Here's how some Bay Area residents celebrated Halloween while avoiding crowds

ByLuz Pena and Matt Boone KGO logo

Monday, November 2, 2020

Halloween 2020: SF residents find different ways to celebrate

San Francisco officials urged residents to avoid large gatherings and celebrate Halloween responsibly. Here's how some dressed up and avoided large crowds amid the coronavirus pandemic.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco officials urged residents to avoid large gatherings and celebrate Halloween responsibly. The city is the only urban area in California to achieve the yellow tier status.

After testing positive for COVID-19 in March, San Francisco residents, Mike McGarvey and Wendy Holder opted for a small Halloween celebration.

"A party of two since we can't really have a big party," said Holder.

They dressed up and dined out at Ace Wasabi in the Marina District.

"To avoid contact and super spreader events and I think everyone should be conscious of that," said McGarvey.

WATCH: Walnut Creek couple gets creative, makes socially distanced haunted house for Halloween

A family in Walnut Creek knew trick-or-treating would not be normal this year, but they decided to create an elaborate haunted house in their backyard anyway.

In the East Bay, a Family in Walnut Creek knew trick-or-treating would not be normal this year, but they decided to create an elaborate haunted house in their backyard anyway.

"Originally there was going to be a big to-do this weekend," said Robert Powell, who along with his wife, had been looking forward to a Halloween on a Saturday night. "But COVID put the kibosh on that."

With all their decorations, and more than ten projectors, they decided to deck out their backyard and share it with their neighbors.

"Just a little fun thing for them to walk through and see," said Powell.

They said they normally don't get many trick-or-treaters, but it drew the curiosity of Aricela Millette, a fourth-grader who lives around the corner.

"I thought it was awesome," said Millette after walking through the displays.

She said her family and some neighbors were planning watching the movie "Coco" outside on an inflatable screen.

In Berkeley, gone were the big block parties and candy for hundreds of kids. Instead, costumed families strolled down 4th Street which had a modest lighting display.

"I think it's important to celebrate and wear a mask," said Kathleen Rodriguez, who came with her family, enjoying the weather and time together.

Back in San Francisco, a group of friends turned their Zoom call into a costume party.

"Basically all of the holiday celebrations at once. I'm also a Christmas ornament, let's say emphasis on that. I'm a happy New Year celebrant, I have a pumpkin, and I just want to celebrate as many things as I can because we are finally let out," said San Francisco resident, Nkechi Neuberg.

In a sea of humans, we spotted two shark fins, they were headed home.

"Walk around in this costume and then go home and watch a horror movie," said San Francisco Resident, Ting Ki Dai.

San Francisco resident, Carrie Dial dressed up as a female police officer. Her two dogs were dressed as her inmates, "There is no going to parties or restaurants or bars like we used to so we are just headed to the dog park," said Dial.

Some businesses closed early to avoid large crowds according to Patricia Vaughey with the Marina / Cow Hollow neighbors and merchants.

"The word is out. Try to be as safe as you possibly can and not have large parties at bars and restaurants and try to be responsible. It looks like we are doing it," said Vaughey.

San Francisco police urged residents not only to celebrate responsibly by wearing a mask but also announcing a DUI patrol from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

INTERACTIVE: Here's the reopening status of every Bay Area county

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