Gaslamp's Terrifyingly Authentic Ghost Tour! Real Haunts,
Real Chills –
Things Happen Here.
Don't Just Walk By...
We Go INSIDE Downtown’s
Most Haunted Locations!
25+ Haunted & True Crime Locations Await!
Our graphics imagine what characters from our stories might have been like. Take the tour and you’ll be able to guess who they are. * People have experiences on our tour, we don’t know when so you have to get lucky. There is definite energy so be open.
Warning!! The citizens of the Gaslamp can be wild! If you are brave, adventurous and can rock city night life this if for you. It’s a fun experience, it moves fast and downtown is party central and crazy, join if you dare.
Too much for you? Don’t want walking? Don’t want the downtown adult-ish party energy? Don’t want brothel history? Consider our Haunted Bus Tour.
By Gun. By Drink. By Cheat. Bye Bye.
Go Inside Locations. Exclusive Access Only With Us.
5 Star Highest Reviews in SD on Google, Yelp, TA, Fbook.
The Local Tour. Small. SD Only. We Care. Unforgetable.
Things Happen (Get Lucky). Satisfaction Guaranteed.
Welcome to Your Gaslamp Walking Tour by Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours
Dreadful
Details:
Gather ‘Round, Brave Souls!
- Meet: Gaslamp Arch, by Starbucks/Hard Rock – 209 5th Ave, SD 92101
- Content: 70% Ghost Stories, 30% True Crime – a spine-tingling blend!
- History: Delve into brothel lore—not vulgar.
- See Ghosts: Things happen—encounters are rare, but possible!
- Access: Exclusive entry to the Davis-Horton House and more!
- Kids: Not ideal for young ones; parental discretion advised.
- Private Tours: Call 619.255.6170 for custom group options.
- More Info: Read below & check our FAQ for chilling details.
- WARNING: The Gaslamp is alive and mature—prepare for fast-paced nightlife and vibrant street life!
We had a great time! Vivian was funny and showed us around Gaslamp!
We did not have any other worldly experiences but we enjoyed the tour. The history learned from one of the states oldest cities was fantastic. The tour was worth our time and we would take any visiting family or friends on this tour.
Clara was great and Brian was awesome with setting everything up super authentic and friendly staff definitely was worth it
Super fun and interesting tour. Our tour guide, Rosalinda, stayed in character and made it fun for the whole family. The tour included pendulums, divining rods, and EMF readers for ghost detecting.
Love the tour very informational! Alice was a wonderful!
This was so much fun!!! The host Kat was hilarious and very knowledgable. 10/10 would recommend.
We loved our tour guide Bernice
We loved learning about Gaslamp history, appreciating the architecture, and, of course, the ghost stories. 👻 Thank you Fred and Cat for a fun and spooky adventure!
The Gaslamp Haunted Tour was such a fun experience! Very informational and very spooky! Our guide Cat was funny, witty, personable, and very knowledgeable about all the sites we visited. 10/10 recommend if you're visiting San Diego or if you're a local like myself who is into the paranormal and looking for a fun night in the city!
This was a fun walking tour with loads of information and silliness. Kat was wonderful and made sure all our questions were answered. We enjoyed it and would suggest it anyone going to San Diego. It's an excellent way to experience downtown if you're not staying there. 🙂
Such a great tour! Loved Dante.
Kat and Matt did a great job sharing history of the area. The tour was actually longer than advertised, which is awesome!
Dare to Join Our Haunted Gaslamp Ghost Tour?
- Venture into the shadows of 25+ Haunted and True Crime Locations in the eerie heart of San Diego’s Downtown/Gaslamp District.
- Bring Your Camera, Courage, and Running Shoes, if you dare!
- Unravel the chilling tales of the Gaslamp Quarter:
- Discover where the infamous Wyatt Earp once lived, gambled, and drank.
- Step inside an Active Haunted Hotel & Hospital , where restless spirits still roam.
- Seek out a German Spy Hideout , cloaked in mystery and intrigue.
- Relive the Raids of the Downtown Stingaree , where danger lurked in every corner.
- Stand at the chilling Death Zone location, where echoes of the past resonate and much more…
- Reservations Required.
Ghostly Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ)
Considering taking a look at some of these if you are serious about the tour. Click the + to open each question.
Do things Happen / Is it Scary?
We know that in several locations eerie things do happen. We and our groups have experienced them, and it is rare, so no guarantee, still, you might get lucky. Keep in mind, we don’t create or employ ghosts so no trickery by us, anything that happens would be (super)natural. Bring your camera, you may catch spirit orbs. I hope something happens on your tour and if so please send us the images.
I would call it more spooky than scary. We do not use jump scares, though the environments themselves do have a very strong vibe most can sense. Some people do come out of it with a scare(s), it just depends on your personal tolerance level. Creepy is another good word for parts of the experience.
How Much Walking?
A little over 1.5 miles paced just under 2 hours. It’s is a brisk walk. You hear the story at the location and the briskly move to the next one. You do get some breaks towards the end when you go inside. A wheelchair would be more challenging and can be doable, call for more on that.Kids?
Out of our tours this one (The Gaslamp Walking Tour) has mature content dealing with Brothels and people who lived in them.. This may be too much for some kids, it really depends on the kid.
Our Haunted Ghost San Diego Bus Tour maybe more kid-friendly (depends on the kid) though doable as we do allow kids that don’t require a car seat on that tour.
This Gaslamp Tour is a bit Risqué
San Diego’s Gaslamp/Downtown area you’ll tour once was filled with brothels. As such prostitution is a part of the stories. Now this may go over your kids head, so that a consideration, still it is a risk. With that said we won’t stop you from bringing your child just, it’s really up to you.
Booking Questions?
Do you have to book in advance with a credit card or Debit Card?
Yes. There are a limited number of spots for each of our tours and we often sell out well in advance. To ensure that you are able to join us, reservations and payment are required ahead of time. You can book online or over the phone. If you prefer to pay cash, your only option is to show up at the Gaslamp Quarter Arch meeting location at least 20 min prior to the tour departure. If we have spots available, you can pay cash at that time. PLEASE NOTE: Reservations are highly recommended as empty spots are rare as the tour time approaches.
Process
When you book online, you will get an email saying your spot(s) have been reserved. If the tour minimum has been met, your card will be charged and you will get another email with details about the tour, where to meet and so on. We meet at the Gaslamp Quarter Arch, please make sure to be there 20 minutes before departure time. Enjoy the tour and happy hauntings!
Waitlist
Call or text for a waitlist 619.255.6170. If you are trying to book a full tour, your best bet is to show up at the Gaslamp Quarter Arch at least 20 min prior to the tour departure. If there has been a cancellation, we will know by the time the tour starts and will get you in. Cancellations are extremely rare; only a couple a month, so this is a long shot option. Don’t miss out – order now!
Tour Minimum?
Our Haunted Guided Tour is small to ensure personal attention to you, our guests. We require an 8 person minimum in order for us to do a tour. When you reserve a spot you will get an email confirming that your spot has been reserved. Once 8 people are confirmed on the tour, we’ll send another email so you know that the tour is on.
If the tour already has 8 people you will get the email immediately, and your card will be charged immediately.
It is rare, but occasionally if it appears that the tour will not go on. We will personally call and/or text you with a tour update 3-5 hours before your tour departure time. Please give us a legit working phone number you’ll have on you for calls/texts.
If you book well in advance, bless you. Most people will book the day of their tour, so please be patient and remember: 90% of the time the tour fills the day of. Your confirmation will likely come sometime that day.
Please call or text us 619.255.6170 if you have questions.
Why 8 People MinimumThere are two reasons for this. First, at least 8 people are necessary per tour for a sustainable business. The second, perhaps odd reason is that 8 seems to be the magic number of people needed for a great tour. Let us take you behind the scenes here. Once in a while we will get a 4 or lower star rating by a reviewer. A lot of times when we get that low of a review, the tour had less than 8 people. Experience shows we need that many people for the group to relax, and the guide to give the great presentation we are known for.
Cancel? Not Satisfied?
Cancellation Policy
If we cancel on you due to flooding, unforeseen incident or the tour minimum is not met know that you will be fully and promptly refunded. In the case of the minimum, you will not be charge as your card is not processed unless the minimum is hit. If you book us through someone else, Viator, Expedia, and so on – we will reach out to them and get you refunded.
If you cancel and let us know 24 or more hours before the tour, you will be refunded in full. If 24 hours or under – all sales are final. There are no tour date exchanges or refunds. Just like a concert or theater performance, once the tickets are purchased, the seats are considered sold. We do not offer refunds, nor can we change your booking to a different night or time if you miss the tour. This is our official policy.
Even so, we are human too, and know things happen. At our discretion and circumstances permitting, if you must cancel within 24 hours, we will do our best to make things work for you. You must contact us via text or call 619.255.6170, and if we can sell your spots before the tour, we will happily refund your purchase. So, the sooner you contact us, the better chance we have to sell your spot(s) and then get you your money back.
Your SatisfactionIt is rare, but we are not perfect and every once and a while someone will have a “meh” experience. If this happens to be you please call/text us 619.255.6170 and give us a chance to make things right. Often times we will refund you. Deep gratitude.
Discounts
Do you offer discounts for Seniors, Military or anything else?
Sometimes we will have a discount on our site. If you don’t see it, call or text us 619.255.6170, and we will set something custom up for you. Click the “Book Now”, button for pricing and schedule please.
Third Parties
If you like to book through third parties like Expedia/TripAdvisor/Booking/Get Your Guide etc (all the same), know they are a challenging company in many ways, you’ll pay 30-50% more per ticket for the honor of using them in most cases, plus rumors that companies pay through their advantage programs to suppress and delete bad reviews and more.., So just keep it in mind, always a good idea to reach out directly to the actual host and get the best price as well as service.
Group Discounts
If you have a group of more than 8 individuals, please call our reservation line to discuss potential discounted options – 619.255.6170.
Should I Tip?
If you enjoy the performance of your host, yes! It is customary to thank them however you see fit. Your host is a trained, experienced, and knowledgeable professional who puts a lot of effort and energy into your experience. Your generosity is always appreciated. It is how the host makes much of their income. Most people tip around $5-$10 per person, though anything is appreciated.Parking? Arrival?
ParkingYou should arrive in the Gaslamp/Downtown at least 35 minutes prior to the tour departure (more during busy season). There is parking available, it can be competitive. If you find a spot early don’t worry, there is plenty to do in the Gaslamp.
Consider using the SpotHero app to reserve a parking spot ahead of time and at the best price. We use it and get great results it does make parking easier.
There are tons of parking garages and lots around, most do charge though. If you can Lyft, Cab or Uber you might consider that too.
Arrival
Our tour meets and leaves from the Gaslamp Quarter Arch near Starbucks | 209 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Please make sure to be at the arch 20 minutes before your tour embarks. When you get there you will see our ghost host dressed in Victorian attire or in black with a bell, they will be pretty obvious. Please introduce yourself to the host, have the ticket buyer give their name, and you are good to go. There is no ticket or phone app needed just your name. We go by a roster.
There are rare cases where the earlier tour may have gone over. In that case please be patient, they will materialize.
Use the bathroom first! There are no bathrooms on the tour. You can find one at Starbucks or Hard Rock.
If we are still under stupid COVID, please wear a mask and make sure to social distance 6 feet from anyone you don’t know. We deeply appreciate that.
Once confirmed with the host hang out until the tour starts. If everyone shows up a bit early we may be able to leave early and fit in some additional content.
It’s going to be disturbing and we will see you soon…
Locations / What do We Enter?
We never know if we can enter or not until the day of. Hopefully get you in the Horton Grand Side of Lobby and bar if not too busy. If you are really lucky sometimes we go in the DH House. Fingers crossed! I anticipate going inside!Gaslamp Haunted Ghost Tour Reviews – San Diego’s #1 Rated Ghost Tour
Step cautiously, dear traveler, into the dimly lit corridors of online reviews… where shadows whisper and the truth cannot be bought.
Here in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter, our Haunted Gaslamp Ghost Walking Tour stands above all others—top-rated, most reviewed, and most beloved by our spirited guests on Google, Yelp, Facebook, TripAdvisor, and Expedia.
We are not just another San Diego ghost tour—we are the original, the authentic, the locally-owned experience that dares to go deeper. Our reviews are real—no conjuring tricks, no bought praise. Simply genuine accounts from souls brave enough to walk with us. Verified as of January 11th, 2025.
But beware, my friends…
For there are imposters—ghost tour companies from far-off lands—who haunt the listings with eerily vague reviews. No guide names. No details. And mysteriously posted in clusters, like whispers from beyond… or perhaps from a review farm.
Heed this warning especially: while TripAdvisor and Viator masquerade as trustworthy, we’ve seen strange things—like the vanishing of negative reviews and inflated pricing spells. And the worst horror? You may pay 30–50% more per ticket for the privilege.
If you seek the truest San Diego ghost tour—with costumed guides, real haunted history, and access to authentic paranormal locations—book directly with Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours. Support local. Save money. And avoid feeding the corporate ghouls.
Yelp remains the most honest graveyard of reviews. The others? Shadows and smoke.
So when next you wander into the haunted heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp District, choose wisely. Choose locally. Choose truth.
Why choose us:
- The most reviews AND the best – our guests rate us the best of all the SD ghost tours.
- Our tour creates intriguing fun and memories. You’ll see and learn about 5 locations around town, and actually enter more sites than any other San Diego haunted tour.
- Your hosts are professionals: Historically accurate, amazing storytellers featuring theatrics, horror, and comedy.
- Our bus tour is cozy, intimate and personal, with only 8 – 14 guest allowed on board.
- You get a historic tour with a haunted twist. History beyond just Old Town.
- Our haunted ghost tour will take you on our Ghost Coach – starting at San Diego’s haunted Old Town, then on the bus to the Sherman Heights / Golden Hill community, next is San Diego’s haunted Gaslamp District / Downtown area and finally returning to the El Campo Santo Cemetery in Old Town.
- Check out Google, Yelp, Facebook, and TA and see for yourself – We are SD’s top ghost tour.
Our Historic Tour is an Experience You'll Never Forget.
Join Us, we hope you've made your final arrangements...
Tickets can and do sell out.
On most dates, tickets sell out faster as the day progresses. Often an unbooked tour at noon will be sold out by 4 pm. Don’t miss out! Click our Book Now button to see the available tours.
Couple Things to Know - For Expectations
We bring the spooky, the creepy! I wouldn’t call us scary as there are no clowns or monsters jumping out at you (no jump scares). You get environments, stories, and folklore. If you are looking for jump scares this is not the tour for you. Things can and do happen on the tour, and people have gotten a bit scared. It’s not because we scared them, it’s rather the environment and the person.
We also bring crazed tongue ‘n’ cheek humor, think puns and wordplay. We are heavily inspired by 80s and 90s movies, like Scream and The Evil Dead, think Arnold Schwarzenegger cheesy one-liners. We play with all your emotions including humor. If you are going with us, do bring your sense of humor with you. If you don’t want cheesy one-liners, this is not the tour for you.
Experience San Diego History. Ghost Stories. Folklore. Paranormal Encounters.
Our Tours & Events
At Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours and San Diego History Tours, we bring the vibrant history and eerie tales of San Diego to life. As a locally-owned business, our expert guides offer authentic and detailed explorations of the city’s most iconic locations.
Whether you’re fascinated by the Victorian-era buildings of the Gaslamp Quarter or crave the thrill of our spine-chilling ghost tours, we provide unique and memorable experiences for all ages. By choosing us, you’re supporting a local business dedicated to the community and its heritage. With exceptional customer service and a satisfaction guarantee, we ensure you only pay for a tour you love. Book today and discover why we are the best in the nation!
Satisfaction Guaranteed On All Tours*
*Just reach out to us directly and provide some constructive feedback (help us improve). In most cases we will give you a full refund up to 4 people.
