3 Best Family-Friendly Haunted Hotels in San Diego 2025

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, there’s something magnetic about stepping into a historic hotel that’s seen it all: celebrations, heartbreak, and maybe even a few lingering guests who never quite checked out.

One of my favorite ways to soak up that eerie charm is by staying in a haunted hotel. There’s just something thrilling about hearing footsteps in an empty hallway or catching a whiff of old perfume with no one around.

Lucky for us, San Diego has some of the most haunted hotels in California, each packed with history, mystery, and family-friendly fun. It’s one of the reasons this seaside city is one of our favorite weekend getaways.

If you love spooky adventures, then you'll love visiting San Diego. It makes my list of Best Towns to Visit During Halloween and is home to some of the best haunted hotels in California.

Now, let’s dive into the haunted hotels in San Diego that are guaranteed to give your family just the right amount of chills and thrills.

The Cosmopolitan Hotel

2660 Calhoun St, San Diego, CA 92110

A Brief History

Standing proudly at the Northeast corner of Old Town San Diego’s historical plaza, the Cosmopolitan Hotel was once the grand home of Juan Lorenzo Bandini. He had made a fortune in the Mexican cattle ranching industry and wanted a house that reflected his social standing in the community. The original structure was built in 1827 as a single-story adobe ranch-style home by natives from the local mission.

Casa de Bandini was the happy home and site of many social gathering, like fandangos, the Bandini’s popular dance parties. However, due to a changing economy and California becoming a state, Bandini’s fortune dwindled and in 1869 his son-in-law sold the property to Albert Seeley.

Seeley remodeled the adobe ranch-style home into the two-story Greek Revival Cosmopolitan Hotel, complete with a wrap-around balcony that not only continues to be popular with current guests but also with past spirits.

Since then the Cosmopolitan San Diego has seen many changes in ownership including Bandini’s own grandson, Cave Couts Jr, who owned the property in the 1930’s.

Named a state national landmark no. 72, the hotel was revived into its 1870’s glory while maintaining some pieces of the original structure, like the floorboards, wainscoting, window and door frames, as well as some adobe.

Now owned and operated by Old Town Family Hospitality Corp, the Cosmopolitan Old Town remains a fully functioning hotel that is known for welcoming guests - both dead and alive!

Hauntings

The Cosmopolitan Hotel has been recognized by the paranormal community as one of the most haunted places in San Diego, which is saying a lot because just around the corner in Old Town is the infamously haunted Whaley House. You can read more about the Whaley House.

Bandini family members, kids and even natives are rumored to still be wandering the halls of the Cosmopolitan. However, many of these haunted hotel stories are just rumors with no historical evidence to back them up.

Room 11

Allegedly the most haunted hotel room on the property, room 11 is thought to be haunted by Bandini’s youngest daughter, Ysidora. There was a story going around that Ysidora fell to her death from the balcony outside room 11, but that story actually appears not to be true.

For one, neither the second story nor the balcony existed during the time of the Bandini's residence.

Secondly, Ysidora didn’t die on the property and lived until the age of 67. However, she did visit the hotel and was known to prefer room 11. So, it is possible that her spirit likes to check in every now and then.

Room 4/5

This room is another hotbed for activity with lots of stories circulating around the room and its furniture. There is no doubt that there is activity going on in the room. There are some rumors about the furniture in the room.

There is a story that the carving on the headboard is of a little girl that died tragically and the carving on the adjacent dresser is the face of the mother. But…that cannot be validated as no one knows the origin of the furniture as the pieces are not known to be original to the property and were acquired during the most recent renovation. We do know that the carvings do not represent members of the Bandini family.

There is one story, though, that has been reinforced over and over again, which is the presence of the Lady in Red. A local medium channeled her spirit on the balcony outside room 4/5, waiting for a gentleman. Some speculate that it may be a lady of the night. However, she appears to have a lighthearted and feisty personality, so don't be scared.

Why The Cosmopolitan Is HotMamaTravel Approved

The Cosmopolitan Hotel in Old Town San Diego is HotMamaTravel approved because it’s got everything a ghost-loving, history-chasing family could want, plus the comforts that make a stay easy and fun.

Families will love the spacious rooms (yes, there’s even a family room available), free Wi-Fi for streaming those ghost documentaries, and blessed air-conditioning to keep cool after exploring sunny Old Town. You’ll wake up to a complimentary breakfast, and you can park the car for free before wandering over to the on-site restaurant and saloon for dinner, because nothing says “haunted hospitality” like a meal where spirits of both kinds are served. Best of all, the hotel is just a short walk from all the fun things to do in Old Town San Diego, the making it the perfect mix of spooky charm and family convenience.

If you are in town during the Halloween season, The Cosmopolitan is only a short drive to SeaWorld San Diego for the Spooktacular Celebration.

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Hotel Del Coronado

1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118

A Brief History

Across the San Diego Bay sits the historic Hotel Del. Built in 1888, this beach front resort was the largest resort hotel in the world during that time and continues to be the second largest wooden structure in the United States.

A real swanky place, the Coronado Hotel San Diego has been a home away from home for many celebrities, presidents, and royalty for 130 years. Amazingly, this national historical landmark is still rated among the top ten resorts in the world to this day - an incredible feat considering the competition that has grown over the years since it was built.

The Del has been featured in several movies, most notably "Some Like It Hot" starring Marilyn Monroe. It was even used to house pilots in training at North Island Naval Air Station as well as their families during World War II.

Hauntings

Beautiful Stranger

Kate Morgan was only 24 years old when she checked into The Del on Thanksgiving Day 1892. Sadly, poor Kate would never check out and is said to still be hanging around the resort.

She told hotel staff that she was waiting for a gentleman companion to join her, but five days later it is believed that she shot and killed herself. Her body was discovered at the bottom of an outside staircase leading to the beach with a gunshot to the head. At first the hotel could not positively identify her and she was dubbed “the beautiful stranger.”

There has been some speculation that this was a homicide rather than a suicide as the bullet in her head did not match the bullets in her personal gun. However, the case was never reopened.

In addition, some claim that the body wasn't Kate Morgan at all, but rather a young lady by the name of Lottie Barnard. A recent visit from a local medium, revealed some truths to this theory that have since checked out thanks to a little research.

Kate (or Lottie) is spotted frequently around the property, and her third floor guestroom is reportedly a hotbed for paranormal activity.  Maybe she is stuck here because of her tragic death, or she may just be annoyed to have been falsely identified all these years. If you are feeling brave, check into room 3327 and let me know about your experience.

I am apparently not the only weirdo into this kind of stuff, as her room is the most requested on the entire property!

Gift Shop

For no explainable reason, the gift shop, which is original to the hotel, has seen a lot of paranormal activity. Things are known to move around and items have been reported to have flown from shelves. For some reason, it is the Marilyn Monroe/"Some Like It Hot" paraphernalia that seems to be of interest to the ghosts.

Why The Hotel Del Coronado Is HotMamaTravel Approved

The Hotel del Coronado is HotMamaTravel approved because it’s where classic California luxury meets family fun, with a sprinkle of ghostly glamour, of course. This beachfront resort is the kind of place where parents can sip cocktails under striped umbrellas while the kids live their best lives through the DelVenture Kids Program, complete with mermaid and pirate camps (yes, really!) and even slime labs.

Families can stretch out in the family suites, cool off in one of two outdoor pools, and fuel up with a complimentary breakfast or the legendary Sunday brunch that’s practically a San Diego tradition.

With seven bars and restaurants, including an oceanfront seafood spot and an open-air pizzeria, there’s something for everyone, and you can often catch live music drifting from one of the lounges. Plus, there’s always something happening here, from summer movie nights on the sand to some of the best Christmas hotel festivities in Southern California, when the Del transforms into a beachfront winter wonderland. It’s not just a stay, it’s a full-on family experience wrapped in historic charm and seaside magic.

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Horton Grand Hotel

311 Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

A Brief History

The Horton Grand Hotel San Diego joins two historic 1880’s hotels, the Grand Horton and the Brooklyn-Kahle Saddlery Hotel. Sitting on the edge of the famous Gaslamp Quarter, The Horton Grand Hotel is one of the oldest historic hotels in San Diego, built in 1886.

This was around the same time that Wyatt Earp showed up to San Diego and he spent many years as a guest at the hotel. If you don’t know who Wyatt Earp is, first watch the movie Tombstone and then check out my guide to Tombstone!

In addition to Wyatt Earp, many other significant figures in society were also guests of the Horton Grand, including presidents, colonels and kings of years past.

With so much history, it was a shame when the two historic hotels were on the chopping block to make room for the Horton Plaza mall. Thankfully, a local developer and historical heritage organization saved the hotels by reconstructing them two blocks from their original location.

Ironically, the area where this grand hotel, oozing with Victorian sophistication, now sits was once a seedy neighborhood known as the Stringaree District. It was home to saloons, gambling halls, opium dens, and brothels.

Hauntings

Roger Whitaker

Room #309 is said to be haunted by Roger Whitaker. There are a couple of stories about him floating around (pun intended!), but the story I find most interesting is the one about him being a gambler in trouble. Apparently, he was on the run because he owed a lot of money to some not-so-friendly guys. Rumor has it that he ran to his room at the Horton Grand and hid in his armoire.

Well he didn’t run or hide well enough, because he was found and shot to death in this said armoire.

I know it is kind of gruesome, but this is likely the reason room 309 is reported to very active. There are the typical paranormal occurrences like lights flickering, objects moving, and sudden changes in temperature; but there are also some more interesting happenings.

For instance, the bed sometimes shakes, an indent of a body is sometimes seen on freshly made beds, and most interesting of all is that when he appears he is described as being so realistic and life-like that a guest even asked him where the ice machine was located.

Ida Bailey

Remember what I said about the former neighborhood being sordid and home to brothels? Well Ida Bailey was a well know Madame and her brothel sat on the exact site that the Horton Grand now sits. She was quite the business women, acquiring high profile clientele and avoiding many of the district’s raids. Bailey has apparently appeared to guests, but by all accounts she is friendly and warm. It sounds like she carried her charm into the afterlife.

Guests that don’t check out

There have been a number of sightings of apparitions in 19^th century fashion floating around the Horton Grand. You know that feeling where you just don’t want your vacation to end? I do. And I suppose these guests feel the same way, booking a long term stay at the Horton Grand Hotel.

Why The Horton Grand Is HotMamaTravel Approved

The Horton Grand Hotel is HotMamaTravel approved because it’s like stepping back in time, only with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, so the kids can still stream cartoons between ghost hunts. Each room is decked out with antique furniture, marble-framed fireplaces, and just the right amount of vintage charm to make you feel fancy (without breaking the bank).

Families will love how close the hotel is to the action; it's within walking or trolley distance to the Gaslamp Quarter and other downtown attractions, making it perfect for exploring without ever needing to move your car. When hunger strikes, head to the on-site restaurant and lounge, Salt & Whiskey, for delicious bites and cocktails that make parents just as happy as the kids. And for a little evening entertainment, the Horton Grand Theater next door offers live performances that make this stay feel even more special. It’s elegant, fun, and perfectly located, just the way HotMama likes it.

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The next time you visit San Diego, you could stay in a regular, predictable hotel (yawn), or you could check into one of these hauntingly historic gems that come with a side of goosebumps and great stories. If you’re anything like me, you’ll appreciate the antique charm, creaky floors, and mysterious energy that only time (and a few ghosts) can create.

If you prefer something a little less spooky but still full of character, check out my review of our favorite family-friendly stay in Old Town, the Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel. Or, if you’d rather trade haunted hallways for starlit skies, you’ll love my Glamping in San Diego guide. It’s the perfect way to add a touch of luxury to your next outdoor adventure.

And for all my fellow paranormal-loving travelers, don’t miss my collection of more haunted hotels and places to visit with your family! It’s packed with destinations that blend history, mystery, and family fun, HotMama style!

Wherever your travels take you, whether it’s a haunted suite or a sunny California beach, you’ll find plenty of ideas in my Best of California Family Travel guide to help you plan your next unforgettable trip. So go ahead, pack your bags, keep an open mind, and let the adventure (and maybe a ghost or two) surprise you.