Orange County Ghost Sightings to Chill and Thrill [Video]

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA — In Orange County, you can imagine some of the places ghosts might enjoy hanging out. In the San Juan Capistrano Mission ruins, mysterious bell ringing, scents of tobacco floating on air when no one is around, and shimmering images of apparitions in the only remaining window are just a few of the many ghost stories told of those who died there in the December 12 earthquake in the 1812.

Still, many more tales of the unexplained abound across Orange County, California. Some of the favorite stories have been captured through reenactments by SoCal Safari.

El Adobe de Capistrano Restaurant, originally build in 1797 as the home of Miguel Yorba also served as the town’s court and jail in the early 1800s. That jail, now the restaurant’s wine cellar, is a “haunted place” according to the popular website www.HauntedPlaces.org. There are many reports of a friar also haunting the premises. Some, say he is wielding an ax and others say that he himself is headless.

Also, in San Juan Capistrano on Los Rios Street underneath a large pepper tree, a dark haired woman in white will stare at you. Her background is a guess for those who have seen her. Perhaps a convicted killer? Or a witch? Others say she is a La Llorona—a traveling spirit from Mexico in search of her missing children.

Both were highlighted by the recent videos created by Eric Bergstrom with his So Cal Safari site.

“I've heard these stories over the years and realized that nobody has ever filmed a TV show on them and knew this would be perfect. But I didn't just want to narrate the stories, I wanted to re-enact them and get talented local actors to play the parts. Finding the haunted venues wasn't too hard in this quaint little historic town. The more I researched the more I realized that we are surrounded by stories of local ghosts. So the task would be to narrow it down to the top three in order to make it fit in a half hour TV show,” Bergstrom said.

Mechelle Lawrence Adams, the executive director of Mission San Juan Capistrano, who allowed us to come in after hours in order to film the Ghost of Magdalena segment in the actual ruins where 40 people perished in the 8.0 Earthquake of 1812.

The decision on where to anchor the show, from which each story would branch, was a natural decision according to Bergstrom.

“It hit me that El Adobe de Capistrano Mexican restaurant has an underground jail cell from the 1800s, which would be perfect for holding a seance to contact these different spirits,” he said of his scripted plan. “Steve Nordic, the Managing Partner, was gracious enough to allow us to film down there.”

Tom Ostensen of the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society and he granted us the right to film at their O'Neill Museum, also known as The Pryor House where several ghost sightings have occurred.

Tom Scott and Beverly Blake of The Camino Real Playhouse allowed SoCal Safari to film a sequence on "The Lady in White." Scott, who is the president of the playhouse, has actually had an encounter with the Lady in White, according to Bergstrom.

Other famed Orange County Ghost Sightings:

In Laguna Beach, rumors of a little girl’s ghost at the Top of the World playground. She can be heard, crying on the swings where she reportedly died of hypothermia after running away from home.

In Newport Beach, Balboa Island is the site of two kids who went swimming and drowned in the riptides in 1993. Strange sounds and flashes can still be seen under the water, said to be spirits seeking help.

In Irvine, phantom music is often heard in the Coronado Apartments, building M, where a woman was rumored to have been murdered years ago. Cabinet doors open and lights turn on and off when no one is in the rooms.

In the Santa Ana Mountains, Black Star Canyon is one of the strangest paranormal locations in Orange County, with hikers certain they are being watched. Screams and howls can be heard at night, as well as faint chanting. A massacre once took place there, according to folklore. Little is known about this local, but much local lore exists. Hikers may find homeless people, run into cult activity, and will definitely find an old, abandoned bus and many unexplained outbuildings. Private property should keep most away, but the lure of ghosts has gotten quite a few late night seekers in a heap of trouble with Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

And in Disneyland, strange apparitions can sometimes be seen at night near the haunted mansion.

Image, Screenshot of Youtube Video