Tours/San Jose/San Jose Ghost Tour: The Scythe, Sacrifice, & Silhouette
Viator · group up to 35 pax

San Jose Ghost Tour: The Scythe, Sacrifice, & Silhouette

4.0(23)San Jose1 hour
VIATOR4.2(6)TRIPADVISOR4.0(17)

Description

Embark on a spine-chilling journey through San Jose's eerie streets with our walking ghost tour, where history and hauntings collide! Led by an expert local guide, you'll explore haunted and historic locations brimming with ghostly tales. As you stroll through the city, be prepared to encounter thrilling accounts of spectral apparitions that have marked iconic sites. From the haunted grounds of San Jose State University to the enigmatic Winchester Mystery House, each stop unveils the dark secrets and restless spirits lurking in the shadows. Traverse a mile of haunted terrain and uncover the disturbing history of this once-bloody metropolis. Locations like the Sainte Claire Hotel and Park Avenue echo with tales of death and devastation. Although entry into private buildings isn't allowed, you'll be surrounded by the ghosts of San Jose’s past. Gather your courage and prepare for an evening of spooky tales and encounters that will make you question what lies beyond the living.

Tour Options

San Jose Ghost Tour: The Scythe, Sacrifice, & Silhouette

Itinerary

9 min

San Jose State University, established in 1857 as the first higher education institution in the West, initially focused on training teachers. Among its historic buildings, Hoover Hall stands out for its eerie reputation, with reports of paranormal activities and ghostly occurrences adding a haunting layer to its storied past.

8 min

The Winchester Mystery House is a sprawling mansion built by Sarah Winchester, whose unusual construction and eerie design have captivated visitors from around the world. Believed to be cursed, Sarah Winchester's home is renowned for its labyrinthine layout and numerous reports of ghostly apparitions, drawing those intrigued by its mysterious and haunting allure.

9 min

The Sainte Claire Hotel, constructed in 1926 and known as "the Million Dollar Hotel," is a renowned hotspot for paranormal activity in San Jose. Its chilling legacy is linked to a tragic 1930 wedding where a heartbroken bride, deserted at the altar, leapt from the top of the building, leaving behind a spectral presence that continues to haunt its halls.

8 min

Park Avenue in San Jose, California, is home to the Van Dykes House, a Victorian-era residence built in 1896 that suffered severe damage during the Great Earthquake of 1906. Today, the historic home is rumored to be haunted by the ghostly apparitions of children, their playful yet eerie presence adding a haunting layer to the building's storied past.

9 min

The Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, a grand establishment opened in 1987, stands on land steeped in a long history of tragedy and haunting tales. Despite its modern facade, the site is rumored to harbor restless spirits from its troubled past, making it a focal point for eerie experiences and ghostly encounters.

8 min

The Splash Bar, located on Post Street in San Jose, sits in an area with a long history of nocturnal activity dating back to the 19th century. Today, it’s known not only for its lively atmosphere but also for its reputation as a hotspot of supernatural phenomena, where patrons and staff alike have reported eerie occurrences and unexplained events.

9 min

San Jose Improv, a premier comedy club known for featuring top talent and shows like Saturday Night Live, originally opened in 1904 as the Jose Theater. Its rich history is tinged with tragedy, as a devastating fire in the early 20th century claimed many lives, and today, ghostly encounters in the basement offer a chilling reminder of the past.

Highlights

Chilling Stories
Local Guide

What's included

Included
Chilling Stories
Local Guide
Not included
Gratuity

Traveller Ratings

4.0
23 reviews
5
14
4
4
3
1
2
0
1
4

Important Information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Reviews(23)

C
ChiehFeng_L
June 21, 2026
Enjoyed the walk, enjoyed...

Enjoyed the walk, enjoyed the stories. Learned some new things about San Jose. Fun little night activity. Glad that I signed up for the tour.

N
norris_gerald
April 26, 2026
Spooky and Fun

A great mix of local history, eerie legends, and just the right amount of suspense, blending true crime, old downtown stories, and the darker side of San Jose’s past... The stories around historic buildings and hidden corners of the city really brought the whole experience to life. It was spooky and entertaining, with a supernatural twist.

J
Joshua_C
April 21, 2026
1 star

I decided to take this tour in San Jose. It was OK. I have definitely been on better tours not guide did not really seem interested in her life or in the tour itself .

L
lsydneyfisheri
October 19, 2025
Wasted my money.

I booked a tour for October 16th and spent thirty minutes walking around trying to find the tour group. I used Google Maps on my phone, and when I reached the address listed on my ticket, no one was there. The tour guide finally called me, but wasn't able to offer much assistance. When I called the phone number that I used to purchase the ticket, the representative argued with me about the address and said I could send an email to management and request a refund. DO BETTER with your meeting point instructions. This was a big disappointment for me since I traveled across the country to visit San Jose and was looking forward to an evening of haunted history. Eventually, I gave up and went back to my hotel after missing most of the tour and being unable to find the meeting point. A REFUND should be honored!

Operator response

We’re very sorry to hear about your experience and sincerely apologize for the confusion and frustration you faced trying to locate the tour meeting point. We understand how disappointing this must have been, especially after traveling across the country to join the tour. Please reach out to guestrelations@tourismo.com with the name your booking was under, and we’ll be happy to assist you further, including addressing your refund request. Thank you for bringing this to our attention, and we appreciate the opportunity to make this right.

J
jr3187873
October 4, 2025
Wonderful and spooky experience!

Sydney was amazing! She told really fun stories that i didn't know. She was really nice and informative.

Operator response

Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re pleased to hear Sydney’s engaging storytelling and informative approach contributed to an enjoyable tour. Your compliments will be shared with her. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future.

S
sathyanarayananm2024
December 26, 2024
Worst Ghost Adventures tour

The tour was very short. This is the worst ghost tour i have done. We had to pay $50 for two people and the guide forgot some of the characters and incidents which did not make the tour an interesting experience. Not worth the money!

Operator response

We sincerely apologize for your experience. We understand your disappointment, and we regret that the tour did not meet your expectations. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Please reach out to guestrelations@wejunket.com with the name your booking was under, and we’ll be happy to assist you further and work towards a resolution.

3
361mecheles
November 12, 2024
Great fun!

Jesse was an amazing tour guide! Very informative and had some really funny anecdotes. There was so much history I hadn't known about San Jose, that he really brought to life. I highly recommend this tour!

Operator response

We’re so glad you enjoyed your tour with Jesse! Her fun and knowledgeable storytelling really brings the history to life, and we’re thrilled you learned so much about San Jose's dark history. We can’t wait to see you again for another ghostly journey!

L
L2287MQstevea
November 3, 2024
Was a good experience just didn’t go to one stop that was advertised a bit disappointed

Everything was great but it was advertised we Were going to go to Winchester mansion and we didn’t I was looking forward to that stop

Operator response

We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the tour! We sincerely apologize for the missed stop at the Winchester Mansion. It's such an iconic location, and we understand your excitement. Thank you for your patience, and we hope you’ll join us again for another tour soon—there’s always something new to discover!

A
Angelgirl4life16
October 31, 2024
great tour

I like it. The hotel we stayed at turned out to be haunted and was one of the sights on the ghost tour. It was appropriate for kids, but it was a lot of walking. We learned lots about the history and culture of San Jose.

Operator response

Hi, Angel! We're so glad to hear you enjoyed the tour! It's great that your hotel turned out to be a haunted stop on the tour. San Jose has such a rich history, and we're happy you got to learn about it while having a fun, spooky experience. Thanks for joining us, and we hope to see you on another tour soon!

A
Anna F
October 16, 2024
Fantastic spooky walking tour

Had a fabulous time on the tour! Loved our guide and learned a lot! Highly recommend!!! Perfect for the Halloween spooky season!

Operator response

Hi, Anna! We’re delighted you had a great time and learned so much! Thanks for the recommendation—there’s always more to explore, so come back and see us again!

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