As someone who grew up going to the New York Halloween Parade, I love going to the West Hollywood Parade.

If you are the only person on the planet that lives on the Westcoast and haven’t gone to LA’s biggest Halloween parade, go tonight! It’s not what you think it would be, and it’s everything you wouldn’t expect it to be.

First, the crowd is a mixture of Asian tourists, westside husband and wives, kids and parents, ridiculously amazing costumes, enormously inventive designs, and more.

We are going, and you should too. Here are some tips.

1. Get there EARLY. The parking is so atrocious if you get there late, you will feel like you are walking from car to Nevada to see the parade. We suggest people to get there by 6 or 7 pm. If you must get there later, mapquest a entry route into the area because of street closures. If you get close, you will get into a great lot - it’s just getting to that lot that will be a task. Here is a list of street closures. Try to park closer to Doheny and Melrose for ease of entry into the area.

2. There is no parade. YOU are the parade. Bring comfortable shoes. The walk can stretch from La Cienega in the East to Robertson in the West, and lines Santa Monica Boulevard.

3. Where to eat? There are lot of great spots to check out along the way to eat. Fiesta Cantina has great mexican grub, reasonably priced including wings, nachos, and more. And their drinks are mighty fine. (On Santa Monica Blvd, east of San Vicente). Next door is Steak Depot with great Philly Steaks.

The Abbey has killer eats, a bit more pricey under new owners SPE, but still great favorites including fries, deserts, cakes, coffee, and a full menu. Basanova  is the best Brazilian food on the Westside. It is small and will be packed. (Both, Robertson, south of Santa Monica Boulevard).

4. Bring whoever! The live stage usually by KIIS-FM is rockin’ featuring killer cover band music. The night is great for young kids with parents, couples, ghosts, and goblins!

For more on the parade, go to www.weho.com