While this is the first year for the Santa Ana Haunt Haunted House, this team comes from a long history of scare acting. Creator Chewie Garcia began working haunts at age 18 with the Empty Grave haunt. When Empty Grave moved to Colorado, Garcia began working for both Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor and Knott’s Scary Farm, where he played the Iron Master, and even trained sliders at Boomer’s Halloween Haunt in 2018. It’s at these events he met most of his team, and when Boomers called it quits, Garcia saw this as an opportunity to create a weekend long experience to Halloween enthusiasts.

Santa Ana Haunt Haunted House is an ten to fifteen minute immersive walkthrough haunted house with such gorgeous sets and lighting that it borders on a yard display. Yet, unlike other home haunts, the experience gives you the freedom to stop and experience the story, allowing for interactivity and engagement with all actors. Some rooms will have a scene that will play out, others offer a jump-scare hidden behind a drop panel, and further, others simply offer a stunning visual that is meant to impress. With large speakers, an entire sound board, and professional lighting, this haunt felt more like a shorter professional haunt than a home haunt.

Below, we’ll walk you through a short recollection of Santa Ana Haunt Haunted House for those who did not get to experience. Please read below, but if you do not want spoilers, you may stop reading here. Please note, actor’s last names are intentionally excluded.

Upon approaching the Santa Ana Haunt Haunted House, guests might first notice the cabin like façade. Garcia mentioned that he was inspired by the idea that friends are inviting you into a cabin in the woods, but when you step inside, you find yourself in Hell. So, won’t you step inside?

This first room is a classic representation of Hell. Red lights and fog, flayed men and skeletons, and a large skull smiling at you from the darkness. A tortured soul (Alec) welcomes you to hell, explains your situation, and offers you a chance to interact with his insect friends. If you’re brave, he’ll put a bug or two on your palm—and if you’re not, he may pretend to sprinkle some on your head and usher you into the next room.

It’s here where Hell starts to change, as it is different for everyone. Baby dolls line every wall as a strobe flashes in your eyes. “Want to play with me?” a girl in pigtails (Taylor)  asks. Another chance for interactivity and engagement because if you decide to play, she’ll send you on a game of hide and seek deeper into the haunt.

The static of the television is next heard, and faintly, cries of help. Entering into the residence of an elderly woman (Dustin), she lies on the cold ground, begging you to help her. She’s fallen, injuring herself, and is likely, left to die.

The final area is a beautiful cemetery filled with real gravestones, a large mausoleum and spider webs covering all. We won’t spoil the scares at the end, but they’re well worth it.

Santa Ana Haunt Haunted House is a professional-level haunt produced in the yard of a home. With such beautiful lighting, strong acting, and a team that excels in scares, we are excited to see what the future of this haunt holds. We just hope they have a hell of a time doing it.

For more information about Santa Ana Haunt Haunted House, check out their Instagram. Be sure to bookmark our Event Guide to keep up to date on immersive and horror events throughout the year.

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