Back to Events
Haunting

San Francisco

Gold Rush violence, the 1906 earthquake, Alcatraz, and countless tragedies haunt the city by the bay. The Queen Anne Hotel's Mary Lake still tucks guests in at night.

1776 - Present
California, United States
20000+ witnesses

San Francisco is one of America’s most haunted cities.

The 1906 Earthquake

Devastating disaster:

  • 7.9 magnitude
  • 3,000+ killed
  • Fires burned for days
  • Mass graves
  • Trauma lingers

Queen Anne Hotel

Most haunted hotel:

  • Mary Lake, headmistress
  • Girls’ school formerly
  • Tucks guests in
  • Benevolent spirit
  • Room 410 most active

Alcatraz

The prison:

  • See separate entry
  • Adds to city’s haunting
  • Visible from shore
  • Dark energy
  • Connected to city

The Barbary Coast

Historic vice district:

  • Murders common
  • Shanghaied sailors
  • Violence everywhere
  • Ghosts remain
  • Now cleaned up

Sutro Baths

Ruins by the sea:

  • Burned 1966
  • Swimmers drowned
  • Apparitions seen
  • In the fog
  • Eerie ruins

Sources