If you are looking for paranormal experiences in San Francisco, staying in one of our city’s many haunted hotels is probably your best bet.
From friendly spirits who tuck you in at night, to mischievous pranksters who lock your bathroom door, San Francisco is full of haunted hotels for you to visit.
Here are our top 10 hotels for aspiring ghost hunters to check out!
Top 10 Haunted Hotels in San Francisco
1. San Remo Hotel
The San Remo Hotel, home to America’s oldest Italian restaurant, Fior d’Italia, is steeped in eerie history. With a series of documented hauntings that have unnerved staff and guests alike, we consider the San Remo Hotel to be the most haunted hotel in San Francisco.
It was built at the turn of the century to house workers rebuilding the city after the Great Earthquake of 1906. The Victorian building still has the same floor plan, with narrow hallways and tiny bedrooms with bay windows.
The best part? This is the only hotel where you can experience a real ghost hunt.
The Paranormal Investigation Tour, is a hands-on experience at the San Remo Hotel, hunting ghosts and collecting evidence using modern and classic tools. You’ll use get exclusive access to one of the hotel rooms, and use a thermal imaging camera, EMF meter, laser grid and more.
Here are a few of the spirits you may encounter:
Pressing Presence: The restaurant manager once felt a heavy pressure on his chest while napping in the break room, followed by the sound of slamming lockers, only to find no one there.
Running Ghost: A bartender named Gio saw a dark figure sprint across the room, believed to be the spirit of Tony Catalleni, a guest murdered in a 1911 wedding double homicide at the hotel.
Girl in the Bonnet: A young girl in a pale dress and bonnet has been spotted near the air shafts and halls, particularly by former manager Kenley, who believes she is a benign spirit.
Library Lady: An older woman, often seen reading in the library area, occasionally interacts with guests and staff, though her identity remains unknown.
Madam’s Room: Room 33 is frequented by the ghost of a retired madam from the 1960s, fondly remembered for her sassy yet kind demeanor.
Room 42’s Strangler: Guests have reported the sensation of being choked in Room 42, a room notorious for paranormal activity, including doors opening by themselves and strange noises.
This combination of chilling encounters and tragic history makes Fior d’Italia and the San Remo Hotel a must-visit for those fascinated by the paranormal.
Address: 2237 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Use code THEHAUNT for $10 off your booking here!
2. Hotel Union Square
Many guests have reported seeing a translucent figure of a woman in Room 207 of the hotel.
The wraith doesn’t seem malevolent at all.
She just likes roaming around the room and will occasionally open and close bathroom doors to make her presence known.
The ghost also has a habit of leaving miscellaneous items (like spare Kleenex) around after the room has already been cleaned by the hotel staff.
Address: 114 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
3. Queen Anne Hotel
The Queen Anne Hotel is home to one of the friendliest ghosts we have ever come across.
This ghost has a habit of tucking guests in, unpacking their suitcases, and generally making them feel right at home at the hotel.
The hotel was originally a girls boarding school, so most people think it’s the ghost of the old headmistress taking care of her “students.”
However, she’s not the only spirit still present at the hotel… Other ghosts have been known to make more trouble, creating cold spots and appearing in hallway mirrors to scare the guests.
Address: 1590 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94109
4. Nob Hill Inn Hotel
According to local legend, the charming Edwardian-style hotel on Pine street has more than 20 ghosts roaming its halls, which makes it one of the most haunted hotels in San Francisco.
The locals believe they are the ghosts of people who died in the 1906 earthquake.
They have been known to play frequent pranks on the hotel’s guests, moving their belongings and even locking the bathroom doors.
Address: 1000 Pine St, San Francisco, CA 94109
5. Palace Hotel
The Palace Hotel is a magnet for paranormal energy.
From amusing encounters with the hotel’s friendly poltergeists to terrifying sightings of the infamous Lady in Red, the guests almost always report experiencing something paranormal while staying there.
President William Harding mysteriously passed away there in 1923… Could he be one of the hotel’s ghostly inhabitants?
Address: 2 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105
6. Chancellor Hotel
Knocking on walls, cold spots, seeing strange shadows in their rooms… The guests frequently report experiencing all sorts of occurrences here.
The upper floors of the Chancellor Hotel have a reputation for being particularly haunted.
If you are feeling brave, request Room 1501 as that’s where the most chilling ghost stories surrounding this hotel come from.
Address: 433 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
7. Hotel Rex (now Hotel Emblem)
Note: Hotel Rex was reopened as Hotel Emblem in February 2019.
Housekeepers frequently report seeing an apparition Chinese man with a meat cleaver hanging out on the 4th floor.
Why? This charming property once housed Chinese immigrants during the Gold Rush era. It’s no surprise that some of their spirits have stuck around.
Guests have also reported hearing the sound of horseshoes in the alley behind the hotel… Even though there are no horses in the area.
Address: 562 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94102
8. Fairmont Hotel
The Fairmont Hotel is home to a number of ghosts, including the Fair sisters, the original founders of the hotel.
The sisters’ spirits seem to have no ill intentions towards the guests… In fact, their presence inspires a feeling of peace in most.
The ghost of a prostitute who was murdered in her room can often be seen lounging around the hotel in her red teddy.
Visitors have also reported seeing a group of World War II soldiers hanging out on the 7th floor.
Address: 950 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108
9. Argonaut Hotel
A 4-star boutique hotel located in Fisherman’s Wharf, the Argonaut Hotel has garnered a reputation for being more than a little haunted.
In addition to common complaints like feeling mysterious cold spots and hearing knocking sounds, some guests have reported feeling their beds move for no reason and air conditioning acting up.
Others have heard the clicking of high heels through the ceiling, even though the floors of the hotel’s rooms are carpeted.
Address: 495 Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA 94109
10. Paisley Hotel
More than a hundred years ago, a young girl named Florence Cushing hurled herself from the 7th-floor window of Hotel Paisley.
If you want to investigate, her ghost can be seen roaming around the 7th floor of the hotel.
Address: 432 Geary St San Francisco, CA 94102
The Haunt Experience
Have you ever stayed in a haunted hotel? Would you like to?
If exploring San Francisco’s creepiest, most haunted places sounds like your idea of a fun night out, check out our Paranormal Investigation Tour, the only real ghost hunting experience inside of a haunted building!
It will take you on an unforgettable journey through the halls and a room to seek out spirits who never left.
Ready to explore the dark side of San Francisco?