by Trenna Sue Hiler

Created on: August 23, 2008   Last Updated: May 26, 2009

There is a vacation for everyone, even ghost chasers. San Diego California is a great destination because you can mix some great "spooky" fun and some tradition vacation options all in the same area.

What can you expect in the way of haunting?

~ The Whaley House ~
San Diego's Whaley House is officially listed by the United States Department of Commerce as an authentic haunted house. The house is built of the site of San Diego's public gallows. This is certainly a breeding ground for angry souls.

The house comes with a long history. In 1869 the city rented a room that served as a courthouse. It's reported that the heavy iron chain in the room swings for no apparent reason. People describe a feeling of unrest in the room. Heavy footsteps are heard above the room.

When Thomas Whaley was away an angry mob attacked the house and held his wife, Anna Whaley at gunpoint. The ghost of Thomas Whaley has been seen on the second floor landing. All reports have him dressed in a black frock coat and wide brimmed hat.

A young girl running down hill out side of the home struck a clothes lines and crushed her throat. She was carried into the kitchen for care and died there. Since then the little blonde girl has been seen in the kitchen and running about the yard. The pots and pans on the wall move for no apparent reason.

~ Robison-Rose House ~
This house is replica of the house originally built in 1853. The building now serves as park headquarters. One of main phenomena is the house has unpredictable electricity. Although electricians can find no causes, it keeps happening.

Late in the afternoons footsteps can be heard upstairs. Some sightings of a man in an old-fashioned white shirt and long black bow tie can be seen in the upstairs window.

~ Horton Grand Hotel ~
Two Victorian hotels, the Grand and the Kale Saddlery were reconstructed on the former site of Ida Bailey's bordello in the Gaslamp's historic red light district.

Room 309 is the famous one, and it holds the diary of all the reported sightings and stories. A gambler, Roger A. Whittaker, was caught cheating in a game of cards. He ran and hid in an armoire in his hotel room, number 309. It wasn't long before he was found and shot to death.

The temperature of room changes without reason and warning. Sometimes there is an impression on the bed as if someone having lain on the bed is seen. Sounds of card playing can be heard coming from the unoccupied room 309.

~ Star of India ~
This is the world's oldest active iron-hull sailing ship. It was built in the Isle of Man in 1863. In 1884 a young stowaway was found and put to work. He lost his footing in the high rigging and feel 1000 feet to the deck. He survived three days and then was buried at sea. Visitors report being touched by a cold hand when they walk near where young John Campbell fell.

The cook stove in the galley had been cold for many years, but the smell of fresh-baked bread sometime comes from that cold kitchen.

~ El Campo Santo Cemetery ~
What's a haunting vacation without a cemetery? This is a Roman Catholic cemetery that was established in 1849. A street was built over some of the graves and people who park on that street sometimes find it hard to start their cars or they mysteriously lock and unlock.

Reports of Native Americans and Hispanic men have been reported as floating around the area. A misty glowing figure has often been reported as drifting along the sidewalk just outside the cemetery wall.

If haunting is your hobby San Diego is a great place to feel the chill.

Learn more about this author, Trenna Sue Hiler.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.