San Diego Ghosts and Gravestones: Haunted Trolley Tour

Pioneer Park at dusk, a cemetery walk, the Whaley House grounds: three stops where San Diego's oldest stories turn darker

The Ghosts and Gravestones Tour is a haunted trolley ride through Old Town San Diego that boards at Pioneer Park and visits El Campo Santo Cemetery and the Whaley House grounds, guided by a live English-speaking host who reveals the paranormal histories tied to these oldest sites. The tour runs about 75 minutes and includes all taxes and fees; check in 30 minutes early, and parking is available at Old Town State Park.

Step-by-step itinerary

Haunted San Diego trolley tour

• Board haunted trolley at Pioneer Park
• Explore Old Town San Diego
• Walk through El Campo Santo Cemetery
• Tour grounds of Whaley House Museum

The Experience

The trolley departs from Pioneer Park, a spot that shifts from pleasant by day to unsettling after dark. From there, the route moves through Old Town San Diego—the Birthplace of California—where the guide walks you through El Campo Santo Cemetery. Each step through the cemetery is meant to stir the stories of those buried there, and the guide shares the haunted histories that linger in these old grounds.

The tour concludes at the grounds of the Whaley House, often cited as one of the most haunted houses in America. You'll stand outside this infamous structure while the guide reveals the paranormal activities and spirits said to inhabit it. The whole experience unfolds over roughly 75 minutes, so it fits into an evening without consuming the rest of your night.

What’s included

Trolley transportation, live English-speaking guide, entry to El Campo Santo Cemetery and the Whaley House grounds, all taxes and fees.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Historic Tours Of America

Is this one for you?At 75 minutes, this tour fits into an evening without dominating it—you board after dinner or before a late meal and return with time to spare. The trolley handles the transport between stops, so you're not navigating Old Town on your own or arranging separate entry to each site.

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Top questions

What is the Whaley House and why is it considered so haunted?

The Whaley House is one of the most haunted houses in the United States, and the tour concludes at its grounds where the guide shares the paranormal histories and spirits believed to inhabit it.

Do I walk the entire tour or stay on the trolley the whole time?

You board the trolley at Pioneer Park, but the tour includes walking through El Campo Santo Cemetery on foot before returning to the trolley for the final stop at the Whaley House grounds.

How long does the Ghosts and Gravestones Tour take?

The tour runs approximately 75 minutes from start to finish, leaving time for other activities earlier or later in your evening.

What should I know about arriving for this tour?

You must check in 30 minutes before your tour time, so arrive early and allow time to find parking at Old Town State Park, where spaces are available.

Is this tour suitable for children or people with mobility concerns?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and infants can ride if they sit on an adult's lap, though the cemetery walk and outdoor stops mean some walking is involved.