California is known for its clear skies and year round sunshine but, as it turns out there is a slew of “Haunted” places to visit. This past summer my buddies and I mapped out four California destinations we wanted to visit that are said to be “Haunted” West Coast destinations. Needless to say we kind of failed after a few mimosas at our first stop; The Hotel Del Coronado but, below is our itinerary of haunted spaces we thought might be worth seeing.
The Whaley House | San Diego
It may look like an ordinary, old-fashioned brick house, but the Whaley House is anything but. In its history, it served as the town courthouse, a general store, a theater, a morgue and a granary. It was also home to Thomas Whaley and his family, many of whom are said to be haunting the old mansion since their demise. Whether it was the gruesome suicide of the Whaley daughter, Violet, or the many hangings that occurred on the property’s grounds before the family bought it, visitors allege to hearing heavy footsteps moving about the house when no one was in sight. Otherstrange events include sightings of Thomas Whaley standing at the top of the stairs and a floating apparition in the downstairs rooms among other events.
Battery Point Lighthouse | Crescent City
This iconic lighthouse in Crescent City, California was built in 1856 and although it survived the tsunami of 1964 that devastated this northern California city, there’s been numerous reports of strange and eerie occurrences.
Lighthouse workers and guests say that they have heard what sounded like someone wearing large boots stomping around. There have also been reports of items moving, cold spots and the feeling that someone was touching them when no one was there.
The Queen Mary | Long Beach
Permanently docked in Long Beach, the Queen Mary was once a luxury ocean liner and a WWII Ferry Ship. She sailed from 1936 to 1967 and today those who visit can enjoy the ship’s museum, a hotel and any of several restaurants. But for those who have a desire to discover the secrets of the supernatural, this unique California attraction delivers in a big way. Here, it’s not unusual to hear the sounds of ghostly children; and if you wander into cabin B340, you may just have an encounter with the spirit of the murder victim who has not moved onto the next world.
The Hotel Del Coronado | San Diego
A legendary hotel that’s been hosting guests since 1888, the Hotel del Coronado is one of those historic places that has centuries of stories to tell. But the one that’s most interesting to ghost hunters is the story of a young bride named Kate Morgan who checked into the hotel in 1892 and never checked out. Well, not officially. She was found dead on the hotel steps days after and that’s where the real trouble began. Today, those who check into Kate’s room, which is now room 3312, have had spooky experiences to say the least. Curtains blowing even though the windows are closed, objects moved by unseen hands, murmuring sounds and even sightings of Kate walking down the hallways and peering out the windows have all been reported.
