🎃 Spooky & Fall Things to Do in San Martin, California for Families & Groups
When autumn rolls around, California’s Central Coast transforms into a vibrant patchwork of pumpkin fields, spooky legends, harvest festivals, and cozy wineries. While bigger destinations like San Jose and Santa Cruz often steal the spotlight, San Martin, California is an underrated gem for families and groups seeking spooky seasonal adventures. From pumpkin patches and haunted houses to eerie hikes and family festivals, there’s something for everyone.
Best of all, you can enjoy these spooky adventures while staying in the heart of it all at a spacious six-bedroom retreat in San Martin. It’s the perfect basecamp for families and groups exploring the region’s autumn magic.
🎃 Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes
No fall season is complete without pumpkins, hayrides, and corn mazes. Luckily, San Martin and the surrounding areas are home to some of the most charming family farms in Northern California.
- Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch (Morgan Hill) – A local favorite featuring hayrides, pumpkin picking, sunflowers, and family-friendly activities. Their pumpkin train is always a hit with kids.
- Uesugi Farms Pumpkin Park (Gilroy) – Famous for its massive pumpkin pyramids, corn mazes, haunted train rides, and seasonal treats like pumpkin pie. Great for both kids and adults.
- Lemos Farm (Half Moon Bay, a short drive north) – Offers pony rides, haunted houses for kids, and fun fall festivals. A great weekend trip if you want to expand your spooky adventures beyond San Martin.
Whether you’re carving jack-o’-lanterns or getting lost in a corn maze, these farms deliver that quintessential fall experience.
👻 Haunted Houses & Ghostly Adventures
For those seeking thrills and chills, the Bay Area and South Valley have their fair share of haunted attractions and spooky stories.
- Winchester Mystery House (San Jose) – One of California’s most famous haunted landmarks, this sprawling Victorian mansion is filled with staircases that lead to nowhere and ghostly legends. Their Halloween Candlelight Tours are unforgettable.
- Morgan Hill Ghost Walks – Seasonal tours through historic downtown Morgan Hill, sharing eerie tales and unexplained happenings from the town’s past.
- Haunted Houses in the Bay Area – Seasonal haunted mazes and attractions pop up across the South Bay. Check local listings each October for pop-up scream-fests within driving distance of San Martin.
If you prefer natural spooks, the South Valley’s quiet rural roads and foggy vineyards provide the perfect setting for a spooky evening drive.
🍷 Wineries with Harvest & Spooky Events
San Martin is in the heart of Santa Clara Valley wine country, where boutique wineries often celebrate harvest season with festivals, dinners, and even spooky-themed nights. Here are a few worth visiting:
- Clos LaChance Winery – Known for stunning vineyard views and seasonal harvest events, Clos LaChance often hosts music nights and autumn tastings.
- Kirigin Cellars – One of the oldest wineries in the area, often offering harvest-themed tastings and festive fall pairings.
- Fortino Winery – A Gilroy favorite with rustic charm, seasonal events, and family-friendly gatherings during harvest season.
Nothing pairs with spooky fun quite like a glass of red wine under the autumn stars.
🌲 Eerie Outdoor Adventures
Spooky season isn’t just about haunted houses — nature itself can feel magical and eerie in the fall. San Martin and nearby parks offer the perfect setting for twilight hikes and family adventures.
- Coyote Lake – Harvey Bear Ranch – This sprawling park in San Martin offers miles of trails. Evening hikes here bring out the rustle of wildlife and the mysterious beauty of fog rolling over the hills.
- Santa Clara County Parks – Offer stargazing and seasonal night hikes that feel just spooky enough without being too scary for families.
- Monterey Bay Whale Watching – While not spooky in the traditional sense, seeing whales breach against a misty autumn backdrop can feel eerie and otherworldly.
These outdoor adventures add a natural twist to your spooky season, blending beauty with just enough mystery.
🍂 Family-Friendly Fall Festivals
For families with younger children, San Martin’s surrounding towns provide plenty of wholesome fall fun:
- Gilroy Gardens Halloween – This theme park transforms into a harvest wonderland each fall, with pumpkins, rides, and gentle spooky décor for kids.
- Morgan Hill Harvest Festival – Crafts, games, and local vendors bring the community together each autumn.
- Downtown Gilroy Fall Events – Seasonal markets and small-town festivals bring classic fall vibes close to San Martin.
These family-friendly festivals prove you don’t need to be scared out of your skin to enjoy spooky season!
🏡 Your Perfect Base: A San Martin Retreat
After a day of corn mazes, haunted houses, or winery tastings, you’ll want a comfortable place to unwind. That’s where this stunning six-bedroom, six-bath Airbnb in San Martin comes in. With plenty of space for groups and families, a gourmet kitchen for shared meals, and cozy living spaces for spooky storytelling, it’s the ideal home base for your autumn adventures.
Unlike hotels, this property gives you privacy, comfort, and the ability to make the most of your fall getaway.
🔗 More Travel Inspiration
If spooky season has you dreaming of adventures elsewhere, check out some of our other travel guides:
- Things to Do in Reykjavík, Iceland – From geothermal pools to Viking legends, Reykjavík offers its own spooky charm.
- Lone Butte, British Columbia – Lakeside legends and serene wilderness perfect for autumn reflections.
Traveling is always better when you combine unique local experiences with the perfect place to stay.
✨ Final Thoughts
San Martin may be small, but it shines during the spooky season. Whether you’re exploring pumpkin patches, braving haunted houses, sipping wine at harvest festivals, or hiking under the autumn sky, the region is full of unforgettable experiences for families and groups.
And when the day’s adventures are done, nothing beats coming back to the comfort of a spacious home base. Book your San Martin retreat today and make this fall one to remember.
If you’d like your Airbnb or vacation rental featured in one of our travel blogs, please contact us. We love highlighting unique stays that make destinations unforgettable.
