House of Restless Spirits
Once owned by a sea merchant who was forced to bury friends and family in the backyard due to a deadly influenza outbreak, Hollywood's elite special-effects artists have transformed this private home into a petrifying pad that parallels its haunted past. Even if you're tough as toenails, we promise the Santa Monica Craftsman will make it nearly impossible to stifle screams! It's free and you can roam the property sans supervision, but plan on arriving at least an hour before you gain entry to the sinister spot.
House of Restless Spirits, 1008 Euclid Street Santa Monica (near Washington Avenue); no phone.

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
Take a jaunt through the Old Zoo side of Griffith Park, and be prepared for a terrifying time (and to get wet — seriously, dress accordingly). While this nocturnal forest commute is macabre enough, we have a few tales you can tell your fellow seatmates about your surroundings, too. On Halloween in 1976, two star-crossed lovers were sent to their graves by a falling tree while picnicking off of Mount Hollywood Drive. Not only have there been apparitions of the pair near the spot, but two separate witnesses (one including a park ranger) claim to have later had "Next time you die" etched in their car window and chest, respectively. Other spectral visions who've been spotted in the State Park are Dona Petronilla, a woman who purportedly placed a curse on the entire property after not being willed the property by her family, and Peg Entwistle, who committed suicide from atop the H of the Hollywood sign. People have sworn they've glimpsed a spectral woman leaping from the landmark, followed by an overwhelming waft of gardenias (her scent) — even when the buds weren't in season. Last, but not freakily least, in 2005, three men who were on a midnight trek (gutsy much?) spotted a green beast with red hair and all-black eyes. All things considered, please use the buddy system on this one, y'all!
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, 4730 Crystal Springs Avenue (near Griffith Park Drive); 310-993-8289.

Another Notable:
Hell Break L.A., 5601 Santa Monica Boulevard (at North St. Andrews Place); 800-966-4355.

Photo: Via House of Restless Spirits