Haunted Places in San Jose and the Bay Area

With Halloween fast approaching, Bay Area residents can't help but think about one of the most bizarre houses in the world that sits right in the middle of San Jose, California. The Winchester Mystery House is a 160 room Victorian mansion of both mystery and history. The house was built by Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune. She was sure she was haunted by the spirits of people who'd been killed with a Winchester Rifle. A psychic told her to build a house large enough to house the spirits, and build she did. She had workers build room after room from 1884 until her death in 1922. The beautiful house has a séance room, staircases leading to nowhere, doors that open into walls or thin air and secret passages hidden everywhere. Many say the mansion is haunted. Psychics and ghost hunters have investigated this beautiful home, and you can too! Guided tours are available daily, and special flashlight tours on Friday the 13^th are also conducted. I have been there many times myself, and I enjoy it each time. Info on the Winchester Mystery House can be found at:

http://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/

Another famous haunted location for Bay Area residents to enjoy is the air craft carrier USS Hornet, docked permanently at the Alameda Naval Station in Alameda, California. The USS Hornet CV-12 played an important role in the naval battles of WWII. This honored ship was commissioned in 1943, and is one of the most highly decorated ships in the US Navy. She destroyed 1410 Japanese aircraft, and fought and survived the battle of Midway. Over 300 Americans died aboard the Hornet, and some of their spirits are reported to be there still. Mysterious happenings such as vanishing tools, doors that open and close by themselves, unexplained noises and unexplained sightings occur on a regular basis. The ship was investigated by the SyFy channel's Ghost Hunters, and they were left scratching their heads at their haunting experiences. I have visited this ship myself, and upon entering the hanger deck, the batteries in my camera were immediately drained of their energy, which is a common sign of paranormal activity. On September 5^th 2009, more Ghost Hunters (from the SyFy channel show of the same name) will be conducting an investigation aboard the Hornet, and the public is welcome to accompany them. Whether you're hunting for ghosts or you enjoy American history, I highly recommend a visit to the USS Hornet. She served her country well, and is now a living museum for all to enjoy and appreciate. Information on tours and visits can be found at:

www.uss-hornet.org

There are two stores in the Bay Area that are haunted. Neither of them advertise themselves as haunted, but stories persist that they are. Here are their legends:

Toys R Us- Sunnyvale, CA. Located on the site of an old ranch, this toy store is occupied by more than just GI Joe, X-Men and Barbie. Legend has it that the son of a prominent ranching family of the 1800's had a broken heart and committed suicide on that spot. Apparently, he is still there in spirit. Employees at the toy store have reported toys that play with themselves, skate boards rolling down empty aisles, and gusts of wind in areas with no windows. Psychic investigations have confirmed the existence of the 'Toys R Us' ghost. The store does not give haunted tours, but you are welcome to shop for the latest toys and games and see if you notice anything odd!

Lullaby Lane, San Mateo CA. This family owned baby furniture store has more going on in it than meets the eye. The Ghost Hunters from the SyFy channel investigated this store on a recent trip to California. The employees had noticed items moving on their own, disembodied voices and chairs spinning, and wondered if a previous employee was coming back to visit them. The Ghost Hunters were able to find logical explanations for some of the strange occurrences, but some mysterious voices were caught on digital recording equipment that indicated definite paranormal activity. If you are in need of any supplies for your child, stop in and look around. You never know what you'll find!

Other haunted Bay Area Locations can be found by visiting the following websites:

Haunted Bay, www.hauntedbay.com

Bay Area Haunts, www.bayareayhaunts.org

Haunted Real Estate Blog, www.hauntedrealestateblog.com

Here's wishing everyone a safe and sane Halloween holiday, and if you're going trick or treating, be sure to check the address of the houses you'll be visiting against some of these haunted locations...otherwise, you'll never be sure of just who is opening the door!

Sources:
Personal Experiences;
the websites listed above;
The SyFy channel website - www.syfy.com/ghosthunters
The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) www.the-atlantic-paranormal-society.com (The Ghost Hunters)