Ghost Hunting in San Diego: 5 Day Travel Itinerary
Are you brave enough to go ghost hunting in San Diego, one of California’s most haunted cities?
San Diego, with its sun-soaked beaches and vibrant culture, also hides a dark and eerie past. In 5 days, you’ll uncover the city’s most haunted spots, stay in a hotel known for its paranormal activity, and discover hidden haunted gems.
Ready to unlock San Diego’s most dark, haunted secrets?
Here is your 5-day ghost hunting in San Diego travel itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival and Haunted Hotel Check-In
- Stay: The Hotel Del Coronado
- Activity: Join the evening ghost tour offered by the hotel to hear actual ghost stories told by those who work in the Coronado.
- Known for: The ghost of Kate Morgan, who checked in and never left! She’s been spotted wandering the halls since 1892.
Step into Day 1 of your ghost hunting in San Diego trip!
Upon arrival, you’ll check into the legendary Hotel Del Coronado, a stunning seaside resort with a few dark secrets. This goregous, historic hotel is home to the restless spirit of Kate Morgan, whos ghostly presence has been felt by many since 1892.
Kate’s body was found on the steps leading to the beach after she committed suicide. Many believe she was murdered, however, which is why and her spirit now haunts the Coronado, particularly around Room 3327 (previously 302), where she stayed.
Other Haunted Areas:
- The Grand Ballroom: Guests report seeing shadows and hearing soft whispers when the room is empty.
- The Gift Shop: Staff have seen items fall off shelves on their own
- The Beachfront Steps: Cold spots and the sensation of being watched have been noted here
Day 2: Haunted Historical Sites and UFO Sightings
Morning: Whaley House Museum
- Location: Old Town San Diego
- Known for: Ghosts of the Whaley family and a hanging victim, Yankee Jim Robinson
- Activity: Take a guided ghost tour
Afternoon: Paranormal Activity House
- Location: Rancho Penasquitos
- Known For: The house where the movie Paranormal Activity was filmed
- Activity: Respectful drive by; bucket list check
Evening: Mysterious UFO Sightings Tour
- Location: Areas around San Diego
- Known for: Several UFO sightings
- Activity: Book a local UFO tour guide who will take you to the best spots
Today’s chapter on ghost hunting in San Diego is gonna kick ass.
Start your morning at the infamous Whaley House Museum in Old Town.
The unlucky Whaley family experienced many tragedies, including the suicide of daughter Violet.
Violet’s suicide note read, “Mad from life’s history, swift to death’s mystery; Glad to be hurled, anywhere, anywhere, out of this world.” The sudden, mysterious death of an infant, and their son, Thomas Whaley, Jr., who died of scarlet fever when he was just 18 months old, also put a considerable financial and emotional strain on the Whaleys.
The most angry ghost haunting here is Yankee Jim Robinson. In 1852, he was hung with makeshift gallows, which were too short so that his feet nearly touched the ground, causing him to die a slow, painful death by strangulation. Robinson’s heavy footsteps are heard on the second floor, pacing in frustration and rage.
The Paranormal Activity House (13236 Bavarian Drive)
This unassuming little house became famous for its role in the 2007 movie cult classic Paranormal Activity. The film’s use of a “found footage” style in a real home setting made it one of the most terrifying horror movies of its time.
Although it’s a private residence, you can drive by to see the house that served as the chilling backdrop for the movie’s haunting.
While there have been no actual hauntings here, the house remains a bucket list stop for fans of the paranormal.
If you’ve still got the energy and guts, step aboard the USS Midway Museum, where the ghosts of sailors haunt the below-deck areas. As the sun sets, venture on a Mysterious UFO Sightings Tour, visiting San Diego’s hotspots for UFO encounters.
Day 3: Creepy & Abandoned Sites
Morning: The Haunted Horton Grand Hotel
- Location: Gaslamp Quarter
- Known for: The ghost of Roger Whitaker, a gambler who met an untimely end
- Activity: Visit the hotel lobby and bar area where sightings have been most frequent
Afternoon: El Campo Santo Cemetery
- Location: Old Town San Diego
- Known for: Unrested souls, including those buried under the streets and sidewalks
- Activity: Take a walk around this historic cemetery
Evening: Old Point Loma Lighthouse
- Location: Cabrillo National Monument
- Known for: The ghost of a keeper’s wife
- Activity: Visit the lighthouse at dusk, when the haunted activity is said to be strongest
Day 3 takes you on a journey through some of San Diego’s most creepy abandoned sites.
Begin your morning at the Haunted Horton Grand Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter, where the ghost of gambler Roger Whitaker is said to linger in the lobby and bar. As you sip your coffee, you may feel a chill that isn’t from the air conditioning.
In the afternoon, wander through the historic El Campo Santo Cemetery in Old Town
Many of the bodies buried in this cemetery were disturbed when a road was rather rudely built over the graves. This is believed to have pissed off the spirits, leading to ghost sightings and phenomena like car alarms going off and an overwhelming sense of dread.
End the day at Old Point Loma Lighthouse. The wife of a former lighthouse keeper haunts the tower, her faint cries heard in the dead of night. She’s been seen looking out at the ocean, waiting for a ship that never arrived.
Day 4: Dark Legends and Haunted Nature
Morning: Proctor Valley Road
- Location: Chula Vista
- Known for: Urban legends of strange creatures and ghosts
- Activity: Drive down this weird road, but be prepared for unexpected scares!
Afternoon: Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
- Location: Point Loma
- Known for: Ghostly soldiers
- Activity: Pay your respects and explore
Evening: Potato Chip Rock on Mount Woodson
- Location: Mount Woodson
- Known for: Strange lights and unexplained occurrences during night hikes. Also great for sunset!
- Activity: Join a guided night hike to this popular yet mysterious spot
Head to Proctor Valley Road, an isolated stretch of road where mysterious figures and even strange creatures have been seen. The most well known legend is that of the Proctor Valley Monster, said to be a half-human, half-beast. Locals say some cars have mysteriously broken down, leaving drivers stranded in total, creepy darkness.
In the evening, visit Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, a hauntingly beautiful place overlooking San Diego Bay. This historic cemetery is the final resting place for thousands of soldiers who fought in the Mexican-American War, World War I, and World War II. Some of these soldiers still stand guard over the graves. Visitors have seen shadowy figures in military uniforms and heard the sound of marching boots.
Wrap up your day with a night hike to Potato Chip Rock on Mount Woodson. While this spot is known for its unique rock formation and stunning views, it’s also famous for strange lights seen by people nearby. Some say they’ve seen orbs of light floating through the trees or heard whispers behind them.
Day 5: Final Ghosts of San Diego and Departure
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
- Location: Point Loma
- Known for: Ghostly figures seen on the cliffs at sunset
- Activity: Enjoy a ghostly walk along the cliffs
Evening: Depart from San Diego
Say goodnight and goodbye.
Whether you leave in the morning or afternoon, make time to head to Sunset Cliffs Natural Park in Point Loma. The cliffs are haunted by those who died by falling or jumping from the rocks… It’s also just a beautiful place to contemplate life and catch one last California sunrise or sunset.
Still Ghost Hunting in San Diego?
Don’t let your ghost stories go untold. Share your ghost-hunting experiences in San Diego in the comments below, visit the forums, read others’ stories, and become part of our haunted community.
