ALCATRAZ SPIRITS • 1906 EARTHQUAKE TRAGEDY • GOLD RUSH GHOSTS • BARBARY COAST DARKNESS
San Francisco's beauty conceals one of America's darkest histories. Built on the chaos of the Gold Rush, devastated by the catastrophic 1906 earthquake and fire, and home to the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, the City by the Bay is layered with tragedy, violence, and restless spirits.
The 1906 earthquake and subsequent fires killed an estimated 3,000 people and destroyed 80% of the city. Entire neighborhoods vanished overnight. Bodies were hastily buried in mass graves. Today, many believe the spirits of those who died so suddenly and violently still wander the rebuilt city, unable to comprehend their fate.
Alcatraz Island, America's most notorious prison, housed some of the country's most dangerous criminals including Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly. The 'inescapable' prison saw brutal violence, mysterious disappearances, and the infamous 1962 escape. Guards and visitors have reported phantom footsteps, cell doors slamming shut on their own, unexplained screams, and apparitions of former inmates. Even after the prison closed in 1963, the spirits of Alcatraz refuse to leave.
The Gold Rush era brought fortune seekers from around the world, but also brought lawlessness, vigilante justice, and the notorious Barbary Coast—a waterfront district known for shanghaiing, prostitution, gambling, and murder. Shanghai tunnels beneath the city streets were used to kidnap men and force them into maritime service. Many never returned. Today, these tunnels and the buildings above them are considered some of San Francisco's most haunted locations.
Join Ghost City Tours to discover why San Francisco, despite its stunning beauty and progressive reputation, remains one of America's most genuinely haunted cities.
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Experience the haunted history of San Francisco
San Francisco is one of America's most haunted cities, with a rich history of paranormal activity.
Our San Francisco Ghost Tours take you through the most haunted locations, diving deep into the dark history and ghost stories that make this city unique.
Our expert guides bring the haunted history to life, sharing documented encounters and true stories from San Francisco's most haunted sites.
America's most notorious prison is widely considered one of the most haunted locations in the country, with documented paranormal activity dating back decades.
The catastrophic disaster killed thousands and destroyed 80% of the city. Many victims were never properly identified or buried, leaving restless spirits throughout San Francisco.
The lawless Gold Rush era saw murders, hangings, and violent deaths that left permanent paranormal scars on the city.
One of America's most dangerous neighborhoods, where men were kidnapped through underground tunnels and forced into maritime service. Many disappeared forever.
The city's famous Victorian mansions witnessed family tragedies, mysterious deaths, and scandals—and many are said to be haunted to this day.
San Francisco Bay's treacherous waters claimed countless ships and sailors. Ghost ships and phantom sailors are still reported in the fog.
Join thousands who have experienced the paranormal side of San Francisco. Whether you're a skeptic or a true believer, our tours will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Explore the most ghostly locations in San Francisco
San Francisco's haunted locations are currently being documented and will be available soon.
View all haunted locations in San FranciscoJoin our ghost tours to experience these haunted locations with expert guides who know all the dark secrets and paranormal stories.
The most authentic and engaging ghost tour experience in the City by the Bay
Ghost City Tours brings you the most authentic and engaging haunted history experience.
Our guides are passionate about San Francisco's history, from the Gold Rush to the Summer of Love, bringing the city's haunted past to life.
We keep our groups intimate so you can fully experience San Francisco's ghostly atmosphere without feeling like cattle on a crowded tour.
Every ghost story is backed by historical research and documented accounts. We don't make up stories—San Francisco's real history is terrifying enough.
From family-friendly historical tours to adults-only haunted pub crawls, we offer experiences for every interest and age group.
Trusted by Millions of Ghost Tour Enthusiasts since 2012
Everything you need to know about our San Francisco ghost tours
Absolutely. San Francisco has a dramatic history that includes the Gold Rush, the devastating 1906 earthquake and fire, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, the lawless Barbary Coast era, and countless maritime disasters. The city's violent past has left behind numerous documented hauntings and paranormal hotspots.
San Francisco's haunted history combines multiple eras of tragedy: Gold Rush murders and vigilante justice, the catastrophic 1906 earthquake that killed thousands, Alcatraz's notorious inmates, shanghaiing operations on the Barbary Coast, and Pacific maritime disasters. Few cities have such concentrated layers of dark history.
Our ghost tours take place in San Francisco's historic neighborhoods where we share stories of the city's most haunted locations. While we don't visit Alcatraz Island itself, we share the chilling stories of its hauntings and the spirits that are said to still linger there.
Yes! Our San Francisco ghost tours are designed to be engaging and appropriate for all ages. We focus on historical storytelling and documented hauntings rather than trying to scare participants. However, we do also offer adults-only pub crawls for those seeking a more mature experience.
Our San Francisco ghost tours typically last about 2 hours and cover approximately 1 mile of walking through historic neighborhoods like Chinatown, North Beach, or the Financial District.
San Francisco is famous for its microclimates and hills. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, and we recommend layering your clothing. Even on warm days, fog can roll in quickly and temperatures can drop significantly, especially in the evening.
Our Guest Services team is here to help 7 days a week from 7 AM to 11:30 PM.
Don't miss out on the #1 rated ghost tour experience in San Francisco. Book your adventure today!
Choose from family-friendly, adults-only, or pub crawl experiences.
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Rain or shine, we run tours every single night of the year.
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