Most Haunted Hotels in San Diego

Resident Ghost: Unnamed woman in Victorian dress

In the heart of Old Town San Diego, the Cosmopolitan Hotel is more than just a well-preserved piece of the city’s past. It is one of the most atmospheric haunted hotels San Diego has to offer. Built in the 1800s, this two-story adobe structure originally served as the private residence of Juan Bandini, a prominent local figure. It later operated as a stagecoach stop and hotel during California’s transition from Mexican to American rule.

While the building has undergone multiple restorations, much of the original construction and character remain. With it, many believe, so do its spirits. The most commonly seen apparition is that of a woman in Victorian attire who quietly glides through the upper floor hallway. Some guests have awakened to find their room suddenly chilled, despite no change in weather or thermostat. Others report flickering lanterns, whispering voices or the sensation of someone watching from just beyond view.

Unexplained footsteps are often heard above empty rooms, and doors have been seen closing slowly without a breeze. While some encounters are unsettling, most are simply eerie, like a reminder that the past is never far away in Old Town. The Cosmopolitan’s location near The Whaley HouseSM and El Campo Santo Cemetery places it at the center of San Diego’s most haunted neighborhood. It is no surprise that many local ghost tours begin or end right outside its doors.

Resident Ghosts: Spirits connected to Prohibition-era activity

The US Grant Hotel blends early 20th-century elegance with an undercurrent of unexplained activity. Since its opening in 1910, this stately hotel has hosted presidents, celebrities and royalty. Yet, it is not only the famous who have stayed within its walls. According to reports from guests and staff alike, some spirits may have checked in long ago and never left.

Built by Ulysses S. Grant Jr., the son of the 18th president, the hotel has been a cornerstone of Downtown San Diego for over a century. During Prohibition, hidden passageways and secret underground lounges were used to serve alcohol behind closed doors. Many believe that some of the hauntings stem from this time period when the building’s quiet corners witnessed a different kind of nightlife.

Guests have described feeling sudden chills in long corridors, seeing chandeliers sway when there is no movement nearby and hearing whispers just out of earshot. Some have even reported seeing shadows pass in mirrors or spotting figures standing silently in vintage attire. Most of these encounters are fleeting, but they occur often enough to suggest something beyond the ordinary.

The US Grant continues to function as a luxury hotel and event venue, with its historical charm carefully preserved. Despite its glamour and refinement, it remains one of the most subtly active haunted hotels in San Diego visitors may experience. For those attuned to the paranormal, this elegant setting hides more than its share of mysteries.

Resident Ghosts: Multiple unnamed spirits and shadow figures

Rising over Downtown San Diego, El Cortez was once the tallest building in the city and remains one of its most recognized landmarks. Opened in 1927, this Spanish Revival high-rise has played many roles throughout its lifetime. It served as a hotel, a luxury apartment complex and wartime housing during World War II. Today, it still stands tall, and stories of shadowy figures and strange happenings have followed it through every chapter of its history.

El Cortez has long been discussed in local paranormal circles. Elevators have reportedly operated on their own, traveling between floors without being called. Residents have heard footsteps echoing in empty stairwells or voices murmuring behind closed doors. Flickering lights and sudden drops in temperature have also been reported, though no mechanical issues can explain them.

The former Crystal Ballroom is one of the most frequently mentioned locations. Though now repurposed, visitors often describe a lingering feeling of being watched while standing in the space. Others claim to have seen dark silhouettes moving across the room without making a sound. The building’s basement, once used for storage and maintenance access, is another hot spot for unexplained activity.

Though no specific ghost has been identified, the repeated occurrences suggest that multiple spirits may be present. Today, El Cortez is a residential property and is not open to tourists in the same way as other haunted hotels in San Diego. However, it is still regularly featured on walking tours and paranormal investigations. Even from the sidewalk, its historic exterior and lingering energy leave a lasting impression.

The haunted hotels in San Diego are known for more than just old buildings. They are places where history breathes through the walls and spirits may still walk the halls. Each story is a piece of the city’s past, preserved in whispers and shadows.

Some travelers come in search of ghost stories. Others leave with one they never expected. A flicker of light. A gentle knock. The sensation of not being alone. These moments turn an overnight stay into something unforgettable. For those ready to step into the unknown, haunted hotels in San Diego offer a rare glimpse into the city’s lingering mysteries.