West Coast Paranormal and Haunted Locations

Here are photos of the most haunted places in America I (Tabitha Hawk) have visited. I’ve been able to do some paranormal investigations in some of these haunted locations but many of them I was just able to get some photos of from the outside or do a day time tour.  Admittedly most of the haunted locations I’ve visited I saw on Ghost Adventures, TAPS / Ghost Hunters,  or Tennessee Wraith Chasers first. I could be considered a ghost show location chaser. 

California Paranormal Locations

Amargosa Opera House in Death Valley, CA

608 Death Valley Jct, Death Valley, CA 92328 | 36.302096, -116.414616

In the middle of Death Valley – one of the harshest and most extreme environments on earth – stands one of the most unusual hotels in America. It is the Amargosa Opera House and Hotel, and it is listed as one of the top 10 haunted hotels in the country.

Ms. Marta Becket, a dancer from New York City, stumbled upon the Amargosa after getting a flat tire while on a road trip with her then-husband. It was an incident that would change the course of her life forever. According to Marta, she peered into the run-down opera house through a small opening in the door, and she “saw the second the half” of her life. So, she bought the place, and breathed new life into Death Valley Junction, restoring the opera house for performances, and painting murals on all the walls. She has been performing at the opera house ever since until her death in 2017. 

The main hallway past the guest rooms to an abandoned, un-renovated section affectionately referred to by the staff as “spooky hollow.” This is the section where the miners stayed during the Pacific Borax days, and it includes the areas that were the old hospital and morgue.

Queen Mary Ship in Long Beach, CA

1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802 | 33.752619, -118.190303

In the 1930s, the RMS Queen Mary was the ultimate luxury liner: big names of the day like Winston Churchill, Greta Garbo and Clark Gable all journeyed across the Atlantic on her majestic decks. When World War II broke out, the Queen Mary was painted grey and re-dubbed the “Grey Ghost” to ferry soldiers to the frontlines. Today, you can find her docked off the port of Long Beach, CA, where she now serves as a floating hotel. But before you book, beware: the ship’s 1,001 trans-Atlantic crossings of yore were accompanied by 49 recorded deaths. Today, as many as 150 different spirits may still call the Queen Mary home. Some notable residents include a crew member who was crushed to death by a watertight door, a woman dressed in all-white who dances by herself in one of the luxury suites, and several adults and children in 1930s-era garb whose apparitions have been spotted wandering the pool decks. Watch out for drastic temperature changes, slamming doors, knocking, screams, lights flickering and children crying — all aboard a ship that’s earned its reputation as one of the most haunted structures in America.

Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, CA

525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128| 37.318821, -121.951183

When I visited in 2016 they did not allow photography inside, as of fall of 2018 I believe you are allowed photos for personal use. 

Legend has it that when her husband and infant daughter died, Winchester Rifles heiress Sarah Winchester visited a spiritual medium. The psychic told the wealthy socialite that the premature deaths were payback by angry spirits who’d been killed with Winchester rifles — and now it was time for Sarah to build a house large enough to accommodate all of them. Sarah soon packed her bags for sunny, spacious San Jose, CA, and for the next 38 years she embarked on a nonstop construction project that would become known as the Winchester Mystery House. Complete with 24,000 sq ft, 160 rooms, 2,000 doors, 10,000 windows, 47 stairways, 47 fireplaces, 13 bathrooms and 6 kitchens, the house was supposedly built to confuse evil spirits. Secret passageways, upside-down columns, staircases to nowhere and sealed-off rooms litter this bizarre and creepy mansion. Since Sarah Winchester’s death in 1922, visitors have heard footsteps in her bedroom, seen doorknobs turn themselves, been overcome with icy chills and temporarily lost their vision.

From 1886 to 1922 construction didn’t cease built at $5 million dollars in 1923 or $71 million today.

USS Hornet in Alameda, CA

707 W Hornet Ave, Alameda, CA 94501| 37.772338, -122.302484

The Hornet, the eighth vessel to carry her name, was commissioned at the height of World War II in 1943. She quickly became one of the most highly decorated ships in the Navy. She destroyed 1,410 Japanese aircraft and destroyed or damaged 1,269,710 tons of enemy shipping. Ten Hornet pilots attained “Ace in a Day” status. Later in its life, the Hornet was given the honor of recovering the Apollo 11 astronauts on their return from the moon.

The USS Hornet’s flight deck alone is 894 feet long — basically the size of three football fields. The aircraft carrier was built primarily by women (think Rosie the Riveter) and weighs 41,000 tons. It has a full hospital, three barbershops, a tailor shop, a cobbler shop and seven galleys.

Sailors have walked into aircraft’s spinning props, been sucked into their air intakes, and blown off deck by their exhaust. Dropped ordnance has exploded, burning and maiming sailors. Snapping flight arrest cables are known to have decapitated at least three men on the USS Hornet. All told, in her 27 years of active service, more than 300 people lost their lives aboard ship. The majority claimed during combat, others from these horrendous shipboard accidents, still others from suicide. The USS Hornet has the dubious honor for having the highest suicide rate in the Navy.

After being decommissioned, the Hornet was turned into a Bay Area museum. Almost immediately after its arrival in Alameda, staff began reporting strange phenomena. They say they’ve heard footsteps and voices when no one else was aboard. They’ve seen unknown sailors and officers in uniform, who disappeared in a flash. Felt fierce winds rushing through enclosed spaces. Noticed radios and other nautical instruments turning on and off on their own.

The USS Hornet is considered the most haunted ship in the Navy, past or present.

Old Town Sacramento in Sacramento, CA

1014 2nd St #200, Sacramento, CA 95814| 38.5833589,-121.5056052

The Eagle Theater 

People say mysterious bumps and movements in the Eagle Theater are caused by the ghost of a 1970s director.

Visitors said any items left in the theater would mysteriously be found in the green room downstairs after a show.

Also, any chairs left on the stage at the end of the night are inexplicably moved overnight.

The current building is a modern replica of the original building. The building’s original ground level is now the basement, Sexton said.

National Hotel in Nevada City, CA

211 Broad St, Nevada City, CA 95959 | 39.262304, -121.017809

The National Exchange Hotel (also known as the National Hotel) is located in Nevada City in the U.S. state of California. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a California Historical Landmark, it is one of the oldest continuously operated hotels west of the Rockies. It opened in August 1856 under the name of “Bicknell Block”.

In 1863, there was a fire and the hotel was shut down for a temporary period of time. By 1894, a new balcony had been added to the hotel (pictured). At a civic affair in San Francisco a Nevada City businessman, John J. Jackson, claimed that a meeting that took place in 1898 at the National Hotel was the creation of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. In 2012, the hotel was the subject of an episode of Ghost Adventures.

There are several ghosts residing throughout the National Exchange. The most prominent of these is Elizabeth, a young girl who haunts the second floor.

Another spirit that made the hotel her forever home is that of a Victorian woman who was murdered in the hotel. Legend has it that she owed a man some money, but wouldn’t pay him. The man broke into her room that night, hid in the closet, and lunged at her when she returned. He slit her throat and watched her try to crawl outside the room. Till this day, her ghostly bloody hand prints can sometimes be seen in Room 48 on different surfaces near the door. The third ghost you may come across is that of a man who’s always seen wearing a white shirt, black vest, and black pants. Not much is known about his origins or why he haunts the hotel. However, he’s been known to walk up an interior staircase, looking back to see who follows him.

A guest who stayed in Room 42 woke up at midnight because of the sounds of soft knocking on the door of the room next to his. Because he was told that he was the only person on the floor, he suspected that he was just hearing things. The knocking, however, became very aggressive and he heard a soft female voice say, “Don’t leave.” Minutes later, he was in the lobby, checking out and driving out of Nevada City.

Old Town San Diego in San Diego, CA

4002 Wallace St, San Diego, CA 92110 | 32.7537295,-117.1997257

Old Town San Diego was the first European settlement in what is now California

La Casa de Estudillo –  4000 Mason St, San Diego, CA 92110 built in 1827, when California was part of Mexico’s territory. The adobe house was built for Presidio Commandat, Jose Maria Estudillo. Very notable San Diego haunting. La casa De Estudillo is one of a series of six notable haunted locations including El Campo Cemetery Whaley House, La Casa de Bandini, La Casa de Estudillo, El Fandango Restaurant, and Robinson Rose House. All six suspected haunted locations, share Ley lines with El Campo Cemetary, geographical, and structural commonality.

Areas by paranormal activity.
Chapel – A hooded figure, possibly a monk, is witnessed hovering in and out of doorway in priest’s bedroom.
Parlor – Twin heavy wooden doors slam closed without reason.
Dinning room – a possible figure of a person dressed in vaquero outfit has been witnessed.
Bedrooms various – A little girl dressed in Victorian garb, has been seen rocking in a rocking chair.
A vaporous male torso seen afloat near sofa.
A male wearing period style white shirt seen against back wall. A male torso without legs is seen peering out a window.
Various locations – Cold spots, Female voices / screams. Yellowish light of unknown origin, windows and doors opening and closing.  Recently Ghost adventures visited this house.

Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant  – 2660 Calhoun St, San Diego, CA 92110

Between 1827 and 1829, Juan Bandini had a U-shaped home built off one corner of the plaza. Compared to most of the other modest adobes, Casa de Bandini was a grand mansion and the social center of town.

La Purisima Mission California in Lompoc, CA

2295 Purisima Rd, Lompoc, CA 93436 | 34.6694864,-120.4212665

Hollywood American Legion Post 43 in LA, CA

2035 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068 | 34.107691, -118.337550

Nevada Paranormal Locations

Old Washoe Club in Virginia City, NV

112 S C St, Virginia City, NV 89440 | 39.309299, -119.650196

Ghost Adventures got their start at this location where they captured a ghost walking across the room which got them a show on the Travel channel. There is a Ghost Adventures museum that you can visit at the Washoe Club. 

Mackay Mansion Museum in Virginia City, NV

291 S D St, Virginia City, NV 89440 | 39.306661, -119.650260

Built in 1859 by the Hearst family the Mackay Mansion allows people to step back in time into a real victorian era mansion.  It is one of the few remaining original structures and survived both the major fires.  It also is one of the few building with original furniture, carpet, wall paper, chandeliers, and much more! 

The Mackay Mansion was owned by John Mackay during the one of the biggest silver strikes in history.  The four Silver Kings of Virginia City, John Mackay, James Fair, James Flood, and William O’Brien, conducted all their mining business inside the Mackay Mansion mining office. Here we give people a chance to see exactly what the victorian life style was like! Please give us a call or email for any questions you may have.    

Paranormal Activity:  Many people claim to have experienced a paranormal encounter on the property.  Especially in the office and the third floor.  

The little girl in white: A young girl is believed to be roaming around the third floor of the Mackay Mansion and is usually found in her favorite room with the rocking horse.  Johnny Depp while filming one of his earlier movies Dead Man stayed on the third floor in Mackay’s bedroom and claims to have seen her running about the third floor during his stay. 

The two robbers: One night at the Mackay long ago, two men tried to break into the vault where the gold, silver, and miner payroll was kept.  Upon trying to enter they were both shot a killed at the entrance to the vault. Many people claim to have interacted with these spirits inside the vault.  

The Delta Saloon in Virginia City, NV

18 S C St, Virginia City, NV 89440 | 39.3105665,-119.6495919

The “Suicide Table” is so called because three previous owners are reported to have committed suicide because of heavy Losses over this Table. It was originally a Faro Bank Table brought to Virginia City in the early 1860’s. At that time, the table owner, supposed to be one “Black Jake”, lost $70,000 in one evening and shot himself.

The second owner, whose name is lost in history, ran the Table for one nights play. He was unable to pay off his losses. One report has it that he committed suicide and another report has it that he was saved the trouble.

The Table was then stored for some years because no one would Deal on it. It was finally converted into a ’21’ Table sometime in the late 1890’s and its black reputation seemed to have been forgotten, until one stormy night.

A miner, who had been cleaned out in some other gambling house stumbled in half drunk. As the story goes, he gambled a gold ring against a five dollar gold piece, and won. He played all night long… and by morning had won over $86,000 in cash, a team of horses and an interest in a gold mine. Everything the owner of table had in the world. That caused the third suicide.

Many famous men have gambled for high stakes, leaning on the green cloth, watching the turn of a card. Fortunes have been won and lost on it.

The Suicide Table is truly a relic that is replete with memories of the old town, and who knows, perhaps the ghosts of the old timers are still leaning on their elbows, watching for the turn of a card.

This Old Globe was presented to the Miners Union of Virginia City by James G. Fair in 1880.

Mr. Fair, who was making a successful race for U.S. Senators that year, had this Globe made on special order at the cost of $450.00. It is now valued in excess $100,000.00 due to its rarity of construction. The framework is made of rosewood and in addition has the unique feature of containing a built-in mariners compass in it’s base.

An item of note worthy interest concerning the Globe is the showing of the completion for the ATLANTIC CABLE which was laid in 1886. John Mackay (one of the original Bonanza Kings) of Virginia City, financed the laying of this Cable.

The Clown Motel / Old Tonopah Cemetery in Tonopah, NV

521 N Main St, Tonopah, NV 89049 | 38.072176, -117.237875

There are clowns on the doors, shelves of clown dolls and collectibles in the lobby, clown paintings on the walls of the rooms. And if you have a room on the second floor, you can look out from the balcony and see why the motel is so quiet — and dark at night. It’s the cemetery. That’s right; the Clown Motel stands next to Tonopah’s dusty, unlit cemetery, closed for over a hundred years, packed with the graves of miners in this former Boom Town who died unpleasantly.

Mizpah Hotel in Tonopah, NV

100 N Main St, Tonopah, NV 89049 | 38.068279, -117.230940

Since 1907, the Mizpah Hotel has been an oasis of comfort in the stark beauty of Nevada’s high desert.

Built for $200,000, with solid granite walls, leaded glass windows and Victorian-era luxury appointments, the hotel featured solid oak furniture, hot and cold running water, steam heat, brass chandeliers, stained glass windows, and an electric elevator (one of the first in the state). At five stories, it was also the tallest building in Nevada at the time. Gaming came to the Mizpah in the 1940s. The first chips were issued in 1945, and the casino included a roulette wheel, craps table, blackjack, and 80 slot machines. 

The Mizpah has its share of ghosts and has even been featured on a few paranormal investigation shows, such as Ghost Adventures. The Lady in Red is said to haunt the entire fifth floor. Legend has it that she was murdered in the hallway. Legend has it that the Lady was a kept woman who lived somewhere on the floor. One day, her benefactor had left to catch a train out of town, but the train was cancelled. He returned back to her room only to catch her with another man. An argument ensued, concluding with her death in the hallway outside her room.

Goldfield Hotel in Goldfield, NV

69-79 Columbia Ave, Goldfield, NV 89013 | 37.708127, -117.235840

Built at a cost of between $300,000 and $400,000, it was reported to be the most spectacular hotel in Nevada at the time of its completion in 1908. Champagne is said to have flowed down the front steps in the opening ceremony. Its 150 rooms were fitted with pile carpets, many with private baths, and the lobby was trimmed in mahogany, with black leather upholstery and gilded columns. It also featured an elevator and crystal chandeliers.

The hotel was in use as such until the end of World War II, its last occupants being officers and their families from the Tonopah Army Air Field.

In 2004 the American television program Ghost Adventures featured the property, where cast members Zak Bagans and Nick Groff conducted a paranormal investigation. The investigation became famous for a specific incident in the basement when a brick was seemingly flung across the room on its own, provoking a terrified response from Bagans.

Four years later, in 2008, TAPS of the popular Syfy show Ghost Hunters investigated the hotel. 

In 2011, Ghost Adventures returned to the hotel to conduct a third investigation, during which the crew observed a significant amount of unexplained activity. In that episode, Bagans learned that owner Red Roberts was in talks with people who were interested in buying the hotel. In 2013, the Ghost Adventures crew returned once again for a fourth investigation where, like their previous investigations, a lot of unexplained activity was captured.

Goldfield High School in Goldfield, NV

321 N. Euclid Goldfield, Nevada  89013 | 37.708442, -117.233634

Built in 1907 at the height of the area’s gold rush when the population of Goldfield was around 30,000, the high school cost $103,000 to construct (nearly $2.7 million in current dollars) and, at the time, was the largest and best equipped high school in the entire state. The school was officially dedicated in 1908 and closed in 1952.

Ghost Adventures visited in 2015 and saw apparitions, EVP’s and Noises. 

Arizona Paranormal Locations

The Bird Cage Theatre in Tombstone, AZ

535 E Allen St, Tombstone, AZ 85638 | 31.711934, -110.065249

In Tombstone Arizona, had its grand opening on Dec 24, 1881. It gained a reputation as one of the wickedest theaters between New Orleans and San Francisco. The New York times reported…

“The bird cage theatre is the wildest, wickedest night spot, between Basin street and the barbary coast.” 

For eight years, from 1881 to 1889, the bird cage theater operated continuously, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  Legend has it that 26 people were killed in the bird cage theater during its reputed years as one of the wildest and meanest places in tombstone az. Over one hundred and forty bullet holes remain in the building, visitors and employees of the bird cage theater in tombstone az, have reported seeing the spirits of former prostitutes and men in cowboy hats. Some claim to be touched and pushed by unseen forces. At night, the sounds of laughter, yelling and music have been heard, as though the parties of “the old west” were still raging.

Iowa Paranormal Locations

Villisca Axe Murder House in Villisca, IA

508 E 2nd St, Villisca, IA 50864 | 40.930689, -94.973136

Long before serial killers and mass murders had become a way of life, two adults and 6 children were found brutally murdered in their beds in the small mid-western town of Villisca, Iowa. During the weeks that followed, life in this small town changed drastically.

As residents of this small town reinforced locks, openly carried weapons and huddled together while sleeping, newspaper reporters and private detectives flooded the streets. Accusations, rumors and suspicion ran rampant among friends and families. Bloodhounds were brought in. Law enforcement agencies from neighboring counties and states joined forces. Hundreds of interviews filled thousands of pages. And yet, the murders remained unsolved, the murderer unpunished.

On a quiet residential street in this small town sits an old white frame house. On a dark evening, the absence of lights and sounds are the first indication to visitors that this house is different from the other homes that surround it.

Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice it’s doors and windows are tightly closed and covered. An outhouse in the backyard suggests that this house does not occupy a place in the 21st century but somehow belongs in another era or another story.

A weather-beaten sign hanging from the decrepit front porch warns rather than welcomes.

It is the “Murder House” The walls still protect the identity of the murderer or murderers who bludgeoned to death the entire family of Josiah Moore and two overnight guests on June 10,1912. Almost 97 years later, her secret continues to draw many visitors to her door.

Visits by paranormal investigators have provided audio, video and photographic proof of paranormal activity. Tours have been cut short by children’s voices, falling lamps, moving ladders and flying objects. Psychics have confirmed the presence of spirits dwelling in the home and many have actually communicated with them, and skeptics have left believers

North Dakota Paranormal Locations

San Haven Sanatorium in Dunseith, ND

San Haven Rd Dunseith, ND 58329 | 48.835279, -100.041573

San Haven Sanatorium is a former tuberculosis sanatorium located just north of Dunseith. Between 1909 and the late 1940s, hundreds of tuberculosis patients were treated at the San Haven Sanatorium. After the tuberculosis epidemic subsided, thanks in part to antibiotics, the San Haven Sanatorium was transformed into a home for the developmentally disabled.

The sanatorium closed for good in the 1980s and has remained abandoned ever since.

Missouri Paranormal Locations

Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City, MO

115 Lafayette St, Jefferson City, MO 65101 | 38.574059, -92.161629

It’s been called the “Bloodiest 47 Acres in America”, a prison known for its stunning violence, housing 5200 inmates at its peak.  It’s also the home of the infamous “Hole”. One of the most infamous cells in A-Hall: Cell #48. This area of the cell was site of a grisly murder which took place during one of the prison’s many riots. This particular cell had once held an inmate who was notorious for snitching, a bad rap that got him bludgeoned to death with the very sledge hammer used to smash open the wall to his cell. To this day, Cell #48 remains one of the strangest, most active places in all of Missouri State Penitentiary. 

The Missouri State Penitentiary was a prison in Jefferson City, Missouri, that operated from 1836 to 2004.[1] Part of the Missouri Department of Corrections, it served as the state of Missouri’s primary maximum security institution. Before it closed, it was the oldest operating penal facility west of the Mississippi River.

On April 19, 1919, Kate Richards O’Hare was brought to M.S.P. to serve a five-year sentence for an anti-war speech she had given in Bowman, North Dakota, some months earlier. Kate O’Hare’s prison sentence was commuted by President Woodrow Wilson in May 1920. Later she was given a full pardon by President Calvin Coolidge.

Anarchist Emma Goldman was incarcerated in M.S.P. from 1917 to 1919 for conspiracy to “induce persons not to register” for the draft. Charles Arthur “Pretty Boy” Floyd entered M.S.P. on December 18, 1925, for a robbery.Boxer Charles “Sonny” Liston was incarcerated in M.S.P. in 1950 for a number of charges, including armed robbery. He learned to box in prison and was paroled in 1953.

In the fall of 1953, a young Kansas City boy named Bobby Greenlease was kidnapped and brutally murdered. A week later the murderers, Carl Austin Hall and Bonnie Heady, were arrested. They were tried and sentenced to death for their crimes. The federal government had no facilities to carry out the execution, so M.S.P. was selected to carry out their sentence.

James Earl Ray was admitted to the penitentiary in March 17, 1960. On April 23, 1967, prisoner #00416J escaped from the Missouri State Penitentiary in a bread box that was supposed to contain loaves of bread that were being transported from M.S.P. to the Renz prison. Somewhere during the trip, Ray escaped. Ray was later convicted for the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968.

In total, 40 people were executed in the Missouri State Penitentiary’s gas chamber, most with cyanide gas. The last execution, held in 1989, was the first to be carried out by means of lethal injection.

Alaska Paranormal Locations

Anchorage Hotel in Anchorage, AK

330 E Street Anchorage, Alaska 99501 | 61.218819, -149.891607

Curtains rumbling, shower curtains swaying, pictures flying—it’s all par for the course at The Historic Anchorage Hotel. Stories of ghostly happenings have been circulating at the hotel for many years, and are considered to be related to the death of Anchorage’s first Chief of Police, Jack Sturgus. On February 20, 1921 at 9:15 p.m., Police Chief John J. “Black Jack” Sturgus was found shot in the back with a bullet from his own gun, steps away from The Historic Anchorage Hotel. It is rumored that his ghost returns to the scene of the crime each year, haunting the location of his untimely death and seeking justice for a crime still unsolved to this day.

Rumor has it that guests have reported frequent spirit sightings in rooms 215, 217, 202 and 205. 

Sightings are so frequent that we keep a ghost log in which a number of our guests have shared their encounters. In addition to the ghost of Jack Sturgus, past guests have seen several different specters make their way through our halls and facilities..

While an abundance of paranormal activity may scare some, we can assure you that the rich and interesting history of The Historic Anchorage Hotel will make for an unforgettable stay.