Famed Bay Area Haunted House Returns Friday

PLEASANTON, CA — Craving a good jump scare? Pirates of Emerson, NorCal's scariest haunted walkthrough, returns Friday to the Alameda County Fairgrounds.

For the 31st year, visitors can live out their darkest nightmares by walking through four haunted houses filled with evil clowns, psychotic pigs with knives, and the odd pirate with a chainsaw. “As you enter the Adventure, you enter a world of suspense and terror,” the website warns. “The only thing on your mind will be your survival.”

If you're still up for it, tickets are available at piratesofemerson.com. General admission tickets cost $45, while a $70 Speed Pass Ticket purchases access to four haunted houses, plus the Frightmares & Oddities Attraction, and reduced lines. Speed passes will not be available for Sept. 26-27. A $125 VIP ticket allows for a VIP line and unlimited walk-throughs.

Tickets are entry time based.

Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by someone over 20, and the experience is not recommended for anyone under 13. Excessive strobe lights will be used.

The park runs Thursday through Sunday until Nov. 2.

See here for all FAQs, or email info@piratesofemerson.com.