San Francisco, a city celebrated for its stunning architecture, culinary delights, and thriving arts scene, harbors a darker side: its ghosts. Ranked among the top ten most haunted cities in the United States, San Francisco’s rich history is punctuated by the echoes of the Gold Rush, devastating earthquakes, and notorious serial killers. Forget limiting this list to just ten; the city’s haunted locales could easily number in the hundreds. From hotels and restaurants to streets and harbors, ghostly tales abound in every corner of San Francisco.
10. San Francisco City Hall
This historic building is rumored to be haunted by the spirits of those interred in Yerba Buena cemetery, upon which the city hall was constructed. Although these residents were supposedly moved to another burial ground, many believe their spirits were displeased by the disturbance and continue to haunt the premises.
These ghosts are said to manifest through unexplained noises. In 1924, a city hall employee reported hearing rhythmic tapping on the walls around noon each day—five taps, a pause, then three more. Despite thorough investigation, no logical explanation was ever found for this eerie phenomenon.
9. The Presidio Army Base
Located near the Golden Gate Bridge, this former military base is believed to be haunted by soldiers, Native Americans, and even pets who met their end on the property. The Presidio’s history stretches back over 200 years, initially serving as a home to Native Americans due to its proximity to water and forests. Later, it was controlled by Spain and Mexico before being reclaimed by the Park Service.
In the 1950s, grave markers for pets began to appear, creating a pet cemetery marked by a white picket fence. Visitors claim to hear sounds emanating from the pet cemetery at night, see soldiers performing their duties, and experience cold spots. San Francisco’s Halloween Ghost Tours offer in-depth explorations of this spine-chilling location every October.
8. Stow Lake
Nestled within Golden Gate Park, Stow Lake is a man-made body of water steeped in local legend. Details from pre-1906 San Francisco are scarce due to the devastating earthquake, but one story, first appearing in the San Francisco Chronicle in 1908, tells of young adults fleeing an unknown entity in a car through the park.
The most famous tale involves a mother who accidentally drowned her baby in the early 1900s. Distracted while chatting with another woman, her baby’s pram rolled into the lake. To this day, the “White Lady” is said to appear near the park exit, desperately pleading for help in finding her child.
7. Donaldina Cameron House
Founded in 1878, the Occidental (Presbyterian) Mission Home for Girls served as a sanctuary for Chinese immigrant women and girls during a time when only Chinese men were permitted to immigrate for work. Donaldina Cameron, who became the superintendent in 1897, dedicated her life to rescuing these vulnerable girls from indentured servitude and human trafficking.
Even within the Home’s walls, danger lurked. Brothel owners, threatened by Cameron’s work, labeled her the “white devil,” terrifying the girls. When the original building was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake, the rebuilt structure included hidden rooms in the basement. Tragically, a fire trapped several girls in these rooms, leading to their suffocation. It’s said that their spirits still haunt the Cameron House.
6. The Queen Anne Hotel
Originally the Mary Lake School for Girls in the 1890s, this Victorian hotel is supposedly haunted by the school’s former headmaster, Miss Mary Lake. Surviving the 1906 earthquake, the building has housed diverse groups over the years, including brothel owners and church caretakers.
Known as San Francisco’s most haunted hotel, the Queen Anne often features in ghost-hunting shows. However, Miss Mary Lake’s ghost is more Casper-like than terrifying. She is said to be friendly, often picking up items and helping guests unpack, particularly in room 410, the Mary Lake Suite.
5. The Fairmont Hotel
The Fairmont Hotel, envisioned by sisters Theresa Fair Oelrichs and Virginia Fair Vanderbilt, was meant to be a boutique hotel in the upscale Nob Hill neighborhood. Devastated by the earthquake shortly after opening, the sisters rebuilt it, opening just a year later. This luxury hotel is now reputed to be haunted by multiple spirits, including the Fair sisters themselves, who are said to care for their guests, even caressing them as they sleep.
Another spectral resident is the “friendly prostitute,” murdered in her room and now seen roaming the hotel, chatting with guests. Some claim to see the ghosts of World War II soldiers walking the halls.
4. Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary
This notorious former prison is haunted by the ghosts of inmates and guards who died within its walls. The U.S. Army initially used Alcatraz Island as a prison in 1859, eventually constructing a concrete-reinforced structure completed in 1912. It swiftly became home to its first inmates—the very laborers who built it.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons took control in 1933, turning Alcatraz into a high-security prison for the most dangerous criminals, including Machine Gun Kelly, Birdman Stroud, and Al Capone. Given its isolation and violent inmates, Alcatraz saw its share of bloodshed: eight people were killed by inmates, five committed suicide, and fifteen died of natural causes. Visitors often report hearing sobbing, screaming, and feeling cold spots, particularly in Cell 14-D, also known as “The Hole,” where the worst-behaved prisoners were punished.
3. The Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge, an iconic symbol of San Francisco, is also rumored to be haunted. Many accounts detail strange and paranormal activity, from ghostly apparitions of suicide victims to unexplained footsteps and voices. Some claim to see the ghost of a woman in a white dress, believed to be a bride killed in a car accident on the bridge.
One well-known haunting involves a construction worker named Larry, who fell to his death during the bridge’s construction in the 1930s. His ghostly figure is often seen near the spot where he fell. Another tale involves a sailor named George, lost at sea during World War II, who is seen in his uniform, searching for his lost love.
Whether these hauntings are real remains a mystery, but they add to the bridge’s fascinating history, drawing some visitors and deterring others from nighttime visits.
2. The Sutro Baths
Built in the 1890s by Adolph Sutro, the Sutro Baths were intended to be a recreational space for San Franciscans. Sutro also included exhibits from around the world, including Egyptian mummies.
The Sutro Baths are said to be haunted by multiple ghosts, including a 16-year-old boy, Frank Denvin, who died in 1896 after falling from a water slide. Legend says that if you enter the tunnel at Sutro Baths with a lit candle, a woman will appear and throw it into the sea.
1. The Whittier Mansion
William Franklin Whittier built this 30-room mansion in 1894 as a gift for his wife, who tragically died in a carriage accident before its completion. William passed away in the mansion a year later, and their son sold the home. It is said to be haunted by William, waiting for his wife, and by German spies who supposedly occupied the house during World War II.
San Francisco’s haunted locations offer a chilling glimpse into the city’s past. From ghostly hotels to infamous prisons, these sites beckon thrill-seekers and history buffs alike. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, exploring these spooky spots provides a unique way to experience the darker side of the Golden City.
Have you visited any of these haunted locations? Share your experiences in the comments below!
