Like all cities, San Francisco has a darker side and you can discover all about this on spine-chilling ghost tours of the city’s neighborhoods.

Scout the haunted alleys of Jackson Square, North Beach and Chinatown while listening to your guide recount gruesome tales from the past. If you’re worried about it becoming too hair-raising, there’s always a tour offering pub stops along the way to settle your nerves!

Here's all you need to know about ghost tours, one of the most spine-tingling sightseeing activities in San Francisco.

What are the best ghost tours in San Francisco?

Haunted San Francisco: Ghost Hunting, True Crime and Mystery

Discover the spooky side of San Francisco on a guided ghost tour of the city. Scan the haunted alleys of Jackson Square and Chinatown with a personal EMF detector. During your tour, learn about the city's scariest secrets and tales.

Your meeting point is at the Transamerica Pyramid on 600 Montgomery Street, where you will hear the haunting stories of buried bodies and ships in this area. Montgomery Block (also called Monkey Block) was built in 1853 and hosted many well-known personalities, including Jack London, Ambrose Bierce and Mark Twain. In 1856, newspaper editor James King was shot dead here by James P. Casey.

Continue to the Jackson Square Historic District, dating back to San Francisco’s earliest years and the 1849 Gold Rush. The square lies in the northeastern part of the old Barbary Coast red light district. Hear stories of the old Gold Rush area and of the hauntings during the 1800s.

Finally visit Chinatown, where the guide will share tales of the old Red Light District, gang wars, murders and ghosts. The tour ends here in Chinatown, but you can still try the historic bar Li Po Lounge, a favorite of the chef and writer Anthony Bourdain.

*There is no restroom break on the tour. The nearest restrooms will be at the bars High Horse or Barbarossa Lounge, but both are closed on Sundays.

Walk with Spirits: A Haunted Pub Crawl

Join a small group ghost tour of San Francisco and discover all about the spooks that haunt the city. During the tour, you will visit several pubs you may not have found on your own, while your guide shares some ghastly tales. You will hear horror stories about the Gold Rush era and more while visiting historic places such as Jackson Square, North Beach and Chinatown.

Meet your guide at the High Horse Cocktail Bar on Washington Street. You will first visit Jackson Square, the only section of downtown San Francisco that survived the 1906 earthquake. Continue to the Old Ship Saloon, a San Francisco institution for 170 years. Have a drink while your group discusses vengeful ghosts in the pub's cellar.

Visit North Beach, known as "The Devil's Acre" during the Barbary Coast era of the 1850s-1900s. The early decades of the Barbary Coast saw persistent crime, gambling and bordellos. Rumor has it that the ghosts of some of those lawless people still walk the streets.

The last district you’ll visit is bustling Chinatown, steeped in legend since the 1840s and the scene of tragic stories that live on until today. Your tour ends in the illustrious Lion's Den in Chinatown. During the golden era of Chinatown’s nightlife in the 1940s, a lounge also by the name of “Lion’s Den” was located here. It is said that since it's reopening in 2021, it has been spooked by several phantoms.

Which places will I visit on a SF ghost tour?

Jackson Square Historic District

Jackson Square dates back to San Francisco’s earliest years and the 1849 Gold Rush. Some important features are the historic commercial buildings in the Classical Revival and Italianate styles.

The square made up the northeastern part of the old Barbary Coast Red Light District and is home to several surviving buildings from the 1906 earthquake. Hotaling Place used to lie on the city's old shoreline, and is regarded as San Francisco's oldest alley. The Historic District was registered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

Old Ship Saloon

The Old Ship Saloon is located at 298 Pacific Avenue. It dates back to the California Gold Rush era when it operated out of the side of a ship, the Arkansas. The Arkansas ran aground in December 1849 near Alcatraz Island and was eventually left along the Pacific Street Wharf.

One Joe Anthony opened a saloon inside the Arkansas called "The Old Ship Alehouse" and in 1859, the upper parts were dismantled and a hotel built on top. The bar was renamed 'The Old Ship Saloon'. Severely damaged in the 1906 earthquake, it was rebuilt in 1907 as it appears today. It was renamed a few times and served as a cafe and brothel during World War II, but in 1992 the name was restored to "The Old Ship Saloon".

How much does it cost?

Ghost tours in San Francisco cost around US$30 for the 1-hour tours and around US$50 per person for the longer tours (1.5 to 2.5 hours).

The 1.5-hour Haunted San Francisco ghost hunting, true crime and mystery tour costs US$50, with ghost hunting equipment included. The 1-hour Ghosts: Gold and Ghouls tour costs US$30 per person. There is also a 1.5-hour extended option of the standard tour at US$35 per person.

The cost of the Walk with Spirits: A Haunted Pub Crawl tour is US$50 per person, but alcoholic beverages are not included.

What do ghost tours include?

The ghost tours of San Francisco include tour guides, the use of modern ghost hunting gear, well-researched ghost stories and eyewitness versions of paranormal activity. For the Walk with Spirits: A Haunted Pub Crawl in San Francisco tour, alcoholic beverages are not included in your package.

Where does it start?

The ghost tours in San Francisco start from different meeting points in downtown San Francisco, such as the Transamerica Pyramid on Montgomery Street, 375 Powell Street and the High Horse at 582 Washington Street.

What is the typical duration of ghost tours?

The average duration of a ghost tour in San Francisco is 1 to 2 hours. Only one ghost tour exceeds 2 hours, which is the “Walk with Spirits: A Haunted Pub Crawl” (2.5 hours).

When is the best time for a ghost tour in San Francisco?

Ghost tours are in the evenings, but weatherwise the best time to visit San Francisco is from September to November. This period offers some of the warmest days/nights and fewer crowds.

Is it safe to take a ghost tour in San Francisco?

Ghost tours are quite safe, but it’s not recommended for people with back problems, mobility impairments or who cannot walk more than one kilometer at a time.

Can children join ghost tours in San Francisco?

Children of all ages are allowed on some tours, but the Haunted San Francisco: ghost hunting, true crime and mystery tour does not recommend it for children 10 and under. Only adults 21 and older are allowed on the Walk with Spirits: A Haunted Pub Crawl tour.

What other fun activities and tours are there in San Francisco?

Street Art tours in San Francisco
Movie Sights tours in San Francisco
Segway tours in San Francisco
Escape Rooms in San Francisco

Travel tips

Make sure to book your ghost tour in San Francisco in advance.
Bring a waterproof jacket, especially in winter.
Bring sunscreen for the San Francisco sun.
Wear comfortable sneakers for walking the ghost tour.

Ghost Tours in San Francisco