Ghost Tours in California
HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS • GOLD RUSH GHOSTS • THE GOLDEN STATE'S DARKEST SECRETS
HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS • GOLD RUSH GHOSTS • THE GOLDEN STATE'S DARKEST SECRETS
Celebrity Deaths, Gold Rush Tragedies, and Spanish Colonial Spirits
California's haunted history is as diverse as its landscape—from San Francisco's catastrophic 1906 earthquake to Hollywood's tragic celebrity deaths, from the violent Gold Rush era to Spanish mission hauntings. The state that promised golden opportunities has witnessed countless tragedies: the earthquake that killed thousands in San Francisco, murders in glamorous Hollywood hotels, Alcatraz's violent prison history, mining disasters, and the dark side of fame. Spirits of forty-niners, movie stars, Alcatraz inmates, conquistadors, and earthquake victims are said to haunt California's cities, from San Francisco's rebuilt streets to Hollywood's grand theaters.
Legendary stars who never left the spotlight
Miners who died seeking their fortune
Spirits from California's colonial past
Thousands lost in San Francisco's 1906 disaster
California's grand hotels hide dark secrets
Famous faces who met tragic ends
Explore haunted history across the Golden State
Discover the dark secrets and paranormal stories of Hollywood on our award-winning ghost tours.
The Fame Kills Ghost Tour is Hollywood’s only adults-only ghost tour, crafted for guests who want to see the city’s glamorous past stripped bare to reveal its darker, more tragic side. This isn’t a tour for children—it’s a raw, macabre look at the hauntings born from fame, fortune, and the destructive underbelly of human nature. With flexible booking that allows you to reschedule up to 8 hours before the tour, it’s easy to plan your night on the town around an experience you won’t forget.
The Ghosts of Hollywood Tour is the perfect all-ages haunted history experience for families, history buffs, and anyone curious about the spooky side of Tinseltown. This 90-minute walking tour takes you beyond the red carpets and shining lights to uncover the spirits that still linger in the world’s most famous entertainment capital. With flexible booking that allows you to reschedule up to 8 hours before your tour, it’s easy to work this ghostly adventure into your trip.
Discover the dark secrets and paranormal stories of San Diego on our award-winning ghost tours.
The Ghosts of San Diego Tour is the city’s #1 family-friendly haunted history experience, created for guests ages 5 to 100. This tour is the perfect way to explore San Diego after dark with the whole family, blending fascinating history with spooky ghost stories that are entertaining without being over the top. With flexible booking that lets you reschedule up to 8 hours before your tour, it’s easy to fit into any trip or evening plans.
The Specters & Sinners Ghost Tour is San Diego’s only adults-only ghost tour, designed exclusively for guests 16+ who want more than a family-friendly night out. This isn’t a lighthearted stroll—it’s a raw, thought-provoking journey into the city’s seedy underbelly, where ghosts linger in the shadows of San Diego’s darkest history. With flexible bookings that let you reschedule up to 8 hours before your tour, it’s easy to plan your evening of chilling exploration.
A Legacy of Fame, Fortune, and Tragedy
Behind Hollywood's glamorous facade lies a history of mysterious deaths, suicides, murders, and curses. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, where Marilyn Monroe stayed, reports her ghost in Room 246. The Comedy Store, built on the site of Ciro's nightclub, is said to be haunted by numerous spirits from its gangster past. The Hollywood Sign has witnessed multiple suicides. Studio lots report paranormal activity from stars who died tragically—from Rudolph Valentino to James Dean. The pressure, addiction, and darkness that came with fame have left spiritual impressions throughout Tinseltown.
The 1849 Gold Rush brought hundreds of thousands of fortune seekers to California, and many never made it out alive. Mining accidents, claim disputes that ended in shootouts, disease, starvation, and exposure claimed countless lives. Ghost towns throughout Gold Country—Bodie, Calico, Columbia—stand as monuments to those who died seeking wealth. These perfectly preserved towns are among America's most haunted locations, with miners, prostitutes, gamblers, and outlaws still present. Some say the ghosts are still searching for the gold that eluded them in life.
The devastating 1906 earthquake and subsequent fires killed over 3,000 people and destroyed 80% of San Francisco. Bodies were buried in mass graves, and many victims were never identified. The catastrophic loss of life in such a short time created intense paranormal activity throughout the city. Survivors reported seeing ghostly figures in the ruins, and to this day, San Francisco's rebuilt areas—particularly those constructed over the rubble—experience unexplained phenomena. The Palace Hotel, which burned and was rebuilt, is one of many locations haunted by earthquake victims.
San Francisco's haunted history extends far beyond the earthquake. Alcatraz Island, America's most notorious federal prison, housed the country's most dangerous criminals from 1934 to 1963. Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, and Robert Stroud all served time in 'The Rock.' Brutal conditions, mysterious deaths, and the infamous 1962 escape left permanent paranormal scars. Guards and visitors report phantom footsteps, cell doors slamming, unexplained screams, and apparitions. The Shanghai tunnels beneath San Francisco's streets were used to kidnap men for forced maritime service—many never returned. The Barbary Coast district was among America's most dangerous neighborhoods, filled with murders, shanghaiing, and vice. These dark chapters, combined with the earthquake tragedy, make San Francisco one of the most intensely haunted cities in California.
California's 21 Spanish missions were built by Native American labor, often under harsh conditions. Thousands of indigenous people died from disease, mistreatment, and forced conversion. Many missions report hauntings by both priests and Native Americans. The Mission San Fernando Rey de España, Mission La Purísima Concepción, and others have documented paranormal activity. Additionally, California's Native American history predates Spanish colonization by thousands of years, and sacred burial grounds throughout the state are said to be protected by ancient spirits who resist disturbance.
Book your California ghost tour and discover the Golden State's darkest history