Sleeping With Ghosts in California

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• Amargosa Opera House and Hotel - In 1923, the Pacific Coast Borax Company built a “company town” consisting of a U-shaped complex of Spanish Colonial style buildings. Today, there is little left of Death Valley Junction other than empty buildings and the historic Amargosa Opera House and Hotel. Today, it is said to be haunted by a number of spirits who called this home during its borax mining days. Amargosa Opera House and Hotel, Highway 127, PO Box 8, Death Valley, California 92328, 760-852-4441.

Armagosa Opera House, April, 2005, Kathy Weiser.

Fort Bragg, California, 1911, courtesy Library of Congress.

• The Grey Whale Inn - This 1915 building once served as the Redwood Hospital in Fort Bragg. However, since 1978 it has been providing accommodations as a bread and breakfast inn. The inn is said to be haunted by a woman who roams the garden areas, as well as a man who has often been seen peering from the windows. Gray Whale Inn, 615 North Main St. Fort Bragg, California 95437, 800-382-7244 or 707-964-0640.

• The Lodge at Noyo River – Atop the bluff above Noyo Harbor, this historic home, converted to a bed and breakfast ahs been providing a commanding overlook of the river, harbor and Pacific Ocean beyond since the 1860’s. Today, it is said to be haunted by an unfortunate honeymoon couple who lost their lives in a car accident near the hotel. Immediately after the accident, the groom was said to have been heard crying for help just outside the lodge, an image that continues to replay itself today. His bride, dressed all in red is said to pace within the lodge. Other strange occurrences also occur including the sounds of ghostly voices and laughing, and well as lights that mysteriously turn on and off by themselves. Lodge at Noyo River, 500 Casa Del Noyo Drive, Fort Bragg, California 95437, 800-628-1126.

Fremont

• Lord Bradley's Bed & Breakfast Inn – This charming Victorian B&B is located in the heart of historic Mission San Jose, California. Heavy footsteps and strange noises have been heard here during the night and the apparitions of other era figures have been seen wearing Victorian style clothing. 43344 Mission Boulevard, Fremont, California 94539, 510-490-0520

Grass Valley

• The Holbrooke Hotel – Established in 1851 to cater to the needs of the Gold Rush pioneers, this historic hotel has hosted such dignitaries as Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Benjamin Harrison, James A. Garfield and Grover Cleveland, as well as other famous guests, including Mark Twain and infamous outlaw Black Bart. Today the historic hotel is said to remain home to a number of former guests. In the reception hall, they supposedly have been known to drag chairs across the floor, turn lights on and off. Guests and staff have often heard voices in the hall when no one is there. Holbrooke Hotel, 212 W. Main Street, Grass Valley, California, 95945, 530-273-1353 or 800-933-7077.

Groveland

• The Groveland Hotel – This 1949 adobe hotel was known as "The Best House on the Hill" during the height of the Gold Rush. Fully restored to retain its 19th century character, the hotel not only caters to today’s travelers, but also to a resident ghost. Lyle, as he is known, was a miner who died mysteriously in his sleep long ago and has evidently never left. A friendly spirit, Lyle has been seen all over the hotel and likes to play impish pranks on the hotel’s guests, including turning the water on and off, watching over guests as they fall asleep, turning on and off the lights, and politely popping open the oven when the bread is done. The Groveland Hotel, 18767 Main Street, Groveland, California 95321, 800-273-3314 209-962-4000

Half Moon Bay

• Zaballa House – The oldest house still standing in Half Moon Bay, this old house has been fully restored to a bed and breakfast. According to some guests, Room 6 is haunted as strange occurrences happen here such as alarms going off at all hours, keys continually breaking and rattling windows. Zaballa House, 324 Main St, Half Moon Bay, California 94019, 650-726-9123

Healdsburg

• Madrona Manor - The manor was built in 1880 by wealthy businessman John Paxton. The 17 room home called Madrona Knoll Rancho at the time was the grandest show place in the area. The property remained a private residence until 1981 when it was renovated as a romantic country inn and restaurant. The inn, now on the National Register of Historic Places is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young girl in Room 101, as well as a spirit named Elsie he has been known to lurk in the Dining Room. Madrona Manor, 1001 Westside Road, Healdsburg, California 95448, 707-433-4231 or 800-258-4003.

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