL scares thrown in!
The pirates dock in a large field in Fremont. While driving up Warm Springs, you will suddenly see an oversized skull in the middle of a field, what appear to be several large circus tents, and police directing traffic here in the middle of nowhere. You have just found the best thrill in the area!
Parking is free, but it's a bit of nightmare--almost as scary as the main event. This is a hugely popular event, and the field has plenty of parking but way too many people to make it flow. The lines are always long to get in. The doors open each night at 7pm, and already you will find endless lines of eager people waiting to get in. The best tip I can give you is that, for $25, you can buy a VIP pass online which allows you to cut to the front of the lines. We splurged on the extra $10 (the regular ticket is $15) this year and were happy we did--it saves time and boredom and keeps you out of those slow moving, endless lines. I highly recommend it!
The event is made up of three area of fright. The sets are very well done, and you go through dark mazes with horrible scenes of ghostly pirates. The most thrilling part is the large number of costumed pirates who jump out at every turn. Everyone is screaming, from young kids to teenage dates to old goats like me! There is no way your heart won't skip a beat or two when what you think is a make-believe statue suddenly gets down from his perch and starts chasing you down a dark hall.
The actors stay in character and seem to have a great time scaring the wits out of the willing customers. Many of the sets are complete with strobe and black lights that give you a feeling of uncertainty. You completely lose your sense of direction and just move ahead, trying to find the exit. And once you are done with that maze of terror, you have two more to go!
There are a lot of haunted houses around this time of year, but few are better done than this one. Our kids look forward to it each year, and so do we. I advise you to check out the web page for dates. It does change slightly each year. I also advise you to get there early, and by all means, buy the $25 VIP ticket.
The Bay Area is great during Halloween. It seems to be one of those places that really embraces the season, and The Pirates of Emerson is one event you shouldn't miss during this season. It's frightfully good!