Fall-O-Ween at Heritage Hill Historical Park 2023

If you’re looking for a free Halloween-themed activity for your little ones, OC Parks is throwing its annual Fall-O-Ween event at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest, CA. This free event is a great way to get out and enjoy the fall season without worrying about reservations or spending money. It’s not a pumpkin patch or fake free event that you’ll walk out of wondering how you spent two hundred dollars. It’s just a stroll through one of South Orange County’s oldest historic sites decorated for beautiful holiday photos and some Halloween fun.

See The Full Detailed Video Below

Fall-O-Ween at Heritage Hill Visiting Information

Main Visitor Info

• Website:
  • https://ocparks.com/news/oc-parks-hosts-annual-fall-o-ween-event-heritage-hill-historical-park 
• Address:
  • 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630
• Phone:
  • 949-923-2230
• Email:
  • heritagehill@ocparks.com
• Dates & Hours:
  • Sat, Oct 20 from 4:30-8:30 pm
  • Sun, Oct 21 from 4:30-8:30 pm
• Price/Cost:
  • Free
• How much we spent during our visit:
  • No cost
• Parking:
  • Heritage Hill Plaza Parking Lot
• Activities:
  • Scavenger Hunt
  • Great photos opportunities
  • Hay Maze
• Time spent:
  • 1 ½ hours
• Places to eat:
  • Brizio Pizza – 21771 Lake Forest Dr #104, Lake Forest, CA 92630 – Walking distance
• Pet allowed:
  • Yes, pets are welcome on leashes no longer than 6 feet
• Stroller friendly:
  • Yes
• Restrooms:
  • Yes, flushable toliets

Our Observations / Things to bring

• What we observed:
  • The entire event was free. 
  • No reservations are required but we recommend coming 15 mins before opening to beat the crowd and get photos during the beautiful golden hour. There was a large line when we arrived at 4:30 pm but the line moved quickly.
  • If you arrive early, we recommend going straight to the old school house to the left on the entrance. We waited 30 mins in line to take a family photo on the school steps. 
  • To save time, I (Trang) stayed in line for the different photo areas while Kris took the girls to the nearby scavenger hunt stations (total of 6) so the girls can get stamps on their card. 
  • Costumes are encouraged. We forgot to pack our girls’ costumes. 
  • Wear closed toe shoes. The grounds are dusty. 
  • A goodie bag with candy and small toys are given at the last scavenger hunt station.
• Clothing:
  • Check the weather before you go. The weather can be changeable; layered clothing and closed toe shoes are recommended. 
• What we packed:
  •  @Suds2go portable cap, insect repellent, dinner, fruits, veggies, snacks, and water. 
  • You can get the links to all our travel essentials here: Travel Essentials | Califoreigners

Additional Details

• Ways to save money:
  • Packing a dinner/meal
• Future events:
  • Heritage Hill Historical Park Candlelight Walk – December
• Other things to do during the fall
  • Fall In California (Youtube Playlist)
• Follow us on Instagram @thecaliforeigners, Youtube @Califoreigners, TikTok @Califoreigners

What We Said In Our Fall-O-Ween at Heritage Hill Video

We showed up a little after it opened and were a bit nervous. It was busy. Waiting to enter, the kids are given a scavenger hunt card to use on the Halloween trails. The clues are straightforward, with obvious clues decorating the scavenger station.  Once you’ve collected all six clues, you can turn the card in for Halloween-themed goodies.

Heritage Hill’s older architecture is a perfect setting for a Halloween-themed event. OC Parks did a great job designing five completely different photo settings for you to choose from. From a spooky house to a pumpkin wagon, our favorite was the old green-trimmed schoolhouse.  Prettied up with Authem decorations and the setting sun, we loved the look.

Outside of photos, the only setup activity for the kids to enjoy is the hay maze. Some kids will love it, and some will scream like you’ve abandoned them, but either way, it’ll be an experience that most kids will go through over and over again.

Above all, just be prepared for a crowd. The event’s busy, but! You can get some really great family photos if you take the time and wait in line.  We drove in at 4:30 and left around 6:30, spending nothing, and we considered that a win. They don’t even sell food inside the event, so bring snacks. And big thanks to OC Parks for hosting such a thoughtful, free event for the public. 

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