Discover the Spooky Side of California Gold Country
This Halloween, take a trip to Calaveras County, California, where Gold Rush history meets haunted charm. From historic inns with ghostly legends to scenic mountain hideaways perfect for spooky gatherings, Calaveras offers the ultimate Halloween getaway for travelers who love a touch of mystery.
Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend, a ghost-hunting adventure, or a fall road trip through the California Gold Country, these haunted hotels in Calaveras County promise unforgettable stories, warm hospitality and maybe a few chills.
Hotel Léger – Mokelumne Hill
Built in 1851, the Hotel Léger in Mokelumne Hill is one of the oldest continuously operating hotels in California, and one of the most atmospheric places to stay in the Gold Country. Originally serving as both a bustling saloon and the Calaveras County Courthouse, the hotel has survived fires, rebuilds, and the wild, lawless days of the Gold Rush all while maintaining its vintage charm and frontier spirit.
But history isn’t the only thing lingering here. Locals say the hotel’s founder, George Léger, still keeps an eye on things long after his final check-out. Guests have reported mysterious footsteps in empty hallways, flickering lights, and the feeling of being warmly watched over by the man who made Mokelumne Hill famous. Despite the hauntings, the Hotel Léger remains known for its friendly hospitality, elegant yet rustic rooms, and one of the best small-town saloons in the Sierra foothills.
During your visit, enjoy dinner in the original brick dining room, where the glow of lamplight and the scent of aged wood set the perfect Gold Rush mood. Then head to the historic saloon for a glass of local Calaveras wine or a craft cocktail before retreating upstairs… if you dare… for a night in one of California’s most legendary haunted hotels. Whether you come for the ghost stories or the old-fashioned charm, the Hotel Léger in Mokelumne Hill offers an unforgettable blend of history, hospitality, and haunted allure this Halloween season.
Murphys Historic Hotel – Murphys
Step into the past at the Murphys Historic Hotel, a beloved Calaveras County landmark that has welcomed guests since 1856. Nestled in the heart of downtown Murphys, this charming Gold Rush–era inn has played host to some of history’s most fascinating figures including Mark Twain, Ulysses S. Grant, and the notorious stagecoach robber Black Bart. With its vintage architecture, creaking wooden floors, and flickering lamplight, the hotel feels like stepping straight into another century, one filled with tales of miners, writers, and dreamers chasing fortune in the Sierra Foothills.
Of course, not every guest has checked out. Locals say Eleanor, the hotel’s most famous spirit, still wanders the halls, leaving behind a trace of lavender perfume and the occasional cool breeze. Visitors often describe her presence as kind and watchful, a gentle reminder of the hotel’s storied past. After a day of wine tasting along Murphys’ Main Street, return for a cozy dinner in the historic dining room and a nightcap at the old saloon…if you’re brave enough to stay the night with Eleanor as your ghostly hostess.
Dorrington Hotel – Dorrington
Tucked beneath towering pines along the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway (Highway 4), the Dorrington Hotel has been welcoming weary Sierra travelers since the 1860s. Once a bustling stagecoach stop between the California foothills and Alpine high country, this beautifully preserved inn offers guests a true taste of Gold Rush-era hospitality with just a hint of mystery in the mountain air.
The moment you arrive, the rustic charm of this historic hotel draws you in. The creak of the wooden porch, the glow of the old barroom, and the scent of pine and cedar drifting through cool mountain breezes all set the scene for a cozy yet hauntingly romantic stay. Some guests come for the quiet forest setting, while others are drawn by stories of former visitors who, according to local legend, never truly checked out. But don’t worry they’re said to be friendly spirits, watching over guests with timeless Sierra warmth.
Today, the Dorrington Hotel serves as an enchanting venue for group getaways, mountain weddings, and Halloween retreats, offering comfort, history, and just enough of the supernatural to keep things interesting. Whether you’re sipping wine by the fire or listening for whispers beneath the pines, this High Sierra landmark invites you to experience the magic and mystery of Calaveras’ mountain past.
The Avery Hotel – Avery
Nestled in the Sierra Foothills along the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway (Highway 4), the Historic Avery Hotel is one of the hidden treasures of Calaveras County. Built in 1853, this Gold Rush–era landmark once welcomed weary miners, stagecoach travelers, and loggers passing through the mountains or heading to tour “the Big Trees” in what is now the Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Over the years, it became a favorite local gathering spot, where stories of adventure and the occasional ghost filled the air. Visitors still whisper about strange happenings inside the hotel, from mysterious flickering lights and the scent of perfume with no source, to the sound of laughter echoing through empty halls. Some say the spirits of “the Captain” and Miss Hazel Fischer, a beloved schoolteacher who taught in Avery for 48 years without missing a single day, still linger among the pines.
BONUS: Angels Camp Museum – Angels Camp
Step back in time at the Angels Camp Museum, built on the original site of one of the town’s four historic hard rock mines. This fascinating museum brings California’s Gold Rush era to life, and, if the stories are true, a few of its earliest residents might still be hanging around.
Inside the Carriage House, you’ll find one of the museum’s most talked-about pieces: the Carly Funeral Wagon, once used right here in Angels Camp. This beautifully preserved 19th-century hearse has a reputation for turning heads and sometimes sending a chill down your spine. Visitors have reported faint laughter echoing through the rafters, the unexpected scent of vintage perfume, and the soft creak of unseen footsteps. Be sure to wander into the intriguing Room of Curiosities filled with exhibits from the now-closed Murphys Old Timers Museum. Tucked in the back … you never know what (or who) you might discover there.
This Halloween, explore Calaveras, where historic hotels combine Gold Rush charm with ghostly legends for an unforgettable getaway. Give us a call for more spook-tacular information about great things to do in Calaveras!