Looking for some real San Jose haunts this spooky season? The Haunted San Jose page hosted by that city’s visitor’s bureau provides a list of locally believed to be haunted places around the city. Check out Haunted San Jose on that site!
Their list naturally includes the Winchester Mystery House (I got some crazy photos there many years ago), Grandview Restaurant (on the way to Mt Hamilton in the eastern foothills – amazing views), Quimby Road (in the Evergreen foothills, where a jogger is sometimes seen), and several other areas.
In nearby Saratoga, the restaurant, Bella Saratoga, is also saddled with the haunted reputation.
If San Francisco’s not too far, there are actual ghost tours that you can enjoy. They often include the lovely Queen Anne Hotel, which isn’t just occupied by an unseen spirit, it’s a helpful one!
There are many more places in the South Bay and beyond which are said to have spooky inhabitants. One of the most notorious was the Toys R Us in Sunnyvale. That chain closed down, and that location is now an REI store. I’d love to hear if there are any happenings there now.
Ever wonder the best approach on how to ask if a place is haunted? Today I’ll share a few tips on what has worked for me.
Needless to say, this isn’t a conversation for every business or home that someone visits. But if something comes up on your radar, maybe it’s worth a gentle inquiry.
How to ask if a place is haunted: ease into it
About half of the population doesn’t believe in ghosts, and some of them may get upset if someone even broaches the subject. As much as possible, it’s best to easy into the question and not blurt out (as I did more than once) the question when a place seemed like there were spirits lingering.
If the home or business is older or historic, and it feels like there could be a presence, a warm compliment and gentle inquiry may work if you’re asking someone open to it and if that person knows much. For best results, I strongly advise doing this in person and not over the phone, in an email, etc.
Example: “This is a gorgeous old building / home / library / church! Do you know if there are any interesting stories?”
Depending on your audience, you may get a quirky history story that’s fun to hear, or you may get more. I’ve had both happen. Open ended questions are usually best.
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