Haunted Places in San Diego
So many tours, so little time. You can climb aboard the Trolley of Doom and traverse the hilly seaside, or choose one of the guided walking tours. Old Town San Diego is a must for the true believer, as is a stop at the notorious Whaley House. Its premises have been investigated by well-known ghost hunting teams and all have been impressed by an apparition or a sound or a book flying through the air. You can also find tours that combine true crime and murder with haunted buildings and cemeteries. Enjoy fresh scallops and an icy cold beer when you’re done with your explorations, then start again tomorrow. If you manage to sleep, that is …
Haunted Places in San Diego
Whaley House Museum: Easily the most notorious haunt in Old Town, the Whaley House has been featured on Ghost Adventures, Buzzfeed, and Celebrity Ghost Stories to name but a few. The former home of Thomas Whaley, this elegant, two-story landmark with its Greek Revival archetecture is said to attract visitors from across the world. Although it was considered a treasure in its day the home was also the site of tragedy for the Whaley family. One of the young daughters committed suicide there and there were rumors of strife and unhappiness inside. There is evidence the family thought the house haunted and they moved into town after Violet’s suicide.
Del Mar Racetrack: Since 1937, the Del Mar race track has been one of California’s most iconic attractions. Celebrities such as Bing Crosby and Pat O’Brien rubbed elbows with lesser known hopefuls, all out to enjoy a day of thoroughbred racing. Afterwards, the privileged few made their way up to the Turf Club Clubhouse for boozey recaps of the afternoon’s events. The excitement and camaraderie of the early years must have been hard to leave behind; employees of the track today swear the party continues upstairs long after the spectators have left. Sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, music–all have been reported drifting from the bar area. Paranormal teams have investigated the racetrack and swear the dead are still enjoying the thrill of an afternoon at the races.
Old Point Loma Lighthouse: This stately throwback to another era was first lit in November 1855. The Old Point Loma Lighthouse served San Diego Bay for 36 years before the thick mists and rolling fogs made it impossible to fulfill its mission. After being decommsissioned, it remained standing and today houses an historical museum and is a reminder of simpler days. Tourists who visit the building have reported paranormal phenomena ranging from heavy footsteps to icy cold waves of energy. Hazy apparitions have been seen on the spiral stairway and low moans have been heard emanating from a bedroom. Many people come away certain the old lighthouse is haunted, possibly by one of its former caretakers.
El Campo Santo: This small, historic cemetery was established in 1849 and ostensibly contains 477 bodies. Why ostensibly? A visitor walking through this San Diego burial ground will see that crosses and markers are found outside its gates, on the sidewalk and streets. Shockingly, a streetcar built tracks right through the grounds, upending several graves and resulting in some bodies being reinterred. The unhappy dead are said to cause electrical disturbances, especially in vehicles, and apparitions have been seen floating around the sidewalk.
Horton Grand Hotel: This elegant, historic hotel has seen centuries of San Diego glamour. It’s also a hotbed of paranormal phenomena, with the worst (or best!) emanating from room 309. This was the room in which gambler and general ne'er-do-well Roger Whitaker was shot to death. Guests staying in 309 report all forms of mischief from lights flickering on and off, doors opening and closing and the bed shaking. Other phenomena include apparitions floating down the Horton Grand’s staircase and cold chills lingering in various spaces.
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