Old Town San Diego is the site for Michael Brown’s San Diego Ghost Tours, which are based on his own experiences from ghost hunting over the last 12 years. He doesn’t wear costumes, carry lanterns or tell corny jokes. It’s just him sharing his first hand experiences. He claims to take you straight to the paranormal hot spots, one of which is outside the Whaley House. According to the Travel Channel’s America’s Most Haunted, the Whaley House is the “number one most haunted house in the United States.” The alleged hauntings of the Whaley House have been reported on numerous other television programs and in countless publications and books since the house first opened as a museum in 1960. At the end of his tour, the tour group gathers around to see and hear some sound and photographic evidence that Michael has collected on his laptop. His tours meet by the fountain at the Old Town State Historic Park. No reservations are needed. Just show up. Tours leave at 9 and 11 p.m. Adults are $19 and kids 6 to 12 are $10. www.oldtownsmosthaunted.com For a different option, check out the San Diego Haunted Ghost Tours, which offer a bus and walking tour combo. The two hour storytelling adventure visits five locations including the Gaslamp District, a creepy mansion in Sherman Heights and San Diego’s oldest graveyard. Tours are $35 per person and are offered Wednesday through Sunday at 7 and 9 p.m. www.hauntedsandiegotours.com
Restless spirits are said to linger in Savannah, perhaps because the city was once home to ruthless pirates and violent battles. Or, because the city is nicknamed the “city of lost cemeteries” with reportedly more than 10,000 unmarked graves. Several ghost tour companies operate in the city, giving tours by hearse, trolley and on foot. Blue Orb’s City of the Dead walking tour is approximately 90 minutes and is an easy half mile at a leisurely pace. The topics for the tour guides vary each night but often include Savannah’s yellow fever epidemics, the largest unexhumed slave cemetery of the 18th century, Civil War hidden graves, occult practices, and more. The most popular Blue Orb tour, however, is the Zombie Tour, which was named Savannah’s best ghost tour of 2011 by The Destination Guide. This tour is strictly for ages 18 and over since the material is uncensored. Reservations are required. Zombie Tours cost $35 and City of the Dead is $25 per person. Tours operate nightly except for Mondays. www.blueorbtours.com 40
OCTOBER 2012 | TRAILBLAZER
Known as America’s oldest city, St. Augustine seems to be a haven for paranormal activity. The lantern-lit walking tour by Ghost Tours of St. Augustine was voted the number one guided tour in Florida by the readers of Florida Living Magazine and has been featured on the Discovery and Travel Channels. This tour company employs more than 20 professional storytellers, and continues to add more and more ghostly tales to their tours. All of their stories have been pulled from libraries, church documents, personal diaries and interviews. Their Ghostly Experience Walking Tour takes visitors to two cemeteries, a haunted bed and breakfast and other fascinating sites. The walking tour starts at 8 p.m. every night. Tickets are $14 per person. Tickets purchased in advance of 5 p.m., however, receive a two dollar discount. If you prefer a riding tour, hop aboard their trolley for the Ghosts and Gravestones Riding Tour. You’ll learn about the terrible tragedy at the St. Augustine lighthouse and visit the Old Jail, which is said to be the town’s most haunted building. Cost is $26 per person and $14 for children ages 6 to 12. www.aghostlyexperience.com