From haunted lighthouses to creepy hotels, California has no shortage of spine-chilling locations – here are 20 of them!
At San Diego’s historic Whaley House, guests and staff have reported encounters with paranormal activity – such as sightings of Yankee Jim. Find out more by booking an official tour!
Julian Cemetery
Julian became increasingly popular during the gold rush, and many prospectors ultimately settled at its cemetery. That cemetery is said to be haunted by various spirits – among them Albert Robinson who seems disgruntled that white-only burial grounds cannot accommodate him and has caused strange noises while haunting guest rooms.
The Whaley House in San Diego has become a haunted location that’s featured on television programs “Ghost Hunters Academy” and “Most Haunted.” Once home to an impoverished family who suffered cholera epidemic deaths; one daughter then committed suicide following being betrayed by her husband. Visitors to this haunted spot have reported hearing footsteps and voices, seeing ghostly figures wearing white nightgowns, as well as experiencing cold winds – which all add up to make for an intriguing ghostly encounter!
No better way to celebrate Halloween than visiting haunted sites! Don’t wait until trick-or-treating day for your spook-filled fix; get your fill early.
Hotel del Coronado
The Hotel del Coronado is an exquisite historic hotel located on one of California’s renowned beaches, serving celebrities and presidents over its history. However, it’s also well known as one of the world’s most haunted hotels – especially since Kate Morgan first checked in 1892! Her spirit can still be seen roaming its grounds; many guests have reported seeing her lovelorn figure wandering about and unpacking suitcases or leaving clothes all over rooms unpacked by Kate!
Paranormal activity at the hotel includes ghostly footsteps, an on/off television set that turns on and off randomly, inexplicable scents and doors opening and closing on their own. The third-floor is most haunted as this was where Kate Morgan was staying when she died.
Alan May of Orange County became so consumed by the mystery of Kate’s death that he purchased a headstone and published a pamphlet about it.
Adobe Mission
From pink-clad ghosts in the cemetery to creepy ghostly horses at the ranch, this adobe has its fair share of ghostly spirits. One such spirit is Sitton, who died of diptheria during the 1800s but lives on as an apparition and wanders the graveyard looking for her child – she can even be heard wailing during the night, making her known as The Pink Lady! Additionally, staff such as Strickland and Schreiber share paranormal experiences during presentations for visitors at their respective adobe.
San Juan Capistrano’s history is steeped in supernatural tales and mythology. You might encounter ghostly sightings around town, like the Headless Halloran. She and her husband tried to ford Nacimiento River in 1898 when their wagon flipped, leaving Halloran headless and wandering Los Rios District searching for both her head and baby – adding another layer to this old, superstitious town’s legends and folklore.
Point Sur Lighthouse
Lighthouses seem to attract ghostly figures, perhaps due to their lonely towers or historic use as beacons to keep sailors safe from shipwrecks. Whatever it may be, many lighthouses throughout California’s coast have been reported as haunted; one such lighthouse is Point Sur Lighthouse where volunteers claim they often hear voices or have even recorded evidence of ghostly girl voices at work there.
Point Sur Lightstation sits atop an unpredictable stretch of coastline and has seen numerous shipwrecks. Many believe that those lost souls still roam this site, including an individual wearing dark 19th-century attire who can sometimes be spotted lingering near its historic tower and paranormal entities that appear as ghostly lights. Visitors to this California destination can embark on nighttime tours of both its lighthouse and surrounding buildings at this eerie California spot, just make sure to wear shoes suitable for walking as well as layers for warmth.
