Looking for the best ghost tours in San Diego?
The spooky season is almost upon us, but that doesn’t really matter. There are many ghost tours San Diego is home to all throughout the year and they’re a fun way to learn about the darker side of this city’s rich history.
#1 Top Pick
Don’t have time to read the full article? The Haunted San Diego Ghost Tour is the only tour that takes you by bus to haunted locations in both the Gaslamp Quarter and Old Town San Diego, including inside some of the buildings at night!
I love a good story. The thing that makes San Diego interesting (at least in terms of ghost tours) is that there are two very separate hubs for history and paranormal activity – the Gaslamp Quarter and Old Town San Diego. In this article, we’ll explore tours that cover both. San Diego is the birthplace of California and it holds mysteries, buildings, and haunted graveyards that span back for centuries. It’s no surprise San Diego ghost tours are among the best in the country.
San Diego Ghost Tours
To help you decide which tour is right for you, here’s a guide to the seven best ghost tours in San Diego and what makes each one unique.
1. Ghosts & Gravestones Tour
- Location: Departs from Old Town San Diego
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Average Rating: 4.2 stars
- Cost: From $44 per person
This iconic ghost tour combines history with theatrical storytelling aboard the spooky “Trolley of the Doomed.” You’ll roll past haunted cemeteries, shadowy streets, and historic landmarks while guides share San Diego’s darkest stories.
We took this tour very recently and it is probably the most family-friendly of all the ghost tours on this list. Older kids will love hopping aboard the trolley and hearing tales of ghostly encounters. However, the trolley only takes you to one destination – Pioneer Cemetery – and from there it is back to Old Town to see El Campo Cemetery and the Whaley House.
Highlights:
- Visit two historic San Diego cemeteries
- See the haunted Whaley House (from the outside)
- Hear tales of crime, execution, and ghostly encounters
► Check Rates & Availability for the Ghosts & Gravestones Tour
2. Haunted San Diego Ghost Tour
- Location: Meets in the Gaslamp Quarter and also goes to Old Town San Diego
- Duration: 2 hours
- Average Rating: 4.6 stars
- Cost: From $58 per person
I’m going to tell you why I think this is the best ghost tour in San Diego and gives you the best bang for your buck.
Haunted San Diego is the only ghost tour with exclusive entry into several locations, AND it is the only San Diego ghost tour that visits both the Gaslamp Quarter and Old Town. This ghost bus tour combines history, humor, and tales of hauntings at five San Diego locations, which you will travel to both by bus and on foot.
The tour starts in the Gaslamp Quarter at the Davis-Horton House (also known now as the Gaslamp Museum), which was built in 1850. It is not only the oldest building in the Gaslamp, but said to be the most haunted!
Highlights:
- Stops at the Gaslamp Museum, Horton Grand Hotel, Villa Montezuma, the Whaley House, and other haunted landmarks
- A gothic-themed “coffin bus” ride
- Most comprehensive ghost tour, goes to sites in both Old Town San Diego and the Gaslamp Quarter
- A blend of humor and bone-chilling legends
► Check Rates & Availability for the Haunted San Diego Ghost Tour
3. Gaslamp Quarter Ghost Tour
- Location: Gaslamp Quarter
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Average Rating: 4.1 stars
- Cost: From $25 per person
This guided walking tour dives even deep into the eerie side of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. You’ll visit lesser-known haunted sites, like the Balboa Theater and Horton Grand Hotel, and hear tales of old saloons, mysterious deaths, and the ghosts that reportedly still roam the streets downtown.
Highlights:
- Stops at historic buildings and alleyways with documented paranormal activity
- A smaller-group setting for a more personal, eerie experience
- Sample paranormal and ghost investigation tools
► Check Rates & Availability for the Gaslamp Quarter Ghost Tour
4. Ghosts of San Diego Walking Tour
- Location: Old Town San Diego
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Average Rating: 4.4 stars
- Cost: From $30 per person
This is a popular walking tour through Old Town, visiting haunted landmarks like Casa de Estudillo, Whaley House, and El Campo Santo Cemetery. It does not go inside any of the buildings, but you will hear lots of creepy stories about them! The tour meets at the entrance of Heritage Park, which is right across from Old Town.
Highlights:
- Stops at Casa de Estudillo and Whaley House grounds
- Stories of ghostly encounters
- Stroller and wheelchair‑friendly
► Check Rates & Availability for the Ghost of San Diego Walking Tour
5. San Diego Ghost Tour
- Location: Old Town San Diego
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Cost: From $25 per person
If you’ve ever walked around Old Town San Diego and seen signs for ghost tours, this is the one! What’s really special about this walking tour is that it is led by a real San Diego ghost hunter (using real ghost hunting tools) with over 20 years experience, and the tour is the only one that takes you inside one of the most haunted buildings in Old Town – the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant.
Along with being the most authentic, it also happens to be the cheapest, at just $25 for adults and $15 for kids.
We did this tour for the first time when my son was pretty young, and he found it fascinating and not too scary. If you are visiting San Diego with teens, they will especially love that this ghost tour uses meters to measure paranormal activity at the different sites.
Highlights:
- Guided by a real hunter
- The only ghost tour that goes inside a historic, haunted building after hours
- Learn about Old Town San Diego’s haunted history
- Family-friendly and inexpensive
6. Whaley House Guided Night Tour
- Location: Whaley House, Old Town San Diego
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Average Rating: 4.7 stars
- Cost: From $19 per person
The thing about the Whaley House is, while most Old Town San Diego ghost tours go onto its property, if you want to go inside the Whaley House you will have to book an exclusive tour with them. The Whaley House Guided Night Tour is your only chance to see the house at night and hear about its haunted history from a guide.
Considered one of the most haunted houses in America the Whaley House is small but packed with history and chilling stories. The tour only takes around half an hour, which means its price tag is relatively small, too.
If you are visiting San Diego in fall, the Whaley House offers special tours and paranormal experiences throughout October. This is cool way to get a deeper dive into the Whaley House for serious ghost hunters. You’ll explore the home after hours with EMF detectors, spirit boxes, and expert guides.
Highlights:
- Exclusive nighttime access to the Whaley House
- Small group format for a creepier, more intimate feel
- You can also opt to do a self-guided tour during the daytime
► Check Rates & Availability for the Whaley House Guided Night Tour
7. Hotel del Coronado Haunted Happenings Tour
- Location: Hotel Del Coronado
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Cost: $35 per person
The legendary Hotel del Coronado isn’t just one of San Diego’s most beautiful resorts — it’s also famously haunted. This tour shares the chilling tale of Kate Morgan, who checked into the hotel in 1892 and never checked out. You’ll walk in Kate’s footsteps as you uncover the mystery of her death and learn about other spirits who haunt the hotel.
The Haunted Happenings Tour is a bit of a hidden gem, which is why I am glad I discovered it on our recent visit to Coronado, and why I am excited to share it with you! You won’t find it on any sightseeing tour website. To book, you’ll need to visit the hotel’s website or stop into their onsite Ice House Museum while you’re there. It is one of several tours the Hotel del Coronado offers, and a really cool activity if you are looking for fun things to do on Coronado Island.
Highlights:
- Learn the tragic history of Kate Morgan’s mysterious death
- Stroll the hotel’s historic hallways and common areas
- See artifacts and photos tied to reported paranormal events
Tips for Choosing the Best San Diego Ghost Tour
Here are some important things to keep in mind when considering booking any ghost tours in San Diego.
- Wear comfortable shoes – Most tours (even the trolley tour) involve walking.
- Check age restrictions – Some tours are for adults-only and some have a minimum age for teens.
- Book early during Halloween season – October dates sell out fast.
- Make sure your phone is charged or bring a flashlight – Especially for cemetery walks.
- Check which tours offer indoor access to any buildings you are interested in visiting – Not every tour enters haunted buildings.
Final Thoughts: San Diego Ghost Tours
San Diego is known for its sunshine, beaches, and laid-back lifestyle — but after dark, the city reveals its eerie side.
Whether you hop on the Trolley of the Doomed, wander through Old Town’s haunted adobe homes, or brave a paranormal investigation at the Whaley House, these tours promise a mix of chills, history, and unforgettable stories.
Next time you’re in town, step into the shadows and discover the haunted side of San Diego — if you dare.
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