… And the dead will raise the roof

Don’t you hate it when you’re walking through a pitch-black hallway—hands outstretched, knowing there’s a door somewhere, hoping that cold fingers don’t crawl up your legs, sensing something creeping in the dark—and, crap, you feel hot breath on your neck? I hate that.

But it’s this adrenaline rush that keeps people going back to haunted houses. So this year, why not visit a haunted house that will truly scare the shit out of you and satiate your taste for terror … at least until next year?

The Scream Extreme: A live-action, in-your-face haunted house featuring special effects and actors. Friday-Sunday, 7-11 p.m. Through November 1. $15. Children younger than 13 not admitted without adult. There will be a child-friendly haunt on Saturday October 25, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Scandia Family Fun Center, 5070 Hillsdale Boulevard in Citrus Heights; (916) 860-1827; www.screamtonight.com.

Callson Manor: Featuring the Callson Manor Funeral Home, The Afterlife and The Deadlands, with special effects, extravagant sets and actors. Experience caskets and embalming equipment from the early 1900s, gravesites, crematoriums, zombies and ghosts. Thursday, October 23, through Sunday, November 1, 7:30-10 p.m. Placer County Fairgrounds, 800 All America City Boulevard in Roseville; www.callsonmanor.com.

Fright Planet “World of Fear” Haunted House: Three haunts: R.M.S. Curseliner, Psycho Midway in 4-D and Podunk Hill Billy Bob’s Revenge, featuring terrorizing clowns, crazed hillbillies and souls from a cursed sea voyage. They use the latest scare tactics, animatronics and more than 60 actors who have a theater background. Various times through November 2. $16.95-$28. 5961 Birdcage Street, Marketplace at Birdcage in Citrus Heights; (866) 666-1313; www.frightplanet.com.

The Hagan Haunted Mansion: A haunted-house youth-development program, assembled by students and community volunteers. But don’t let that fool you: This haunted mansion has won awards for its scares. Fridays and Saturdays through November 1. $10 for adults, $8 for children 12 and younger. Hagan Park, 2197 Chase Drive in Rancho Cordova; (916) 342-2891; www.scaryu.com.

Haunted Swamp Tour: The pool will be a thick swamp teeming with creatures; come take a boat ride. Friday, October 24, 6-10 p.m.; Saturday, October 25, 6-9 p.m. $3 for children, $5 for adults, $2 for boat ride. College Greens Swim and Racquet Club, 2707 Notre Dame Drive; (916) 383-9920; www.collegegreens.net.