Did someone say, “Spirits”, We thought it was a beverage not a paranormal experience. CHANGE OF PLANS.

We had booked a room at the San Remo Hotel in San Francisco. It was within walking distance of Fisherman's Wharf, nestled in the heart of a very busy town. It was really hard to find a hotel in San Francisco that had two beds, so we decided to try out the San Remo Hotel.

The hotel was built in 1906, just after the devastating San Francisco earthquake. It has the feel of an old-world boutique hotel—historic, compact, and filled with charm. The room we checked into had a definite fisherman’s vibe—decorated with old fishing gear and vintage pictures. There was even a wardrobe labeled with places for everything: “Handkerchiefs,” “Ties,” “Collars,” “Socks,” “Shirts,” and “Underwear”—though none were provided, it just told you where to store your own!

One thing we didn’t realize when we booked was the parking situation. The hotel doesn’t offer on-site parking. The manager told us we could park either on the street or in a garage down the road—but neither option was guaranteed to be secure, and both had reputations for occasional break-ins.

Also, when we saw “shared bathrooms” on the listing, I assumed it just meant Janet and I would be sharing one together. Nope! The hotel is set up hostel-style—tiny rooms (some about 10 square feet), and bathrooms and showers shared by all guests on the floor.

After taking it all in—the neighborhood, the limited privacy, the eerie atmosphere—we decided to switch to a different hotel. Just as we were going to talk to the manager about leaving, we saw a woman named Aaliyah speaking with him. She was absolutely glowing with excitement—so happy to be back at the San Remo. She gave us her business card. Turns out, she’s part of the Haunted Tours of San Francisco and California, and also a passionate historian. She lit up as she told us about the spiritual energy of the hotel and even showed us a whole bag of ghost-hunting equipment. She clearly loved everything paranormal.

That was when we Googled it. And sure enough…

👻 San Remo Hotel – A Haunted Past

The San Remo Hotel isn’t just historic—it’s known for being one of the most haunted places in San Francisco. Built just after the 1906 earthquake, its long and storied past includes rumors of a former brothel, a possible double murder, and unexplained deaths.

Most of the hauntings center around specific rooms:

1. Room 33 is said to be haunted by a brothel madame who died there and wasn’t discovered for quite some time. Guests report unexplained knocking, paintings that move, and curtains swaying without a breeze. One reviewer claimed a painting turned itself, and a window opened by itself in the middle of the night.
2. Room 42 has stories of a little girl’s ghost, seen wandering the hallways and gently knocking on doors—always at child-height.

Others describe cold spots, shadows, and that unmistakable feeling of being watched, especially at night. But interestingly, most say the spirits aren’t malicious—just playful or curious.

The hotel even hosts occasional ghost-hunting events, and some staff acknowledge the supernatural activity with a wink and a smile.

After hearing all that—and seeing how into it Aaliyah was—we realized this place just wasn’t for us. We thanked her for the info, grabbed our bags, and left for a quiet villa about 45 minutes north of San Francisco.

Haunted or not, the San Remo is one unforgettable hotel—especially if you're not alone.