As the days grow colder and the nights stretch longer, Halloween creeps closer and closer. There are some signs of this as one drives around town: changing leaves, warmer clothing—and most of all—the decorations on the houses. From spiderwebs to skeletons, a few houses reliably deck themselves out the second it hits Oct. 1. The question is: which town does Halloween best?
Tiburon
Coming in last place is Tiburon. With the properties spread out and commonly behind gates, solid decoration is hard to come by. A good rule of thumb is the flatter the better. Up in the hills, the spirit is low, but venturing downtown or in Belveron will reveal hidden gems and gravestones. Most commonly found here are pumpkins on porches and spiderwebs in bushes.
Corte Madera
Next up is Corte Madera. While it surpasses Tiburon, walking the streets here is unlikely to impress. You’re more likely to spot a witch or zombie over here, but despite the consistency, the quality of decoration doesn’t quite measure up. Corte Madera earns bonus points from Town Center’s festive setup.
Kentfield
While the streets of Kentfield are beautiful, their scare factor is lacking. A level up from Corte Madera, the houses of Kentfield fall right in the middle of the ranking. One can certainly be able to tell it is October thanks to the effort residents put in, but it’s not quite there yet. Not until the number of gravestones becomes concerningly high will Kentfield truly enter the competition.
Larkspur
The spirit of Halloween is prevalent in Larkspur. With countless skeletons in yards and figures in windows, a chill crawls up the spine when walking around. Huge shout-out to Hillview, where horse-sized spiders on the roof can be seen from miles away. The scary level here makes up for what Creekside lacks across town.
Paradise Cay
While technically part of Tiburon, it felt unjust to let its neighboring communities drag Paradise down. Providing the perfect trick–or-treating experience for Tiburon kids wanting a change of scenery, Paradise Cay is a compact collection of houses that all get the memo. With ghosts and clowns outnumbering residents, Paradise Cay is a factory of core memories waiting to be turned on.
Ross
Coming out on top, to no one’s surprise, is Ross. Ross residents understand that Halloween is not just about the costumes and candy; it’s about a month of fun and scares. With houses decorated to the nines, Ross does Halloween right. One house even features a row of animatronics, waiting to jump out at any moment. Whether you’re walking or driving, do so at your own risk—Ross is the place to be.
Whether it’s a single pumpkin or a life-size witch, decorating your house for Halloween provides a service to the community. By taking a few extra minutes out of your day, you could make someone’s journey through the neighborhood that much more enjoyable. Skeleton or clown, grave or web, the Halloween spirit is appreciated.
