October has arrived, and things are about to get spooky. While many California families will be busy picking out Halloween costumes, carving pumpkins, and decorating their homes with crawling spiders and creepy skeletons, there are some folks who prefer to dial up the scare factor and be truly terrified this time of year. If you and your family members are the brave souls looking for a creepy and unique way to celebrate the Halloween season, now is the perfect time for an eerie weekend getaway. And what better place to stay for a scary stay than a haunted hotel? Luckily California is the prime location for frightening haunts, so you won’t have to travel far to find one. Below is a list of some of the most haunted hotels throughout the golden state. Can’t make the trip in October? Don’t worry, these hotels are haunted all year round.
NO TIME TO ENJOY THIS ARTICLE NOW? PIN IT OR BOOKMARK IT FOR LATER!
Short answer: The most famous haunted hotels in California are the Queen Mary in Long Beach, Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, and the Hollywood Roosevelt in Los Angeles. For families, the Queen Mary is the easiest pick: it runs daytime ghost tours kids can join, and you can sleep steps from its most haunted room, B340. Want history without the heavy scares? Try the Queen Anne Hotel in San Francisco, where the resident ghost is said to be friendly. Halloween falls on a Saturday in 2026, so book Friday and Saturday nights early.
Haunted California Hotels at a Glance
| Hotel | Location | The ghost story | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chateau Marmont | Los Angeles (Sunset Strip) | John Belushi, Bungalow 3 | Adults and older teens | $$$$ |
| Queen Anne Hotel | San Francisco | Headmistress Mary Lake, Room 410 | Families wanting gentle scares | $$ |
| Hollywood Roosevelt | Hollywood | Marilyn Monroe’s mirror, Montgomery Clift in Room 928 | Teens and Old Hollywood fans | $$$ |
| Hotel del Coronado | Coronado (San Diego) | Kate Morgan, Room 3327 | Families who want a beach too | $$$$ |
| Hotel Dunsmuir | Dunsmuir (near Mt. Shasta) | “Motto” in the Castle Rock building | Road trippers | $ |
| Queen Mary | Long Beach | “Walter” in Stateroom B340 | Families with kids 8+ | $$ |
| La Playa Hotel | Carmel-by-the-Sea | Angela Ghirardelli | Coastal getaways | $$$ |
| Union Hotel | Benicia | “Crying Mary” | Teens and adults | $$ |
| Mission Inn | Riverside | The reopened underground catacombs | Families; holiday lights trip | $$$ |
Price key: $ = budget, $$$$ = luxury. Rates change by date, so check current prices before you book.
Chateau Marmont – Los Angeles
This iconic hotel in West Hollywood has housed dozens of Hollywood’s top celebrities since the late 1920s. Many scandalous activities and affairs have occurred on the property, and several involve the rich and famous. A few of these stars even met their demise at the hotel, and it is rumored that their souls never checked out.
In 1982, actor and comedian John Belushi overdosed in the hotel’s Bungalow #3, and several guests, including a little boy, have reported many strange sightings of a funny man bearing Belushi’s resemblance.
Another celebrity whose spirit has been known to haunt the establishment is photographer Helmut Newton, who tragically lost his life in a car crash at the hotel in 2004. Guests have seen visions of a hurt Helmut and heard a camera clicking when no one was around. Chateau Marmont guests have also reported seeing furniture move, windows open and close on their own, and hearing several unexplained sounds in different areas of this majestic Sunset Strip establishment.
Spirits of the rich and famous haunt the Hollywood Hills. Photo by Venti Views on Unsplash.
Queen Anne Hotel – San Francisco
If your family is looking for a scary stay in the San Francisco area, the Queen Anne Hotel is definitely worth checking out. This gorgeous, Victorian-style building is rumored to be haunted by a friendly presence.
The mansion dates back to the late 1800s and was built as an exclusive finishing school for girls. The original owner was a young woman named Miss Mary Lake. In 1891, this unmarried headmaster found herself at the center of a sordid scandal as rumors spread that she was having an affair with Senator James Fair, the man who provided the funding for the school.
The rumors eventually simmered down, and Mary sold the building and moved out of the area. However, it seems that Mary’s spirit may have returned, as the now Queen Anne Hotel has had numerous reports of paranormal activity. Many of these incidents have occurred on the fourth floor of the hotel, often in room 410, which was Mary’s former office.
While guests have experienced some unsettling occurrences, such as seeing unexplained images in the hotel mirrors or feeling hot and cold spots when walking down the hotel hallways, many of their ghost encounters have been of a helpful nature. When you stay at the Queen Anne, the resident spirit (maybe Miss Mary herself) may even assist you in unpacking your belongings and tucking you into bed at night.
Don’t be surprised if Mary helps you unpack. Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash
Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel – Los Angeles
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel may be the most haunted hotel in California. The first Oscars were held here in 1929, and many Hollywood stars have roamed its hallways in the years since. The hotel’s most famous ghost is none other than the beautiful Marilyn Monroe. She lived at the hotel for two years in the 1940s, and while she did not meet her untimely death on the premises, her spirit still haunts the grounds of this famous establishment.
If your family is not easily frightened, you may want to book a stay in Marilyn’s old room (#1200) on the second floor of the hotel. The room is decorated with vintage furniture, and there have been several unusual sightings of a mysterious little girl wearing a blue dress here. Guests have also seen images of Marilyn in a hotel mirror, and there has also been some paranormal activity at the hotel’s pool area, where she modeled for her very first print advertisement.
Although the spirit of Marilyn is the most famous ghost to haunt the Roosevelt, she is not the only one. Other famous ghosts include Carole Lombard and actor Montgomery Clift. Guests have reported strange occurrences in his old room (#928) and have heard the sounds of his bugle play throughout the hallways of this grand hotel.
Strange things are happening at the Roosevelt Hotel. Photo by Shad Islam on Unsplash
Hotel del Coronado – San Diego
At the Hotel del Coronado, the ghost of a young woman has been sighted numerous times around the property. In 1892, a young Kate Morgan checked into the hotel but never left. Some say she was waiting for her husband to join her, and others claim it may have been another man. Regardless, after waiting several days for her suitor to join her, Kate became so distraught that her broken heart could no longer survive, and she ended up taking her own life.
DON’T MISS! 7 Haunted Places In Los Angeles: Sex, Murder, and Mystery On LA’s Ghost Trail
Since then, the ghost of Kate Morgan has been felt in many ways by hotel employees and visitors. There have been reports of strange breezes, flickering televisions and light fixtures, and unexplained footsteps. While most of this activity has occurred in room 3327, Kate’s former guestroom, there have also been strange occurrences in the hallways and hotel gift shop. Kate’s presence has been felt so strongly that the hotel has published a book about it, titled “Beautiful Stranger: The Ghost of Kate Morgan and the Hotel del Coronado.”
You never know who is watching you when you stay at the Hotel del Coronado. Photo by Rene Asmussen on Pexels
Hotel Dunsmuir – Dunsmuir
The history of the Hotel Dunsmuir dates back to the gold rush era of the late 1800s. The hotel is comprised of five buildings, three of which are said to be haunted. Several strange happenings occurred at the Dunsmuir, and several ghost hunters have investigated the spooky activity.
According to the hotel owner, Mark Juarez, the paranormal investigators determined that 13 ghosts reside in the hotel. Three of these ghosts frequent the property’s Castle Rock building, once home to a brothel. One particular ghost is named Motto and is believed to be the spirit of the man who ran the brothel and later died in its sauna.
When asked about any mysterious happenings in this building, Mark recalled a story about a criminal who broke into the Castle Rock building and started a fire. He said that, suddenly, the fire extinguished itself, and the man was pushed out of the building by an unknown force, as if to say he was unwelcome there. Overall, Mark says he has felt the presence of the hotel ghosts but is not afraid because they are mostly friendly spirits, not there to harm anyone who is kind. He told me, “I can sense them but feel protected by them.”
Not all spirits are out to scare you. Photo by Elina Araja on Unsplash
Queen Mary Hotel – Long Beach
A stay at the Queen Mary Hotel is definitely a memorable one. This property is a historic ocean liner that was docked and converted into a hotel. While many families stay here to take in the beautiful ocean view, others visit in hopes of experiencing something out of the ordinary.
Visiting in October? Dark Harbor, the ship’s Halloween scare event, runs select nights September 18 – November 1, 2026 (we recommend it for ages 13+). Read our full story: Is the Queen Mary Really Haunted? Our Family Spent the Night to Find Out.
There are many haunted rooms aboard the ship, and they are said to be inhabited by more than 100 spirits. The Queen Mary embraces their presence and has hosted several spooky onboard activities, including ghost stories, ghost haunts, and haunted meals in the dining room.
Throughout the hotel, visitors and hotel staff members have reported hearing the sounds of children crying, witnessed images of passengers fading into thin air, and experienced the unsettling feeling of someone brushing up against them.
One well-known ghost is said to be a crewman who died in a horrific accident in the shaft alley. Many people have reported that they have seen his spirit, a man in blue overalls, walk around the premises and ask people about the whereabouts of his wrench. Others swear they have seen the ghost of a young girl who is wearing a white dress.
Ghosts are everywhere at the Queen Mary Hotel. Photo by From Past to Future on Unsplash.
La Playa Hotel – Carmel
The resident ghost at the La Playa Hotel has possible ties to the chocolate industry. This historic national hotel once belonged to Angela Ghirardelli, heiress to the Ghirardelli chocolate fortune, and her husband, Christopher Jorgenson.
Guests claim that Angela’s ghost (or possibly that of a close relative who drowned in the bay) haunts the grounds of this coastal hotel. Guests at the La Playa are often awakened in the middle of the night by running water, flickering lights, and unusual feelings. Some have even seen ghostly images in their guest rooms.
Eerie things are happening by the sea at La Playa Hotel. Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash
DON’T MISS! 10 Best California Ghost Towns for Thrill-Loving Families
Union Hotel – Benicia
When you stay at one of the most historic hotels in America, you are bound to leave with a good ghost story or two. The Union Hotel is so infamous for its creepy occurrences that the Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures crew investigated and featured the hotel on their show.
Constructed in 1852, this Northern California hotel is the home of “Crying Mary,” the spirit of a young call girl who took her own life in one of the guest rooms. Visitors who have stayed at the hotel sometimes hear Mary crying to herself at night. Others have seen strange figures at the establishment.
According to the hotel receptionist and former housekeeper Nevaeha Jefferson, the Wild Peonie and Victoriana rooms have been the main sites of creepy occurrences and are, therefore, the most requested places to stay. Neveaha herself has felt an unsettling feeling in the hotel when cleaning alone. She also said she recently heard the sounds of pots and pans banging in the kitchen when no one was in sight.
Pots and pans banging in an empty kitchen is such a frightening sound. Photo by Janko Ferlic on Unsplash
Planning a full spooky season? See our 25 Frightfully Fun Halloween Haunts in LA & Around California
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa – Riverside
About an hour east of Los Angeles, the Mission Inn is a sprawling, castle-like landmark full of hidden staircases, domes, and courtyards. Founder Frank Miller built underground catacombs in the early 1900s to show off his art collection. They were sealed for decades and reopened to visitors in 2024. Guests on fall tours report flickering lights and strange noises below ground, so this is a good pick if your kids like a little history with their goosebumps.
The Inn has run evening catacomb tours each fall. Check the hotel’s tour page for this year’s dates before you go. Can’t make it for Halloween? Come back for the Festival of Lights, which runs November 21, 2026 – January 3, 2027 and is one of Southern California’s biggest holiday light displays.
Bonus: The Haunted Hotel You Can’t Book, the Cecil
Downtown LA’s Cecil Hotel is probably the most infamous hotel in California. It opened in 1927 and later became linked to a string of deaths, two serial killers, and the 2013 disappearance of Elisa Lam, the case behind Netflix’s Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel. You can’t spend the night, though. The building reopened in December 2021 as affordable housing, so the closest you can get is a look at the exterior at 640 S. Main Street. Our 7 Haunted Places in LA ghost trail includes it.
A visit to the Cecil Hotel will definitely give you the creeps. Photo by Steinar Engeland on Unsplash
Haunted Hotels in California FAQ
What is the most haunted hotel in California?
The Queen Mary in Long Beach is widely considered the most haunted hotel in California. Records show 57 deaths aboard during its years at sea, and Stateroom B340 is its most famous haunted room. Hotel del Coronado and the Hollywood Roosevelt are close runners-up.
Which haunted hotel in California is best for kids?
The Queen Mary is the best haunted hotel for kids because it runs daytime ghost tours suited to ages 8 and up. Hotel del Coronado is another good choice since it pairs a famous ghost with a family-friendly beach. The Queen Anne Hotel in San Francisco has a resident ghost who is said to be friendly.
Can you stay at the Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles?
No. The Cecil Hotel reopened in December 2021 as affordable housing and no longer takes overnight guests. You can still see the exterior at 640 S. Main Street in downtown Los Angeles.
Can you stay in Kate Morgan’s room at Hotel del Coronado?
Yes. Room 3327, where Kate Morgan stayed in 1892, is bookable and is the hotel’s most requested room, so reserve early. The hotel also runs evening ghost tours for ages 12 and up.
What is the most haunted hotel near Los Angeles?
The Hollywood Roosevelt is the most haunted hotel in Los Angeles, with reported sightings of Marilyn Monroe in a mirror and Montgomery Clift in Room 928. The Queen Mary in Long Beach is about 45 minutes away and offers the most organized ghost tours.
When should you book a haunted hotel for Halloween?
Book as early as possible. Halloween falls on a Saturday in 2026, so Friday and Saturday nights at popular haunted hotels sell out first. At the Queen Mary, pair your stay with Dark Harbor, which runs select nights September 18 through November 1, 2026.
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE, PLEASE CONSIDER PINNING OR SHARING IT!
