Was in San Diego this past weekend and I decided that I wanted to take my fiance on a Ghost tour since she likes
that kind of thing. Had originally planned on doing a limo tour with another company, but it definitely worked out for
the better.
Let me start by saying that I am not a person that is sure that ghosts exist. I have never had an experience that I
could not explain any other way then to definitively say that there are ghosts.
We ended up taking the 11:00pm tour on Saturday night. We met the guide (Micheal) there along with 8 others on
the tour. He explained that he was here to share his experiences and take us to some places that he has had some
experiences. For the next two hours we walked the streets of Old Town San Diego (all within a few blocks) and we
went to several different place that are supposed to be haunted. We visited the Whaley house, the old cemetery,
an old church as well as several other buildings. Micheal is definitely not shy about calling BS on most of the
"Ghost" stories in the area. The highlight for use was at the little building behind the Whaley house were the spirit
"John" is said to reside. About 20 seconds upon entering the building I felt a hot spot on the side of my face, but
did not really think much of it and did not say anything. My fiance was asked to stand closest to where John usually
is and felt a tug on her pant leg. About 5 minutes later is when Micheal explained that "John" likes to tug or grab the
lower legs of people and will also cause a warm spot on the side of your face. Both of our jaws dropped. Can I say
that a ghost did it, No. It is definitely the only thing that I have experienced that I was unable to explain.
Micheal uses the EMF readers like on the TV shows and also shows you a vortex that is in the side yard of the
Whaley house. Finally as the tour winds up he shows several pictures that he has taken in the area and some of
the weird things captured on film. Micheal is certified by the State parks department and has access (keys) to
several areas and buildings that the other tour operators do not.
For anyone interested in the supernatural, this is a can't miss and way better than any of the "fake" tours where
they dress up and tell you stories. even if you are not a believer, you may change your mind or you might not.
Even if you go for the history lesson, the tour is worth it for under twenty bucks.
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San Diego Ghost Tour
The crew met with Michael Brown, owner of Old Towns Most Haunted, for an exciting adventure tour that explored
the paranormal side of San Diego. Old Towns Most Haunted is a tour that takes people throughout the Old Town
area and relates history, reported encounters, and Michael’s personal experiences. Michael has been leading
ghost tours in Old Town San Diego for 9 nine years and is an active ghost investigator. His tour is also the only
ghost tour led in a CA State Park.
We started the tour with walking through the Old Town State Historic Park and learning some of the fascinating
history behind a number of buildings and the tour guide’s personal experiences and encounters in the Old town
area as a ghost investigator. A few of the tour highlights were a stop at a cemetery, an encounter with a vortex, and
a haunted building we were able to explore.
One of the places we stopped at was the El Campo Santo Cemetery, which was an active cemetery from 1850 until
1880. We had the chance to walk inside and see some of the historic gravesites as we were regaled with interested
stories about the cemetery. Michael mentioned that a number of people on past tours had issues with electronic
equipment, specifically cameras, not working while in the cemetery.
During the tour Michael showed us a vortex in the courtyard of the famous Whaley House. He had a tour participant
use an electromagnetic field (EMF) meter to find the exact location of the vortex. Once the vortex was found
Michael related some of his personal experiences with the area and explained the role vortexes play in the
paranormal world.
One of the last stops on the tour with going into one of the historic buildings that shares a courtyard with the
Whaley House. The building’s past was a colorful one that ranged from being a former brothel to currently housing
New Orleans Creole Cafe. Using an EMF meter Michael was able to have an interesting interaction with a
paranormal entity he referred to as John.
The tour ended with Michael telling a few more stories and then showing us a number of intriguing images he had
captured in his many years of being a ghost investigator. The tour definitely gave people an interesting glimpse
and a new perspective into Old Town San Diego.
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Old Town’s Most Haunted – San Diego Ghost Tour
October 16, 2009 in California Hotels, Family Travel, Ghost Tours, Holidays by StevenShareThis
Dropped into San Diego for a spell last week, and my wife and I couldn’t pass up the chance to take the Old Town’s
Most Haunted Ghost Tour, hosted by veteran area Ghost Hunter Michael Brown.
We liked it immediately. No advanced reservations required, we grouped up in front of a cheesy outdoor Tex-Mex
place in Old Town San Diego. It was an eclectic mix of us – a mid-twenties couple with real fascination, a father
trying helplessly to quell his young daughter’s torrent of dialogue (she was really into Ghost Hunters), an old man
who sat out at every stop for bad legs.
Then Michael shows up – jeans, button down – and starts marking us with glow bracelets. No signs, no silly forms,
no credit cards. Just cash in hand and a let’s-do-this attitude. Perfect.
As he explains on the tour, Old Town’s Most Haunted is the only ghost tour in California that operates in a state
park (Old Town San Diego Historic State Park). As a result, the state requires him to augment the tour with items
on the history of San Diego and the area. It’s your luck, actually, as both Old Town and San Diego itself is brimming
with fascinating history. Michael paints it in simple terms, a flourish-free style that I appreciate.
The Walking Ghost Tour starts in Old Town at the fountain in front of the Tex-Mex place and runs for approximately
90 minutes, covering several locations in Old Town Park as well as the surrounding areas. Michael takes you to
stops allegedly rife with paranormal activity, fills you in on whatever lore there might be, and then follows up with his
own experiences. After 10 years of ghost hunting San Diego, especially Old Town, he’s had plenty of good ones to
share.
The tour takes you through Old Town, to the Little Adobe Chapel, to a haunted Cajun restaurant, to a sectioned-off
stamp of cemetery a mere fraction of what it used to be and finally to San Diego’s notorious Whaley House, one of
America’s most haunted houses. Cool stories and a few surprising finds accompany every stop (you might even
speak to a ghost!)
Your host, Michael Brown, has not a shred of corporate veneer, and this may or may not work for you, depending
on what you want. He’s a serious guy and a true believer. He puts his experiences out there matter-of-fact, take’em
or leave’em. He won’t try to convert you or even convince you that his findings are proof of hauntings. He’ll let you
decide. And if you’re a fan of the Ghost Hunters television show, prepare to have ol’ Jason and Grant knocked a
few times (but it’s all in good fun).
Old Town’s Most Haunted Ghost Tours are hosted four nights a week, Thursday – Sunday, for $19. Cash only.
Learn more about this tour and Michael’s other tours here.
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Nina and I have been doing this Ghost Tour thing for years, matter of fact we always make it a point when we visit a
new city to check in and see if they have a walking ghost tour. It is a great way to see the sites and it helps that you
have a local telling you all the myths and legends that accompany the sidewalks that you are walking on.
When Nina and I were in New Orleans in 2005, 3 weeks after Hurricane Katrina we had our first ghost experience
while staying in the French Quarter. With that in mind, we decided to look up long time Paranormal and Ghost
aficionado Michael Brown. We met him at the Water Fountain outside Plaza Del Pasado inside the Old Town State
Historic Park in Old San Diego.
The price is fair for the experience, I would say it is definitely a must do.
Strangely enough, I felt a strange connection as we walked by the Whaley House, I felt like something was watching
me. I couldn't wait to get out of that part of the tour; generally it takes a lot to get me freaked out. But there I was
walking along the stone path; I could feel the death permeating up from the soil and through my Olukai flip flops.
Maybe I should wash them.
Nina even felt like throwing up. Weird.
Michael is very passionate about what he does; I admire that. Consequently I doubt that he is not telling the truth.
Understand, I am a born skeptic. From law school to my business, I am always wary. But for whatever reason, when
it comes to the afterlife and the cross between then, now and the future, I have had a hard time thinking that there
is a clear one directional line from the past to present. Maybe there is some overlap? Maybe that is why so many
people around the world have either felt like they have encountered a ghost or have been influenced by something
that can't be explained?
Fun times.
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OK, so my mom came into town last weekend and she really wanted to go do a ghost tour and she tasked me with
finding one. So i consulted this site among a few others, and chose this tour. First, it doesn't feature people
dressed in cheesy black period attire( Which i personally find really annoying). Also, the gentleman that runs this
tour, doesn't try to convert you if you are a non believer. So I appreciate that he presents historical facts and only
speaks to his experience- even in well known haunted locations, he is up front that he has or hasn't experienced
activity there. The tour is a walking tour, and it takes around 1.5 hours to complete. My mother is convinced that
she had an experience in the creole cafe, so it was 20 bucks well spent. I am a scientist by degree and while it
was interesting to hear the stories and the history. I personally didn't experience anything that couldn't be
explained by science, or that would make me a believer, but it was entertaining.
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my guy friends are obsessed with ghosts so we decided to go on this tour. its one of the cheapest tours around
and Michael(the guide) was super nice and knows his stuff. we went on the 11 o clock tour on sunday and it was
really legit and interesting with emf readers and an encounter with a grounded spirit. plus he gives dvds on tips on
going on your own ghost hunts that are pretty sweet. definitely worth the $19
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6/7/2010 Hi my name is Pete..
I went on this tour the other night...It started off alittle slow...
But he had keys to places that the other tours did not.... He did not make up stories and he did not ware a
costume...
Everything was about the Ghosts and Spirits her found while Ghost Hunting.. He used the meters just like I saw on
TV...
This Tour is Real....Even showed some photos of some things...
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laura d.
Anaheim, CA
5/1/2010 My husband and I were vacationing in old town San Diego for our anniversary when we past by sign for a
ghost tour. We were especially interested in this one because it didn't involve the cheesy costumes and made up
stories.
My husband and I had an amazing time. Its about an hour and a half. It was laid back with the real history of old
town and a real hands on approach.
The guide was really cool and he wasn't there to make you a "believer" or bore you with lame ghost stories. He
relays to you his personal accounts and presents you with things that were unexplainable and leaves it up to you to
decide.
Even if you aren't a believer or this sort of thing doesn't normally appeal to you, it's a must see. Even if nothing
paranormal had occurred that evening the tour it's self is extremely entertaining and would be fun for almost
anyone. I've already recommended it to all of my friends and family.
Thanks Michael for creating an amazing memory for my husband and I!
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We had a good time. We liked the fact that the stories are real and not made up. It was a little cold out but that was
nice because the streets were clear. Good tour Good Photos and Good Voices of the Dead.
Thank You
Peter and Julie