Casa De Estudillo

Posted: 05.01.2025 | Updated: 05.01.2025

In the heart of Old Town San Diego stands Casa de Estudillo, a sprawling adobe mansion that has witnessed nearly two centuries of California history. Built in 1827 by the influential Estudillo family, this landmark is celebrated as one of the finest surviving examples of Spanish Colonial architecture in the state. It is a centerpiece of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. 

But apart from its historical significance and sentimental appeal to the novel Ramona, Casa de Estudillo is also renowned for its ghostly residents and chilling tales that have been passed on over the years.

Visitors and staff alike have witnessed a variety of inexplicable events, including shadowy figures, ghostly noises, and even physical contact with unseen forces. These stories have cemented Casa de Estudillo’s reputation as one of Old Town’s most haunted sites, making it a must-see stop for those seeking a brush with the ghost world. 

If you’re ready to explore the eerie side of San Diego’s past, a ghost tour with San Diego Ghosts offers a thrilling journey into the mysteries of this historic town.

Who Haunts Casa de Estudillo?

Casa de Estudillo is said to be haunted by a host of restless spirits; many are believed to be former residents or guests of the historic home. The most frequently reported ghosts include Don José Estudillo himself, whose apparition appears annually on the eve of his wedding anniversary, and a hooded monk who silently roams the chapel. 

Other spirits include a vaquero in traditional attire, a sorrowful Victorian woman, a cheerful young girl, and a mysterious Lady of Roses whose presence is heralded by the scent of flowers. Some encounters suggest the presence of a darker, more aggressive entity, possibly a protective former owner, who reacts strongly to intrusions and the presence of ghost hunters.

History of Casa de Estudillo

Casa de Estudillo was constructed in 1827 by José María Estudillo and his son José Antonio, both prominent figures in early San Diego history. As commandant of the San Diego Presidio, José María built the adobe as a family residence, quickly establishing it as a social and cultural hub for the Californio elite. 

After the American acquisition of California, the house remained in the family until 1887, when it was sold and fell into disrepair. Its fortunes changed in the early 20th century, thanks in part to its association with Helen Hunt Jackson’s novel Ramona, which drew tourists eager to see “Ramona’s Marriage Place.” 

Businessman John D. Spreckels purchased and restored the property in 1910, transforming it into a major tourist attraction and wedding venue. The State of California acquired Casa de Estudillo in 1968, and it now serves as a museum, meticulously restored to reflect its storied past and filled with period artifacts that may help explain the persistence of its ghostly residents.

Hauntings At Casa de Estudillo

Casa de Estudillo is considered one of Old Town San Diego’s most haunted locations, with ghostly activity reported in nearly every room. Visitors and staff have experienced cold spots, disembodied voices, slamming doors, and shadowy apparitions throughout the house. 

Ghostly faces have been seen in mirrors, mysterious lights flash in empty rooms, and music sometimes plays with no apparent source. The chapel is a particular hotspot, as are the bedrooms and patio, where many of the spirits are said to make their presence known. Some encounters are gentle or sorrowful, while others are startlingly aggressive, especially toward those who attempt to investigate or challenge the spirits.

Don Jose Estudillo

Don José Estudillo, the patriarch and original builder of Casa de Estudillo, is the most legendary spirit said to linger within the adobe’s walls. Historical accounts and family lore suggest that Don José’s ghost appears only once a year on the eve of his wedding anniversary, March 1st. 

During the 1920s, Marguerite Weiss Getz, a former owner, shared that her father and his dinner guests twice witnessed Don José’s apparition in the patio area. He was described as quietly observing the living, dressed in period attire, as if still watching over his beloved home and family.

His protective energy is thought to remain strong in the house’s oldest and most significant rooms, reinforcing the idea that Don José continues to fulfill his role as guardian of the Estudillo legacy.

The Hooded Monk

Among the most frequently reported apparitions at Casa de Estudillo is the mysterious hooded monk. This spirit is often seen in or near the chapel and the adjacent priest’s bedroom, areas that were historically significant as spiritual centers of the home. 

Witnesses describe this ghost as a tall, silent figure cloaked in a hooded robe, with its face always hidden in darkness; no features are ever visible inside the hood, adding to its eerie mystique.

The monk is believed to have died while visiting the home, and his quiet, watchful presence is often felt in the most sacred parts of the adobe. Staff and guests have seen him hovering in and out of the chapel doorway, sometimes gliding through the bedroom closest to the chapel, his movements almost ethereal. 

The Lady of Roses

The Lady of Roses is a gentle but unmistakable presence in Casa de Estudillo’s chapel. She is nicknamed “Rose” because of the strong scent of roses that always precedes her appearance, a fragrance that can be overwhelming, even when no flowers are present in the room. 

Witnesses often report that the aroma of fresh roses will suddenly fill the air, signaling her imminent arrival, and moments later, her shadowy figure is seen gliding through the chapel or nearby rooms.

Her ghost has been reported to be peaceful and comforting, a far cry from some of the house’s more brutal ghosts. She has also been accused of being behind all the weddings and parties at the house, especially when the house was “Ramona’s Marriage Place.”

The Lady of Roses is sometimes seen alongside a young Victorian girl, suggesting a possible familial bond. Her presence brings a sense of warmth and tranquility, and many guests leave feeling as though they’ve received a gentle blessing from this benevolent spirit.

The Vaquero and the Victorian Girl

Casa de Estudillo’s dining room and bedrooms are home to two other notable spirits: a vaquero and a Victorian girl. The vaquero, or Mexican cowboy, is seen but briefly, recognizable by his aged hat, boots, and vest. 

He surfaces for a second or two somewhere in the dining room before vanishing unexpectedly, leaving a fleeting glimpse of the house’s Californio heritage and of the active existence it once possessed.

Meanwhile, a young girl dressed in Victorian clothing is frequently spotted in one of the bedrooms, happily rocking in a chair. She is sometimes accompanied by a sorrowful woman, believed to be her mother, who is often seen searching for her daughter or appearing sad and withdrawn. 

The girl’s presence is described as light and sunny, even playful at times, but the woman’s is one of grief, adding emotional depth to the creepy tapestry of the house. Both are said to be linked to the old house’s long history as a family home and wedding location, their stories echoing in the halls of adobe.

Aggressive Entities and Unexplained Phenomena

Not all spirits at Casa de Estudillo are gentle or benign. Several investigators and psychics have reported encounters with a distinctly aggressive, sometimes malevolent presence described as a crabby, angry male spirit who tries to protect what he sees as his territory.

This entity, possibly a former caretaker or even Don José himself in a more protective mood, has been known to react strongly to intrusions, especially from ghost hunters or those he dislikes. Psychic mediums have described being overwhelmed by feelings of anger and territoriality, making some visits to the adobe particularly unsettling.

Apart from these personal experiences, the house is plagued by unexplained events. Reports include cold spots appearing randomly, heavy wooden doors slamming shut by themselves, doors and windows opening and closing randomly, dark figures darting through rooms, and disembodied voices said to be heard in empty corridors. Witnesses have reported seeing faces appearing in mirrors, bursts of light, or hearing music played with no known origin.

Haunted San Diego

Casa de Estudillo is a testament to Old Town San Diego’s rich layer of history and long-standing enigmas. Its adobe walls have given shelter to generations, seen tragedy and joy, and now resonate with the tread of those who will not vacate. Whatever your reason – the romance of California’s heritage or the allure of a ghostly experience – Casa de Estudillo presents a glimpse of the ghostly aspect of San Diego’s history.

For those eager to experience these legends firsthand, a ghost tour with San Diego Ghosts is the perfect way to explore the haunted heart of Old Town. Step inside Casa de Estudillo, listen for whispers from the past, and discover why this historic home remains one of San Diego’s most captivating and haunted landmarks.

Book your tour today and step into a world where glamour and the eerie go hand in hand. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and keep reading our blog for more real San Diego hauntings.

Sources:

1. https://wejunket.com/junkets/San_Diego/San_Diego_Ghosts_-_Old_Town/LA_CASA_DE_ESTUDILLO/
2. https://www.sandiegohaunted.com/san-diego-haunted-locations-places-homes/old-town/la-casa-de-estudillo-ghost-haunt/
3. https://www.sandiegohaunted.com/san-diego-haunted-locations-places-homes/old-town/la-casa-de-estudillo-ghost-haunt/
4. https://hauntedhouses.com/california/casa-de-estudillo/
5. https://amyscrypt.com/haunted-places-san-diego/