Meet Your Neighbor: How a Haunted Childhood Became a Career

The Frightmaster of Presidio Frights

Sep 15, 2026

We had a great week. On Saturday, we pulled double duty — first painting benches with the Civic Joy Fund for the plaza in front of the Bernal Rec Center, then heading over to the future home of Ogden Ave Gardens to paint birdhouses with the neighbors.

Along the way, we met a few new neighbors, caught up with old friends, and spread the word about the green spaces coming to Bernal Heights. Days like this are exactly why we started this newsletter — there’s no shortage of ways to pitch in; you have to know where to look.

How a Haunted Childhood Became a Career

Jon Shafran turns Victorian homes in Presidio Heights, Pacific Heights, and Laurel Heights into full-blown Halloween displays. He joined Mike and Tracy on Bernal Connect to talk about how a childhood fascination turned into a business and why he thinks Halloween might be the most neighborly holiday of all.

A Haunted Childhood

Jon grew up on the west side of Los Angeles, surrounded by Hollywood influence — many of his neighbors worked in film and TV. Every October, some of them, professional stage designers and artists, turned their yards into elaborate haunted houses. As a 13-year-old, Jon found the displays equal parts thrilling and terrifying — a mix that planted the seed. He’s been collecting decorations for 30 years. That collection became Presidio Frights: a business that helps homeowners who love the idea of an elaborate display but lack the time, storage, or know-how to pull it off. Jon handles the design, setup, storage, and teardown.

The September 1st Rule

September 1 is the unofficial start date for Halloween planning in Jon’s household — though he notes stores now stock merchandise as early as late August. By late September, he’s typically fully booked, already turning away requests in neighborhoods he can’t currently serve. With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, he expects an even bigger turnout than usual.

Spooky, Not Gory

Jon’s creative approach is about balance: G-rated displays mixed with more intense elements, though he’s found straight gore doesn’t land well. Classic monsters and spiders outperform violence. Off the clock, though, he’s not much of a costume guy — he’s more likely to dress as a handyman or plumber, something functional he can work in.

More Than Decorations

What stands out most in Jon’s conversation isn’t the business — it’s what he thinks Halloween does for a neighborhood. Unlike holidays centered on family, he sees it as built around meeting your neighbors, which resonated with Mike’s own sense of Halloween as a distinctly American tradition. That same spirit drives neighborhood events like Halloween on Cortland, where the street closes to cars for an early-ending, family-friendly celebration.

Get in Touch

Website: PresidioFrights.com
Instagram: Presidio Frights
Contact: contact@presidiofrights.com

Upcoming: A Night of Mexican Spirits & Wine Tasting

A Fundraiser for Ogden Avenue Gardens

We had so much fun last year; we’re doing it again — premium tequila, smoky mezcal, and the wines of Mexico, poured for a good cause.

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating Mexico's rich spirits and wines. Sip your way through exclusive tastings paired with small bites crafted to complement every pour. Gather with friends, savor the flavors, and raise a glass for something worth growing.

All proceeds benefit Ogden Avenue Gardens — help us grow something beautiful for our community.

📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026 🕕 6:00 – 9:00 PM 📍 Baukunst, 433 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110

Get Involved

There are two easy ways to help green spaces like these keep growing:

🙋 Volunteer — Check the Action Hub for upcoming workdays and one-off activities, and show up with your neighbors.

💚 Donate — Support greening projects like Ogden Avenue Gardens directly, or grab a ticket to the fall fundraiser on October 17.

See you out there. 🐦🪑

Bernal Connect

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