Monterey Hotel

This striking Victorian-era building sits in a prime position in Downtown Monterey, close to the famed Fisherman's Wharf. The historic hotel has served travelers to this iconic coastal town for generations. It is rumored to be one of the most haunted hotels in California, with multiple spirits calling the building home.

The Monterey Hotel, constructed in 1904 just a stone's throw from Fisherman's Wharf, is considered one of the most haunted hotels in California. This iconic downtown building has accumulated over a century of history—and at least three distinct spirits who have made it their eternal home.

The best-known ghost is Fred, affectionately called the "Maintenance Ghost" by staff. Fred was a dedicated caretaker who worked at the hotel in the 1950s, keeping everything running smoothly until the day he died on the job. In death, Fred continues his rounds. He is most often seen on the main staircase in the lobby, sometimes visibly muttering about constantly having to fix the stairs. His favorite room appears to be 217, where he loves to mess with the TV and clock radio.

Fred's appearances can be unsettling. One bellman quit on the spot after seeing Fred's ghostly figure walking down a hallway in a mirror. When he turned to look directly, Fred walked through a closed door and vanished.

A young teenage girl in a lacey Victorian-era gown is the second commonly spotted ghost. No one knows her identity, but she's been seen sitting on the main stairs or wandering the upper floor, her old-fashioned dress rustling as she passes.

The third spirit appears as a man dressed in Edwardian finery with a high hat. He materializes from time to time in the mirror facing the front desk and is believed to be the building's original architect, who died in 1936.

Noted author Jeff Dwyer once recorded a startling disembodied "Hello" echoing from the second floor during an investigation. Staff members have experienced icy touches, objects mysteriously moving around rooms, and doors swinging open without explanation. Room 217 has earned a reputation as the hotel's most haunted room—guests booking that room should be prepared for a restless night.

Adding to the area's supernatural reputation, the Walgreens next door was once a morgue. Employees refuse to enter the back room after dark, fearing the eerie energy that lingers from its previous incarnation.