California is famous for its sunshine, beaches, and Hollywood glitz—but beyond the glamour lies a chilling undercurrent of paranormal history. From abandoned asylums to eerie hotels, the Golden State is home to some of the most haunted places in the country.
Here are 12 of California’s most terrifying haunts, each with a ghost story that’ll send shivers down your spine.
1. The Queen Mary – Long Beach
Once a luxury ocean liner, the Queen Mary now floats in Long Beach as a hotel and museum. But guests report more than just ocean views—phantom footsteps, ghostly children laughing near the empty pool, and even full-bodied apparitions are common. Room B340 is so haunted that it’s been closed to the public in the past.
2. Alcatraz Island – San Francisco Bay
The infamous prison on Alcatraz Island held some of America’s most dangerous criminals, including Al Capone. Many believe the restless spirits of inmates still linger. Visitors and rangers alike report hearing cell doors slam, voices echoing through corridors, and strange cold spots—especially in Cell Block D.
3. Hotel del Coronado – San Diego
This iconic beachfront resort isn’t just a luxury destination—it’s also known for ghostly encounters. The most famous spirit is that of Kate Morgan, a young woman who checked in but never checked out. Her tragic suicide in 1892 still haunts the halls, with unexplained flickering lights and phantom footsteps.
4. The Winchester Mystery House – San Jose
Built by Sarah Winchester, heir to the Winchester rifle fortune, this Victorian mansion is a labyrinth of staircases to nowhere and doors that open into walls. Legend says Sarah built continuously to appease spirits killed by her family’s guns. Ghost sightings and strange noises are reported frequently.
5. Preston Castle – Ione
This former reform school for boys was notorious for harsh punishments and tragic deaths, including the mysterious murder of a housekeeper. Today, Preston Castle is a hotspot for paranormal investigations, with shadowy figures and ghostly whispers heard during tours.
6. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel – Los Angeles
Old Hollywood glamour lives on at the Roosevelt Hotel—and so do its ghosts. Marilyn Monroe’s spirit is said to appear in a mirror near her old suite, while the ghost of actor Montgomery Clift allegedly roams the ninth floor. Guests also report disembodied voices and cold drafts.
7. Bodie Ghost Town – Mono County
Bodie was a booming gold rush town that became a ghost town by the early 1900s. Today, it’s preserved in a state of arrested decay—and many believe it’s truly haunted. Tourists report the “Bodie Curse,” where bad luck follows those who steal artifacts. Apparitions and unexplained sounds have also been documented.
8. Turnbull Canyon – Whittier
Turnbull Canyon is a rugged, scenic area with a dark history of satanic rituals, mysterious deaths, and ghostly sightings. Locals report hearing screams in the night and seeing shadowy figures along the trails. Urban legends say cults still operate in its depths.
9. The Glen Tavern Inn – Santa Paula
Once a hotel and speakeasy, the Glen Tavern Inn has a long and colorful past, including alleged murders and suicides. Ghost hunters love this place, citing sightings of a cowboy ghost and a woman in white. Paranormal activity is said to spike in Room 307.
10. The Whaley House – San Diego
Touted as one of the most haunted houses in America, the Whaley House sits on land that once held public executions. The family suffered multiple tragedies, and their spirits, along with those of past criminals—are said to still roam the house. Visitors frequently capture orbs and hear unexplained noises.
11. Santa Cruz Boardwalk and River Street
While the Santa Cruz Boardwalk is full of joy by day, parts of the area are rumored to be haunted. Nearby River Street, where the old Salz Tannery stood, is said to host ghostly figures and disembodied screams. Some blame the area’s violent history for its eerie energy.
12. Linda Vista Hospital – Los Angeles
This abandoned hospital in East LA is the stuff of nightmares. Once a busy medical center, it closed in 1991 amid allegations of negligence. Paranormal investigators and urban explorers have reported doors slamming, ghostly patients wandering the halls, and chilling screams from the old surgical rooms.
Final Thoughts
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, these haunted locations in California offer more than just spooky stories—they reveal the darker layers of the state’s rich and sometimes tragic history. From eerie desert towns to haunted coastal hotels, the spirits of the past seem unwilling to let go. If you’re brave enough, visit these spots yourself—but don’t say we didn’t warn you.