Urban Legends
Fannette Island in Emerald Bay: History, Tea House Ruins, and the Legend of Captain Dick
Out in the blue-green waters of Emerald Bay, Fannette Island looks almost too perfect to be real. The small granite island rises from one of the most photographed corners of Lake Tahoe, topped by the ruins of a tiny stone tea house and wrapped in one of the basin’s most enduring legends. It is the …...
Yankee Jim Robinson: The Outlaw Behind a Gold Rush Town and an Enduring Legend
Long before Yankee Jims became the name of a Gold Rush town in Placer County, it was tied to a “lawless character” known as James “Yankee Jim” Robinson. While Robinson’s small chapter in Gold Rush history begins with the discovery of gold in the Yankee Jims area by 1850, his final pages paint a darker …...
The Legendary Life and Mysterious Death of Chief Solano
The first 50 years of the 19th century was a tumultuous time in California’s history to say the least. Up until 1821, the region was under Spanish reign. Then Mexico gained its independence from Spain and enjoyed nearly 25 years of ruling over California before the Bear Flag Rebellion and eventual statehood. Throughout those...
California’s Haunted Hotels: Where to Check In… and Not Sleep!
There’s something unforgettable about staying in California’s historic hotels—the creak of old staircases, the charm of another era, and the scent of ocean air or towering redwoods. But some of these places offer more than just history. Across the state, many of the most haunted hotels in California are known not only for their...
Lover’s Leap: El Dorado County’s natural landmark with a tragic tale
For anyone who’s traveled along Highway 50 to or from Lake Tahoe, Lover’s Leap is an unmistakable landmark that jumps out from the Eldorado National Forest on the south side of the river as if it were waving to a friend passing by. This granite cliff is not only a magnificent scenic location just above …...
California’s Haunting Urban Legends of Ghosts and Apparitions
California’s history is rich with a diverse mixture of cultures, religions, and traditions; all of which have left their mark on this state in one form or another. So, whether you’re a true believer in the paranormal or just a curious thrill-seeker, exploring California’s urban legends about ghosts and apparitions is like stepping...
California’s Most Haunted Highways and Roads
From ungodly monsters to terrifying spirits rooted in regional lore, this state is filled with some of the most haunted highways and roads ever traveled. Although these pathways might not lead you directly to hell, California’s Urban Legends warn that the following haunted roads and highways are a one-way ticket to the devil’s...
California’s Most Haunted Places: Where History Meets the Paranormal
Behind the picture-perfect landscapes of California’s rugged coastline, golden sand-filled beaches, rolling hills, wine valleys, and mountain ranges, lies a shadowy trace of Urban Legends that describe the most haunted and cursed places in the state. These terrifying tales blur the line between fact and folklore, as they are born...
Heart-Stopping California Urban Legends of Blood-Thirsty Monsters
California is home to some of the most terrifying Urban Legends about blood-thirsty monsters. In fact, only the state’s diversity of landscapes can match the assortment of legends detailing man-eating, blood-sucking, and soul-devouring creatures. It’s as if each tale is creepier and more bizarre than the last. California’s monster...
May Hollister Woolsey: Sacramento’s endearing urban legend
When searching for haunted places in Sacramento, one name constantly pops up in the results – May Woolsey. Her story is a sad, yet, endearing one. In fact, she’s become somewhat of an urban legend in Sacramento. From those claiming to see her ghost in the cemetery, to her haunting the family house and writing …...
