Ghostly Happenings in California

Ghostly Spirits of Notorious Criminals

When visiting San Francisco, take a tour of Alcatraz Island, which was once home to the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. The island once locked up the most dangerous criminals in the US until 1963. Becoming a popular tourist attraction, the island soon showed that the most notorious of criminals have never left but stayed on in spirit.

Visitors have felt cold spots and heard disembodied voices and the sounds of cell doors slamming in empty corridors. Known as “The Hole," Cell Block D was where prisoners were placed in solitary confinement. Here guards have heard sobbing and felt eyes upon them even though no one was around.

Spirit of Gregg and Shadowy Figures

Black Star Canyon in Silverado is known to have accumulated paranormal activity over the years. A brutal massacre of Native Indian villagers occurred in 1831 by fur trappers. Then in 1899, James Gregg was murdered during a dispute over a horse trade.

Here hikers enjoying nature have encountered the vengeful spirit of Gregg, who keeps searching for his killer. Believed to be the slain Native Americans' shadowy figures appear. Nearby is the site of a tragic school bus accident, and one can hear the screams of children. The canyon has become a focal point for paranormal researchers.

Authentic Ghost Town

The town of Bodie remains one of the most authentic ghost towns in America. It was a thriving place during the Gold Rush and then disappeared along with the gold.

Even though abandoned, many original structures still stand. You can enjoy meeting the spirits of prospectors, gamblers, and gunslingers. Visitors have seen shadowy figures peer from windows and heard phantom piano music from the abandoned saloon. The ghost town is under the famous “Bodie Curse," which suggests that anyone who removes even the smallest artifact from the site will experience misfortune until the artifact is returned.

Supernatural Happenings

The Victorian beach resort in San Diego, Hotel del Coronado, has been popular with Hollywood stars. Some might still roam about, but the one spirit is that of Kate Morgan, who checked in by herself in 1892 and was later found dead on the hotel’s exterior staircase days later. Thought to be a suicide, the circumstances were mysterious.

The spirit of Kate haunts her hotel room 3327. Guests have experienced the TV turning on, the temperature fluctuating, and heard unexplained footsteps. Staff members have seen objects moving on their own and lights start flickering. The presence of Kate brings on a melancholy feeling.

Scary Screams and Spirits of 17 Boys

Preston Castle is a red sandstone structure looking over the town of Ione. At one time it was a reform school for troubled boys. The structure was built in 1894 in the Gothic style. Here numerous deaths have occurred among them students, and in 1950 the brutal murder of housekeeper Anna Corbin.

The most active spirit at this location is Anna, whose screams can be heard in the basement where her body was discovered. Seventeen spirits of boys who died roam the halls. One of the most active is that of Samuel Goins, who was shot in the back of the head trying to escape. Paranormal investigators capture EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) and witness objects moving independently within these walls.

Ghostly Spirits Aboard Ship

Anchored in Long Beach, the Queen Mary was once a luxurious ocean liner that was called the “Grey Ghost” during WWII. (pictured above) It has become a well-known tourist attraction that is now a hotel and a haunted place. Aboard the ship over the years there have been at least 49 recorded deaths, and now it is known for its paranormal activity.

Visitors have encountered the spirit of a sailor who met his death in the engine room. There is also the spirit of a young girl who once drowned in the pool. One of the most unsettling things is that mysterious knocking sounds can be heard all throughout the ship. To experience supernatural happenings,, stay in Stateroom B340, where ghostly hands pull away the bed sheets and lights turn on and off by themselves.

Ghostly Spirits of Thomas, Anna, and Violet

While visiting San Diego, stop by the Whaley House and meet some ghosts. This Greek Revival mansion was built in 1857 on former public gallows. Since that time it has not been a place to live peacefully and has witnessed many tragedies, including the suicide of Violet Whaley.

Visitors to the house have encountered the spirits of the family: Thomas, his wife Anna, and daughter Violet. Years before the house was built, “Yankee Jum” was hanged on the property, and his spirit is still around. Phantom footsteps and disembodied voices have been heard, and there is the scent of cigar smoke in the air.

Mysterious Unexplained Phenomenon

The Winchester House is a strange sprawling 160-room mansion in San Jose. The house features staircases that lead to nowhere, doors that open on blank walls, and windows overlooking interior rooms. It was built by the Winchester rifle magnate William Winchester, who lived there with his wife Sarah.

When Sarah became a widow, she made sure the construction on the house continued for 38 years until she died in 1922. Visitors and staff experience cold spots, hear disembodied voices, and have seen a figure with a mustache called “Clyde” who attempts to make repairs. Paranormal researchers have documented numerous unexplained phenomena throughout this bizarre mansion.