An icon in Old Town San Diego and nationwide for ghost hunters, the Whaley House Museum is a well-liked addition to many San Diego itineraries. This Greek revival-style house is an official California Historic Landmark, a museum, and a magical hotspot.
The home was in-built 1857 by Thomas Whaley, and it was the positioning of a number of tragedies which have led to its haunted popularity.
The dwelling opened to the general public in 1960 as a museum and has had a live-in caretaker since 2007. Several excursions and tickets can be found, together with self-guided daytime excursions, guided night excursions, and even an after-hours paranormal investigation tour.
Quick History and Who Haunts the Whaley House
Thomas Whaley, the unique builder and proprietor of the house, was a New York City native that relocated to California hoping to capitalize on enterprise alternatives as a result of gold rush.
Upon its completion in 1857, it grew to become referred to as the best home in Southern California, constructed with bricks made on the Whaley property. Whaley House hosted San Diego’s first industrial theater, a county courthouse, and a bilingual normal retailer.
Many imagine that ghosts hang-out the Whaley House. In 1858, child Thomas Whaley Jr. died of scarlet fever in the home, and it’s believed that his ghost nonetheless haunts the property.
Additionally, in 1885, the Whaleys’ daughter Violet died by suicide on the home’s second ground. Her ghost can also be stated to roam the premises nonetheless.
However, essentially the most important demise related to the Whaley House is the execution of James Robinson, a convicted thief, who was hanged in 1852 on the property.
The Whaley household dwelling was constructed on the identical spot the place the gallows as soon as stood. Visitors to the home have reported seeing Robinson’s ghost lurking within the hallways, or feeling his presence across the website the place he was executed.
Whaley House Visit Highlights
Here are some highlights of the historic Whaley House:
- Original Antiques and Furniture: The Save Our Heritage Organization (SOHO) has labored laborious to revive many features of the house to seize the texture of the mid to late 1800s. There are items on show which are authentic to the Whaley House.
- Lively Tour Guides Make for an Entertaining Experience: Many guests comment that their tour information was their favourite a part of the expertise. They are educated, and these tour guides do their finest to get into character to ship a humorous and unforgettable expertise.
- Paranormal Investigation Tour: This guided tour takes place after hours. On this tour, you might be proven rooms not accessible to most of the people throughout regular enterprise hours. You’re additionally equipped with ghost searching and monitoring gear.
- Excellent Location for Shopping and Eating: Old Town is a well-liked vacation spot for vacationers and locals. Peek inside artisan retailers, get pleasure from world-class meals, and expertise dwell music and a vigorous vibe, all inside strolling distance of the Whaley House.
- Historical Significance: The Whaley household is usually referred to as “The Pioneer Family of San Diego.” The Whaley household was integral in bolstering San Diego’s rising economic system by opening shops and companies within the Old Town district and serving to San Diego blossom in its infancy.
Things to Know Before Visiting the Whaley House
Before visiting the Whaley House, take a look at important particulars like hours, ticket costs, close by meals, present retailers, and parking.
Tickets and Hours
The Whaley House is open day by day. Reservations aren’t required for daytime excursions however may be useful throughout summer season months or weekends.
Visitors can select from three ticket choices. A daytime self-guided tour prices $13.30 per individual, and a night guided tour prices $18.00 per individual. The after-hours paranormal investigation is $94.05 per individual.
Admission can also be lined by the Go San Diego All-Inclusive and Explorer sightseeing passes that embrace numerous different San Diego sights akin to San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum, and the Old Town Trolley, which might help you get to The Whaley Museum from stops across the County.
PLEASE NOTE: Go San Diego passes aren’t qualifying tickets for the annual Kids Free San Diego promotion in October.
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Cafes and Restaurants Nearby
Though there are not any onsite choices for meals, there’s a plethora of excellent eats inside strolling distance of the Whaley House.
Right behind Whaley House although is the New Orleans Creole Cafe, housed in a late Nineties constructing. You may also take a look at Old Town Mexican Cafe, Cafe Coyote, or Harney Sushi for some high quality meals after having fun with your tour. There can also be a cigar lounge and olive oil store close by.
Gift Shop
There is a wonderful present store onsite referred to as the Whaley House Museum Shop. Beyond carrying your typical souvenirs akin to t-shirts, mugs, and magnets, this present store additionally carries an assortment of Mexicana-themed objects akin to sugar skulls and Dia De Los Muertos items.
The store additionally carries a wide range of paranormal-themed items, akin to books and ghost-hunting kits.
Parking
Free parking is positioned simply north of the Whaley House off Harney avenue. The parking zone is understood to refill rapidly, so come early and with loads of time earlier than your tour begins to safe a spot.
There are additionally different small parking tons positioned all through the Old Town San Diego in addition to avenue parking.
Top 5 Unique Facts About the Whaley House
Discover extra in regards to the legendary Whaley House with these attention-grabbing info about this standard San Diego vacation spot.
- America’s Most Haunted House. It was deemed “America’s Most Haunted House” by a number of sources, together with LIFE Magazine and The Travel Channel. It was even formally acknowledged as haunted by the US Commerce Department within the Nineteen Sixties. The Whaley House has embraced the nickname and even trademarked it for advertising and marketing functions. The Whaley House is talked about and featured in a number of paranormal television reveals, books, and guides.
- Photographic Evidence for Ghosts on Display. It’s commonplace for cell telephones and cameras to be prohibited at some historic websites. This shouldn’t be the case on the Whaley House. Taking footage is inspired! So a lot so that there’s a complete part on the Whaley House for “ghost encounters” the place they share guests’ footage which will or could not characteristic spirits, ghosts, or paranormal exercise. If you seize one thing eerie, submit your picture or use the #whaleyhousesd hashtag on social media to share it.
- House of Many Uses. Besides being the primary dwelling constructed formally in Southern California, the Whaley home additionally grew to become San Diego’s first industrial theater. It additionally served as a county courthouse and a normal retailer. The dwelling grew to become an necessary piece of the group, even inflicting division between Old Town and New Town residents within the late 1800s.
- Due to Repeated Tragedy, The Whaleys Moved Out. After a number of members of the family’ deaths, together with Thomas Whaley’s daughter’s suicide, the Whaley relocated to downtown San Diego. The Whaley Home sat vacant for a few years afterward till Thomas Whaley’s son Francis moved again in and made efforts to revive the house within the early 1900s.
- The Haunting Began Before the Whaleys. The haunting historical past doubtlessly started earlier than the Whaleys moved in. It’s reported {that a} man named Jim Robinson was held on the house website earlier than Whaley bought it. Thomas Whaley even witnessed the hanging himself. Since then, a number of members of the Whaley household have handed away within the dwelling. The property additionally was once the positioning of a gallows and cemetery earlier than Thomas Whaley bought the land.
Why We Love This Haunted House
The greatest purpose to like the long-lasting Whaley House is its versatile exercise choice that draws historical past buffs, ghost hunters, households, and curious vacationers alike.
For those who spook simply and don’t like ghost tales, this is usually a enjoyable and lighthearted choice for a daytime self-guided tour. During the daytime excursions, you’ll be able to go at your personal tempo and focus as a lot or as little on the haunted facet.
Additionally, the home is a well-preserved instance of mid-Nineteenth-century structure and gives a glimpse into the lives of considered one of California’s pioneer households.
Besides its historic and paranormal attracts, we love the placement. There are many enjoyable issues to do in Old Town San Diego with Whaley House towards the highest of that record. Be certain to incorporate time to discover the eating places and purchasing within the space. If you’re contemplating staying within the space, verify our record of finest Old Town San Diego lodges.