DTLA Murder Mystery Ghost Tour
Description
On our DTLA Murder Mystery Ghost tour we go on an investigation of the noir underbelly of Los Angeles – and enjoy cocktails in two haunted bars. First we visit the Biltmore Hotel, the last place the Black Dahlia was seen alive. Next we stop at Clifton’s and learn about the anti-corruption drive of its Christian founder (who had a few secrets of his own). After that it's the Hotel Cecil, which has a hellish history of murders, suicides and killers (including the Night Stalker). From there we move to the once grand Alexandria Hotel, where Rudolph Valentino’s ghost still haunts his old penthouse, then the Barclay Hotel, home to two serial killers and the scene of some brutal murders. We visit the site of the Chinatown Massacre of 1871, before the tour finishes at the Halls of Justice, site of many trials including those of Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel and Charles Manson. * Tour starts 6pm every Saturday
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Los Angeles Times bombing of 1910 was a tragic and important event in LA's history.
The scene of many famous trials, the most well known of which was probably Charles Manson's. The morgue here has also been one of the final resting places for many stars.
Los Angeles' first Catholic cathedral, this historic building from 1885 was built near the scene of one of the largest mass lynchings in US history. We look at the Chinatown Massacre of 1871.
The historic Barclay Hotel was used by the first President to visit Los Angeles, shortly before he was assassinated, but it's also been a temporary home to no less than 2 serial killers.
Once the grandest hotel in Los Angeles and used by movie stars, Kings and Presidents, the Hotel Alexandria is a haunting hotspot.
Often known as the Suicide Hotel, tragically many have taken their last breath here. The Cecil Hotel has featured in numerous documentaries and TV shows.
Enter this incredible Los Angeles icon and immediately be transported to a redwood forest, while learning about the corruption of 1930's Los Angeles.
Begin this noir investigation of downtown Los Angeles at the famed Biltmore Hotel, the last place the Black Dahlia was seen alive.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Aim to get to the meeting point 10-15 minutes early. If you’re late you may miss the tour.
- This tour is not recommended for children under 15 y.o.
- We can go into two different bars for cocktails on this tour, each for 15 minutes. You do have to be over 21 y.o. to order an alcoholic drink – but you don’t have to be over 21 y.o. to do this tour.
- By making a booking for this tour you agree to be bound by The Real Los Angeles Tours terms of service.
- Please check dates/times carefully BEFORE making a booking.
- This is a walking tour and we move at a reasonable pace. If you have mobility issues please book a private tour via our website.
Reviews(64)
The 3-hour walking ghost tour in Downtown LA, and overall, it was an interesting experience. The guide was knowledgeable and shared plenty of eerie stories and historical details about the area. You could tell he was passionate about what he does, which made the storytelling engaging. That said, there were a few downsides worth noting. The tour itinerary mentioned a stop for a drink, which I assumed would also serve as a quick restroom break. About two hours in, a couple of people in our group needed to use the restroom, so I asked when the stop would be. The guide told us that since our group was large (14 people), we wouldn’t be making that stop after all. That was disappointing and made the last hour uncomfortable for several of us. Another thing to be aware of is that the tour ends about a 15-minute walk from where it starts. The area isn’t the safest to walk through late at night, especially for a group of women, so plan accordingly. I recommend parking near the ending point and walking to the meeting spot at the start while it’s still daylight. Also, use the restroom before you begin the tour, since there won’t be a scheduled break during the three hours. Overall, it’s an informative and entertaining tour, but a few logistical details could be improved to make the experience smoother for guests.
We're sorry to hear that this guest didn't have the 5 star experience on our tour that we strive to give everyone. Unfortunately several guests were late for the tour and the guide made the decision to hold the tour, since traffic was particularly bad around downtown that night and it was the last Saturday before Halloween, so he felt that guests would be particularly keen on doing the tour. It is for this reason that we normally only wait a short time for latecomers. It is true that late-running guests can be disruptive. Nevertheless the guide did make a restroom stop half way through the tour and we're not sure why this guest says that there wasn't one. The tour ended at the Biltmore Hotel, which has some of the nicest restrooms in DTLA. Also it's not accurate to say that the neighborhood isn't safe. It is - otherwise we wouldn't be doing tours in the area. It's Los Angeles - and in fact the tour passes LAPD headquarters, one of the safest spots in LA. The reviewer makes a good point - that guests can park near the tour's end, at Pershing Square, or they can take the Metro. The tour starts at Historic Broadway Metro and ends at Pershing Square station.
My wife and I really enjoyed the DTLA murder mystery/haunted tour. Our tour guide Paul was a fountain of knowledge and of course very personable. He also told us about other historical events in downtown and the LA region that was very interesting.
Great tour with more than I could have hoped for! Shout out to Paul for his great story telling and knowledge of the history and hauntings of downtown LA.
Our family of 6 really enjoyed this tour. I highly recommend it. Our tour guide had great, well told stories. Just visitors of L.A., we saw and heard about many things not on a typical tour.
Paul was very knowledgeable about Los Angeles history. Great guide! Appreciated the experience in downtown LA!
My friend and I look for ghost or scary tours for Halloween every year. Our guide Damien is a great story teller. This was more of a murder story tour but well worth it, learning the history of downtown LA is eye opening.
My friend and I really enjoyed the tour. I'm a native DTLAngeleno so it was great to hear and learn more in-depth stories and details about staples like the Cecil Hotel and the Barclay Hotel. Damien was a great tour guide and did his best to keep us on schedule and safe in some areas that others might deem too shady. A great tour for locals and tourists alike.
Damien D. was very knowledgeable and a fun tour guide. Walking thru skidrow and seeing the Cecil Hotel was the highlight of the tour!
Great tour. Lots of history about the checkered past of LA. Damien was full of information and fun! This tour was well worth 3 hours of our time.
A terrific tour that’s both entertaining & informative. Damien is a brilliant tour guide who brings history to life. A 3-hour experience that’s well worth the money. Great for locals and out of town guests.
