Books on true California ghost stories

Quite a few books are published on true regional ghost stories in this country and throughout the world. For anyone looking for books on the subject, the best place to find them is usually the local interest section of a bricks-and-mortar store, such as Barnes & Noble, Borders, or independents, that sells new books in the particular region. As California is the most populated state in the union, there have been several writers who have taken on the challenge to put these books together, some even specializing in cities.

I have found the research of published true ghost stories to be of variable quality. While some writers may exhaustively research their subject, others will simply rewrite information that has already been released, and yet others will work somewhere in between. Ideally, the best true ghost stories are where the researchers obtain or contact first-hand resources for what is usually the most accurate information. Many of them just retell folklore, which is based on hearsay, not facts. This list covers books about people's personal experiences with the paranormal in these locales. 

This bibliography is for books of true ghost stories exclusively taking place in California, regardless of the variables. It makes no judgments on quality. The first section lists titles strictly focussed on Northern California, while the second covers the whole Golden State. On request, I am adding a third section on Southern California.

Some of these books may be out of print (try Abebooks.com or a public library). Books with more than one date are those that have been revised, updated, and/or expanded in subsequent editions. Those I have more extensively written about have their titles linked to their reviews.

It's amazing how many of these books have been released during the last 10 years. I shall add to this list as new books are released or those I have missed come to my attention.

NorCal specific
(Covering counties with 94___ or higher prefix zip codes.)

The Incredible World of Gold Rush Ghosts (The Big Picture); by Nancy Bradley & Robert Reppert; Nancy Bradley, Publisher; 2005. (This is actually the third edition of the authors' earlier book, Gold Rush Ghosts.)

Ghost Hunter's Guide to California's Wine Country; by Jeff Dwyer; Pelican Publishing Company; 2008.

Ghost Hunter's Guide to the San Francisco Bay Area; by Jeff Dwyer; Pelican Publishing Company; 2005.

Ghost Stories of California's Gold Rush Country and Yosemite National Park; by Antonio R. Garcez; Red Rabbit Press; 2004.

Ghost Hunting in Mother Lode Country; by Hilber H. Graf; Infinity Publishing.com; 2006.

Haunts of San Jose; by David Lee; Schiffer Books; 2008.

San Francisco Ghosts; by Mark Lyon; Windwhistle Books; 2007. (Amazon.com had once posted a listing for The Haunted City, by this author. It was a book that was never released, but this book appears to be that one retitled.)

Haunted Northern California; by Charles A. Stansfield Jr.; Stackpole Books; 2009.

Ghosts of Alcatraz; by Kathryn Vercillo; Schiffer Books; 2008.

Ghosts of San Francisco; by Kathryn Vercillo; Schiffer Books; 2007.

Haunted Alcatraz; by Robert Wlodarski, Anne Powell Wlordarski, & Michael J. Kouri; G-Host Publishing; 1998.

California overall

California Ghosts; by Preston E. Dennett; Schiffer Books; 2004.

Mysterious California; by Mike Marinacci; Panpipes Press; 1988. (This one includes a few UFO or cryptozoology stories, but most are about hauntings.)

Haunted Houses of California; by Antoinette May; Wide World Publishing/Tetra; 1990, 1993, & 2006.

California Ghost Notes, by Randall Reinstedt; Ghost Town Publications; 2000.

Ghost Stalker's Guide to Haunted California; by Richard Senate; Charon Press; 1998.

Ghost Stories of California; by Barbara Smith; Lone Pine Publishing; 2000.

California Hauntspitality; by Robert & Anne Wlodarski; Whitechapal Productions Press; 2002.

SoCal specific
(Covering counties with 93___ or lower prefix zip codes.)

Ghosts of Hollywood; by Marla Brooks; Schiffer Books; 2008.

Ghost Hunter's Guide to Los Angeles; by Jeff Dwyer; Pelican Publishing Company; 2007.

Visiting Haunted Southern California; by Hilber H. Graf; Infinity Publishing.com; 2005.

Ghosts of Orange County; by Victoria Gross; Schiffer Books; 2009.

Haunted Hollywood; by Hans Holzer; Bobbs-Merrill Company; 1974.

Hollywood Haunted; by Laurie Jacobson & Marc Wanamaker; Angel City Press; 1993 & 1999.

San Diego Specters; by John L. Lamb; Sunbelt Publications; 1999.

Ghost Notes; by Randall Reinstedt; Ghost Town Publications; 1991. (These stories focus on the Monterey Bay Area.)

Ghost Stories of Hollywood; by Barbara Smith; Lone Pine Publishing; 2000.

Haunted San Diego; by Gail White; Tecolote Publications; 1992.

Guide to the Haunted Queen Mary; by Robert Wlordarski, Anne Nathan-Wlordarski & Richard Senate; G-Host Publishing; 1997.

Haunted Whaley House; by Robert & Anne Wlordarski; G-Host Publishing; 1997 & 2004.

Coastal Ghosts of Southern California; by Anita Yasuda; Schiffer Books; 2009.

Haunted Monterey Peninsula; by Anita Yasuda; Schiffer Books; 2009.