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Moonlight San Diego: Find ways to spend a spooky Friday the 13th

Gravestones stand in a corner
At Mission Hills Park in San Diego, gravestones that were once found throughout Calvary Cemetery have been moved to the southeast corner of the park. Lauren J. Mapp/Daylight San Diego

Whether you visit one of San Diego’s haunted landmarks or get a flash tattoo, there are several ways to start your weekend off with a little on-theme fun.


Written by Lauren J. Mapp, Edited by Kate Morrissey


It’s Friday the 13th, a day when the superstitious avoid black cats, breaking mirrors and walking under ladders.

Some Western cultures have deemed the day unlucky — going back to Norse myths about Loki being the uninvited 13th guest at a dinner party with other gods at Valhalla, according to National Geographic. It also has connections to Christian beliefs that Jesus was crucified on a Friday, and 13 people attended his Last Supper.



Every year, there are between one and three Friday the 13th occasions, depending on what week day the first of the year lands on. Today’s occurrence is the only one in 2025.

Looking for spooky vibes for your Friday the 13th? Here are some ways to celebrate around San Diego.

Hike up to Elfin Forest

Want to stretch your legs today? The Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve in Escondido is the place to go for a hiking adventure with a side of ghouls. 

The trails feature lush greenery and trees, and, according to urban legends, pass near an abandoned psychiatric hospital that led to the area being deemed a paranormal hotspot. Whether the rumors are true, it is one of the region’s most shaded hiking trails and a great spot to visit any day.

Picture of a creek with rocks in it and trees looming over it
The hiking trails at the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve feature stunning views of trees, flowering bushes and Escondido Creek. Lauren J. Mapp/Daylight San Diego

Get a Friday the 13th tattoo

Have you been thinking about getting inked up? Friday the 13th has become a popular day to get a shop’s special pre-designed flash tattoos. 

The tradition started back on June 13, 2008 when a Texas tattoo shop owner — Oliver Peck — aimed to tattoo the number 13 on as many people as possible in a single day, according to Slate. He inked 415 people that day, and the tradition spread to other shops across the country.

Several San Diego shops offer a limited selection of pre-designed, discount tattoos on Friday the 13th, including Absolute Tattoo and Ants Tattoos in Kearny Mesa, Big Fish Tattoo in Solana Beach, Deville Tattoo in Barrio Logan and Lion’s Den Tattoo in Old Town.

It’s important to note that wait times can be really long, so bring a good book or a friend to keep you company.

Have a picnic in Mission Hills Park

Mission Hills Park features gorgeous jacaranda and pepper trees to park a picnic blanket under, but did you know it’s built on a historical graveyard? 

Also known as Pioneer Park, this public green space was one of the first non-Indigenous graveyards in San Diego used by settlers as early as the 1800s, according to the city

Originally a Catholic burial ground named Calvary Cemetery, it received its last burial in 1960, according to the San Diego History Center. About a quarter of its 600 gravestones were placed in the southeastern corner of the park after the city converted it to a public park in the 1970s, and the rest were transferred to Mount Hope Cemetery on Market Street.

While the park is allegedly haunted, it’s a beautiful place to spend some outdoor time today. 

A gravestone embossed with a column, leaves and a cross
After being converted into Mission Hills Park, Calvary Cemetery remains visible with gravestones in a corner. Lauren J. Mapp/Daylight San Diego

Spend a beach day at the Hotel del Coronado

With its vibrant red rooftops, Victorian architecture and its “Some Like It Hot” film history, the Hotel del Coronado is an iconic San Diego County landmark. But it’s also one of the country’s most haunted hotels, according to Historic Hotels of America.

Rumors of haunted happenings at the hotel relate back to a visit by Kate Morgan, a mysterious hotel guest who died in there in 1892, according to a book written by the hotel’s historian. Morgan registered under an alias, fueling speculation about her life, and some believe her ghost continues to haunt the hotel.

If a staycation at the Hotel del Coronado isn’t in your budget tonight, you can spend a day at the beach in front of the hotel or dine in one of the property’s restaurants to enjoy the haunted history and coastal vibes. There is also a display dedicated to Morgan in the hotel’s gift shop by the lobby.

The historic Hotel Del Coronado is known for its red roofs, Victorian architecture and ghostly hauntings. Lauren J. Mapp/Daylight San Diego

Tour the Whaley House

The Whaley House Museum in Old Town shows a glimpse of 19th-century San Diego life, layered with eerie vibes and alleged paranormal activity.

In 1857, the Greek Revival-style house was built on the site of horse thief Yankee Jim Robinson's public execution, according to the museum

Designed by Thomas Whaley — who lived there with his family — the home also served as San Diego’s first commercial theater, according to the museum. Soon after moving in, Whaley’s 18-month-old son died from Scarlet Fever in the home, and some people have said they heard the sounds of a baby crying and scampering during their visits there.

In 2008, Time Magazine named the Whaley House one of the world’s top 10 most haunted places, adding that it was even classified as haunted by the U.S. Commerce Department in the 1960s.

The museum leans into the supposedly haunted history, posting photographs of “ghost encounters” on its website. Daytime or evening tours can be booked online.

Picture of a Greek revival building with cars parked in front of it.
In 2008, Time Magazine named The Whaley House Museum in Old Town as one of the top 10 most haunted places in the world. Lauren J. Mapp/Daylight San Diego