San Diego is well known for its beautiful beaches, great restaurants and incredible history – but this vibrant city also has an unsavoury side you may find unsettling. Haunted hotels and lighthouses will give you chills.
Instead of just staying home and watching horror films this Halloween, test your courage by visiting one of San Diego’s haunted houses!
Whaley House
The Whaley House may well be San Diego’s most haunted house. Built for Thomas Whaley in 1857, its two-story Greek Revival architecture has long been associated with ghostly activity – particularly those from Yankee Jim, his family members, miners hanged there as well as even former madams!
Once considered one of the finest homes in Southern California, Thomas’ home featured mahogany + rosewood furniture, Brussels carpets and elegant damask drapes from Belgium. Additionally it served as a theater, county court house and general store. However, despite its luxurious appearance it was marred by tragedy; his son Thomas died from Scarlet Fever only 18 months old while Violet took her own life following a failed marriage in 1885.
Today the Whaley House serves as a museum and offers spine-tingling tours + paranormal investigations. Many famous guests, such as Regis Philbin have had terrifying experiences at this historic home!
The Horton Grand Hotel
The Horton Grand Hotel is situated at the center of San Diego and provides a range of accommodations, from rooms with private balconies and city views to suites featuring fitness centers and rooftop pools – as well as other services such as business centers and limousine/town car service.
Visitors have reported witnessing ghostly figures and hearing footsteps within this haunted house, along with lights turning themselves on and off and feeling as if someone is watching them – making this haunted house one of the most haunted locations in the nation.
The Scream Zone in San Diego, California is an absolutely terrifying haunted attraction open to visitors during Halloween time. This adrenaline pumping experience features three separate attractions such as Killy Billy Chaos and 3D Freak Fest and will have you screaming while laughing simultaneously; its scares are intense while its props are incredible!
The William Heath Davis House
This house has a haunted past that has earned it the distinction as one of San Diego’s most haunted locations. Once used as officer’s quarters before the Civil War, a county hospital, and even possibly hiding place for German spies; now an historic house museum that attracts both ghost hunters and tourists alike.
People visiting this home believe a woman who committed suicide there still lingers there, making it a popular spot for psychic mediums and paranormal investigators. Visitors frequently experience an unnerving presence while some claim to sense cold winds blowing through its windows.
McKamey Manor provides guests with an unforgettable haunted house experience, offering guests the chance to be bound, gagged, and covered in blood during four to seven hours of torture that may include being forced onto horses and locked inside small boxes.
Old Town Cemetery
San Diego is well known for its beautiful beaches and perfect weather; however, its paranormal activity has also gained widespread notoriety. Whaley House is one of the more notable haunted spots, while Old Town Cemetery often sees reports of supernatural activity from visitors.
El Campo Santo Cemetery is an idyllic spot for picnics and children to play during the day, but becomes much darker after sunset. Used from 1849-1897 before parts were unfortunately paved over when San Francisco began expanding.
San Diego’s former graveyard has since become one of the city’s most haunted spots, featuring ghostly figures such as former madams and dead children reportedly appearing there. Additionally, visitors have reported hearing footsteps near them or having car alarms go off when near it; even street lamps appear to flicker occasionally!
