How to Celebrate Halloween in San Francisco

Eater SF has recited it at least twice before, but maybe the third time’s the charm: Trick-or-treating is canceled this year! So please keep your distance and stay safe out there. The city has officially banned any gatherings of more than 12 people, and the SFPD will be keeping watch this All Hallows Eve. But that doesn’t mean the party is totally dead, because restaurants, bakeries, and bars are still serving sweet treats, and there are a few fresh activities to get out of the house. So if you are looking for fun things to do, here’s how to make Halloween feel festive this year — even if you’re screaming at home.

Lemos Farm

Go visit the pumpkin patch

The great pumpkin festival in Half Moon Bay was cancelled this year, but you can still go straight to the source, and pick a few decorative gourds fresh from the farm. Farmer John’s, Andreotti Family Farms, and Lemos Farm are all open for pumpkin business. Swing by Dad’s Luncheonette for a burger or Sam’s for a quarter of chowder and family pack of crab cakes on the drive home.

Fort Mason Flix

Pull up to the drive-in movie theater

Drive-in movie theatres are jumping out all over the Bay Area, and tickets are selling fast. Unfortunately, on the holiday itself, both Ghostbusters and Interview with a Vampire are already sold out at Fort Mason, as is Invasion of the Body Snatchers at Pier 70 — the latter includes dinner from La Cocina, so no wonder it’s a hot ticket. But additional dates are available, and there are other drive-in theaters around the Bay.

Old Devil Moon

Venture out on a beer crawl

Ye olde village of Bernal Heights is hosting a socially distant pub crawl, which seems like a not too scary way to space out day drinkers. Highlights include Old Devil Moon, the occult-themed bar with an expertly curated beer list, and Cellarmaker for square pizza and Emmy’s for oversized meatballs.

Square Pie Guys

Order in a wild pizza party

Parents might usually rely on pizza delivery to line children’s stomachs before an evening of sugar, but this year, pizza and a movie might just be the home entertainment that will keep you from going insane. And Square Pie Guys is delivering in this moment of desperation, providing a party pack with two pizzas, two salads, and monkey bread.

Doc’s Clock

Have a deranged arts and crafts night

You could carve pumpkins or decorate cookies, but why not make mutant Barbie dolls, instead? Doc’s Clock usually hosts a Barbie Mutilation Night, and this year, they are offering craft kits to go. For the low price of $25, that includes a doll, art supplies, the odd extra body part, and a baby bottle of tequila.

Curio

Dress up for a costume contest in a mortuary

Curio, the bar that calls a former mortuary home, has a big outdoor patio that spills onto Valencia. And they’re hosting a costume contest, to the tune of live piano, with free drinks for the winning. The theme is “mythical creatures” this year, but of course, all animals welcome.

Jones

Escape to the rooftop for a drag dinner

Jones, the lounge-like restaurant and bar in Nob Hill, has reopened the rooftop for a Halloween dinner and drag show. Princess Poppy and friends will be hosting, and costume attire is requested.

Patricia Chang

Pair pumpkin pie with whiskey flights

Seven Stills brewery and distillery managed to snatch a star pastry chef, because Angela Pinkerton of Pie Society is swinging through for a Halloween pie pop-up. There are chocolate-walnut and sweet potato pies baked with whiskey in the filling, as well as pumpkin and passionfruit pies that simply pair well with whiskey on the side.

Noe Valley Bakery

Get a scary cute cupcake

There’s a mini cupcake war brewing on either side of Mission, because both Bernal and Noe serve up super cute treats this time of year. Noe Valley Bakery has fondant devils and bats in magical greens and purples, but have you seen those coconut mummies at Black Jet?

Miette

Keep all the candy for yourself

But at the end of the day, Halloween is all about the sugar rush. If your poison is chocolate, Recchiuti Confections does beautiful seasonal boxes this time of year, and is looking ahead to Dia de los Muertos with skulls laced with burnt caramel. And for straight sugar, Miette has candy corn, cream pumpkins, gummy spiders, and more.