The Definitive Guide To All Things Haunted And Creepy In Southern California
Southern California is no stranger to the weird and wacky, but it’s also home to some pretty haunted places and creepy destinations that just might make your skin crawl. From haunted hotels that are rumored to have ghostly beings walking the halls to abandoned buildings that are best not visited after dark, SoCal is crawling with scary adventures. Whether you consider yourself an amateur ghost hunter or you are drawn to real-life unsolved mysteries, the paranormal adventures to be explored and investigated in Southern California are neverending. If you’d like to experience some of these haunted places for yourself, you’ll find many of them featured here.
Located along Historic Highway 101, you'll find one of SoCal's most talked about haunted houses - The Whaley House. Not just haunted in a Halloween kind of way, this old house has since been turned into a haunted museum of the paranormal and is known for being one of the most haunted houses in all of America due to its frequently reported ghost and paranormal activity. This former plot of land dating back to the 1800s was once home to a site where criminals were hanged. With a history like that, it's no wonder The Whaley House is ripe with ghosts and paranormal activity. Would you ever want to tour a house that may be haunted by ghosts? You can read more here.
The Creepiest Haunted Trail In Southern California
SoCal is home to plenty of haunted trails, especially the Sam Merrill trail that will lead you straight to the abandoned Cobb Estate. Visitors who have hiked this trail have reported loud screams and chilling laughter that seem to come from out of nowhere. If you think that's scary, there are also rumors about an eerie sensation of feeling a light ghost-like touch on the skin as people walk along the trail. Are you brave enough to explore a haunted hiking trail?
1. With an abundance of haunted tales reported on this historic ship, it's no surprise that the Queen Mary in Long Beach has rightfully earned its nickname as the "Gray Ghost." A national historic site and listed as a Historic Hotel of America, people from all over the country and the world come to visit. But beware, as you may encounter ghosts from past shipmates wandering the deck or you might hear the tiny whispers of past spirits. Would you be up for taking a tour of a ship with a history of paranormal activity?
2. Dating back to 1892 when a hotel guest checked in but never checked out, the Hotel Del Coronado has been rumored to be haunted by the guest who went missing. Although the ghost is a friendly one, the experiences sound chilling. From sudden drops in temperature to items being moved to new locations within the hotel room, the paranormal activity at this hotel is haunting. How scary is this hotel?
3. Known as "The Suicide Bridge" to locals, the Colorado Street Bridge is filled with plenty of ghost stories to keep you up at night. When a man jumped from this bridge in 1919 and plunged to his death, it was the first of many suicides and suicide attempts. With so many deaths associated with this bridge, it's no surprise that ghostly sightings have been reported. Visitors to the bridge have reported eerie experiences including unexplained laughter, footsteps when no one else is around, and even loud screams. Does this bridge make your skin crawl?
Would You Spend A Night In This Southern California Haunted Hotel?
The Historic Mission Inn Hotel and Spa is one of SoCal's most revered hotels. It attracts people from all over the world who want to experience the marvelous architecture that spans an entire block. But few people know that this hotel is also known for its ghostly sightings and paranormal events. Are you brave enough to spend the night in a haunted hotel? How about an overnighter at one of these haunted destinations?
Known as The Scary Dairy, this former dairy farm is located on the grounds of a mental hospital. It is rumored to be haunted by the spirits of the patients who worked on the farm while they were residents at the hospital.
Each and every year Knott's Scary Farm produces bone-chilling experiences for those who love a good scare. The haunted theme park is one giant haunted house that is packed with creatures, thrilling displays that may jump out and reach for you, and heart-racing mazes and haunted adventures that will keep you up at night. Are you afraid of the dark?
Southern California is home to many haunted corn mazes and haunted hayrides, but there's no question the local favorite is The Phantoms of the Corn Maze located at Tapia Bros. Farm. With thrills and chills that the whole family will enjoy, including some unexpected visitors at every turn, this fun and festive outdoor adventure is an outing you won't want to miss. Do you want to get lost inside a haunted corn maze?
5 Creepy Facts About Southern California
1. Abandoned since 1965, the creepy Griffith Park Zoo is known for its spine-tingling setting that will make anyone’s skin crawl. From rusted out animal cages to abandoned zoo displays that have been sitting vacant for decades, this former zoo is a spooky time capsule that will give anyone the chills.
2. Since 1899, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery has been the final resting place for many of Hollywood’s most famous stars. Take a walk through the cemetery and you’ll see a legend on almost every tombstone. Officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999, this spooky cemetery is packed with history in a haunted setting.
3. One of Southern California’s most mysterious murders in 1947, the gruesome death of a young actress by the name of Elizabeth Short -later known as The Black Dahlia – has occupied national attention since her body was discovered. Almost 75 years later and the case has still not been solved.
4. Southern California is home to many iconic movie locations from the most popular horror flicks on the big and small screen. From Michael Meyers’ house in Halloween to the Poltergeist house made popular by the movie of the same name, SoCal is a treasure trove of creepy houses and buildings that have been featured in all of your favorite horror movies.
5. One of the creepiest museums on the planet is located here in Southern California. The Museum of Death is home to a variety of real-life horrors that will make your skin crawl. From displays featuring mortician’s work instruments, jars of teeth from both humans and animals, and walls filled with bones and skulls, this museum has it all.
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