California may conjure images of sunshine and Hollywood glamour, but America’s Golden State also contains plenty of eerie hotspots such as Big Sur’s cliffs or hair-raising sightings aboard Queen Mary.
One of California’s scariest haunted places is not a building; rather it is a stretch of road. Long-haul truck drivers report seeing an apparition wearing a faded white dress walking along its centerline.
Alcatraz
California offers numerous paranormal hotspots that will leave you reeling with horror, from haunted prisons to cursed lighthouses and everything in between. Al Capone spent his final days at one of these prisons while hotel serial killers Richard Ramirez and James Unterweger once resided there as well as many others that will give you goosebumps! These ghostly locales will leave you shaken!
Alcatraz Island served as a maximum security prison during its time as a maximum security prison. Now a popular tourist attraction and National Historic Landmark, Alcatraz remains haunted by former prisoners’ spirits who still appear unexplained crashing sounds, running footsteps, cell doors that open or close on their own accord, moans from former inmates, chain rattling and feelings of isolation among visitors to San Francisco’s iconic landmark.
Cell Block D of the prison has long been reported as the creepiest section, where prisoners were often sent for punishment periods of up to two weeks of total darkness. Visitors and staff have experienced feelings of fear as well as inexplicable sounds such as crying or moaning coming from within this dark, foreboding section, cell doors that close on their own and even visions of women in faded white dresses appearing out of nowhere!
Whaley House
What started out as an investment for the Whaley family soon turned into a monument of tragedy. Within its brick walls, multiple family members met their demise – including baby Thomas Whaley Jr who died of scarlet fever in 1858. Furthermore, an upstairs bedroom is said to be haunted by Violet Whaley, believed to have committed suicide following her marriage breakdown and has left behind the sounds of baby crying and footsteps being heard as evidence.
LIFE Magazine named it America’s Most Haunted House and numerous television programs + paranormal guides have featured it as part of Old Town San Diego history and as an iconic piece. If you are curious about paranormal phenomena, be sure to visit the Museum, offering daytime and evening tours as well as after-hours investigations – an official California Historic Landmark which can also be found in the National Register of Historic Places.
Oak Park Cemetery
Claremont Cemetery can be an unnerving experience. Many visitors have reported witnessing mysterious figures lingering around at night and even seeing reports of witches appearing on roads to cause heavy trucks to veer off course!
California is home to numerous haunted locations, but one particularly haunting locale is Kenneth Kitchen’s Court of Mysteries occult-themed mansion in Los Angeles which is said to be haunted by him and any souls associated with his wife’s Winchester rifle, according to reports.
Point Sur Lighthouse is one of California’s most haunted places, believed to be haunted by spirits of shipwreck victims who perished offshore. Visitors have reported hearing muffled screams coming from Mrs. Reed – she sometimes appears wearing the white dress she was murdered wearing; and ghostly children can often be heard playing within its walls – anything stolen will surely bring misfortune!
Eat 8 Mile Road
California may be known for its beaches and entertainment industry, but it also boasts plenty of eerie places like haunted ship hotels in Long Beach or haunted missions in Monterey – perfect places for thrill-seeking adventure.
The Winchester Mystery House built by Sarah Winchester, widow of firearms magnate William Wirt Winchester, is an intriguing mansion believed to be haunted by spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles. It’s said that their spirits still reside there as well.
Preston Castle Hotel in Amador County resembles something out of a horror movie, and reports of sightings by trumpeter Montgomery Clift and Marilyn Monroe have surfaced. Additionally, guests have reported hearing voices out of the corner of their eyes or experiencing stock falling off shelves or hearing voices coming from corners of rooms in which they have been staying. Furthermore, its dining room and lobby areas have become home to its signature ghost in black figure who haunts it nightly.
