
Ghost Hunt in SF Chinatown with a Professional Investigator
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 940 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Ghost Hunt in SF Chinatown with a Professional Investigator worth booking?
Ghost Hunt in SF Chinatown with a Professional Investigator is a 1.5-hour experience in San Francisco, United States, from $55 per person. It scores 87 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 940 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 87 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (940)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $55 per person
Brave San Francisco’s dark and ghostly past on a real ghost hunt down historic alleys. You’ll use modern ghost hunting gear, including your own EMF detector during the tour. After meeting near the Transamerica Pyramid, your ghost hunter guide escorts you down haunted alleys, through mysterious neighborhoods, and around historic street corners. Stand atop old Gold Rush cemeteries, learn of paranormal activity following mysterious deaths, visit the site of infamous brothels, hear about Gold Rush–era hauntings, and how Chinatown’s gang wars changed the city. But it's not “just a ghost tour” -- this tour includes tales of unexplained deaths, scandalous murders, the old red light district and more... Recommended for ages 12+ due to mature themes, including serial killers, brothels, and true crime. This tour can accommodate wheelchairs, but there will be two moderate hills -- please inquire if you have concerns.
What you get
About this experience
Brave San Francisco’s dark and ghostly past on a real ghost hunt down historic alleys. You’ll use modern ghost hunting gear, including your own EMF detector during the tour. After meeting near the Transamerica Pyramid, your ghost hunter guide escorts you down haunted alleys, through mysterious neighborhoods, and around historic street corners. Stand atop old Gold Rush cemeteries, learn of paranormal activity following mysterious deaths, visit the site of infamous brothels, hear about Gold Rush–era hauntings, and how Chinatown’s gang wars changed the city. But it's not “just a ghost tour” -- this tour includes tales of unexplained deaths, scandalous murders, the old red light district and more... Recommended for ages 12+ due to mature themes, including serial killers, brothels, and true crime. This tour can accommodate wheelchairs, but there will be two moderate hills -- please inquire if you have concerns.
What's included
Included
- Professional guide
- Use of ghost hunting gear
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Transamerica Pyramid
Hear of the buried bodies and ships in this area
10 minutes here
The Haunt Ghost Tours
Wild SF Tours runs the Haunted SF tour
Pass by without stopping
Jackson Square
The old Gold Rush district, with stories of 1800's hauntings
10 minutes here
Chinatown
Stories of the old red light district, murders, gang wars and ghosts
10 minutes here
City Lights Booksellers
We walk by this historic location
Pass by without stopping
Old Saint Mary's Cathedral
We walk by this historic location
Pass by without stopping
Chinatown Alleys
We walk by this historic location
Pass by without stopping
Tin How Temple
We walk by this historic location
Pass by without stopping
Grant Avenue
We walk by this historic location
Pass by without stopping
Portsmouth Square
We walk by this historic location
Pass by without stopping
Jack Kerouac Alley
We walk by this historic location
Pass by without stopping
Golden Gate Fortune Cookies Co
We walk by this historic location
Pass by without stopping
Vesuvio Cafe
We walk by this historic location
Pass by without stopping
Sing Fat Co. building
We walk by this historic location
Pass by without stopping
The Speakeasy
We walk by this location
Pass by without stopping
Comfort Women Statue - San Francisco
We walk by this historic location
Pass by without stopping
St. Mary's Square
We walk by this historic location
Pass by without stopping
EscapeSF
We walk by this location
Pass by without stopping
Bank of Canton
We walk by this historic location
Pass by without stopping
Vital Tea Leaf
We walk by this historic location
Pass by without stopping
Hop Sing Tong Building
We walk by this historic location
Pass by without stopping
Red Blossom Tea Company
We walk by this historic location
Pass by without stopping
Wai Hing Imports
We walk by this historic location
Pass by without stopping
Terracotta Army Mural
We walk by this historic location
Pass by without stopping
The Street of the Painted Balconies
We walk by this historic location
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
San Francisco
Our paranormal investigation meets at the two flagpoles at the foot of the Transamerica Pyramid, at the corner of Montgomery and Washington Streets.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We will end in Chinatown, 3.5 blocks away from where we began. Post-tour, we recommend a visit to the historic dive bar Li Po Lounge (a favorite of Anthony Bourdain's) for their potent Chinese mai tais.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 26 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- The Haunt Ghost Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not recommended for children age 10 and under
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 940 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
10 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
940 verified traveler reviews for Ghost Hunt in SF Chinatown with a Professional Investigator. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fun stroll through history with a few ghosts.
Realistic, informative, non believers can be convinced. Great guide who appears to enjoy the haunts and history of SF.
Response from the operator: Thanks for being part of the experience! Can’t wait to welcome you back in another town. Stay spooky!
via Viator
Spooky season is here!
This tour was so much fun. It was filled with great stories. Our tour guide Aliya was so knowledgeable and showed us a great time. Highly recommend if you have an 1.5 hr to spare if you are a tourist or local!
Response from the operator: Hi Lara, so glad you had a great time! Thanks for the thoughtful review, and hope to see you again soon!
via Tripadvisor
Speaking to spirits
Mac made the whole experience enjoyable. Highly recommended! If for nothing else, great stories and a way to get to know this little part of the city's history. The old photos of the city and the ghost detectors really added to the experience and we got to use the dowsing rods to talk to a spirit! Mac is the real deal, no B.S. You will love this tour!
Response from the operator: Thanks for leaving a review! Glad you enjoyed the evening. We’d love to have you back for another ghostly tour!
via Tripadvisor
Would highly recommend
Aliya was a wonderful guide. Very entertaining & she personalised the tour for us so it was more like a conversation between friends! Aliya is very knowledgeable about history & ghostly activity of the local area
Response from the operator: Hello! Thank you for your glowing words! It's guests like you that make every night worth it. Hope to see you on another eerie adventure soon!
via Tripadvisor
Best Haunted Ghost Tour Experince
Aliyah was an amazing and knowledgeable guide! We had a great time!
Response from the operator: Hey Jasmine! Thank you so much for your review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great time on our San Francisco Ghost Hunting Tour with Aliya. Looking forward to haunting with you again soon!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 329
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by The Haunt Ghost Tours, who run 8 experiences we rank across 4 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 77.9.
See everything The Haunt Ghost Tours runsWhy this scores 87
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Ghost Hunt in SF Chinatown with a Professional Investigator: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Francisco.
How much does Ghost Hunt in SF Chinatown with a Professional Investigator cost?
+
Prices start at $55 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in San Francisco usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Ghost Hunt in SF Chinatown with a Professional Investigator take?
+
Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in San Francisco is not rushed.
Is Ghost Hunt in SF Chinatown with a Professional Investigator worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 87 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 940 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in San Francisco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Ghost Hunt in SF Chinatown with a Professional Investigator?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Ghost Hunt in SF Chinatown with a Professional Investigator suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Ghost Hunt in SF Chinatown with a Professional Investigator?
+
Around 329 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in San Francisco can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in San Francisco and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Ghost Hunt in SF Chinatown with a Professional Investigator start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central San Francisco within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in San Francisco?
+
San Francisco packs Alcatraz, Muir Woods, Napa and the bay into day-trip range, which makes booking order matter more than anywhere else in the US. Alcatraz sells out weeks ahead, wine-country vans fill on weekends, and the best food walks in the Mission and Chinatown cap at a dozen people. Our ranking favours small groups and guides who live in the neighbourhood they walk. On Outty we rank every San Francisco experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge Muir Woods Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz, Chinatown, North Beach, Little Italy: 7 Tastings & History. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit San Francisco?
+
September and October, the city's real summer, once the fog season breaks. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in San Francisco?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Ghost Hunt in SF Chinatown with a Professional Investigator?
+
Included: Professional guide; and Use of ghost hunting gear. Not included: Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Ghost Hunt in SF Chinatown with a Professional Investigator?
+
Our paranormal investigation meets at the two flagpoles at the foot of the Transamerica Pyramid, at the corner of Montgomery and Washington Streets. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Ghost Hunt in SF Chinatown with a Professional Investigator offered in?
+
It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Ghost Hunt in SF Chinatown with a Professional Investigator?
+
Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Ghost Hunt in SF Chinatown with a Professional Investigator wheelchair or stroller accessible?
+
The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Transportation options are wheelchair accessible; and All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Ghost Hunt in SF Chinatown with a Professional Investigator if the weather is bad?
+
This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Ghost Hunt in SF Chinatown with a Professional Investigator?
+
Across 940 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Ghost Hunt in SF Chinatown with a Professional Investigator.
Pick your date




