4 Most Haunted Locations in Los Angeles, CA

I get a thrill from visiting haunted locations and sometimes, I wonder if I'll even see or feel any paranormal activity. If you're up for a scary adventure, here are some of the most haunted sites in Los Angeles, CA:

1. The Queen Mary (Long Beach, CA)

The Queen Mary is a historic ocean liner docked in Long Beach, and is known for ghost sightings and paranormal activity. I spent the night at the Queen Mary after a 2-hour paranormal adults-only ghost tour and even caught what looked like a ghost in my photo! During the ghost tour, we were taken to the engine room, the captain's area, and haunted room B340 where unexplainable events happened. Read my full recap and watch my video below: 

2. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel: (Hollywood, CA)

Photo Credit: peter boy12qq12, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Similar to the historic Queen Mary hotel, the Roosevelt is frequented by spirits. In this case, Marilyn Monroe and other old Hollywood stars are said to haunt this hotel. Here are some scary incidents: 

Marilyn Monroe’s Ghost

Mirror in Suite 1200: Guests and staff have reported seeing Marilyn Monroe's reflection in a mirror that once hung in her favorite suite (Room 1200). The mirror has since been moved to the hotel’s lobby, where the sightings have continued.

Ballroom Appearances: Some guests have also claimed to have seen Monroe dancing in the hotel’s ballroom.

Montgomery Clift’s Ghost

Room 928: Actor Montgomery Clift, who stayed at the hotel while filming From Here to Eternity, is said to haunt Room 928. Guests staying in the room have reported hearing the sound of a trumpet (Clift was known to play the trumpet) and feeling cold spots. Some have even reported being touched or watched.

The Little Girl Ghost

Hallways: There have been multiple sightings of a young girl in a blue dress, often seen playing in the hallways. Some guests have reported hearing the sound of giggling and the pitter-patter of little feet, only to find no one there. (This reminds me of the Queen Mary where a little girl drowned in the pool and is said to giggle as well). 

The Man in the Suit

Lobby and Pool Area: Another common ghostly figure is that of a man dressed in a suit. He is often seen walking around the lobby and near the pool area. Guests have described him as looking very real until he suddenly vanishes.

The Cold Spots and Unexplained Noises

Various Areas: Guests and staff frequently report experiencing cold spots, particularly in certain rooms and hallways. Unexplained noises, such as footsteps, knocks on the doors, and disembodied voices, are also commonly reported throughout the hotel.

3. Griffith Park (Los Feliz, CA)

Photo Credit: AlexAndertheAble

Griffith Park is home to ghost stories, including that of a cursed picnic table and the haunted ruins of old zoo structures. Here are some incidents in detail: 

The Phantom Picnic Table (pictured above)

One of the more spooky stories involves a picnic table (Table 29) in the park. In 1976, a young couple was reportedly killed when a tree fell on them while they were sitting at the table. Some say the couple’s spirits haunt the area. According to legend, attempts to remove the tree have been thwarted by paranormal activity, with workers reporting cold spots, equipment malfunctions, and the sensation of being pushed or touched by unseen forces.

The Curse of Dona Petronilla

The most famous legend surrounding Griffith Park dates back to the late 1800s. After a land dispute between the Verdugo family and Don Antonio Feliz over the ownership of Rancho Los Feliz, it is said that Don Antonio’s niece, Dona Petronilla, placed a curse on the land. Supposedly, she declared that misfortune would befall anyone who owned or profited from the land, leading to various tragedies over the years.

Over the years, many have blamed a series of unfortunate events in the park to this curse, including mysterious deaths, accidents, and financial ruin for those involved with the land.

The Ghost of Griffith J. Griffith

Griffith J. Griffith, the man who donated the land that would become Griffith Park, is said to haunt the park. Visitors have reported seeing his ghostly figure near the Griffith Observatory, particularly on misty nights, gazing out over the city.

His spirit is also believed to be seen around the park’s old zoo area, where strange occurrences like footsteps, whispers, and shadowy figures are reported.

The Old Zoo Area

The abandoned Griffith Park Zoo, which operated from 1912 to 1966, is now a popular spot for ghost hunters. People have reported hearing animal sounds, like growls and roars, when no animals are present. There are also reports of ghostly apparitions of people, possibly former zoo workers or visitors.

The Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round

The Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round, which has been operating since 1937, is another site of paranormal reports. Visitors have claimed to hear the music playing long after the attraction has closed for the night. Some also report seeing shadowy figures or feeling a strange presence while riding the carousel.

The Haunted Trails

Hikers in Griffith Park sometimes report hearing disembodied voices, footsteps, and even the sound of horse hooves along the trails, especially near the old zoo and the Amir’s Garden area. Some have also reported feeling watched or followed by an unseen presence.

4. The Cecil Hotel (Downtown L.A.)

Photo Credit: Jim Winstead, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Infamous for its dark history and attracting paranormal enthusiasts, The Cecil Hotel has a reputation and a history for tragedy, crime, and mysterious deaths. Today, it's not open to the public and is used as an affordable housing complex. Have you heard of any of these incidents below? 

The Mysterious Death of Elisa Lam

In 2013, 21-year-old Canadian student Elisa Lam was staying at the Cecil Hotel when she went missing. Her body was later discovered in one of the hotel’s water tanks after guests complained about the water’s taste and color. The bizarre circumstances of her death, including eerie elevator footage showing her behaving strangely, have led to numerous theories and a strong belief that supernatural forces may have been involved.

Some guests and staff claim to have seen Elisa’s ghost, particularly around the elevator where the disturbing video was captured. Others report feeling an overwhelming sense of dread or being watched while in the hotel.

The Room of Richard Ramirez (The "Night Stalker")

In the mid-1980s, the infamous serial killer Richard Ramirez, also known as the "Night Stalker," stayed at the Cecil Hotel while he committed many of his murders. It is said that he would return to the hotel covered in blood, disposing of his bloody clothes in the hotel’s dumpster. The room he stayed in is rumored to be haunted, with reports of strange noises, cold spots, and the feeling of an evil presence.

Guests who have stayed in the room or near it have reported feeling an intense negative energy, as though the evil deeds committed by Ramirez have left a permanent mark.

The Suicide Epidemic

The Cecil Hotel has been the site of numerous suicides over the years. One of the most famous incidents occurred in 1962 when a woman named Pauline Otton jumped from the ninth floor and landed on a pedestrian, killing them both. There have been reports of guests hearing the sound of a body hitting the ground, followed by screams, even when no one is there.

Some guests and employees have reported seeing shadowy figures falling past the windows or hearing phantom footsteps pacing the hallways.

The Ghost of "Pigeon Goldie" Osgood

In 1964, "Pigeon Goldie" Osgood, a well-known local who fed the pigeons in nearby Pershing Square, was found brutally murdered in her room at the Cecil Hotel. Her murder remains unsolved. Since her death, guests have reported seeing her ghost in the hallways and feeling an unexplained sadness when near her former room.

People have also claimed to hear the sound of pigeons cooing outside her window, even when none are there.

Jack Unterweger’s Stay

Austrian serial killer Jack Unterweger stayed at the Cecil Hotel in 1991, where he continued his killing spree, targeting sex workers in Los Angeles. The dark history surrounding his stay has led to reports of ghostly encounters and the feeling of a malevolent presence in the hotel.

Some guests have reported seeing figures resembling Unterweger, or feeling as though they are being followed by an unseen entity, particularly in the areas where he was known to frequent.

General Paranormal Activity

Guests and staff often report strange occurrences in the hotel’s elevators, such as doors opening and closing on their own, or the elevators stopping at floors without being called. The hallways are also known for unusual cold spots, sudden drafts, and the feeling of being watched.

Apparitions of both men and women have been seen throughout the hotel, particularly in the upper floors and in the rooms where some of the tragic deaths occurred. These figures are often described as appearing distressed or in pain.

Overall, these locations are notorious for their creepy ghost stories and are popular spots for those interested in the supernatural. My fear is that I'll bring a ghost home with me after visiting a haunted location, like the Queen Mary. My friend Melissa and I both reported having dreams about the Queen Mary after our overnight stay and we both felt "compelled" to go back. It was very strange. 

Have you visited any of these locations? Do you believe in ghosts? Let me know in the comments. 

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Trip Resources

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