Haunted Cemetery in San Diego: El Campo Santo

Haunted Cemetery in San Diego: El Campo Santo

El Campo Santo Cemetery

The El Campo Santo Cemetery is just one of the historic sites remaining within Old Town San Diego. Burials were accepted in this site from 1849 until 1880, making this one of the oldest cemeteries in Southern California. Unfortunately, El Campo Santo Cemetery was once much larger with a lot of this historic location being lost to time.

Graves in El Campo Santo Cemetery, San Diego.
Graves lined up along the fence of San Diego’s El Campo Santo Cemetery.

After falling into some disrepair it was decided that a large portion of the cemetery would be built over to form a convenient streetcar line through town. This is just one of the reasons people believe that the El Campo Santo Cemetry is extremely haunted.

Fences inside haunted cemetery in California.
Fencing around gravesites in the haunted Southern California Cemetery.

Hauntings of San Diego’s El Campo Santo Cemetery

There have been many ghost stories told about San Diego’s El Campo Santo Cemetery. The main reason thought to be the culprit of these hauntings is the fact that so many of the graves in this cemetery were disturbed. It is said that the spirits are disgruntled and angry that their memory has been removed from history. Either having their graves destroyed or built over the top of.

Haunted cemetery in Old Town San Diego.
Stone guarded gravesite in the El Campo Santo Cemetery of San Diego.

Some of the resident spirits that are commonly documented at the cemetery include a native American, a Hispanic male and a woman unmistakenly wearing Victorian-era garb. Typically these ghosts are seen walking through the cemetery by passers-by, before disappearing within the grave markers. In addition, one of San Diego’s best-known spirits is also thought to visit the area. The ghost of Yankee Jim Robinson, who was hanged in the area and also allegedly haunts the Whaley House, has been known to frequent El Campo Santo Cemetery since his death.

Grave marker in Old Town San Diego cemetery.
Smaller grave marker standing proud.

I personally had my own strange encounters within this notoriously haunted cemetery. One night I visited and had the fresh batteries in my spirit box drain suddenly. I was later to walk right through a cloud of what smelt like cigar smoke with no apparent source.

Moon over El Campo Santo Cemetery.
The Moon illuminating one of the cemetery’s crosses.

Visiting the Haunted El Campo Santo Cemetery

The El Campo Santo Cemetery is a historic place not to be missed when visiting Old Town San Diego. It is beautiful and tells the story of the town’s past inhabitants. The cemetery is open anytime during the day and night and can be found along San Diego Avenue.

Haunted cemetery in San Diego.
Looking for the ghosts of San Diego’s most haunted cemetery.

If you would like to learn more about other haunted places in San Diego, I recommend checking out this article.

Thanks for reading!

xoxo

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About Amy

Amy is a world traveller and explorer of creepy locations. She has visited some of the most famously haunted places around the world in search of evidence of the paranormal. Follow Amy's Journey:

Comments (4)

  • Simon

    Posted by Simon on March 31, 2020

    Great reading Amy especially at these difficult times keep it up and take care with love from England👻🇬🇧

      Amy

      Posted by Amy on April 4, 2020

      Thank you so much, Simon! This makes me happy to hear. Glad to help keep your mind off the current state of things.

  • Steven

    Posted by Steven on June 9, 2022

    Nicely written Amy, have seen many of your investigations. Live in California and want to visit this cemetary, be safe!

      Amy

      Posted by Amy on June 12, 2022

      Thanks, Steven! It is a great spot to check out.

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