DTLA Murder Mystery Ghost Tour: Noir History & Haunted Bars

Six crime scenes, two haunted bars, one Saturday night in downtown LA's noir past

The DTLA Murder Mystery Ghost Tour is a three-hour walking investigation through downtown Los Angeles that traces real murders, trials and hauntings across six historic sites. You start at the Biltmore Hotel, where the Black Dahlia was last seen alive, then move through the Hotel Cecil (site of multiple murders and the Night Stalker's crimes), the Alexandria Hotel (where Rudolph Valentino's ghost is said to linger), the Barclay Hotel (home to two serial killers), and the Halls of Justice (where Bugsy Siegel and Charles Manson were tried). The tour includes stops at two haunted bars for cocktails and visits the site of the 1871 Chinatown Massacre. Tours run Saturday evenings at 6pm and are led by a guide in English. The operator donates $1 per guest to Climate Cents.

Step-by-step itinerary

DTLA Murder Mystery Ghost Tour

• Start at Biltmore Hotel
• Visit Clifton’s and learn history
• Explore Hotel Cecil
• See Hotel Alexandria
• Stop at Barclay Hotel
• Visit Chinatown Massacre site
• End at Halls of Justice

The experience

The tour starts at 6pm on Saturday at the Biltmore Hotel, the last place the Black Dahlia was seen alive. From there you move through downtown on foot at a reasonable pace, stopping at six sites tied to Los Angeles's most notorious crimes and criminals. Each location has its own history: the Hotel Cecil earned its reputation as the "Suicide Hotel" through decades of deaths; the Barclay Hotel harbored two separate serial killers; the Alexandria Hotel, once grand enough for movie stars and presidents, is now known as a haunting hotspot. The guide walks you through what happened at each site and why it matters to LA's noir story.

Two of the stops are working bars where you spend about 15 minutes in each, ordering cocktails if you want them (you have to be 21 to drink, but you don't have to be 21 to join the tour). The tour also takes in Clifton's, where you learn about the anti-corruption work of its Christian founder and the secrets he kept. You'll stand at the site of the 1871 Chinatown Massacre near the old cathedral, then finish at the Halls of Justice, where the most famous trials in LA history took place, including those of Bugsy Siegel and Charles Manson. The morgue here was also the final resting place for many stars.

The whole walk takes three hours. You need to arrive 10–15 minutes early or you may miss the start. This is a walking tour at a reasonable pace, so if you have mobility concerns, the operator recommends booking a private tour instead. Service animals are welcome. Public transportation options are nearby if you need them to get to the meeting point.

What’s included

• A live guide in English leading the three-hour walk.
• entry to six crime sites across downtown Los Angeles including the Biltmore Hotel, Hotel Cecil, Alexandria Hotel, Barclay Hotel, Halls of Justice and the site of the 1871 Chinatown Massacre.
• 15 minutes at each of two haunted bars (cocktails are your own cost).
• and a $1 donation per guest to the nonprofit Climate Cents.

Before you book

Days and timesSaturdayDeparts at 18:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Under 15: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by The Real Los Angeles Tours

Is this one for you?The three-hour Saturday evening window means you can fit this tour into a free afternoon or evening without blocking out a full day. If you're new to downtown LA's history or want to see the city's noir side with someone who knows the crime scenes, the fixed 6pm start and guided route leave nothing to plan. Just show up 10–15 minutes early.

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Top questions

What was the Black Dahlia and why does the tour start at the Biltmore Hotel?

The Black Dahlia was a famous unsolved murder case in Los Angeles history. The Biltmore Hotel is where she was last seen alive, making it the natural starting point for a tour investigating LA's most notorious crimes.

Can I get a drink at the bars on the tour, or do I have to be 21?

You can visit the two haunted bars and order cocktails if you're 21 or older. If you're under 21, you can still join the tour and spend the 15 minutes at each bar. You just won't be able to order alcohol.

What is the Hotel Cecil and why is it part of this tour?

The Hotel Cecil is a historic downtown Los Angeles hotel with a dark history of murders, suicides and serial killers, including crimes by the Night Stalker. It has been featured in numerous documentaries and TV shows about its tragic past.

How much walking is involved, and can I do this tour if I have mobility issues?

The tour covers six sites on foot at a reasonable pace over three hours. If you have mobility concerns, the operator recommends booking a private tour through their website instead of the standard group tour.

What happens at the Halls of Justice, and why is it the final stop?

The Halls of Justice is the site of many famous trials, including those of Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel and Charles Manson. The morgue here was also the final resting place for many Hollywood stars, making it a fitting end to the noir investigation.

Is there a minimum age for this tour?

The tour is recommended for ages 15 and up. Children under 15 are not recommended for this tour, though the operator notes you don't have to be 21 to participate: only to order drinks at the bars.