California isn’t just about sunny beaches and Hollywood dreams—it also has a chilling side that draws paranormal enthusiasts from around the world. From old gold rush towns to historic hotels, the Golden State is full of ghost stories, haunted legends, and spine-tingling ghost tours. If you love history with a spooky twist, here are the 25 most haunted places in California to explore in 2025.
1. The Queen Mary – Long Beach, CA
The Queen Mary is one of California’s most famous haunted attractions. This retired British ocean liner, permanently docked in Long Beach, has a long history dating back to the 1930s. During World War II, it served as a troopship, earning the nickname “The Grey Ghost.”
Today, visitors claim to hear mysterious footsteps, see ghostly apparitions, and even feel sudden drops in temperature while touring the ship. Popular haunted spots include the engine room, cabin B340, and the swimming pool area where guests have reported sightings of ghostly figures.
You can book tours and special Halloween events directly at the Queen Mary official site.
2. Winchester Mystery House – San Jose, CA
No list of haunted places in California would be complete without the Winchester Mystery House. Built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of the rifle magnate, this sprawling Victorian mansion is famous for its bizarre architecture—staircases leading to nowhere, doors opening into walls, and hidden passageways.
Legends say Sarah believed she was haunted by the spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles, and the only way to appease them was to keep building the house without end. Many visitors and staff have reported ghostly encounters, including shadowy figures and disembodied voices.
Check tour schedules at the Winchester Mystery House website.
3. Alcatraz Island – San Francisco, CA
Known as one of the most infamous prisons in American history, Alcatraz isn’t just a tourist hotspot—it’s also considered one of the most haunted places in California. Inmates and guards once reported strange noises, whispers, and chilling sensations inside the prison walls.
Today, visitors exploring Cell Block D (nicknamed “the Hole”) often describe feeling uneasy, hearing unexplained sounds, and sensing an eerie presence. With its isolated location in the San Francisco Bay, the atmosphere only adds to its haunting reputation.
For tickets and night tours, visit the Alcatraz Cruises website.
4. Hotel del Coronado – Coronado, CA
This iconic beachfront resort near San Diego is as beautiful as it is mysterious. The Hotel del Coronado, built in 1888, is known for its Victorian architecture and legendary ghost story of Kate Morgan, a young woman who checked into the hotel in 1892 and never checked out.
Guests and staff have reported flickering lights, sudden cold spots, and even sightings of a woman’s ghostly figure roaming the hallways. Today, the hotel embraces its haunted history with themed experiences that attract curious travelers.
Learn more or book a stay at the Hotel del Coronado official website.
5. Bodie Ghost Town – Mono County, CA
Frozen in time since the gold rush era, Bodie is one of California’s best-preserved ghost towns. Once a booming mining community in the late 1800s, it’s now a state historic park that draws both history buffs and paranormal seekers.
According to local legend, Bodie is cursed—anyone who takes artifacts from the site (like nails or rocks) is doomed with bad luck until the items are returned. Visitors claim to see shadowy figures in abandoned homes, hear children laughing, and catch glimpses of spirits peering out from dusty windows.
Plan your trip through the California State Parks website.
6. Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel – Los Angeles, CA
The glamorous Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, located right on Hollywood Boulevard, is famous not only for its celebrity guests but also for its ghostly residents. Built in 1927, the hotel has hosted stars like Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Clift, and some believe their spirits never left.
Guests have reported sightings of Marilyn Monroe’s reflection in a mirror that once hung in her favorite suite, as well as the sound of Montgomery Clift’s trumpet playing on the ninth floor. The mix of old Hollywood charm and paranormal tales makes this a must-visit for ghost hunters and history buffs.
Check rooms and tours on the Hollywood Roosevelt official website.
7. Preston Castle – Ione, CA
Located in Amador County, Preston Castle (also known as the Preston School of Industry) is a former reform school for boys built in 1894. The massive stone structure looks straight out of a horror movie, and its dark past includes stories of abuse, tragic deaths, and restless spirits.
Visitors on ghost tours report unexplained voices, cold drafts, and feelings of being watched. Paranormal investigators have even captured strange sounds and shadowy figures on camera inside the decaying halls.
Plan your visit at the Preston Castle Foundation site.
8. Moss Beach Distillery – Moss Beach, CA
This historic restaurant on the cliffs of Moss Beach is home to the ghost of the “Blue Lady.” In the 1920s, the site was a popular speakeasy during Prohibition, and legend says the Blue Lady was a young woman who fell in love with a man she could never be with. Tragically, her life ended near the beach below the restaurant.
Since then, guests and employees have reported flickering lights, objects moving on their own, and mysterious figures appearing in blue near the dining rooms. Despite the eerie stories, the restaurant is still a cozy spot to grab dinner with a side of ghostly history.
Reserve a table at the Moss Beach Distillery website.
9. Los Coches Adobe – Soledad, CA
Deep in Monterey County, the Los Coches Adobe has a reputation as one of the state’s most haunted ruins. Originally part of a Mexican land grant in the 1840s, the adobe later became a tavern, stagecoach stop, and even a brothel. Its violent past includes tales of murder, mining accidents, and dark secrets buried on the land.
Visitors claim to hear chains dragging, see shadowy figures in the windows, and feel an unsettling presence, especially in the underground tunnels beneath the building. Though it’s now closed to the public, paranormal researchers still consider it a hotbed of ghostly activity.
10. Pierson Building (Haunted Whaley House’s Rival) – Old Town, San Diego, CA
While the Whaley House is San Diego’s most famous haunted attraction, the nearby Pierson Building also holds dark stories. Built in the 1800s, the building has served as a saloon, hotel, and meeting place. Locals say it carries a heavy energy, and visitors often report cold spots and sudden dizziness.
Paranormal tours in Old Town often include this spot, making it a great alternative for those looking beyond the Whaley House for eerie experiences.
Learn more and book tours through the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.
11. Whaley House – San Diego, CA
Often called “the most haunted house in America” by the U.S. Commerce Department, the Whaley House in Old Town San Diego has a dark and fascinating past. Built in 1857, it was once a family home, courthouse, and even a theater.
The tragic deaths of the Whaley family, including young children, are said to linger in the house. Visitors often report ghostly figures, phantom footsteps, and even the sound of a baby crying. The Whaley House is now a museum and one of the most popular ghost tour stops in Southern California.
Book tours at the Whaley House Museum website.
12. Brookdale Lodge – Santa Cruz Mountains, CA
Nestled among the redwoods, the Brookdale Lodge is a historic hotel and restaurant that has entertained Hollywood stars and politicians since the 1900s. But it’s also infamous for ghostly legends.
The most well-known spirit is that of a little girl named Sarah, who drowned in the creek that runs through the lodge’s dining room. Guests have reported seeing her wandering the halls in a white dress. Staff and paranormal teams have also documented voices, shadowy figures, and eerie cold spots.
Learn more at the Brookdale Lodge official site.
13. The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts – Cerritos, CA
Though relatively modern, this theater has developed a spooky reputation. Actors and staff claim to have seen mysterious figures backstage, and some report hearing applause in empty auditoriums.
Many believe the site’s paranormal activity is tied to land history, as the surrounding area was once home to early settlers and saw tragic accidents. The Cerritos ghost stories are lesser known but give the theater a chilling charm for those curious about haunted performing arts venues.
14. The Rispin Mansion – Capitola, CA
Built in 1922, the Rispin Mansion is a Mediterranean-style estate in Capitola that quickly became a local ghost legend after it fell into disrepair. The home has been abandoned for decades, and locals whisper about strange lights, apparitions, and footsteps heard at night.
Though the city has plans to renovate the property, paranormal enthusiasts still consider it one of the creepiest spots in Northern California. Its decaying elegance adds to the haunting atmosphere.
15. Alhambra’s Pyrenees Castle – Alhambra, CA
This private residence built in 1926 looks like a real-life castle. Once owned by gangster George “Machine Gun” Kelly, the Pyrenees Castle has a notorious past filled with crime and mystery. Neighbors claim to see ghostly figures on the grounds, and paranormal investigators have documented odd sounds and apparitions.
Though it’s not open to the public, its reputation as a haunted landmark adds to California’s chilling collection of ghostly sites.
16. Chinatown Tunnels – Los Angeles, CA
Beneath the busy streets of Los Angeles Chinatown lies a labyrinth of tunnels with a dark past. In the early 1900s, these tunnels were allegedly used for gambling, opium dens, and even human trafficking. Today, they’re mostly sealed, but people who’ve explored them report ghostly whispers, unexplained footsteps, and cold drafts.
The eerie history of crime and tragedy makes them one of L.A.’s most talked-about haunted underground sites.
17. Linda Vista Hospital – Los Angeles, CA
Once a functioning hospital in Boyle Heights, Linda Vista Community Hospital closed in 1991 after a history of violence, gang activity, and ghostly rumors. Many paranormal investigators consider it one of the most haunted abandoned hospitals in California.
Visitors (before it was renovated into apartments) reported shadowy figures in the halls, screams in the ER, and spirits of former patients wandering the wards. Even now, its haunted reputation lingers in Los Angeles folklore.
18. Old Los Angeles Zoo – Griffith Park, CA
The Old Zoo at Griffith Park may look like a fun picnic area now, but its crumbling cages and abandoned enclosures have a chilling vibe. Visitors often report hearing animal noises at night when no animals live there, as well as unsettling whispers in the old tunnels.
Griffith Park itself is rumored to be cursed, with legends of Native American spirits and tragic accidents adding to the haunting atmosphere.
19. The Alexandria Hotel – Los Angeles, CA
Once the crown jewel of downtown L.A., the Alexandria Hotel opened in 1906 and hosted Hollywood’s elite. But after its decline in the mid-1900s, stories of hauntings became common. Guests and staff have reported shadowy figures, cold breezes, and mysterious knocks in the empty ballrooms.
The “phantom dancers” of the Crystal Ballroom are a favorite ghost tale, with many claiming to hear music and laughter long after the parties ended.
20. St. Francis Hotel – San Francisco, CA
This historic Union Square hotel opened in 1904 and quickly became a favorite among celebrities and politicians. But after the 1906 earthquake and several tragic deaths, the Westin St. Francis earned a haunted reputation.
Some guests claim to see the ghost of actor Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, who was caught in a scandal here, and others report flickering lights, phantom phone calls, and ghostly figures in old hallways. Its elegant exterior hides a chilling past.
21. Camarillo State Mental Hospital – Camarillo, CA
Now part of California State University Channel Islands, the former Camarillo State Mental Hospital operated from 1936 to 1997 and housed thousands of patients. Its long history of overcrowding, questionable treatments, and tragic deaths has fueled ghost stories for decades.
Students and staff today report strange noises, flickering lights, and cold spots in the old hospital wings. Paranormal investigators often describe the site as one of the most haunted campuses in California.
22. Joshua Tree Inn – Joshua Tree, CA
This desert inn is famous for its connection to musician Gram Parsons, who died here in 1973. Room 8, where Parsons passed away, is believed to be haunted by his spirit. Guests staying in the room have reported strange music, flickering lights, and even visions of Parsons himself.
The inn embraces its haunted reputation, making it a unique stop for music lovers and paranormal enthusiasts alike.
Book a stay at the Joshua Tree Inn official website.
23. Old Town Temecula Hotel – Temecula, CA
This historic hotel in Southern California wine country has a charming Western feel, but also a spooky past. Built in the late 1800s, the Old Town Temecula Hotel has hosted countless travelers, and some never checked out.
Guests have reported ghostly children playing in the hallways, footsteps on empty stairs, and doors opening on their own. Ghost tours in Old Town Temecula often highlight the hotel as one of the region’s most haunted landmarks.
24. USS Hornet – Alameda, CA
Docked in the San Francisco Bay, the USS Hornet is a decommissioned aircraft carrier turned museum. Known as the “most haunted ship in the Navy,” it saw combat in World War II and the Vietnam War, with hundreds of deaths on board.
Visitors report shadowy sailors, mysterious voices, and eerie footsteps echoing through the steel corridors. The Hornet even offers paranormal tours for brave guests who want to explore after dark.
Visit the USS Hornet Museum website.
25. The Glen Tavern Inn – Santa Paula, CA
Built in 1911, the Glen Tavern Inn has a long and colorful past, including a period during Prohibition when it allegedly housed a speakeasy and brothel. Guests and staff say spirits of former patrons still linger.
Room 307 is especially notorious, with claims of ghostly apparitions, flickering lights, and objects moving on their own. The inn’s mix of small-town charm and haunted history makes it a popular stop for paranormal travelers.
Learn more at the Glen Tavern Inn website.
Final Thoughts (Now 25 Haunted Places!)
With 25 haunted places across California, your guide is now one of the most extensive online. From historic ships and mental hospitals to desert inns and gold rush towns, each destination combines history, legends, and paranormal encounters that make California one of the top states for ghost seekers in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is the most haunted place in California?
Many consider the Whaley House in San Diego and the Queen Mary in Long Beach as the most haunted places in California.
Q2. Can you visit these haunted places at night?
Yes, some sites like the Winchester Mystery House, Queen Mary, and USS Hornet offer special night or ghost tours.
Q3. Are haunted tours in California safe?
Absolutely. Tours are guided and safe—though you may get a few ghostly chills!
Q4. Which haunted hotel in California can I stay in?
Popular haunted stays include the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Hotel del Coronado, and the Glen Tavern Inn.
Q5. Do I need tickets for haunted places?
Yes, many locations like Alcatraz, Winchester Mystery House, and the USS Hornet require tickets in advance.
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I am Sabiq Rasel is an Entrepreneur and broadcaster. I believe that every sip of coffee holds the potential for a moment of inspiration, creativity, and every cup tells a story.
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