The true spirit of Old Town

Why the Whaley House is San Diego’s most haunted site

If you’re in the Halloween spirit, a trip to the Whaley House in Old Town may be in order. This museum is home to San Diego history, and as the story goes, a few ghosts.

Not a believer? LIFE Magazine named it “America’s Most Haunted House” in 2005, but not everyone adheres to the warning. If you don’t have a ghost story of your own, many people have shared their frightening tales.

Most Haunted House in America — It’s not just haunted. It’s the most haunted.

📖 The spooky story

While the legend of the Whaley House can be found in the history books, it’s more of a horror story. If you’re local, you’ve probably taken the tour — but here’s a quick rundown, in case you’ve forgotten.

On May 6, 1856, Thomas Whaley began construction on this two-story Greek Revival home. Allegedly it was built where infamous thief Yankee Jim was hanged, and word on the street is, his spirit never left. The Whaley family moved into the home in 1857 and it became central to the community, serving as a theater, court house + general store.

Beyond Yankee Jim, multiple tragedies took place on the property with lingering effects.

Thomas + his wife Anna died there, and sightings of their ghosts have been reported — some people even claim they smelled Anna’s French perfume.
The couple’s baby son, Thomas Jr., died of Scarlet Fever in 1858 at just 18 months old.
Violet, another Whaley child, took her own life after a divorce in 1885.

Thomas died in 1890, and Anna in 1905. Their other daughter, Lillian, lived there until she died in 1953. The Board of Supervisors of the County of San Diego purchased the home in 1956 and restored it to its original condition.

👀 Seeing is believing

If you’re brave enough, the museum offers haunted evening tours + paranormal investigations. In fact, the house has such a scary reputation that famous visitors have left with their own haunted tales.

Television shows like “Ghost Adventures,” “Most Haunted” + “Buzzfeed Unsolved” have dared to document their experiences visiting the Whaley House.
Late legendary host Regis Philbin got so spooked he left early during a visit.
Comedian Tom Green wasn’t joking when he said his trip was cursed.
Celebrity medium Bonnie Vent visited, and she immediately felt a presence and a dizzying experience in the general store.

Click here to have your event featured.

Monday, October 24

Acrylic Pour Workshop | Mon., Oct. 24 | 6-7:30 p.m. | La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Boulevard, La Jolla | $20.00 - $30.00 | Create abstract masterpieces by letting pigment run amok.
Always a Banana, Never the Bride: An Ode to Broadway’s “Lesser Ladies” | Mon., Oct. 24 | 7 p.m. | OB Playhouse, 4944 Newport Ave., San Diego | $15.00 - $20.00 | Alyssa Anne Austin’s first-ever one woman show mixes Broadway cabaret + motivational talk.
KIDD G | Mon., Oct. 24 | 7 p.m. | The Music Box, 1337 India St, San Diego | $22.00 | The TikTok emo rapper-turned-country singer takes the stage.
Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets | Mon., Oct. 24 | 8 p.m. | Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego | $50.00 - $360.00 | The progressive drummer + his all-star band pays tribute to Pink Floyd.

Tuesday, October 25

Belinda Carlisle | Tue., Oct. 25 | 8 p.m. | The Magnolia, 210 E Main St., El Cajon | $35.00 - $65.00 | A show for people mad about 1980s pop.
San Diego Career Fair | Tue., Oct. 25 | 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Marriott Hotel, 8757 Rio San Diego Dr., San Diego | Free | Meet with recruiters + HR managers from Fortune 500 companies to find your next job.

Wednesday, October 26

Chunky Knit Pumpkin Workshop | Wed., Oct. 26 | 7-9 p.m. | AR Workshop Coronado, 1033 B Ave. Ste. 101, Coronado | $45.00 - $55.00 | A step-by-step class where you can craft a chunky knit pumpkin — no needles or knitting experience necessary.
Slick Talk Comedy Presents Gabby Lamb LIVE! | Wed., Oct. 26 | 8 a.m. | The American Comedy Co. San Diego, 818 B 6th Ave., San Diego | Free | The stand-up comic seen on “King & the Sting” brings live laughs.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

MORE FUN TO CHOOSE FROM

Weather

73º | Sunny | 2% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7 a.m.
Set: 6:05 p.m.

Tide

Low: 2:54 a.m. + 3:34 p.m.
High: 9:08 a.m. + 9:39 p.m.
Water Temperature: 66º

Sports

You’re out, Padres. After the team lost to the Phillies in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, Philadelphia heads to the World Series, and San Diego heads home. But, the Friars will be swingin’ back next year — Opening Day is scheduled for Thurs., March 30. 🤎 (MLB)
It was a good run for Wave FC, but they lost yesterday’s NWSL Semifinals Match against Portland Thorns FC 2-1. While this marks the end of the San Diego team’s season, tickets are available for the 2023 season, their first full season at Snapdragon Stadium. ⚽ (NWSL)

Civic

It’s the last day to register to vote if you’d like to receive your ballot by mail for the Nov. 8 Statewide General Election. But, if you miss this deadline, you can still cast your ballot. Starting Sat., Oct. 29, the county will open 39 vote centers and 200+ locations will be open starting Sat., Nov. 5. 📬

Health

The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency introduced a weekly combined Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report with data pertaining to COVID-19 + influenza cases. Locals can sign up to receive the report via email, or it can be found on the county’s website. 📊
A case of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 — aka the “bird flu” — has been reported in San Diego County. The San Diego Humane Society has shared information about the virus + precautionary steps, though the risk of transmission to humans is low. 🐦

Holiday

Mama’s Pies is taking orders for its annual Thanksgiving bake sale, and you’ll be thankful you placed an order early. Each purchase helps Mama’s Kitchen raise funding to help provide meals to locals who are at risk of malnutrition due to illnesses, but the deadline is Sat., Nov. 19, or until supplies are gone. 🥧
Today is Diwali, the “Festival of Lights” in Hindu tradition. Celebrated on the darkest day of the lunar month, observers light candles, lanterns + fireworks to reflect the triumph of light over darkness. Join the festivities at the Gujarati Association of San Diego for Diwali Dinner on Sun., Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. 🕯️

Cause

Villa Montezuma is closed for renovations, but it will continue to make history in Sherman Heights thanks to a $5 million gift from the City of San Diego and efforts from Senator Ben Hueso. The Victorian home + museum will use the funding to improve accessibility, and to repair the roof and stained glass windows. 🪟

San Diegan

We know Padres fans have a special place for the team in their souls, but this is another level. Local Ryan Miller brought his brother Kevin’s ashes — a hardcore fan who died in 2019 — to Petco Park for NLDS Game 4. Thanks to help from Joe Musgrove, the remains were spread on the field to be with the team. ⚱️ (ABC 10)

Announced

Here at SDtoday, we aim to bring the most relevant + engaging daily content about San Diego right to your inbox. If you enjoy our newsletter and supporting all things local, consider joining our SDtoday Membership Program. Membership helps keep our newsletter free and has some cool perks. Learn more + sign up. 📱

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Cooked for a good cause 🍕

Sam ‘The Cooking Guy’ Zien partners with Sisters Pizza to create the ‘Spicy Merrilee.’

Dip into Sisters Pizza for a taste. | Gif via SAM THE COOKING GUY

Get a pizza this: Sam “The Cooking Guy” Zien took over Sisters Pizza in Hillcrest to create the “Spicy Merrilee,” his latest culinary invention that brings two dishes together for one good cause.

So, what is this concoction? It’s part pizza + part roast beef dip. Atop the crust, you’ll find horseradish aioli, roast beef, slices of fontina cheese, Fresno chilis + onions. And like the sandwich, it comes with an onion gravy for dipping.

Hopefully, this pie raises a lot of dough. When someone buys the pizza, proceeds will go to Promises2Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to creating a brighter future for foster kids in San Diego County. In fact, the creation gets its name from Merrilee Neal, the organization’s board chair.

Sam joined the restaurant last week to debut “Spicy Merrilee” + add it to the menu. But, it’s only available for a slice of time. Based on the announcement, we don’t expect it will be around past Fri., Nov. 18.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Michael.

Editor’s pick: Happy Monday, San Diego. If a tour of the Whaley House takes you to Old Town, we hope you don’t lose your appetite. There are plenty of amazing restaurants in the area, but I love visiting Tuetano Taqueria. The eatery moved to Old Town Urban Market from San Ysidro in October 2021, and it has amazing birria + a cute, cozy patio for dining.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Check out 50 great brunch spots in San Diego.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Monica Garske, Michael Beausoleil, Trevor Peters, Britt Thorson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Allie Wetteland | Advertise with us.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you?

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY