Haunted in California

Do you believe in ghosts? The state of California is just riddled with complaints of spirits, specters and apparitions. Here are the stories of six areas in the state that claim to be haunted by the restless spirits of the dead.

Los Angeles County, Alhambra, California

In the Turner & Stevens Mortuary, located in Alhambra, there are said to be three entities that haunt the place. The apparitions are that of an old woman, a small boy and an adult male. Apparently the old woman is eternally set on capturing the boy and the man seems to protect him.

Some of the experiences reported here are slamming doors, books being thrown at living people, the sounds of footsteps and sightings of these three apparitions.

Monterey County, Monterey, California

The Stevenson House, a museum in Monterey State Park, was built in the 1800's. The building was owned by, Manuela Giradin, grandmother to Robert Louis Stevenson, who she named the house after.

In 1879, Manuela Giradin's husband contracted typhoid fever and died. Manuela's two grandchildren contracted the typhoid as well and by December of that year Manuela herself came down with it. Manuela died before she ever saw the grandchildren's recovery. Manuela is believed to be the apparition behind the hauntings of this building, unaware that her nursing duties to the children are now unneeded.

The apparition of Manuela has been seen in the nursery and has vanished right before the eyes of guests and the establishment's curator. The nursery also contains a rocking chair that rocks slowly back and forth all by itself! Visitors have also reported smelling disinfectant and carbolic acid which was popular in the 1800's.

Barbara, the museums curator, saw the apparition, dressed in black, in the nursery looking down and the beds of the children. Barbara told the woman that the museum was closing and Manuela nodded and disappeared!

Sightings of Manuela are still reported today.

San Diego County, San Diego, California

The Star of India sailing ship, sits docked at the Maritime Museum in San Diego. The ship has seen its share of tragedy and has become home to several entities that cannot find rest.

One entity residing on the ship died in 1884 when he fell about 100 feet while tending the masts. When tourists have made their way near the area where he fell, many have reported feeling someone touch them; perhaps to warn them not to make the climb.

In the old crew's quarters, many have reported feeling afraid and anxious. Others have reported cold spots or that the room temperature dropped.

In the kitchen, pots and pans seem to move on their own and the smell of fresh baked bread lingers, even though this room has not been put to use in years!

San Mateo County, San Francisco, California

The Nob Hill Inn, a boutique hotel built in 1907, is home to the burnt out remains of an unknown building that was destroyed in the earthquake of 1906. The building is said to be haunted by unseen spirits that like to play jokes on the living.

Santa Clara County, Mountain View, California

The Rengstorff mansion was moved to Shoreline Park from its original home of Stierlin Road. The mansion was restored and then opened to the public as a museum.

The original owner, Henry Rengstorff, built the manor and moved his family of nine into its massive 3,955 feet of grandeur.

The mansion was owned by this family until 1959, when Perry Askam, a grandson to Henry Rengstorff, sold the place to a land development company. After that several people lived there for a short period but they were all driven away due to the disturbances.

The apparition of a young woman has been seen starring out the window of an upstairs bedroom. Some who have entered this room reported a sense of sorrowfulness and some have felt the presence of the apparition, rather than seeing it.

Other visitors of the mansion have reported hearing thumps, bangs and other unexplained noises. Some report cold spots and other have been awakened by the feeling of someone else in the room. Some have even reported hearing the mournful crying of a young woman.

Solano County, Benicia, California

The Union Hotel, built in the 1850's, beautifully combines the charm of California's days of yore with a European style charm and grace. When looking upon this lovely hotel, no one would ever guess it was haunted by restless apparitions.

Sometime after the establishment was built, a young woman hung herself in one of the rooms. This woman's spirit is said to wander the hallways and many of the bedrooms. She sadly gazes out of windows during the evening hours and hotel employees and guests have heard her crying and talking to herself.

Another entity in the hotel is believed to be connected to the young woman's apparition. He sits in wait, gazing intently upon the hotel staircase. The male apparition is mostly seen in the bar area and the dining room, as he sits or paces back and forth.

So, I ask you again, do you believe in ghosts?