Here are 11 things to see in California if you’re into the creepy and macabre:
- Winchester Mystery House (San Jose): A sprawling, bizarre mansion famed for its maze-like halls, staircases to nowhere, and ghostly legends.
- Alcatraz Island (San Francisco): The historic, haunted prison with chilling tales of escape attempts, solitary confinement, and alleged paranormal encounters.
- Preston Castle (Ione): A former boys’ reformatory with a haunted reputation, featuring abandoned rooms and eerie guided tours.
- Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Los Angeles): The final resting place for many celebrities, known for elaborate tombs and tales of restless spirits.
- Whaley House (San Diego): Called one of America’s most haunted houses, open for ghost tours in a criminal trial setting.
- Bodie Ghost Town (near Bridgeport): A well-preserved ghost town abandoned after the Gold Rush, rumored to be haunted by former residents.
- Fresno’s Underground Gardens: A labyrinth of subterranean passageways with strange history and rumored occult connections.
- Suicide Bridge (Pasadena): Officially the Colorado Street Bridge, infamous for its tragic history and frequent ghost sightings.
- Chapel of the Chimes (Oakland): A stunning, maze-like columbarium with dramatic architecture and a quiet, haunting ambiance.
- Wolfe Manor (Clovis): A former sanitarium and landmark of paranormal investigation (note: it’s been demolished, but its legend lingers).
- Old Town Sacramento Tunnels: Explore the haunted underground network beneath historic Sacramento, home to grim stories from the Gold Rush era.
These sites blend chilling history, ghost stories, and otherworldly atmospheres—perfect for fans of the dark and mysterious side of California.
