Traveling helps you explore and discover new places. What’s more, you hear stories about unique sites stating aspects that make such places popular. California is no exception. Each time you think of touring the area, images of artistic attractions, fine weather, and beautiful beaches come to mind. In addition to the thrill and excitement, California has its fair share of spooky sites. The stories behind these haunted locations will intrigue you and make you want to explore them. Just make sure to carry some salt and iron to stave off the bad spirits!
Here’s a list of some of the most haunted places in California, USA. Read on and learn why they are worth your visit.
Haunted hotels to stop by during your visit:
Delta King Riverboat Hotel, Sacramento: This docked paddlewheel riverboat will make you travel back in time. Formerly a World War II transport boat, this hotel is said to be haunted by its erstwhile captain. You might catch him on the decks or the theater balcony.
The Ahwahnee, Yosemite National Park: What can be creepier than the hotel which may have been the inspiration for the cult horror film, The Shining? This historic property in Yosemite National Park is said to be haunted by the former hotel manager, who’s actually quite a benevolent spirit! There’s also a mysterious rocking chair that keeps appearing on the third floor.
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1. Winchester Mystery House, San Jose
Winchester Mystery House is a 24,000 sq. ft. (2,229.7 sq. m) Victorian Mansion. It is named after Sarah Lockwood Winchester. Following her husband’s demise in 1881, she consulted a spiritualist to communicate with his spirit. The story has it that the deceased informed her of the cause of their tragedies. The Winchester family designed the Winchester rifle and made blood money from the sale of this rifle. Vengeful spirits of souls who had died because of the weapon would then seek her. She needed to build a place where these spirits would find a home. Construction work took 38 years, stopping when heart failure caused Sarah’s death in 1922. Carpenters left work abruptly and left behind half-hammered nails.
Winchester Mystery House
Address: 525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128, United States
Website: Winchester Mystery House
Opening hours: Wed - Thu: 10am - 5pm; Fri - Sun: 11am - 4pm
Price: 20 USD to 39 USD
2. Battery Point Lighthouse, Crescent City
Battery Point Lighthouse, Crescent City, has been keeping ships safe since 1856. It has withstood strong winds and ocean waves for centuries. In 1964, a tsunami swept across the area, but the lighthouse stood its ground. Despite such a performance and defiance to nature’s adversities, the property has a haunted side. Its caretakers report seeing a rocking chair moving as if someone was sitting on it. Also, rumors have it that one can hear a ghost keeper walking up the stairway. Another keeper’s tale tells of their slippers having been moved while they were asleep. Visitors claim to have felt something, probably a hand touching their shoulders.
Battery Point Lighthouse and Museum/Crescent City Lighthouse
Address: 235 Lighthouse Way, Crescent City, CA 95531, United States
Website: Battery Point Lighthouse and Museum/Crescent City Lighthouse
Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)
Price: 3 USD
3. Westin St. Francis, San Francisco
Westin St. Francis Hotel is a historic place with weird and strange stories. In 1975, Sarah Jane Moore, an FBI agent, shot President Gerald Ford. In 1921, a film star raped a famous party girl leaving her bleeding to death. That is not all; in 1906, John Barrymore, a famous movie star, was entertaining his girlfriend when an earthquake struck. Rumor has it that three restless spirits haunt the hotel’s 12th floor. One of these ghosts is a peaceful woman who died during her stay at St. Francis. Virginia Rappe’s ghost is the second. She roams the place while seeking revenge for her rape. Meanwhile, guests have reported seeing Al Jolson’s spirit at a card table.
Book Tours : The Haunt SF: Ghost Hunting Tour
4. Whaley House, San Diego
Whaley House sits on the site where Yankee Jim Robbins, an infamous thief, was hanged. It features a Greek Revival architectural style. Thomas Whaley bought this land and constructed his family home. In 1857, they moved in and were ushered into a series of misfortunes. Their 18-month-old son died soon after. Several months later, a fierce fire razed the residence. In 1871, armed men raided the house and stole courthouse records. During the raid, they held Whaley’s wife, Anna, at gunpoint. Another sad occurrence was in 1885 when one of the Whaley daughters committed suicide inside the home. Visitors report seeing strange sights and hearing mysterious sounds. Eerie noises, disembodied footprints, giggles, and a crying baby are perfect examples.
Whaley House Museum
Address: 2476 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110, United States
Website: Whaley House Museum
Opening hours: 10am - 10pm (daily)
Price: Free
California Tour Guide
Stephanie Eley
I'm a graduate of ITMI, International Tour Management Institute and 17 years as a licensed Tour Director and Program Director. My expertise began in NYC and Washington, DC where I'm a licensed guide and has expanded to Europe, South America, Cuba and the Western / Southwestern National Parks of the US. I'd love to introduce you for a day or a week to Denver, Colorado and the 4 corners region of... Read more
Tours by Stephanie
5. Point Sur Lighthouse, Big Sur
Point Sur Lighthouse, Big Sur, stands on solid volcanic rock. From this point, it sends a powerful beam that warns ships of the treacherous Pacific coast. Despite its warning signal, numerous shipwrecks have occurred. Legend has it that spirits of the souls that perished in these shipwrecks come to haunt the place. Sounds of ghosts have been recorded on site. One such voice asks a child to go to bed. In the kitchen is another ghost that closes doors. Replica skeletons are used as decorations in some rooms. In another tale, a volunteer reported seeing a woman on the stairway landing.
Point Sur Lighthouse
Address: Point Sur, California, 135 miles south of San Francisco
Website: Point Sur Lighthouse
Opening hours: (Sep - Mar) Sat: 10am; Wed: 1pm / (Apr - Aug) Sat: 10am & 2am; Sun: 10am
Price: 5 USD - 20 USD
6. Alcatraz Island, San Francisco
Alcatraz Island is a historic icon and one of the most visited places in California. It hosts a maximum-security prison where some of the most dangerous criminals were held. Rebellious inmates would be made to strip naked before being sent to a cell. The holding cell was a dark steel room with no amenities like water, sink, toilet, and mattress. That way, warders would break a criminal’s spirit. Rumor has it that spirits of criminals who earned a place in the strip cell remain locked up. These are the ghosts that haunt the island. Cell 14D as well as blocks A, B, and C, are the most haunted. Visitors report hearing cries, moans, and banjo music.
Alcatraz Island
Address: San Francisco, CA 94133, United States
Website: Alcatraz Island
Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)
Price: 39.90 USD - 92.30 USD
7. Bodie Ghost Town
Bodie Ghost Town was once a vibrant mining center. Gold prospectors descended on its hills in search of riches. Bodie was noisy and had over 60 saloons. As one would expect, gunfights and other commotions were a common sight. Eventually, miners gradually vacated the town paving the way for its declaration as a state park in 1962. One of the park rangers invented a cursed tale. The notion was that if anyone tried taking away artifacts from the park, misfortune would befall them. While this was meant to discourage visitors from taking valuables left behind, people started sending letters to the ranger’s office. Each of these had an item enclosed to be returned. Senders claimed that since they carried away such items, misfortunes befell them. Bodie curse has manifested in numerous ways: job losses, auto breakdowns, and accidents are common examples.
8. Old Mission Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara
Old Mission Santa Barbara is a property founded by Franciscan missionaries in 1786. Within its gardens are a graveyard and a resting place hosting over 5,000 native Americans and church pioneers. Both the local inhabitants and visitors believe that ghosts in this graveyard come out and wander around the property. Among the manifestations include the ghost of a Franciscan Friar, a woman walking through the tombstones, and other priests seen holding prayers inside the chapel. Besides, there are stories of visitors feeling a gentle touch on their hands and shoulders. Another tale abounds of a dark ghost seen in the mission’s left tower. There are also stories of two guards that help keep the property safe from ghost hunters.
Old Mission Santa Barbara
Address: 2201 Laguna St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
Website: Old Mission Santa Barbara
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 10 USD - 15 USD
9. Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Los Angeles
Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel opened in 1927. Most of its clientele were Hollywood superstars. It served as an after-party venue for movie premieres. Oscar award ceremonies took place here too. Notwithstanding its star-studded history, the hotel has a spooky side. Marilyn Munroe’s ghost haunts room 1200. Guests see her image in the mirror. Room 928 has Montgomery Clift’s spirit patting guests on their shoulders. Also, Carole Lombard’s ghost floats on the hotel’s upper floors. Two ghosts, a man dressed in a tuxedo and another in a white suit, have been reported to frequent the Blossom Room.
Book Your Stay: The Hollywood Roosevelt
10. The Queen Mary, Long Beach
The Queen Mary, Long Beach, is a ship, decommissioned from sailing and converted into a hotel. It has a unique history gotten from its transatlantic voyages. You should take a ghost tour, experience, and get to hear Queen Mary’s spooky stories. A British passenger staying in Stateroom B340 died of unknown circumstances. Several years later, a woman staying in the room reported seeing a man who had pulled off her bed covers. A more sinister tale was reported in the Mauritania Room. Two cleaning ladies narrated how they found a passenger seated on a chair. A third cleaner saw the passenger staring at her and did not move when asked to. Other sections of the ship have similar incidents of paranormal activity.
Book Tours : The Queen Mary
Ghost towns in California
Now that you’ve learned about the haunted places in California, take a look at some of its ghost towns. The state has many towns that were abandoned and are now like places frozen in time. Who knows, you might even spot a ghost or two in these eerie uninhabited locations!
11. Allensworth
In August 1908, Allensworth was the first African American settlement in the West. Colonel Allen Allensworth and four other settlers established the town that was founded, financed and governed by African Americans. In the town itself, there are now 10 fully restored buildings, including a library, church, schoolhouse, and hotel.
Allensworth has also earned the reputation of being haunted. Some people say that the elevator at the Hillman Health Clinic sometimes run by itself. Another place where people have experienced paranormal activities is LJ Williams Community Theater. Visitors have reported having seen ghostly children in several parts of the building. Don’t take our word for it! Check out those places and tell us what you find.
There are also a number of special events, which take place throughout the year, so be sure to contact them to see what is happening during your visit.
Allensworth
Address: Google map of location
Website: Allensworth
12. Red Mountain Mining Town
This was a booming mining town in the 1920’s, with about 400 residents, split over three local mining areas. However, the water in the area contains sulphuric acid, which damages machinery used in the mining industry. This led to to the decline of the mining industry in the area. Luckily, there is still plenty to see, including mining cabins, the local church and also numerous saloons, which were popular in their prime!
Red Mountain Mining Town
Address: Google map of location
Website: Red Mountain Mining Town
13. Ballarat
This mining town from the 1880’s had over 500 families during its most popular time. Sadly, by 1903, the mining industry closed down and so by 1917, everyone had left and the buildings became abandoned. Interestingly, the infamous Manson family lived here in 1969!
Although only a few buildings still remain, there are many foundations of the miner’s cabins and general stores. It is said that this town has a year-round population of just one and his dog. The sole resident of the town, Rocky Novak, runs a general store that serves tourists visiting this ghost town. Ballarat is now a meeting point for four-wheel-drive expeditions into the Death Valley and Panamint Range.
Ballarat
Address: Google map of location
Website: Ballarat
14. Bombay Beach
The reason for the abandonment of this location is due to the fact that the rising Salton Sea swamped part of this trailer community and it never recovered. As such, you need to be very cautious, as many of the buildings are either underwater or half stuck in the mud.
In the 1950s and 60s, this area was thriving but it became polluted, adding to the flooding issues and the town was abandoned by the mid-1970s. What remains are the trailers, boarded-up buildings and plenty of stranded cars.
Bombay Beach
Address: Google map of location
Website: Bombay Beach
15. North Bloomfield
This early 1800s settlement is just 26 miles (41 km) northeast of Nevada City and, as many other locations, it was created at the time of the gold rush. By 1857, the town had over 400 residents, but, due to the use of mining with hydraulics, much of the gold was quickly depleted and so the population soon moved on.
The prime time of North Bloomfield was from 1860 to 1884, when it had nearly 1,500 inhabitants and more than 200 buildings. A community still lives here today and tours are offered on a daily basis.
North Bloomfield
Address: Google map of location
Website: North Bloomfield
16. Chemung Mine
Located near Masonic, another ghost town. Chemung Mine was earlier known as a good gold producer but legal issues caused its decline. The town was torn down and rebuilt three times before it was abandoned.
This ghost town needs to be approached with caution. It was a small town founded in 1909, consisting of a mine and a few supportive buildings, such as a general store and bunkhouse. The Chemung Mine was one of the longest surviving mines, still operating long after others had closed their doors. What remains today are a few crumbling wooden buildings and many are unsafe to enter, so beware.
Chemung Mine
Address: Google map of location
Website: Chemung Mine
17. Panamint City
Founded in Inyo County, in 1873, as a silver mining town, Panamint City was known for its debauchery. In fact, it was so infamous that Wells Fargo refused to open an office here. Sadly, in 1876, a flash flood killed most of the residents and soon afterwards the remaining population left.
This location is difficult to reach because you can’t get here by car and instead you must complete a difficult five-mile (8 km) hike, which begins at Chris Wicht’s Camp.
Panamint City
Address: Google map of location
Website: Panamint City
18. Mentryville
Mentryville is located near LA and was the site of the first successful oil well in the USA! The town was founded in the 1880s and was home to over 100 families until the well closed in 1990. As it is an important historical site, some of the buildings such as Charles Mentry’s expansive mansion, a small, one-room schoolhouse, and a period barn are all now registered California State Historical Landmarks.
There is still plenty of restoration work happening on site here, so be sure to check what is open for viewing. Guided tours of the ghost town was also provided by a group called The Friends of Mentryville, but it was suspended after the 2003 wildfire and subsequent flooding.
Mentryville
Address: Google map of location
Website: Mentryville
19. Calico
The town of Calico was founded in 1881, during California’s largest silver strike. Unfortunately, during the mid-1890s, the value of silver severely decreased and, as such, Calico and its residents lost their fortune, meaning that many had to leave.
The town was lovingly restored in the 1950s, and, more recently, the then-Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger declared it “California’s Silver Rush Ghost Town.”
Calico
Address: Google map of location
Website: Calico
Go on a spooky tour and stir up the ghosts
Take a ghost tour to these haunted sites and feel the chills. You might end up stirring restless spirits in the process. The ghostly encounters are memorable, provided you’re a brave one! Use our list above to choose the perfect ghost tour in California.
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