Los Angeles isn’t just the City of Angels — it’s also the city of ghosts, legends, and chilling real estate tales. Behind some of its most beautiful facades lie stories of tragedy, mystery, and lingering spirits. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, there’s no denying that certain homes here carry an energy you can’t quite shake.
As someone who’s walked through these properties — sometimes in broad daylight, sometimes in eerily quiet twilight — I can tell you that a handful of addresses in LA give you more than just square footage. They give you goosebumps.
Greystone Mansion – Beverly Hills Tragedy
Built in 1928, Greystone Mansion was a showpiece of opulence. But in 1929, it became the scene of an apparent murder-suicide involving oil heir Ned Doheny Jr. and his secretary. Decades later, visitors still report strange happenings on the grounds — whispers in empty rooms, flickering lights, and sudden chills.
Pico House – Downtown LA’s Ghostly Landmark
Dating back to 1870, Pico House witnessed one of the darkest events in the city’s history — the Chinese Massacre of 1871. Some of the violence spilled into the building, and since then, guests and workers have reported seeing apparitions, hearing phantom footsteps, and feeling invisible hands brush against them.
Cielo Drive – The Manson Family Murders
In 1969, this quiet Benedict Canyon address became infamous due to the Manson family killings. While the original home has been demolished and replaced, many believe the area still carries a haunting energy. The address was even changed to try to erase its past, but history has a way of sticking around.
The Los Feliz Murder House
In 1959, Dr. Harold Perelson brutally murdered his wife, attempted to kill his children, and then took his own life. The home sat virtually untouched for decades, fueling countless ghost stories. Neighbors claim to hear unsettling noises and see strange lights flicker inside.
Highland Park’s Hill House
A charming 1887 Queen Anne home with a less-than-charming reputation. Visitors have reported shadowy figures, sudden cold drafts, and disembodied voices echoing through the hallways.
Rockhaven Sanitarium – Glendale
Established in 1923 as a progressive mental health facility for women, Rockhaven closed in 2006. Since then, paranormal investigators have claimed to hear unexplained sounds and feel chilling presences that seem to linger long after the last patient left.
Saunders House – Angelino Heights
Famous for appearing in Michael Jackson’s Thriller video, this Victorian home also has a reputation for ghostly sightings. Locals say you can sometimes spot mysterious figures in its windows at night.
Wonderland Murder House – Laurel Canyon
In 1981, a quadruple homicide linked to the adult film industry shocked the city. Since then, the property has been associated with eerie sounds, ghostly apparitions, and an oppressive sense of dread.
Selling a Home with a Haunted Past
In California, sellers are required to disclose certain details about a property’s history — and that includes some gruesome events. Transparency isn’t just the law; it’s good practice. In fact, there’s a famous New York case where a seller advertised her house as “haunted” in the media, failed to mention it to the buyer, and ended up losing a lawsuit when the court declared the home legally haunted.
So if your home comes with an otherworldly reputation, honesty is the best policy. After all, in LA, a haunted house might be a selling point for the right buyer.
I am Matias Baker Masucci, your trusted Los Angeles realtor. Thank you for reading, and I look forward to helping you with all your real estate needs in Beverly Hills.
