The Definitive Guide To All Things Haunted And Creepy In Northern California
Northern California is no stranger to creepy haunted and abandoned places. You’ll find terrifying tales regarding the paranormal in just about every corner of NorCal. Many of these stem from our region’s rich history with the Gold Rush era, including long-abandoned mining camps and the towns that cropped up to accommodate the influx of people. Exploring these places gives us insight into what life was like back in California’s early days, but you can also end up with an experience of the unexplained variety. Here’s the definitive guide to the creepy spots that should be on your radar when you’re up for seeking out the strange. Watch your back when visiting these haunted places in Northern California. You never know who (or what) is watching you!
Located in the historic town of Healdsburg, Madrona Manor is downright elegant and beautiful on the outside. The authentic Victorian home was constructed in the 1880s and served as home to the Paxton Family. Although it's not known if anything of note happened inside of the home, the untimely death of the family's patriarch definitely left a stain on the family's legacy. Today the Madrona Manor is open to visitors as a hotel, and some guests have claimed to see the ghost of Mrs. Paxton dressed in black, mourning her husband who died at sea. Would you spend the night in this haunted house in Northern California?
The Most Haunted Road In Northern California (And Maybe America)
To most drivers, Black Ranch Road in Shasta County looks as ordinary as ever. Running parallel to Highway 89, it's surrounded by a towering pine forest which can actually seem quite beautiful - don't be fooled. Some claim this is the most haunted road in Northern California, and that a young girl - or possibly a demon - shows herself to drivers. Located far away from city lights, it's definitely a road you don't want to get caught on during the dead of night. Check out the full legend regarding this haunted road and drive at your own risk.
1. Hiding out in the grassy foothills of the Sierra Nevada is the long-abandoned ghost town of Chinese Camp. The buildings that remain in this historic settlement have withered over time, but - eerily enough - are still standing. Although there's definitely something beautiful about the remains of this once prominent town, there's no denying that it also contains immense paranormal energy. Many visitors that walk the streets feel as if they are being watched. Those who explore this silent ghost town should definitely not go alone.
2. As one of the oldest operating hotels in the state, it's only natural that Murphys Historic Hotel contains a few creepy ghost stories. Welcoming visitors since 1856, the hotel in this Gold Rush town hosted a number of famous people, including Mark Twain and Susan B. Anthony. Instead of ignoring its haunted reputation, the hotel has embraced it. They even encourage visitors to jot down any ghostly encounters in a paranormal journal that's provided in every room. Think you're up for an overnight stay in this haunted hotel?
3. Considered one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the country, Bodie is a strange settlement that gives visitors a glimpse at the rough-and-tumble lifestyle. Springing up during the late 1800s, Bodie was the quintessential Wild West town. Like many mining towns during that era, it's likely Bodie saw plenty of debauchery and violence during its heyday. Some say that some of the town's residents never truly left, so consider bringing moral support when you plan a visit to this gone but not forgotten settlement.
Located in Amador County, the Preston School of Industry was a correctional facility that once housed troubled youths. The facility's outer appearance is striking and is considered a classic example of Romanesque Revival architecture. Originally opened in 1894, today the historic structure is open to tours and welcomes paranormal enthusiasts to experience its haunted aura firsthand. Allegedly, some of the detention center's staff and prisoners have never truly left. Take a tour and see for yourself if this haunted prison is as creepy as it seems!
Northern California's Scariest Haunted House
Pirates of Emerson/Facebook
As the Halloween season rolls around every year, countless haunted attractions begin to make an appearance in NorCal. There's one haunted house, in particular, that could be considered one of the scariest in the country. Pirates of Emerson has been scaring the community for nearly 30 years, and it offers much more than your typical haunted house experience. Using special effects, props, and state-of-the-art sets, visitors find themselves in an immersive and horrific world. Even the bravest of people have found themselves terrified at this nightmarish attraction. Do you have what it takes to walk through this haunted house?
Located in Orland, Country Pumpkins is a beloved family-run farm that welcomes visitors to their u-pick pumpkin patch. They also happen to run the scariest corn maze around. By day, this corn maze operates like any other. But by night, it turns into a haunted attraction that can scare the pants off of anyone. Proceed with caution; There's something waiting for you around every corner in Northern California's haunted corn maze.
1. Some of the most prolific serial killers in history left their mark on Northern California, including a killer by the name of Dorothea Puente. A woman of a certain age, Puente doesn’t fit the profile of the typical serial killer, but her crimes were just as heinous. Puente lived in Sacramento and was convicted of killing at least nine people at her F Street home.
2. A horrific crime that occurred in the small town of Keddie is believed to be the inspiration for the 2008 film The Strangers. Known as the Keddie Murders, four victims were tragically killed on an April evening in 1981. The case remains unsolved to this day.
3. Mount Shasta is a popular recreation destination in Northern California, but it’s also famously shrouded in several mysterious legends. Some even say that there is an underground city below the beloved mountain! These legends may seem far-fetched at first, but you’d be surprised by how many are adamant about the mountain’s spiritual presence.
4. There’s a place called Confusion Hill along the famous Avenue of Giants that seems to defy the natural laws of the universe. The attraction’s Gravity House perplexes visitors with a seemingly strange gravitational pull that distorts the reality of anybody who enters.
5. Located in San Jose, the Winchester Mystery House was once famously the residence of Sarah Winchester. After her husband, the gun magnate William Winchester, died from illness, Sarah used her inheritance to build the giant Victorian mansion. As the story goes, a medium told her the only way to make amends with the souls who died from Winchester rifles was to build a mansion large enough to house their spirits in the afterlife.
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