El Campo Santo Cemetery
2410 San Diego Ave., San Diego, California
El Campo Santo Cemetery in San Diego’s Old Town was used during the mid- to late-1800s. As San Diego grew, the old cemetery was reduced in size and many of the graves were paved over to build a streetcar line and roads. Since then, tales of car trouble, ghostly apparitions, and shadowy figures have been reported.
Visit El Campo Santo Cemetery independently or as part of a San Diego sightseeing tour to learn about its haunted history. Some of California’s early pioneers and infamous figures, such as Yankee Jim Robinson, were laid to rest at this historic burial ground. Explore what remains of the cemetery and take a look at the sidewalk and street outside for grave markers. The most widely seen apparitions are those of people in period costume.
See the old cemetery as part of a San Diego tour.
Visit with a guide to hear tales of spooky ghost sightings and odd paranormal occurrences.
Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking over uneven surfaces.
There are several ways to reach the cemetery, located in Old Town San Diego. Most visitors arrive as part of a guided tour or by public transportation—several bus routes and the Green Line trolley stop at the Old Town Transit Center, just a short walk away.
El Campo Santo Cemetery is open daily to visitors, and there isn’t really a bad time to visit. It’s worth noting that as the city grew, the cemetery was reduced in size and some of the graves now lie beneath San Diego Avenue and Linwood Street.
While in the neighborhood, visit the historic Whaley House, located a couple of blocks away. Visited by ghost hunters from around the world, the Whaley House is San Diego’s most haunted attraction. It was built in 1857 on the site of the public execution of Yankee Jim Robinson, and some say his ghost has haunted the property and surrounding area ever since.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!