Exploring the Dark Side of Hollywood: The Most Haunted Places in Los Angeles

It’s no secret that Los Angeles is an absolute tourist hot spot. There are so many things to do and see here. From shopping in luxurious stores, visiting Hollywood Boulevard, or having the time of your life in one of their famous nightclubs. But did you know that there is also a darker side to Hollywood? One that is filled with ghost stories and unsettling sightings? With a rich history of scandals, tragedies, and crimes, it’s no surprise that the city is home to some of the most haunted places in the United States. So if you want to take a closer look at the most haunted places in Los Angeles, then keep on reading.

The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, located on Hollywood Boulevard, is one of Los Angeles’ best-known and haunted hotels. The hotel, which opened in 1927, has welcomed many celebrities throughout the years, including Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin. However, some of them have never left this place. Even long after their death.

One of the most famous ghost sightings at the hotel is that of Marilyn Monroe herself. Guests have reported seeing her reflection in mirrors and feeling her presence in their rooms. Some believe that she haunts the hotel because it was one of her favorite places to stay.

Another ghost of this hotel is Montgomery Clift. He was an actor who stayed at the hotel while filming “From Here to Eternity.” He loved his stay in the hotel so much that he decided to haunt it even after dying at 45 from a heart attack.

The Cecil Hotel

The infamous Cecil Hotel, located in Downtown Los Angeles, is notorious for its dark past and paranormal activity. Over the years, the hotel has been at the center of several murders, suicides, and inexplicable disappearances. So it’s no surprise that it’s rumored to be haunted by numerous ghosts. 

“The Black Dahlia” is one of the most well-known ghost stories from the Cecil Hotel. Elizabeth Short, widely known as The Black Dahlia, was a young lady killed in 1947. The story absolutely shocked everyone, and there have been so many legends tied to it. The murder has not been solved to this day, and the restless spirit of Elizabeth still roams the halls of this hotel.

The hotel was also the site of the death of Canadian student Elisa Lam, whose body was found in a water tank on the hotel’s roof in 2013. Her mysterious death and the eerie footage of her in the hotel’s elevator have sparked numerous conspiracy theories and ghost sightings. Her murder has never been solved as well.

The Comedy Store

The Comedy Store, located on Sunset Boulevard, is one of the world’s most famous comedy clubs. It is also said to be haunted by many spirits. In the 1940s, the building was a mob-owned nightclub, and it is rumored that the spirits of former criminals still roam the place. One of the most well-known ghost sightings at the Comedy Store is that of Sam Kinison, a former comic. He died in a car accident in 1992. But even with his physical body leaving our world, his spirit still but still haunts the club, where he used to play.

Yet another ghost that roams this place is one of the former owners of the Comedy Store named Mitzi Shore. Mitzi died in 2018, but being the hardworking and restless woman that she was, her spirit still haunts this place, making sure the club is just as successful as it was when she was alive. 

The Queen Mary

Long Beach’s Queen Mary is a former ocean liner that has been turned into a hotel and attraction for tourists. It is, nonetheless, said to be one of the most haunted spots in Southern California. The ship served as a troopship during World War II and was in service from 1936 to 1967.

One of the most renowned ghost sightings aboard the Queen Mary is that of a little girl named Jackie. During the ship’s service, she is reported to have drowned in the pool. Many guests and staff members have seen and heard her spirit.

John Pedder is another ghostly figure on the Queen Mary. He was a crew member who was crushed to death in the engine room of the ship. Guests and staff have described hearing his haunting footsteps and witnessing his figure in the engine room, making it one of the most haunted places in Los Angeles.