Although Saratoga is not hosting any downtown Halloween events this year, there is still plenty to do for all ages.

Families can head to the Southwest YMCA on Oct. 31 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. for a fun fright night, including trick-or-treating, a haunted house, a pumpkin-carving contest, and swimming. The event is free and open to all ages.

Children desiring a festive event before Halloween should look to the Saratoga Recreation Department. From 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 30, professional magician Larry Wertman will be leading a seminar on magic tricks. Wertman has been in the biz for more than 20 years and has a master's degree in theater. Not only will guests learn a trick or two, they will also leave with a bag of magic goodies. The seminar is $34. To sign up, call the recreation department at 408.868.1248.

On Halloween night, serious trick-or-treaters can stop by the home of Alan and Bonnie Aerts at 15050 Danielle Place, in Monte Sereno, where the couple will hand out full-sized candy bars. Parents are also promised an eyeful, with the palatial front yard filled with oversized werewolves, skeleton pirates, gigantic spider webs, and dozens of tombstones.

Saratogans also have the option to visit Los Gatos, where the town's biggest event will be the Haunted Forest Walking Tour at Oak Meadow Park, sponsored by the Los Gatos­Monte Sereno Police Department.

Beginning at 7 p.m. on Oct. 30 and 31, the park will transform into the forest of Evernight, where the evil sisters Spider Queen and Witch Queen battle for control.

Visitors will become part of the action, as the sisters vie for volunteers to help them win. The quest to escape Evernight includes chance encounters with Godzilla, the family from Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and the Spider Queen herself.

Tickets for the tour are $9 for adults, $6 for children 12 years old and under. The additional spooky hollow or carousel trick-or-treat tours are $4 per ticket. Tickets may be purchased at the park or in advance at the Collector's Corner, located on 481 N. Santa Cruz Ave. For more information, call 408.354.6842 or visit http://www.hauntedforest.org.

The Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad at Oak Meadow Park also ventures into the underworld as it becomes the "Phantom Express," winding through the park as monsters and scary settings follow along the train route.

Halloween enthusiasts looking for a historical spookfest can head over to the Los Gatos Memorial Park with Sue Bruce. From 8 to 10 p.m. she will be leading a flashlight tour of local notables from the late 1800s. Bakers Square of Los Gatos will serve refreshments and pumpkin pie, while Alain Pinel Realtors help out with flashlights for tour-goers. Tickets are $15, with reservations required. A parent must accompany anyone under the age of 18. For more information or tickets, call 408.323.5333.

Other options near Saratoga include the Winchester Mystery House and its infamous flashlight tour and Fear Factory's haunted houses at Vallco Fashion Park in Cupertino.

The Mystery House will begin its tour at 6 p.m. on Oct. 31. For more information, call 408.247.2000.

Fear Factory is putting up two haunted houses at Vallco, named Rigor Mortis and Eternal Darkness. Both feature 3-D effects and gigantic mazes filled with animated zombies and ghosts. Haunted tours last from 7 p.m. to midnight on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Purchase tickets online at http://www.3dfearfactory.com or at the event. For more information, call 888.850.3400.