Haunted Places in Santa Cruz, California



  • 0

    Adolph's Restaurant - Fuji Restaurant

    Santa Cruz, California

    The former Adolph's Restaurant, and now Fuji Restaurant, is said to be haunted. Workers have seen several apparitions, and some historians have supposed they may them stem from a murder that happened here around 1900.


    Read more »
  • 0

    Graham Hill Road Cemetery - Santa Cruz Memorial Cemetery

    Santa Cruz, California

    Graham Hill Road Cemetery, aka Santa Cruz Memorial Cemetery, is said to be haunted by apparitions, faces in headstones, dark shadows, and orbs. Some reports say if see a white figure coming toward you, get out of the way, because this is not a friendly ghost.


    Read more »
  • 0

    Surf Bistro and Bakery

    Santa Cruz, California

    This bistro is haunted according to diners and staff. Activity reported here includes pictures being moved by unseen hands, a ghostly male voice and the apparition of a disheveled old man. The resident spook is believed to be a Canadian freight train hopper, who frequented a prior establishment on ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    UC Santa Cruz - Porter College

    Santa Cruz, California

    University of California Santa Cruz - Porter College has several sites rumored to be haunted. In the A Building, the apparition of a student who committed suicide has been seen, as well as others. On the B Building's 1st Floor, there are strange noises and voices, objects that fly across ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Rispin Mansion

    Capitola, California

    4.1 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    The abandoned Rispin Mansion, originally built in 1922 by a real-estate baron, is the centerpiece for many local legends and ghost stories. Once grand, it has been burned, graffitied, and left to fall to ruin.


    Read more »
  • 0

    Bayview Hotel Bed and Breakfast

    Aptos, California

    7.2 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    The former owner, his wife, and two of their friends are thought to be here after they all died in a car accident. Numerous apparitions are seen here (all of which wear out of date clothing), electric items turn on and off by themselves, footsteps are heard, and the smell ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Brookdale Lodge - Brookdale Inn and Spa

    Brookdale, California

    10.1 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    Reportedly haunted by the niece of the former proprietor who is alleged to have drowned in the creek that runs through the dining room. People claim to have seen her ghost running through the dining area, sitting by the fireplace crying and other times at various places. One ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Veteran's Memorial Building

    Watsonville, California

    15.9 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    This historic venue is rumoured to be haunted by the apparition of a little boy in antiquated clothes, who has been seen running across the main stage of the building during events. This spook has also been attributed to moving the curtains during performances, as well as bouncing a ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Dusty Treasures Antiques and Collectibles

    Watsonville, California

    16 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    Housed in an 1899 mansion, this old-fashioned antiques store is rumoured to be haunted. Visitors have reported the sound of keys being pressed on a typewriter when no one is around, as well as disembodied footsteps, ghostly laughter and doors slamming shut on the second floor. The apparition of ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Mount Madonna County Park

    Watsonville, California

    17.9 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    Locals say that for decades, around the mansion ruins, the spirits of former owner Henry Miller and his daughter have been seen riding horseback. The daughter was killed when she broke her neck in a riding accident. A ghostly girl also has been reported walking in the night, wearing a ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    644 N Santa Cruz Avenue

    Los Gatos, California

    18.3 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    This office building that was once a private home is haunted by a ghost nicknamed Julius. He has been known to play with a calculator, roll a chair across the floor, open and close filing cabinets, and monkey with the phones. Cold spots have been felt here as well.


    Read more »
  • 0

    Chitactac-Adams County Park

    Santa Cruz, California

    21 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    Said to be on the site of an ancient Native American burial ground, the park contains trails where visitors can view ancient rock carvings. Some folks have reported that when they drove past the park at night, their car air-conditioners suddenly turned on and blew a blast of cold air.


    Read more »
  • 0

    Gilroy Gardens - Bonfante Gardens

    Gilroy, California

    22.3 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    Formerly Bonfante Gardens but now called Gilroy Gardens, the garden-themed family amusement park is said to be haunted. Workers at this park say they have seen its carousel turn on and start running by itself at night. The carousel is located in Claudia's Garden.


    Read more »
  • 0

    Winchester Mystery House

    San Jose, California

    24.2 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    The eccentric Sarah Winchester, builder of the Winchester Mystery House, is said to have built the rambling mansion to protect her from the ghosts of all the people who were were killed by her late husband's famous Winchester line of rifles. In a strange turn of events, is she who ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    The Old Gilroy Hotel

    San Jose, California

    25.6 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    Here you may catch a glimpse of a ghost or two. A young woman in her 20s and a little girl are said to haunt here. The woman is usually seen at the top of the stairs, while the little girl prefers the hallway. Many other strange sounds and electrical ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Colton Hall

    Monterey, California

    27 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    Colton Hall, built by Navy Chaplain Walter Colton (later a mayor and a judge), was the first public building constructed under the American flag. It was the site of the 1849 California Constitutional Convention as well as an execution spot: Convicted criminals were hanged from the second-floor porch balcony. Perhaps ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Stevenson House

    Monterey, California

    27.1 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    Stevenson House museum was an 1800s boarding house where author Robert Louis Stevenson once stayed (and it's now named for him). It is believed to be haunted by Manuela Giradin, who owned and ran the establishment. In 1879, Manuela's husband died of typhoid fever, and her two grandchildren came down ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Restaurant 1833 - Stoke's Adobe

    Monterey, California

    27.1 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    Formerly Stokes Adobe and now Restaurant 1833, the adobe structure built by the Mexicans in the 1830s is said to be haunted. Said to happen in the early morning hours, footsteps walk through the upstairs when no one is there, and a child's cries ring out from the same area. ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Sunnyvalle Toys 'R Us

    Sunnyvale, California

    27.2 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    This retail store is said to be haunted by a ghost of a man named Johnson, John, or Johann. Psychics who have investigated say he was an 1880s ranch hand and preacher who died of axe wounds while working in an orchard. Employees report that objects jump off the shelves ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo

    Monterey, California

    27.3 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    The Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo, originally built in 1770, has been in operation for more than two centuries, but as legend has it, it wasn't haunted until the 1920s. According to witnesses, the Royal Presidio Chapel is home to some spirits: A priest's apparition has been seen, lighted candles ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Hotel Del Monte - Herrmann Hall

    Monterey, California

    27.4 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    Hotel Del Monte was a luxury resort hotel from 1880 until 1942, when it was leased to the Navy to be used as a school to train electronic technicians during World War II. After the war, the building became the Naval Postgraduate School, the main building of which is called ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Quimby Road Jogger

    San Jose, California

    28.9 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    A ghostly jogger is said to run along Quimby Road at around midnight.


    Read more »
  • 0

    Quality Inn and Suites Sunnyvale

    Sunnyvale, California

    29.4 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    The full body apparition of a man is reportedly seen throughout the hotel.


    Read more »
  • 0

    California's Great America

    Santa Clara, California

    29.4 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    At California's Great America, aka Paramount's Great America, a ghost of a boy who was killed on a ride is said to haunt the area where the ride once stood. Many other spots at this amusement park are also said to be haunted as well. For example, a man's ghost ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    La Playa Carmel

    Carmel, California

    29.7 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    Alleged to be haunted either by the ghost of a family member who drowned in the bay or by one of the original mistresses. It is not known precisely who the ghost is but many claim to see her and feel her presence.


    Read more »
  • 0

    Agnews Insane Asylum Site

    Santa Clara, California

    29.8 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    In the Great Earthquake of 1906, over 100 patients were killed and buried on this site. The hospital itself was said to be a place full of negative residual energy from shock treatment leaving the patients catatonic. Guests have been shoved and report the feeling of being watched. Objects have ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Quality Inn and Suites at NASA Ames

    Mountain View, California

    29.9 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    1.) During a trip in 2014, while almost asleep, something jumped on my bed. After rapidly turning on a light, no-one or anything was there. 2.) A colleague was staying at the same hotel (same year). While sitting on his room bed, he said he felt as if at least three ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Tor House and Hawk Tower

    Carmel, California

    30.3 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    Robinson Jeffers, poet and builder of the granite house and tower, is said to linger here. The site was featured on the TV show Ghost Adventures. The Tor House is open for tours by appointment on Fridays and Saturdays, but photos may be taken only once a year, at the ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Carmel Mission

    Carmel, California

    30.4 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    The mission was built directly adjacent to an ancient American Indian burial ground. There are several ghosts haunting the mission, including the ghost of a dog that is heard but not seen. The ghost of one of the of the original founder's Father Serra can be seen walking around with ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Mount Hamilton Grandview Restaurant

    Mount Hamilton, California

    30.7 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    The lights have been known to flicker or even come on by themselves at this restaurant, even when no one is in the building. Also, the ghost of a young girl has been reported standing on the balcony that looks out over Silicon Valley.


    Read more »
  • 0

    Rengstorff House

    Mountain View, California

    31.8 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    Rengstorff House was originally built by German immigrant Henry Rengstorff on Stierlin Road in the 1860s, but was moved to its current location to be restored and turned into a museum. The 16-room mansion with beautiful period furnishings, a widow's walk and a garden was occupied by the Rengstorff family ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Old Stage Road

    Salinas, California

    32.6 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    Old Stage Road is the center of a local legend about a woman who was walking along the road and was raped and decapitated by a man who stopped to offer her a ride. Her apparition is said to walk along the road holding her head.


    Read more »
  • 0

    Blue Sky Lodge

    Carmel Valley, California

    38.2 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    Guests in the upper suites have said the rooms get very cold at night and they describe a feeling of uneasiness in the master bedrooms.


    Read more »
  • 0

    Ohlone Burial Grounds

    Fremont, California

    38.9 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    Reports say these grounds just down the road from Mission San Jose are fenced off, but a plaque designates the site as an Ohlone burial ground. Here, witnesses say they have photographed orbs, believed to be spirits of Ohlone Indians who died at the mission and were buried here.


    Read more »
  • 0

    Lord Bradley's Inn

    Fremont, California

    39.1 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    People claim to have seen apparitions in old-fashioned clothing throughout the building and hear footsteps and odd noises late at night.


    Read more »
  • 0

    Mission San José

    Fremont, California

    39.2 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    Mission San Jose was founded in 1797, and although it is now a museum and sightseeing site, it once suffered an earthquake. Witnesses have described various incidences of paranormal activity including unexplained sounds, cold spots, eerie feelings, and even apparitions of Native Americans.


    Read more »
  • 0

    Water Dog Lake

    Belmont, California

    40 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    The ghost of the water dog is a local legend. Some say the water dog killed a boy who was walking around the lake alone. Others don't believe it, and they say, according to a newspaper story, the boy was killed by a murderer who dumped the body at the ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Chualar Road

    Salinas, California

    40 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    At the end of Chualar Road at night, some say a ghostly woman walks along the roadside. She disappears as you drive past her. A report by a motorcyclist said he was thrown off the bike by something unseen, blacked out, and awoke to see a woman with black hair ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Zaballa House

    Half Moon Bay, California

    40.4 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    People claim that room 6 is haunted with strange noises and alarms going off. Guests on review websites claim the walls are thin which could explain the "haunting" reports.


    Read more »
  • 0

    Niles Canyon Road

    Fremont, California

    43 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    A woman in a white dress was ran over sometime in the 1920's. Some people have seen a woman in a bloddy white gown walking along this road and hikers using the secret sidewalk have supposedly gone missing trying to aid this woman. Submitted by Chris Berglund


    Read more »

  • San Diego Specters
    John J Lamb
  • 0

    Bronco Billy's Pizza

    Union City, California

    43.1 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    The building this branch of the local pizza restaurant is housed in is one of the oldest in town, and dates back to before the city was established. The back room of the place is supposedly where most of the supernatural activity is confined to. Submitted by Callum Swift


    Read more »
  • 0

    Moss Beach Distillery

    Moss Beach, California

    46 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    This restaurant on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean was originally built in 1927 as a speakeasy, but turned into a restaurant in 1933. It is said to be haunted by the Blue Lady, who folks say died near the restaurant. The story has been seen on TV's Unsolved Mysteries. ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Point Sur Lighthouse

    Monterey, California

    46.8 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    This lighthouse, which has been featured on the TV show Ghost Adventures, is said to be haunted by many victims of shipwrecks that have occurred off the coast over the years.


    Read more »
  • 0

    Ocean View Inn

    Montara, California

    47.4 miles from Santa Cruz, CA


    Read more »
  • 0

    Hayward Plunge

    Hayward, California

    47.9 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    According to reports, in the late 1960s a swimming coach led his students to the creek and later murdered them. Now, witnesses say they have felt cold spots and seen eerie shadows, and those who stop in a clearing will see children's footsteps all around them and hear laughter, running, ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Prim Boutique

    Pleasanton, California

    48.2 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    Hi, my name is Sara White. I currently work at Prim Boutique in downtown Pleasanton. This past weekend we had a ghost walk (people walk around downtown and visit the shops/restaurants that are haunted & receive history on the ghost/ghost's story). Prim Boutique participated in the ghost walk because ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    Blue Agave Club and Restaurant

    Pleasanton, California

    48.3 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    This Mexican restaurant is housed in one of the oldest residence's in town, and is rumoured to be haunted by a variety of spirits. The building use to house offices, and workers would report desk chairs rolling around of their own accord and papers mysteriously going missing. A ...


    Read more »
  • 0

    The Rose Hotel

    Pleasanton, California

    48.4 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    Lights turning on and off, a full body apparition of a male ghost, heavy items being moved without explanation and other ghostly happenings make up the main features of this California haunted hotspot.


    Read more »
  • 0

    Pleasanton Hotel

    Pleasanton, California

    48.5 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    This former hotel is now a restaurant with tenants living on top. It is not a functioning hotel. Reportedly haunted by a prostitute who was murdered there in the late 1800's.


    Read more »
  • 0

    Lone Tree Cemetery

    Hayward, California

    48.5 miles from Santa Cruz, CA

    At this haunted cemetery, witnesses have reported faces that appear in the bushes, unexplained noises, objects that move on their own, flashes of light and chiming bells. Some folks have seen orbs, others have had them show up later in photographs.


    Read more »


» Cemeteries near Santa Cruz, CA

» Find museums in Santa Cruz, CA