If you are a first-timer to HAUNTOWEEN, you might be deceived like I was when entering the parking lot of the Westfield Topanga Mall. Surely nothing can be worth $30 a person in a mall parking lot, right? Well, look out families! This event may very well be worth that sticker price!

Last year’s HAUNTOWEEN LA event was a drive-thru experience at 5 mph. This year, it’s a brisk stroll at whatever pace you want it to be and, if you have a family, I think this is one of the top-tier events in the Los Angeles area. But, at $30 a person, I think you should know what you are getting yourself into before you go.

HAUNTOWEEN is a long walk-through, with each tunnel you go through transporting you into another Halloween-themed area. You’ll find a cemetery, a ghost town, a carnival, a haunted neighborhood of homes, and a pumpkin patch. Many of these areas have multiple activities and all of them are worth taking a few photos for Instagram or the family photo album.

The carnival gives you an opportunity to play games for prizes, meet a long man on stilts, or ride on a carousel. I spent a good amount of time wandering this area just to watch other people try their luck at the sledgehammer test of strength or the bean bag toss. Oh, don’t forget to dress up and bring your pillowcase or old McDonald’s plastic pumpkin bucket because HAUNTOWEEN LA is also for trick-or-treating! The haunted neighborhood has over a dozen houses to walk up to and earn yourself some candy.

Throughout the differing areas of HAUNTOWEEN are varying beverage stands. Some have just wine, others have beer, cocktails, and soda. If you are so inclined, you could even snag a pumpkin beer or a glass of Malibu wine. Both feel unique to this experience.

Outside of what I already listed, you can get your face painted, visit the Addams Family home, and watch an expert pumpkin carving. Everything outside of food and drinks is covered with the price of admission so do take advantage of the fun in each themed area.

My only gripe with HAUNTOWEEN LA is that food options are limited to the pumpkin patch area and the wait times to get food reached upwards of 30 minutes or more for some people. This may have been an opening night kerfuffle but, with the prices for food being nearly the same as any restaurant, I’d recommend eating before or after coming to this event. Just stick to the wine and the candy!

HAUNTOWEEN LA is back and will be open nightly from October 1 through October 31, from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. PT,  at 6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA. Group rates are available for 8+ that makes this experience a little cheaper. Children 2 and under are free. For more information, head on over to socalhauntoween.com