Thread: Any other So.Cal haunters here?

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Just wondering if anyone is on my side of the country. If so, where do you do your Halloween shopping?

Originally Posted by Suzeelili

Just wondering if anyone is on my side of the country. If so, where do you do your Halloween shopping?

Hi Suzeelili:

I'm in San Diego, and we drive up to the Halloween Club in Santa Fe Springs throughout the year to see what cool new things they've got in. They also have another store a half hour further up the 5 and we check that one out too. Another large temporary Halloween themed store (I can't remember the name) usually opens up in a warehouse near them (and can be spotted from the freeway) when Halloween gets closer.

Down here in San Diego we also get some things at the seasonal Halloween Spirit Stores that usually open sometime in September. And at Party City and Spencer's Gifts.

But I build a lot of my own props, so I'm always buying wiper motors and rotisserie motors online; and buying supplies from Michael's Arts and Crafts stores and the Home Depot and Walmart; and bits and pieces from 99 cent stores and Good Will and the Salvation Army and yard sales.

Where do you get your stuff?

Hook up with Ugly Joe. He's in Huntington Beach.

Hi octoberist,

I hadn't heard of the Halloween Club. We'll have to check that out. You say they're open year round? I think I've seen the other off the 5, I do think you're right though about it being only at Halloween time.
I do go to Party City for costumes, but they can be pricey on some items though. I usually go to Goodwill, Salvation Army, 99cent only stores, and I've become an avid garage/yard sale junkie.
We also build most of our own props, but we haven't gotten into using motors yet... I haven't made it the spirit stores yet. We did finally have one nearby us this year. Hopefully they'll have it in the same place this year.

Thanks for your suggestions!

What kind of haunting do you do?

Thanks wolfman.

Hey, I'm in Huntington Beach also. I haven't seen ugly Joe yet, he must be shopping or building his brains out too. I shop the same places Octoberist does not much else out there except maybe e-bay. I do a Pirate theme haunt at a camping location then hurry up to start all over at home. I was so wore out I didn't even make it to the after sales last year. I't's been my experience that the spirit store around here always changes their location but you can go to their site to see where it will be a little closer to Halloween. I sat down to make a need to purchase list today and most of what I need is from the hardware store. I have a question, do you know where I can purchase the owens-corning pink foamcore board around here? I called and drove everywhere, I even went to their website to see where it's sold locally but everywhere they said didn't carry it. I tried to special order it and was told I needed to purchase 100 pieces. Any ideas?

Hi buckaneerbabe, I'm in Pasadena. I just found out about that owens pink foamboard from this website. If I remember right I read on another thread somewhere that someone else was looking for it on this side of the country and they couldn't find it either. It might be a colder climate item. My husband says he hasn't seen it either. I started my needs list the other day...I'll be hitting the hardware store myself soon. Need more paints! I've been on Ebay way too much this year. I've been sidelined by knee surgery the last 3 weeks so I've been shopping way too much online. I'm doing a pirate theme in the front yard this year. Do you have photos of your pirate theme? I've love to see them. Good luck in your hunt! I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya.

Originally Posted by octoberist

Hi Suzeelili:

I'm in San Diego, and we drive up to the Halloween Club in Santa Fe Springs throughout the year to see what cool new things they've got in. They also have another store a half hour further up the 5 and we check that one out too. Another large temporary Halloween themed store (I can't remember the name) usually opens up in a warehouse near them (and can be spotted from the freeway) when Halloween gets closer.

Down here in San Diego we also get some things at the seasonal Halloween Spirit Stores that usually open sometime in September. And at Party City and Spencer's Gifts.

But I build a lot of my own props, so I'm always buying wiper motors and rotisserie motors online; and buying supplies from Michael's Arts and Crafts stores and the Home Depot and Walmart; and bits and pieces from 99 cent stores and Good Will and the Salvation Army and yard sales.

Where do you get your stuff?

San Diego haunter here as well! Nice to meet you octoberist. I'd be interested to see some pics of your previous haunts/share tips. I get a lot of misc. stuff at Michaels. Usually there is a 40% off one item coupon you can use over and over again. The Halloween Club stores are great but somewhat pricey. If you head up to Santa Monica, there is the Aaahs store. They are owned by the same people who own halloween club, but I find that they also have some rarer items there as well. However, the prices are the same. Again, you are spot on with the 99cent store. It's perfect for decorations that aren't too cheesy.

Hi Jottle ,thanks for the info. I always go crazy at the 99cent store every year. So does my husband. He works near one that always carries a couple different items than the one by our house. So we come home and compare our treasure. Sometimes we buy the same items but it's no biggey since it's so cheap and you can always use more.

Do you have any photos of your haunts?

Unfortunately not yet. Last year was my first real haunt, and I completely got caught up in decorating. I just forgot to preserve the moment!