California, a state steeped in a long and rich history from Native American traditions to Spanish explorers, the Gold Rush, and Hollywood’s scandals, is undeniably home to numerous supernatural occurrences. For those drawn to the spectral, exploring the many haunted hotels in California offers a thrilling journey into the state’s eerie past. You’ll discover dozens of establishments, including hotels, inns, B&Bs, and even some campgrounds, where encounters with the spectral are a distinct possibility.
From the Gold Rush-era spirits of the Fallon House Hotel in Columbia to the famous celebrity apparitions at the Chateau Marmont or Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, California provides a diverse array of ghostly experiences. For those seeking a truly immersive paranormal adventure, the Queen Mary in Long Beach stands out as one of the most intensely haunted hotels in the nation, reportedly teeming with spirits.
Exploring California’s Most Haunted Accommodations
Benicia: Union Hotel
In the heart of historic Benicia, the graceful 1882 Union Hotel evokes California’s vivid past. This historic hotel is said to be home to the spirit of a young woman who tragically ended her life in one of its rooms during the late 1800s. Today, her melancholy figure is reportedly seen in a window overlooking the street, and guests often hear her weeping or speaking softly. The Union Hotel remains a poignant reminder of bygone eras, inviting guests to ponder its lingering mysteries. (401 First Street, Benicia, California).
Beverly Hills: Beverly Hills Hotel
Majestically situated above Sunset Boulevard, the Beverly Hills Hotel has been a beacon of luxury, welcoming royalty, celebrities, and world leaders since 1912. Its opulent bungalows are rumored to be frequented by several distinguished ghosts, including the famous composer Rachmaninoff and the beloved comedian Harpo Marx. This iconic establishment, known as the ‘Pink Palace,’ offers more than just lavish comfort; it promises an intriguing brush with Hollywood’s spectral past. (9641 Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California).
Big Sur: Fernwood Campground
The serene area now known as Fernwood Campground was once considered sacred by the Esalen Indians. Today, this commercial campground harbors an ancient spirit. Employees and guests frequently report sightings of an Indian ghost, distinctive for wearing a corn mask, appearing between 2:00 and 3:00 a.m. near the cabins. The campground offers a unique opportunity to connect with both nature and the spiritual history of the land. (Big Sur, California).
Brookdale: Brookdale Lodge
Nestled beneath the majestic giant redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Brookdale Lodge has welcomed visitors since 1890. Its unique dining room, famously featuring a natural brook running through it, garnered international fame after being featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not in the 1920s. The 1940s saw the lodge frequented by gangsters, leading to the installation of secret passages and hidden rooms. Tales of buried bodies and the tragic drowning of a six-year-old girl in the dining room creek add to its dark legend. Today, the Brookdale Lodge is bustling with dozens of spectral residents: the little girl is seen scampering through the lobby, ethereal voices and music echo through the halls, ghostly diners are heard in the empty dining room, and a spectral woman walks over the brook where a bridge once stood. This lodge is truly one of the most intensely haunted hotels in California. (11570 Highway 9, Brookdale, California).
Carmel: La Playa Hotel
Known affectionately as the Grande Dame of Carmel, the original La Playa Hotel building was the exquisite home of Christopher Jorgensen and his wife, Angela Ghirardelli, an heiress to the famous San Francisco chocolate fortune. After their departure, it transitioned into a hotel, with a second building added in the 1920s. The hotel is now said to be haunted by a woman, believed by many to be Angela Ghirardelli herself, or perhaps her cousin who tragically drowned in Carmel Bay. Her presence adds a melancholic romance to this historic seaside retreat. (Camino Real at Eighth, Carmel, California).
Catalina Island: Banning House Lodge
Perched on a hilltop at the Isthmus of Catalina Island, the Banning House Lodge offers breathtaking views of Isthmus Cove and Catalina Harbor. Built in 1910 as the Banning Brothers’ summer home, it has been beautifully renovated into an charming 11-room lodge. Guests and staff have frequently encountered a ghostly figure known as the
