Haunted Hotels in California You Can Stay In
Discover the most haunted hotels in California with real ghost stories and paranormal activity
Cities in California with haunted hotels
13 Haunted Hotels Found in California
Glen Tavern Inn
134 N Mill St, Santa Paula, CA 93060, USA
The Glen Tavern Inn, dating back to 1911, carries tales from its Prohibition-era past when its third floor allegedly housed a speakeasy, gambling den, and brothel. While some specific stories may be embellished, Room 307 is notoriously cited as the most haunted, reportedly by a cowboy spirit named Calvin, possibly killed during a card game, and an unidentified woman believed to be a murdered prostitute. Guests and investigators report apparitions, cold spots, disembodied voices, and phantom children playing in hallways and stairs. Its reputation draws paranormal enthusiasts and has been featured on shows like 'Ghost Adventures'.
Zaballa House
324 Main St, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, USA
The Zaballa House, being one of the oldest structures in Half Moon Bay, is reputed to be haunted by members of the original Zaballa family or past inhabitants. Guests have reported unexplained experiences such as hearing footsteps on empty staircases or floors above, voices when no one is around, doors creaking open or shut, and feeling sudden cold spots. Some activity is associated with particular rooms related to the original family quarters.
Mission Inn
3649 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501, USA
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is vast and historic, leading to numerous ghostly legends associated with its founder, Frank Miller, his family, and past guests. Frank and his sister Alice are said to still wander the property, particularly near their former private quarters. Alice's spirit is often linked to Room 408. Others report feeling unseen presences in various parts of the inn, including chapels and narrow corridors, hearing whispers, or seeing shadowy figures. The sheer size and architectural complexity contribute to its eerie ambiance.
Napa River Inn
500 Main St, Napa, CA 94559, USA
The Napa River Inn is part of the historic Napa Mill dating back to 1884. The most commonly reported ghostly inhabitant is Albert Hatt, Jr., the son of the original mill owner, who passed away in the building. Guests have reported seeing his apparition, particularly in rooms overlooking the river, or experiencing lights turning on/off and objects moving. Another spirit sometimes mentioned is that of a former employee. The hotel acknowledges its haunted history, contributing to its unique character.
Chateau Marmont
8221 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046, USA
Chateau Marmont's haunted reputation is intertwined with its long history of celebrity residents and tragic events, most notably the death of John Belushi in Bungalow 3. Guests have reported various paranormal experiences: feeling unseen presences, cold spots, hearing disembodied voices or laughter, and objects moving. Some claim to have encountered spirits of former residents or seen fleeting figures. The hotel's mystique contributes to its ghostly lore, though often kept discreet.
The Delta King Riverboat
1000 Front St, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA
The Delta King has a varied history, including service and accidents. One primary ghostly tale involves the boat's original captain, who reportedly still roams his former vessel, sometimes seen in archaic attire or heard giving commands. Other reported phenomena include unexplained noises, ghostly laughter, feelings of being pushed, and sightings of apparitions believed to be former passengers or crew members who met untimely ends aboard or in connection with the riverboat's operations over the decades.
Queen Anne Hotel
1590 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA
The Queen Anne Hotel is famously believed to be haunted by the spirit of Miss Mary Lake, the headmistress of the girls' school that originally occupied the building. Her presence is said to be benevolent, often felt as a gentle touch or seen as a faint apparition, particularly around her former office (now Room 410). Guests have reported waking to find their blankets neatly tucked around them or clothes unpacked. It's considered one of San Francisco's most famously 'gentle' hauntings.
Historic Cary House Hotel
300 Main St, Placerville, CA 95667, USA
The Cary House Hotel, with its Gold Rush origins, is associated with various spirits from its long history. Figures commonly mentioned include former patrons, staff, and possibly individuals connected to Placerville's frontier past. Specific entities sometimes named are 'Stan', a supposed former desk clerk, or ghostly figures seen in period attire. Guests report disembodied footsteps, doors opening/closing, items moving, phantom cigar smoke, and apparitions in hallways and rooms, reflecting its colorful past.
Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
7000 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028, USA
The Hollywood Roosevelt is renowned for its ghostly residents, most notably celebrities from its past. Marilyn Monroe, who lived in Suite 1200, is often reportedly seen in a full-length mirror originally from her suite, now located in the lobby. Actor Montgomery Clift is said to haunt his former room 928, with guests hearing him practice his lines or playing the trumpet. Other sightings include a little girl named Caroline haunting the pool area, and occasional reports linked to actor Errol Flynn.
Hotel del Coronado
1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118, USA
The property is famously haunted by the ghost of a woman named Kate Morgan, believed to have checked in around 1892 and died under mysterious circumstances on site days after arriving. Guests and staff report unexplained phenomena primarily around her former room, including cold spots, flickering lights, items moving on their own, and faint apparitions. Regular ghost tours delve into her story and alleged sightings.
Union Hotel
401 1st St, Benicia, CA 94510, USA
The Union Hotel in Benicia, operating since the mid-19th century, reportedly harbors several spirits. A frequently mentioned ghost is that of a young woman named Julia or Juliana, believed to have taken her life in the hotel or been a victim of foul play. Guests in certain rooms, particularly on the upper floors, report hearing phantom footsteps, unexplained noises, doors opening and closing on their own, and cold spots. Staff have also reported strange occurrences after hours.
Amargosa Opera House & Hotel
608 Death Valley Junction, Death Valley, CA 92328, USA
The Amargosa Opera House & Hotel is deeply tied to its former resident artist, Marta Becket, but also to the area's borax mining history. Paranormal claims include sightings of ghostly figures believed to be miners from the early 20th century, feelings of being watched, and unexplained noises within the theater and hotel rooms. Some visitors feel Marta Becket's creative spirit remains, watching over her beloved opera house. The isolation adds to the eerie atmosphere.
Queen Mary Hotel
1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802, USA
The Queen Mary is famed as one of the most haunted places in America. Having served as a luxury liner and WWII troopship, numerous deaths occurred onboard. Notable spectral residents include 'Grumpy', an engineer allegedly killed in the engine room; several children reported in the pool area and nursery; and the 'Lady in White' in the Queen's Salon. Stateroom B340 is purportedly so haunted it was closed for many years due to intense activity. Paranormal tours capitalize on its haunted reputation, exploring areas with frequent sightings.
Haunted History of California
California's haunted history is a dramatic tale of golden dreams and shattered realities. The Gold Rush of 1849 forever defined the state's paranormal landscape, as hundreds of thousands of prospectors descended upon the Sierra Nevada mountains. This era of sudden wealth, lawlessness, and brutal hardship created legendary boomtowns like Bodie, where life was cheap and death was frequent. The desperate and often lonely spirits of these miners are said to still wander the ghost towns and historic hotels of Gold Country, eternally searching for the motherlode.
In Southern California, a different kind of ghost story unfolds under the klieg lights of Hollywood. The immense fame, glamour, and tragedy of the studio era created a unique cast of celebrity spirits who have never left the stage. The ghosts of movie stars, murder victims like the "Black Dahlia," and ill-fated starlets are said to haunt the theaters, mansions, and hotels of Los Angeles. From the haunted decks of the Queen Mary to the infamous cells of Alcatraz, California's vast and varied history has produced some of the most famous and compelling ghost stories in the world.
Other Haunted Attractions in California
- The Queen Mary (Long Beach): This majestic ocean liner is permanently docked in Long Beach and is considered one of the most haunted places on the planet. Having served as both a luxury liner and a WWII troopship, the Queen Mary is home to hundreds of documented ghosts. Visitors report encounters with a "lady in white," the spirits of drowned sailors in the engine room, and ghostly children in the former nursery.
- Alcatraz Island (San Francisco): "The Rock" was America's most infamous federal prison, designed to be inescapable. The profound misery, isolation, and psychological torment suffered by inmates like Al Capone have saturated the island with a dark, oppressive energy. Visitors and park rangers on Alcatraz Island frequently report hearing phantom screams, cell doors slamming shut, and the ghostly sound of banjo music echoing through the cellblocks.
- Winchester Mystery House (San Jose): This bizarre architectural marvel was the home of Sarah Winchester, heiress to the rifle fortune. Haunted by guilt, she built her mansion continuously for 38 years, adding staircases to nowhere and doors that open onto walls, allegedly to confuse the spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles. The Winchester Mystery House is said to be haunted by these vengeful spirits, as well as by Sarah herself.
- Bodie State Historic Park (near Bridgeport): Bodie is not a reconstruction; it's a genuine Gold Rush ghost town preserved in a state of "arrested decay." It was a notoriously violent town where shootouts were a daily occurrence, and the spirits of its lawless residents have remained. Visitors to Bodie State Historic Park can peer into dusty, fully stocked interiors and feel the palpable energy of the Wild West, but be warned: a famous curse brings bad luck to anyone who steals even a single nail from the town.
Travel Tips for Haunted Hotel Stays in California
- Plan a Themed Road Trip: California is too big to see all at once. Plan a trip around a paranormal theme, like a Gold Rush ghost town tour through the Sierra Nevadas or a "haunted Hollywood" trip exploring the ghostly landmarks of Los Angeles.
- Book Famous Attractions in Advance: World-renowned paranormal hotspots like Alcatraz Island and the Winchester Mystery House often sell tickets months in advance. To avoid missing out, book your tours online as early as possible.
- Choose Your Ghost: Celebrity or Prospector? California offers vastly different paranormal experiences. You can seek the glamorous ghosts of Old Hollywood in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills or the rugged, desperate spirits of the Gold Rush in the historic towns of Northern California.
- Beware the Curse of Bodie: When visiting the ghost town of Bodie, it is imperative that you take nothing but pictures. A well-documented curse is said to plague anyone who steals from the town with misfortune until the stolen item is returned to the park.
FAQ about Haunted Hotels in California
Are haunted hotels in California safe to stay in? Absolutely. From historic Gold Rush inns to glamorous Old Hollywood hotels, these establishments are professionally run and prioritize guest safety and comfort. The ghosts are part of the unique history and ambiance.
What is the most haunted place in California? It's a fierce competition between two titans: The Queen Mary in Long Beach and Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay are both considered among the most haunted locations in the world. The Winchester Mystery House and the entire ghost town of Bodie are also top contenders.
Are all the ghosts in California movie stars? While Hollywood's celebrity ghosts are famous, they are just one facet of the state's paranormal population. You are just as likely to encounter the spirit of a heartbroken '49er, a tormented prisoner, a lonely lighthouse keeper, or a ghost from California's Spanish Mission era.
What time of year is best for a haunted trip to California? Autumn is a fantastic time, with Halloween events happening in all major cities and pleasant weather throughout the state. A summer trip is often the only time you can access high-elevation ghost towns like Bodie, which are snowed-in during the winter.