San Diego Embarcadero: Ghost Tour & Haunted Ships

San Diego's Waterfront Has a Darker History Than You Think

You walk the San Diego Embarcadero for an hour with a guide who knows the waterfront's haunted history, visiting the Old Police Headquarters, viewing the USS Midway and historic ships from shore, and using ghost detection tools at several stops. The tour is PG-13 and includes all equipment. No boarding of ships, just viewing and listening from the waterfront.

Step-by-step itinerary

San Diego Embarcadero ghost tour

• Visit Old Police Headquarters
• See onsite Jail cells and Dead Men's Point
• Learn hauntings of USS Midway ship
• View Star of India and Berkley Steamboat Ferry
• Hear tales of paranormal activity on ships

The experience

You're standing at the San Diego Embarcadero, and the water's right there, but the tour guide is already pointing to something you wouldn't have noticed on your own: the Old Police Headquarters, where the jail cells still sit below street level. This is where the ghost tour starts, and within the first few minutes you're hearing about Dead Men's Point and the stories that stick to these buildings like salt spray. The whole thing is only an hour, but it covers ground fast: the haunted ships moored just offshore, the spirits people claim to see, the deaths that happened here when the waterfront was rougher than it is now.

What makes this different from a standard history walk is that you're not just listening. You get ghost detection tools handed to you, no extra charge, and you actually use them at several stops along the way. The USS Midway Museum looms nearby, and the guide tells you about the paranormal activity reported on that ship (you don't board it, just view it from the waterfront and hear the stories). Then you move to the Maritime Museum area to see the Star of India and the Berkley Steamboat Ferry, both of which have their own reputation for hauntings. The guide knows which spots tend to get the most activity, and you get a chance to try the detection equipment yourself. It's not theater, it's the actual reason people come back to this tour.

The rating is PG-13, which means the stories include death and some darker material, so kids under 13 need a parent there, but plenty of families do it anyway. The pace is steady but not rushed. You're walking the Embarcadero, so the scenery shifts as you go, and the guide weaves the hauntings into the actual geography of the place. By the end of the hour you've covered the main haunted locations without feeling like you've been herded through them. If you want a private tour instead of the group version, that's available too.

What’s included

• Guided 1-hour walking tour of the San Diego Embarcadero.
• ghost detection tools provided at no charge.
• visits to the Old Police Headquarters and jail cells.
• viewing of the USS Midway, Star of India, and Berkley Steamboat Ferry.
• paranormal detection at multiple stops along the waterfront.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday to SundayDeparts at 19:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Under 13: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20

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 due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Murder n' Mayhem

Is this one for you?Right for anyone who wants a short, focused ghost tour of downtown San Diego without a long time commitment: the hour covers the main haunted locations and the detection tools give you something to do besides just listen, which is what keeps the pace moving and the group engaged.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years). Children under 13 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the San Diego Embarcadero ghost tour?

The tour is 1 hour long.

Do you actually go inside the USS Midway or the ships?

No. You view the USS Midway and the Star of India and Berkley Steamboat Ferry from the waterfront and hear the stories about them, but you don't board any of the ships.

What are the ghost detection tools?

Paranormal detection equipment is provided at no charge and you use it at several locations along the tour route.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes the guided walk, access to the haunted locations along the Embarcadero, and ghost detection tools.

Can I book a private tour instead of a group tour?

Yes, private tours are available upon request.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces along the tour route are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

What locations do you visit on the tour?

You visit the Old Police Headquarters and its jail cells, Dead Men's Point, view the USS Midway Museum from the waterfront, and see the Star of India and Berkley Steamboat Ferry at the Maritime Museum area.