California is synonymous with sunshine and cinema, but beneath the glamorous surface lies a dark history of gold rush tragedies, maritime disasters, and Hollywood curses. This history has birthed some of the most actively haunted locations in the United States. If you’re looking for genuine paranormal activity, exploring the most infamous haunted places in California is essential. This guide covers six spots where the spectral residents are well-known, from silent ships to mysterious mansions.

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The Queen Mary is consistently ranked among the most actively haunted places in California, and perhaps the world. This massive ocean liner served as a luxury cruise ship and a WWII troop carrier before becoming a hotel and tourist attraction permanently docked in Long Beach. With over 50 documented fatalities on board (including drownings and murders), it is rumored to host dozens of unique spectral residents.

Paranormal Activity: Guests and staff frequently report hearing phantom screams in the engine room, seeing the ghost of a crew member in “Door 13,” and encountering the spirit of a young girl named Jackie who allegedly drowned in the ship’s pool. The ship’s historical and tragic past makes it a potent energy hub for paranormal activity.

The Winchester Mystery House is not only one of the most famous haunted places in California, but it is also one of the strangest architectural oddities globally. Built by Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune, the mansion was constantly under construction for 38 years until her death in 1922. Sarah believed she was cursed and haunted by the spirits of all those killed by Winchester rifles, and she built the maze-like house, with stairs leading to nowhere and doors opening to brick walls, to confuse the restless ghosts.

Paranormal Activity: Visitors often feel cold spots, hear phantom footsteps, and witness doors slamming shut. Sarah Winchester’s own spirit is said to remain in the house, particularly around her personal bedroom and the séance room where she sought advice from the spirits.

Once home to some of the most dangerous criminals in American history, Alcatraz Island is now a national park and certainly one of the most chilling haunted places in California. The isolation of “The Rock” and the despair of its former inmates and soldiers have left a heavy, lingering psychic imprint on the entire island.

Paranormal Activity: Reports of paranormal activity date back to the time the prison was operational. Visitors frequently report inexplicable banging noises in the corridors, hearing deep sobbing or whispering in Cell Block D (especially Cell 14-D, the hole), and encountering shadowy figures in the workshops and administrative areas.

The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is one of the most glamorous haunted places in California, attracting both living celebrities and spectral former residents. It hosted the first Academy Awards in 1929 and remains a luxury staple on Hollywood Boulevard.

Paranormal Activity: The most famous ghost is that of actress Marilyn Monroe, who lived in room 1200 early in her career. Her reflection has allegedly been seen in a full-length mirror, which was moved from her suite to the lobby. Another prominent spirit is actor Montgomery Clift, who reportedly haunts Room 928, sometimes playing the trumpet or pacing the hallways.

Certified as an official haunted site by the U.S. Commerce Department, the Whaley House is widely regarded as the most famous of all haunted places in California. The land on which the house was built was previously used for hangings, and the house itself has a long, tragic history involving multiple deaths.

Paranormal Activity: The most common spirit encountered is that of Thomas Whaley himself, who tends to haunt the upper landing and the family’s courtroom. Visitors and investigators frequently report hearing the heavy footsteps of Yankee Jim Robinson, a man executed on the property before the house was built, and detecting the scent of cigar smoke with no source.

A true ghost town, Bodie is one of the most fascinating and remote haunted places in California. Once a thriving gold mining community, it was abandoned in the 1940s and is now preserved in a state of “arrested decay.” The legend holds that anyone who removes even the smallest artifact from the town will be cursed with bad luck.

Paranormal Activity: Visitors report seeing apparitions peering from the windows of abandoned buildings and hearing phantom saloon music, footsteps, and muffled conversations. The sense of being watched is almost universal here, making it a unique and eerie spot for investigation.

Whether you are a seasoned ghost hunter or simply looking for a spooky detour, these six locations offer a glimpse into the darker history of the Golden State.

Ready to prepare for your paranormal adventure? Before you book your flight, be sure to read our essential guide on the equipment you’ll need for ghost hunting. Happy hunting!