California is known for its sunny beaches, Hollywood glamour, and diverse culture. But it also has a dark side, full of haunted houses, spooky forests, and eerie cemeteries. If you are looking for a thrill, here are some of the most creepiest places in California that will scare you at night.
The Winchester Mystery House
The Winchester Mystery House is a sprawling mansion in San Jose, built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of the famous gun manufacturer. Sarah believed that she was haunted by the spirits of the people killed by her husband’s weapons, and that the only way to appease them was to keep building her house.
She hired carpenters to work around the clock, adding rooms, staircases, doors, and windows without any plan or logic. The result is a labyrinth of over 160 rooms, some of which lead to nowhere, some of which are sealed off, and some of which have hidden passages and traps. The house is said to be still haunted by Sarah and the ghosts she tried to escape.
The Queen Mary
The Queen Mary is a retired ocean liner that is now a hotel and museum in Long Beach. The ship was launched in 1936 and served as a luxury cruise liner, a troop transport during World War II, and a floating retirement home before being permanently docked in 1967. During its long history, the ship witnessed many deaths, accidents, and tragedies, some of which left behind paranormal traces.
Some of the most haunted areas of the ship are the engine room, where a sailor was crushed by a door; the first-class swimming pool, where a woman drowned; and the B340 cabin, where a murder took place. Guests and staff have reported seeing apparitions, hearing voices, feeling cold spots, and experiencing other strange phenomena.
The Black Star Canyon
The Black Star Canyon is a remote area in the Santa Ana Mountains, known for its scenic beauty and rich history. The canyon was once inhabited by the Native American Tongva tribe, who were massacred by Spanish soldiers in 1831. The canyon was also the site of a gold rush, a stagecoach robbery, and a plane crash.
The canyon is now a popular hiking and biking destination, but also a hotspot for paranormal activity. Visitors have reported hearing screams, gunshots, and drums; seeing orbs, shadows, and figures; and feeling watched, followed, and touched. Some believe that the canyon is haunted by the spirits of the Tongva, the bandits, and the victims of the plane crash.
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is a historic hotel in Los Angeles, opened in 1927 and named after President Theodore Roosevelt. The hotel hosted the first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929 and was a favorite hangout for many celebrities, such as Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, and Montgomery Clift. The hotel is also reputed to be haunted by some of its famous guests, who never checked out.
Some of the most haunted rooms are the suite 1200, where Marilyn Monroe lived for two years and where her mirror is still displayed; the suite 928, where Montgomery Clift stayed while filming From Here to Eternity and where he is said to play his trumpet; and the cabana 246, where a woman committed suicide and where guests have reported seeing her ghost.
The Conclusion
These are just some of the most creepiest places in California that will scare you at night. There are many more, such as the Alcatraz Island, the Whaley House, and the Bodie Ghost Town. If you are brave enough, you can visit these places and experience the horror for yourself. But be warned, you might not like what you find.