ENCINITAS, Calif. — Halloween is right around the corner. If you are ready for a good scare, a ghostly pirate ship has washed up upon our shores.
In this Zevely Zone, I visited the Haunted Ghost Town in Encinitas. Two non-profit organizations are teaming up to present the original ghost story with scares and surprises the whole family will enjoy.
I stood at the main gate with four other daredevils. The abandoned pirate ship was just over a wall. We were told it was filled with gold, and because we liked gold, we made a plan to pillage it. What could go wrong with that plan?
Ovation Theatre and The Heritage Ranch are joining forces again to present their annual family-friendly haunted town. The guided tour of their town and its spooky grounds will have you jumping in fear.
"Please stay together and behind me," said a spooky pirate.
In the town of Bitter Gulch, it's best to travel in packs. "At last, behold, land lovers," said another pirate. "The folks who took the gold were the ones to blame for all of this."
Nightly tours of the Haunted Ghost Town will be available October 25-27, with a less-scary experience offered earlier in the evening for children. Family-friendly "trick-or-treat" tours suitable for young children are offered from 5-6:30 p.m., followed by more spine-tingling presentations (recommended for ages 12+) from 7-8:45 p.m. Last tours embark at 8:15 p.m.
"That wasn't creepy at, oh my goodness," I squealed after receiving my first jump scare. After learning about a cursed family named the Coopers, wouldn't you know it, we headed straight to their house to be left alone. "This is where it all began," said our creepy tour guide. "Well, you should be fine, no worries at all."
"I'm so happy you're here," said a veiled child named Victoria. "Would you like to see my friends?" I responded "No." But we walked into her room nonetheless.
"I'll follow you guys," I bravely said.
What happened in the Cooper home you'll have to discover for yourself, but safe to say we all agreed, we changed our plan and no longer wanted to steal the Halloween gold. The new plan was to escape with our lives.
"You'd better watch out for the Blackthorn, he's cruel and malicious," we were told. Captain Blackthorn was lingering.
"No pirate has a blacker heart than he," said the sheriff at the jail.
That warning was enough to make Debbie Wolfson consider turning back.
"We'll see, but I'm willing to do it for the gold," said Debbie.
Greed like that could get you snatched by Blackthorn himself.
"Ahhhh! Let me down," said one poor soul who was carried away. Before or after their tours, visitors can enjoy snacks and refreshments available for purchase from San Dieguito Academy's Interact Club, professional magicians from the International Brotherhood of Magicians, photo opportunities, and festival games in The Haunted Ghost Town's Fun Zone.
"We're proud to offer San Diegans a uniquely haunting experience that's brand new every year and captures the imaginations of young and old," said Artistic Director Scott Gregory.
"We can't wait for visitors to join us for a night of captivating storytelling, creepy effects, and good old-fashioned Halloween fun with the ghostly pirates of Bitter Gulch."
If you like a good scare, my party would be willing to bet our lives, Bitter Gulch is worth the price of admission.
"It was an adrenaline rush, yes definitely," said Debbie and her friend Nicole Andrews. "This put every other haunted house to shame," said my daughter Addison. I was so scared I brought my daughter to protect me.
"Time for you to go," screamed a pirate. Ovation Theatre, a 501(c)(3) based in Encinitas, prides itself on promoting professional quality community theater. Ovation is a six-time Broadway World San Diego award-winning production company where performers of all ages, levels, and abilities can stretch their wings, hone their skills, and become comfortable in the world of theater arts.
The Haunted Ghost Town is located at 450 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas. Admission is $16.80 for children ages 10 and under, and $28 for adults including service fees. Advanced reservations are highly encouraged as this event will fill up quickly. Parking is free at the San Dieguito Heritage Museum and handicap parking is available for those with accessibility needs.
You can visit the Haunted Ghost Town in Encinitas this Friday through Sunday. For ticket information, click here.