Blog
The Spirits of San Francisco
A whisper drifts past your ear or a dark figure lingers just outside your vision. Just as any storied city, San Francisco is full of landmarks whose lore extends beyond the physical realm. This month, we at Hotel Spero and our sister property The Marker Hotel would like to pay tribute to those numerous spirits who remain among us, and to the places below where they continue to make their presence known.
From hearing Al Capone play his banjo to ghostly gunshots, Alcatraz remains as one of the Bay Area’s most haunted. Night tours are available—if you dare.
Catch a dazzling theatrical performance and don’t miss the ghost of a murdered ticket-taker, usually seen in the theater’s mirror. He still haunts the Curran, along with a little girl that was tragically killed by a streetcar.
This Victorian jewel boasts one of the friendliest ghosts around. This resident spirit likes to tuck guests in, unpack their suitcases, and even sing them to sleep.
Apparitions, ghostly footsteps, screams, and other such phenomena are frequently experienced here. It’s said that the ground under the SFAI was a graveyard, and visitors, workmen, and students have all reported eerie encounters, particularly in the tower.
San Francisco Columbarium (Neptune Society Columbarium)
The last remaining burial place in San Francisco, the Columbarium is one of the city’s more unique landmarks. Built in 1897, the Columbarium is an impressive example of the Neo-Classical style that was popular at the time. Quiet, reverent, and home to many of San Francisco’s beloved dead, it’s not surprising to stumble upon some spectral sightings and other ghostly phenomena.
Don’t be surprised if you see the ghost of a young woman with long hair donning in a white dress during your visit, especially if you visit during the late evening. She is most often sighted atop Strawberry Hill or on the trail around the lake.
Completed in 1896, this large swimming complex was a getaway spot for the well-to-do of the time. Though fallen into ruin, local and visiting explorers alike have reported instances of seeing ladies in Victorian dress strolling along the beach with their parasols and bathers of bygone years lounging around where the pools used to be.