For those who like a good scare, we’ve got three great places you are going to want to visit.
HOBB’S GROVE
First up is Hobb’s Grove, located just outside of Fresno, in Sanger. (Click here for directions.) The drive is easy thanks to 180 East, and Hobb’s Grove is one of the longest-running haunted hotspots in the area – getting its start in 1999. Hobb’s Grove has three main feature attractions each with its lines and entrances branching off of a central courtyard featuring vendors, refreshments, a bonfire, music, and occasional interactions from some very creepy characters.
The attractions consist of their Haunted Hayride, House and Forest. In my personal opinion and experience, the Hayride is the tamest option, as you have a bit of control as to how much you’re exposed to scary folks from within the attraction, as you can move to the center of the hay trailer vs. sitting on the outer edges if you’re freaked out. Though the tamest of the three, it’s still a really great scare and it’s nice to be able to just sit and take in everything around you as you ride along. The House is the second scariest, and the Forest is the scariest. (Again, this is based on my personal experience over years of visits – though full disclosure, I have not been yet this year.)
Repeat visitors and fans of Hobb’s have been known to refer to it as the Disneyland of haunted places and claim its naturally wooded setting to be perfectly eerie and the ideal spot for such a place. This year, Hobb’s has added a new laser tag feature that’s available for a limited number of guests on each operational day by reservation.
Pro-tip: Lines can be long – if you want to hit all three attractions, get there early or go on a weeknight if you can. Also, bathrooms are porta-potties, and lighting is limited, plan to use your phone flashlight and be really careful NOT to drop your phone. (Just looking out for ya, friends.)
For pricing, hours, and days of operation at Hobb’s Grove, visit their website here.
The 13 Shadows
This is the only haunted house or similar attraction located within the City of Fresno, and it’s brand new this season! It’s located at 6481 N. Blackstone near Sierra and is open on weekends from 7-11 pm. The attractions description is not super specific as far as what to expect, but it’s definitely creepy! “Superstition or reality? Come on in if you dare and experience The 13 Shadows and all its glory. From rooms that will have you gasping for air, folk stories that have tormented humans for centuries, and souls that have been forgotten.
The 13 Shadows has these and many more stories to tell only if you dare to enter Halloween’s true gates of hell.”
Ready to give the new haunt on the block a try? Visit their website here for all the details you need to know before you go.
RAISIN HELL RANCH
On the opposite side of Fresno from Hobb’s and located in Madera is the Raisin Hell Ranch Haunted Cornfield on avenue 32 1/4. (Click here for directions)
Raisin Hell features two main attractions that are walk-through, indoor/outdoor features, and takes approximately 15-20 minutes each to go through with your party. The first is Deadwood, which Raisin Hell describes as follows, “The Wild, Wild West was a scary place back in the day, but it doesn’t compare to a walkthrough DEADWOOD! As you enter the Raisin Hell Hotel, the cornfield comes alive with demented characters and creepy corpses!” The second attraction is called Sinister. Sinister’s description reads, “Evil comes in many shapes and forms, but nothing is quite as scary as SINISTER evil! After passing through the doors of the Raisin Hell Hotel, you find yourself in the desolate domain of psychotic freaks and depraved maniacs that are not very welcoming to visitors!”
Pro-tip: Like other haunted attractions, lines can get long – especially on the weekends. If you can go early or on a weeknight, it is advised. Also, due to uneven terrain, unfortunately, this location is not wheelchair-friendly. Finally, Raisin Hell is very scary and for the true thrill seeker – it is not recommended for children 12 and under.
Whichever attraction you choose (or if you’re brave, perhaps you’ll choose all three!) we hope you have a chilling and thrilling time!
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