Haunted Hotels in Santa Cruz
Hidden among the redwoods of Santa Cruz County, the Brookdale Lodge is one of California’s most famously haunted hotels. Built in the early 1900s, this rustic retreat was once a glamorous getaway for Hollywood stars and politicians, but its history also holds darker tales. Guests and staff have long reported ghostly sightings near the famous Brook Room, where a natural stream runs beneath the dining floor.
The spirit of a young girl named Sarah, said to have drowned there decades ago, is often seen wandering the lodge in a white dress. Whispers, laughter, and phantom footsteps echo through its halls, adding to the mystique. Surrounded by towering redwoods, the Brookdale Lodge perfectly blends forest serenity with spine-tingling legend.
Haunted stay options in Santa Cruz, CA
Brookdale Lodge
Address: 11570 Highway 9, Brookdale, CA 95007
Phone: (831) 609-6010
Website: brookdalelodge.com
Price Range: Average rate: $150–$250 per night.
Notable Paranormal Signs: Apparition of a young girl, ghostly children playing, disembodied voices and music, objects moving, and cold spots near the fireplace.
History and Hauntings:
Originating in the late 1800s and famed since the 1920s, the Brookdale Lodge gained renown for its unique Brook Room, where Clear Creek flows directly through the dining area.
A haven for presidents, Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe, and rumored gangsters, the lodge survived fires and decades of history in the Santa Cruz mountains.
Its most famous spectral resident is Sarah Logan, a young niece of a former owner, believed to have tragically drowned in the creek. Her small apparition is frequently reported near the Brook Room fireplace, upstairs hallways, or in Room 46, sometimes heard giggling or seen playing.
Guests and staff also describe encounters with other ghostly children, shadowy figures in dimly lit corridors, disembodied voices echoing, phantom music, and objects moving inexplicably.
Amenities: Free WiFi, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Karaoke.
Haunted Rating: 4 out of 5 Ghosts.
Best Time to Visit: Best visited during fall (Sept–Nov) for Santa Cruz Mountain events.
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