Every Halloween, Alameda’s Gold Coast transforms into a vibrant and spooky attraction, drawing families from near and far to enjoy its elaborate decorations and festive spirit.
The enclave, known for its grand homes, becomes a haunting playground filled with ghouls, inflatable decorations, and countless trick-or-treaters.
Residents have embraced the tradition of Halloween, with some locals estimating they hand out thousands of pieces of candy each year.
Rick Stelmach, a long-time resident, shared that he prepares well in advance for the holiday, purchasing candy as early as September. Last year, he gave out around 3,800 pieces, spending nearly $700 in total.
“It’s just gotten crazy,” Stelmach said, expressing the joy and excitement that Halloween brings to the neighborhood.
Word has spread about the Gold Coast’s Halloween celebrations, attracting families from other parts of Oakland and beyond to partake in the trick-or-treating experience.
Meanwhile, small entrepreneurs are also capitalizing on the Halloween festivities.
Sausage carts and glow-stick vendors have popped up on street corners, while pedicabs offer rides around the neighborhood to optimize the experience for families.
Karen Cowell, a pediatric occupational therapist, enjoys participating in the annual holiday by creatively decorating her home with a different theme each year.
This year, her theme is a “haunted toy store,” featuring a freestanding door, a giant Yahtzee box, and a collection of eerily posed dolls that aim to spook adults more than children.
Helen Molloy, a retiree, has taken her Halloween decoration game to the next level with a yard full of massive inflatable eyeballs. She has gradually expanded her festive décor from four inflatable eyeballs to 20 over the last five years.
Molloy, who has lived in her home for over two decades, excitedly described Halloween as her favorite holiday. Her home is transformed, featuring a living hand that scuttles across the floor and Roombas equipped with witch brooms patrolling the living room.
Also displayed is an intricate “Halloween village” reminiscent of a traditional Christmas diorama.
With laundry baskets filled with an assortment of treats including candy, pencils, chips, and cookies, Molloy uses about 2,000 translucent plastic gloves to bag up her giveaways for trick-or-treaters.
Ryan Anson, a newcomer to the Alameda neighborhood, eagerly prepared for his first Halloween experience.
Having moved to the island a year ago, he heard from friends that the haunted ambiance during Halloween could seal the deal on loving their new home.
His friends, who decorate with a skeleton parade led by a horse-drawn carriage, certainly didn’t disappoint.
“It’s really cool to see people go all out,” Anson remarked, enjoying the neighborhood’s festive spirit.
Neighbor Simon Carless, who is a video game consultant, is also diving into the Halloween excitement with plans to unveil inflatable tentacles outside his house this year.
Feeling the friendly competition, he plans to add “trick or trade” packs of Pokémon cards to his candy collection.
He pondered, “Did I buy one or two 15-pound bags of lollipops?” showcasing the lighthearted pressure to keep up with the neighborhood’s extravagant celebrations.
Melissa Nava-Leyva, a resident of the Alameda East End, noted that many families from surrounding areas frequently choose to trick-or-treat in the Gold Coast due to its safety and accessibility for young children.
The residents’ penchant for extravagant Halloween decorations, coupled with their tradition of providing full-sized candy bars, has contributed to the area’s growing reputation as a Halloween hot spot.
In recent years, there has been a noticeable boost in the number of food vendors, like hot dog carts, contributing to the festive atmosphere.
Nava-Leyva also mentioned that houses have started to play music during Halloween, which was a trend that began around five years ago. In one instance, a home on the corner of San Antonio and Morton streets even featured a band of seven children performing on Halloween night.
William “Wooly” Wolverton, a longtime resident, proudly mentioned he gives away approximately 5,700 pieces of candy to about 2,500 children each Halloween, at an expense of $500 to $600.
His family’s home, which has been a staple of the Gold Coast since 1982, remains one of the neighborhood’s most popular stops for trick-or-treaters.
Wolverton began decorating his house for the occasion in 2010 when his first grandchild was born. It continues to be a delightful tradition for him and the children that pass by his home, especially those coming from Franklin Elementary School every year.
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