Haunted Hotels in La Jolla
Guests Or Ghosts? You Be The Judge
It’s 2:00 a.m. The only sounds are the waves crashing at La Jolla Cove. The phone rings at the front desk. The staff sees the room number—and it’s happening again. The call comes from a room they know is empty.
Is the Grande Colonial Hotel in La Jolla haunted? Some say yes, some say no, and some aren’t so sure. For generations, rumors of ghost sightings have circulated among locals and guests alike. Hallways, stairwells, guest rooms, and even the kitchen have all reportedly seen unexplained activity. While no tragic deaths or tragic lovers have ever haunted these halls, the hotel has experienced its fair share of unexplainable, sometimes spooky events.
The good news? Most paranormal sightings are playful, not frightening. You be the judge.
Goosebumps in La Jolla
One particularly private room, with a remote entrance, has a reputation for mystery. Often favored by actors performing in local plays or guests seeking solitude, the room has sparked countless ghost stories. Late-night phone calls come from the empty room, but no one ever answers. Hotel staff always check, but the room is always empty and the phone off the hook.
See the Unseen
Not all supernatural experiences involve the unseen. Some involve ghost sightings. Late one evening, a couple dressed in formal attire appeared in a hallway—he in a tuxedo with a top hat, scarf, and cane, she in a cream-colored gown. According to staff, the couple turned a corner and simply vanished. No doors, no windows—no escape. One moment they were there, the next, gone.
Is the Room Empty or Not?
One employee claimed to see a figure hiding behind a curtain. But when approached, the curtain lay flat against the window, which was locked and closed. Could this be the spirit of Groucho Marx? Known to be a playful guest in the past, maybe his mischievous antics continue to this day.
Abigail & Abraham
Guests have reported seeing glowing apparitions in their rooms. One young woman described a soft presence with brown hair in a light lace dress—she believed the spirit’s name was Abigail.
A young boy reported seeing several miniature Abraham Lincolns jumping around his room, and later a woman in white brushing his hair. Could it have been Abigail returning for a friendly visit? Maybe. Or perhaps imagination and history collided in true haunted hotel fashion.
Flying Pans in the Kitchen
The kitchen has been another hotspot for paranormal activity. Stoves turn on and off mysteriously, cabinets open and close on their own, and staff once reported a frying pan floating through the air. Activity seemed especially frequent during renovations, though it has calmed since the opening of Nine-Ten Restaurant.
North Annex Hauntings
Rooms above the bakery, part of the North Annex, have long been reported as haunted. Guests and staff have heard loud voices, heavy footsteps, and doors swinging open after the bakery closes.
Historically, these rooms were once apartments known for wild parties. Perhaps the spirited revelers have never left. Today, the hotel continues to receive ghostly complaints, but the bakery remains empty and locked for the night.
Experience a Haunted Hotel Near San Diego
What—or who—lurks in the hallways of the Grande Colonial La Jolla? You’ll never know until you experience it for yourself.
Visit this historic haunted hotel in La Jolla, explore the mysteries, and enjoy the charm, luxury, and ocean views that make this one of San Diego’s most intriguing destinations.
