Top California Crime Tours in 2026

Uncover a fascinating side to San Francisco that many miss out on with a walking tour of the city that covers both true crime and the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. Discover what made the area so dangerous in the 1960s and 70s, and hear tales of former residents, including Charles Manson, Jim Jones, and Janis Joplin. Designed by a sixth-generation San Franciscan, the tour is full of anecdotes you won't hear elsewhere, plus, insider knowledge you'd otherwise miss.

Dive into the dark history of one of the most infamous streets in Los Angeles with this true crime and ghost stories tour of the Sunset Strip. Stroll down the Strip while you listen to tales of gruesome acts committed by gangsters like Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, Charles Manson, the Wonderland Gang, and the Sunset Killer. Take in haunted landmarks from Chateau Marmont to the Viper Room and learn about their cursed history.

Embark on a fun and informative ghost tour through the streets of Monterey with a local guide who can’t wait to share their favorite spooky stories with you. You’ll hear about a side of the city most tourists won’t as you walk through the town, from the Colton Hall Museum and Jail to the Larkin House. There will be plenty for history buffs and paranormal enthusiasts alike to learn.

Fans of true crime won't want to miss this tour of San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. Your guide will take you through the area formerly known as Stingaree, telling you the back stories of some gruesome crimes that have taken place over the years, with a stop to visit a haunted hotel along the way.

This is not your typical wine tasting. The Wine & True Crime Tour blends Solvang’s quirkiest tasting rooms with chilling tales of crime and the macabre. Think of it as a storytelling experience with drinks, not a guided lesson in wine. Over two hours, you’ll join a small group of fellow true crime fans as we visit three unique spots, including a slasher-themed winery and offbeat wine bars. Along the way, your guide will share gripping stories of 70s serial killers, unsolved mysteries, and haunted mortuaries. You’ll enjoy three generous pours: a wine flight, a wine-based tiki cocktail (no rum here), and a sparkling wine farewell toast. Come ready for dark tales, bold pours, and a one-of-a-kind night out.

Embark on an exhilarating journey through history with the Alcatraz Highlights Tour! Step foot on the infamous island that once contained America's most notorious criminals and immerse yourself in the captivating tales of Alcatraz. Witness the chilling cells that housed Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly, as you explore the imposing cell blocks. Be captivated by the echoes of the past as you wander through the eerie corridors, and soak in the stunning panoramic views of the San Francisco skyline. Don't miss your chance to uncover the mysteries and legends of America's most infamous prison on the Alcatraz Highlights Tour - a thrilling adventure you won't ever forget! Don't worry about other people, this tour is completely tailored to you with the App! With the app, you can pause the tour, and check out the locations as long as you want! You can skip a stop you don't like, and you have all the best information about each stop at your fingertips.

Two tours built into one: explore San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter after dark through ghost sightings and true crime stories, from gambling dens and brothels to unsolved murders and haunted hotels. With a small group, walk the old Stingaree, San Diego's red-light district, where gambling halls, brothels, and bought-off cops ran the show. Visit some of the most haunted places in San Diego, including Room 309 at the Horton Grand Hotel, the Balboa Theatre where unexplained movement is reported in the basement, and a block that was once the city morgue. The night ends at the Davis-Horton House, downtown's oldest building and the county's first hospital, where visitors report symptoms of long-gone diseases. It's widely considered the most haunted building in the Gaslamp. Perfect for history buffs, paranormal fans, true crime lovers, and anyone looking for a spooky date night in San Diego.

Have you ever wanted to be ghosthunter just like you see on the popular television shows? Join Haunted San Diego Tours on our Haunted Paranormal Tour of Old Town San Diego and neighboring Heritage Park. Truly a ghost tour with a on-hands paranormal twist. Paranormal Investigation - Old Town Walking Ghost Tour Content: 40% Hands on Paranormal Investigation | 60% Haunted Ghost Tour Facts: About 1 Mile Walked | Focused on 3 Locations See Ghost: Nothing Faked Real Tour | Things Happen But is Rare | Lots of Activity Outside Access: Exclusive Access to Heritage Park | Graveyard | We Do Not Enter Buildings Focus: San Diego's Old Town - Meet in Old Town at Heritage Park Kids: Semi Kid-Friendy and Dog Friendly You will be a historian and a paranormal investigator combing Old Town looking for evidence of who lived there. Meet 15 minutes early at 2460 Heritage Park Row, San Diego CA 92110 History. Ghost Stories. Intro Paranormal Investigation with Tools. Let the Tour begin!

Get to know San Francisco’s dark and seedy history on this small group tour of crime and scandal. In the company of a guide, stroll through the city’s neighborhoods and hear stories about scandals of the past. Visit China Town, Maiden Lane, and more and stop in the oldest bar in San Francisco.

Let's explore the vigilante justice, gambling disputes, horrifying murders and riverfront violence that shaped Gold Rush Sacramento. As the town exploded from a frontier outpost to a modern city, it attracted miners, gamblers, drifters, fortune-seekers- and many of them were up to no good. Sacramento quickly developed a reputation for theft, gambling scams, and armed robberies and during our time together we'll visit the places where some of the most notorious acts of violence took place. We'll also discuss the disastrous fires and floods that repeatedly destroyed early Sacramento, (reportedly leaving one former Mayor to travel to his inauguration by boat!) and visit a couple of the only buildings that survived this era. We'll also learn about the violent riots and public executions that took place nearby. Vigilance committees were often formed in early Sacramento, because many residents believed courts moved too slowly. Yet vigilance groups often became dangerous themselves....

Enjoy sublime coastal scenery as you spot marine life during this kayaking trip to La Jolla’s sea caves and ecological reserve. Paddle alongside your expert naturalist guide as you observe the numerous species of birds, dolphins, sea lions, and even orcas of the area. Kayak among the lush kelp beds that grow in the reserve and, if conditions permit, explore inside the sea caves that dot the rocky coastline.

Welcome to the San Diego Gaslamp Historical Walking Tour! Our exclusive tour offers a unique look into San Diego's downtown development from the 1850s to 1915. Discover a city of old Wild West saloons, gambling halls, opium dens and brothels, and gain an unforgettable insight into a bygone era We are your small local tour company and we bring you the truth about San Diego's history in the Gaslamp. Don't be fooled by our out of town national big budget competitors! We have caught them making up stories many times. If you want authentic go with us. If you want a tour company that cares about you and not profit. Us. Our host are costumed passionate people that love this city and love making you happy. Our stories are true based on our reasearch and presented in a theatrical way. So bring a sense of humor and wonder! We have been on all our competitors tours and I can honestly say we are the best. Support local, get the real history and feel great. Join us!

Sip Temecula’s best wines and dig into the town’s dark and spooky past on this unforgettable true crime tour through Old Town. You’ll visit three top wine spots and hear jaw-dropping stories of crime and scandal that bring a shadowy side of wine country to life. From untamed greed to chilling mysteries, it’s a perfect pairing for anyone who loves a good thriller with their glass. Come for the wine, stay for the intrigue—it’s an experience you won’t forget.

Spend a few hours relaxing and sightseeing in the waters just off San Diego during this 1- or 2-hour San Diego Harbor cruise. Sit back and relax as you take in a fully narrated tour, offering top-notch sight lines of the San Diego skyline, a cruise under Coronado Bridge, a look at the bustling US Naval fleet, and a chance to spot some of the harbor’s resident sea lions.

US Ghost Adventures is the leading provider of haunted ghost tours in America — we even own some of the most haunted properties in America, like the Lizzie Borden House! Every tour is hosted by an experienced, knowledgeable local guide. You’ll hear firsthand accounts from people who have witnessed the unexplained — sometimes even a guest’s eerie encounter or the guide’s own!   US Ghost Adventures offers an authentic experience that strives to make sense of the unexplainable. Our ghost tours are based on real-world portrayals of hauntings and well-documented history.

Examine one of Los Angeles’ most studied criminal cases on a guided true crime limo tour covering expanded locations tied to the Manson Family. Travel in a small group while learning how the crimes intersected with Hollywood culture, media, and the social climate of the era. The experience emphasizes analysis over myth, offering a deeper understanding of why the case continues to resonate.

Look for whales as they migrate through the waters of the Pacific Ocean off of California on this whale-watching cruise from Monterey. Your naturalist guide shares commentary about the whales and their habitat as you search for gray whales (most common), humpback and blue whales, and other marine life such as dolphins and sea lions during your cruise.

While San Diego may be famous for its sunshine, the city also has a dark side lurking beneath the surface. Uncover the hidden history of gangsters, gunslingers, ghosts, and ladies of the night on an entertaining walking tour through the city's historic Gaslamp Quarter. It's the only haunted history tour in San Diego that actually goes inside buildings for a closer look at what goes bump in the night (pending COVID restrictions).

To make your stay complete in San Francisco, this package includes two essential activities in a single pack. A visit of the most famous prison in the world, discovering its history and walking into the footsteps of Al Capone. Don’t miss the 45-minute audio tour that will immerse you in the atmosphere of the federal penitentiary which brought together the most dangerous criminals of the time. You can then enjoy a one-hour boat cruise in San Francisco Bay which will offer you an exceptional view of the city and its hills, but also other sightseeings such as going underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Please note, free for children 4 years old and younger and don't need to have a ticket.

Make exploring Wine Country easy on this tour aboard the Napa Valley Wine Trolley. The open-air cable car is a replica of the historic trolleys seen in San Francisco and offers views of the vineyards as you travel to three or four wineries to sample the local wines (tastings at your own expense). A guide provides commentary about Napa’s rich history. Lunch at one of the wineries is also included for extra convenience.

Get ready to explore San Diego's spooky side on this thrilling 1-hour Heritage Park and Old Town walking ghost tour. Be prepared for a journey through the darkest events of California's past, including tales of crime and revolution that created our state. You'll also be taken to some rarely visited haunted places in Old Town, so don't forget your camera and courage. As an added bonus you will gain insight into why many people view it as one of America's most mysterious cities.

Open-Top Double-Decker Bus Adventure: Hop on and off all day long with our lively hop-on-hop-off service! Buses roll up every 30 minutes, ready to whisk you away on a 2-hour whirlwind tour if you choose to stay on for the full loop. Cruise past iconic landmarks and charming neighborhoods while soaking in breathtaking panoramic views and entertaining commentary. Feel free to explore at your own pace—jump off whenever a spot catches your eye, then hop back on to keep the adventure rolling! Alcatraz Island Experience: Step into a gripping self-guided audio tour packed with intriguing stories from former inmates and guards. Sail across the shimmering waters to Alcatraz aboard a ferry offering unbeatable views of San Francisco’s sparkling skyline. Your adventure’s starting point changes depending on whether you dive into the bus tour or Alcatraz first—so get ready for a day packed with excitement and surprises! Your meeting point will depend on what activity you partake in first.

The Specters & Sinners Ghost Tour is our Adults-Only Tour in San Diego. It's also the most unique. We use San Diego's haunted locations to tell the lesser-known stories of our Founding Fathers and the hauntings tied to them. If you're looking for an amazing, through-provoking Ghost Tour, this is the tour for you.