Weird California - By Joe Parzanese

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San Francisco County Ghosts

The city of San Francisco is extremely haunted. Ghosts, spirits, poltergeists, etc all reside in the city. The history of ghostly activity easily goes back to the 1800s. Here's only 32 ghost stories for your reading pleasure, but I'm sure there are way, way more!

Abraham Lincoln High School - has two separate haunted girls' restrooms. One is on the first floor near the main office and the other one is near the band room. Footsteps have been heard in unoccupied stalls, phantom feet have been seen, toilet paper unrolls, and someone whispers "hello". The first person in the morning to use the bathroom by the main office has discovered every roll of toilet paper unrolled.

Alcatraz - the former prison is heavily haunted. Multiple ghosts, both named and unnamed now haunt the location, including possibly Al Capone, often heard playing his banjo.

Atherton Mansion - up to four ghosts are suspected of haunting this mansion, including Jorge Atherton, his controlling wife, his domineering mother, and a crazy old lady who used to have hoards of cats.

Bay Bridge - after you emerge from Yerba Buena Island tunnel, heading towards San Francisco, near the third tower, a ghost has been seen, standing in a forties style hat and a raincoat. Other ghosts have been seen or heard on the bridge too.

Buena Vista Park - when all the cemeteries in San Francisco were moved to Colma, those tombstones that went unclaimed, and thus not relocated, were broken up and used in the building of Buena Vista Park, mostly in the walls and walkway gutters. Although in general the inscriptions on the tombstones are laid face down, there are a few exceptions due to mistakes made at the time the stone was placed. Ghostly activity in the park includes strange figures, voices and the sounds of people walking along the trails when no one is present, and an odd green glow moving through the trees. The park has also been rumored to have been the dumping ground for bodies from both serial killers and the mafia.

Cameron House - Cameron House was used as a place of safety for Chinese women who had been brought to San Francisco as slaves, indentured servants, or prostitutes. However, people found out about the refuge, and set it on fire, killing the immigrants who were hiding inside. Their spirits still reside on site, haunting the location. White apparitions have appeared in pictures taken there, and certain doors in the basement are marked and protected with a red and gold charm.

Columbarium - the ghost of a seven year old who died in 1907 wanders this resting place for the deceased. Her ashes are stored here and she often will take people's hand.

Condor Club - this former strip club was the "birthplace of the world's first topless and bottomless entertainment" or basically the country's first legal strip club.

Curran Theatre - this theater is haunted by the two ghosts: the first of a ticket taker named Hewlett Tarr who was killed during a robbery in 1933, and the second of a little girl. The ticket taker is most often seen in a large mirror in the lobby.

Flora Sommerton - at 18, in 1876, Flora Sommerton fled San Francisco, running from an arranged marriage that she did not want. She was never seen again. Well, that is, until her ghost, dressed all in white, began running up California Street!

Ghost Ship Squando - the cursed ghost ship, Squando, sails off the coast line, and can be seen in the fog off the Embarcadero.

Golden Gate Bridge - the bridge with the second most suicides in the world is heavily haunted by the ghosts of its victims. Additionally a ghost ship, the Tennessee, has been seen sailing under the bridge through the fog.

Golden Gate Park - a rogue ghost police officer has reportedly pulled people over in the park.

Haskell House - U.S. Senator David Broderick was shot in a duel with State Supreme Court Justice David Terry in 1859. He passed away in the Haskell House and has haunted it since. Now owned by the military, poltergeist activity, lurking strange shadows, and other paranormal incidents continue to occur.

Hotel Majestic - room 407 is haunted possibly by the ghost of Lisa Schmitt. Her father had the building built. Guests have reported the bath tub filling up on its own, the sound of people walking up and down the halls with jangling keys, and horrifying nightmares when they try to sleep.

Kearny Street Ghost - in January 1866 Mark Twain wrote a story in a newspaper about a spirit residing on Kearny Street.

Mansions Hotel - The former Mansions Hotel has a strange history of multiple ghosts, family members being locked up in the attic, "farm implementation accidents", musical saws and pig decorations.

Mary Ellen Pleasant - Mary Ellen Pleasant still haunts this small park dedicated to her. Consisting of a plaque and six eucalyptus trees, located near where her house use to be, the park has had several strange things occur at it. Supposedly Pleasant will drop objects on people or push them if they talk poorly about her. Her ghost has apparently also been seen in the area, often heralded by crows. Supposedly, though, if you make a respectful request of her and curry favor with the ghost, your request may come true.

Market Street Cinema - formerly a gentleman's club, then abandoned and ultimately torn down for new construction. There were originally reports of a dead janitor lurking in the lower levels and the ghost of a mysterious woman in the stage area. Will whatever is built there also have these ghosts?

Montandon House - this cursed house suffered from multiple suicides, bone chilling cold, windows unlocking and opening by themselves, and even fires starting on their own.

Nob Hill Inn - rumored to be haunted by 22 very friendly ghosts who apparently play tricks on guests such as moving items around the room and screwing with locks.

Palace Hotel - this hotel was the location where President Warren G. Harding died under mysterious circumstances. It's said he still wanders the halls of the hotel.

Queen Anne Hotel - this hotel has quite a bit of spectral happenings ranging from cold spots, misty apparitions, and objects moving. Guests have found their suitcases unpacked for them, their clothes hung up. Sheets have been tucked in, particularly while guests have slept under them. The incidents are strongest on the fourth floor, specifically room 410, the former office of Mary Lake, who use to run a school for girls out of the building.

Safeway on 16th Street - the ghost of a young boy has been seen in and around the Safeway. He is blurry looking and has been spotted in hallways and sitting by a pile of crates. Additionally, the aisles of the Safeway, itself, has played host to several ghosts of baseball players roaming around.

San Francisco Art Institute - built partially over a cemetery, this school suffers from phantom footsteps, lights going on and off, and other phenomenon. The tower of the school is the main location for the haunting.

San Remo Hotel - this hotel may have up to three ghosts, the former brothel owner, a madame known as the Painted Lady, located in room 33; a young girl constantly seen entering room 42; and an elderly woman who passed awy in room 13. Dark, shadowy figures have also been witnessed in the restaurant.

Stow Lake - the Lady in White hovers over the dark waters of Stow Lake, searching for her drowned baby.

Sutro Baths - the urban legends state that if you enter the cave tunnel located near the ruins of the bath house and leave a lit candle, the ghost of a young woman who drowned at the location will appear and throw the candle into the waters. Some legends account that sacrifices have happened in the same tunnel late at night, and now screams can be heard inside the dark passageway. Additionally the ghost of a older man carrying a flashlight and whistling has been seen wandering the ruins.

UCSF Medical Center - the eighth floor and former pediatric unit, is haunted by the spirits of the children that died there; the ghosts often playing pranks on the living. The fifteenth floor and former Intensive Care Nursery, is haunted by the ghosts of women who died during childbirth.

Westin St. Francis - the 12th floor of this hotel could be haunted by two different spirits. One is Virginia Rappe who died after a party with movie star, Fatty Arbuckle. Arbuckle was put on trial for her death three times, but was found not guilty. The other is Al Jolson who while playing poker, turned to his friends, stated, "Boys, I'm going," and then passed away of a heart atack.

Whittier Mansion - the basement and servants' quarters are reportedly haunted by a strange shadow and other ghosts including a short bald butler and a lady in a chair.

Yerba Buena Island - a ghostly cow wanders the island mooing mournfully.