The Resident Ghost At Hotel Del Coronado

CORONADO, CA – San Diego is one of the country's top tourist destinations, with sandy beaches, sunny weather and so many things to do. The region is also home to reportedly haunted houses and other spooky stories, from the historical Whaley House in Old Town, to paranormal hotbed Presidio Park.

But perhaps one of the most captivating tales comes from one of the region's most iconic beach resorts.

Having opened in 1888, Hotel del Coronado has a long and rich history. The beachfront resort has welcomed presidents, celebrities, royalty and beachgoers worldwide for nearly 130 years. The resort also has its own resident ghost.

As the story goes, Kate Morgan checked into Hotel del Coronado in 1892 but never checked out.

According to the hotel's book, "Beautiful Stranger: The Ghost of Kate Morgan and the Hotel del Coronado," the young woman was married but estranged from her husband. It is believed that she had arrived at the hotel hoping to rendezvous with a lover.

A man never arrived. After five lonely days, the 24-year-old took her own life.

Guests and employees have reported ghostly going-ons – or creepy coincidences – since her death, including seeing a woman in a black dress in hotel hallways and along the beach.

Visitors and employees have reportedly seen items "mysteriously flying off shelves, oftentimes falling upright and always unbroken" at the resort's gift shop.

Most of the spooky occurrences, according to the book, have stemmed from Morgan's original third-floor room, where visitors have reported flickering lights, the television turning itself on and off, items moving of their own accord, doors randomly opening and closing, and breezes coming from seemingly nowhere. There have also been inexplicable scents and sounds, abrupt changes in room temperature, and unexplained footsteps and voices.

Images courtesy of Hotel del Coronado