Like an elder who has lived a good long life, the places that have been around the longest often have the most interesting stories to tell. And when it comes to haunted and historic places, there is no shortage of intrigue. Come along as we explore one such place in San Francisco where the otherworldly and antiquity collide.

The San Francisco Art Institute, one of the most haunted and historic places in the city and state, is located at 800 Chestnut Street.
Faraz/Google Maps
Perhaps its tilted position just a stone’s throw away from the Fisherman’s Wharf and North Beach neighborhoods is what gives rise to some of the more interesting and spooky stories here.
Originally founded in 1871 and undergoing a few name changes from and back to its current iteration, the Institute has launched the careers of many now esteemed alumni and faculty.
San Francisco Art Institute/Google Maps
It really is amazing when you start name-dropping, including folks like muralist Diego Rivera, world-renown photographers Annie Leibovitz and Ansel Adams, writer and activist Angela Davis, and the first art editor of The New Yorker magazine, Rea Irvin, just to name a lauded few.
No one is sure why, but present-day students aren’t the only ones roaming the property.
Chris Valle/Google Maps
Paranormal occurrences have included ghosts appearing and disappearing both day and night, eerie moaning, blood-curdling screams, "accidents," and items moving from where they were left to other spots around campus. One of the theories is that the Institute was built on top of a former burial ground – and the spirits of the deceased are not happy about that!
A lot of people contend that many of the haunted happenings take place in the tower.
Clynton Taylor/Google Maps
Looking at the tower as it stretches skyward and is enveloped by the fog, it’s easy to see why it could feel so mysterious, if not scary.
If you tour the campus, be sure to meander throughout each of the various buildings, exhibition spaces, and walkways.
JY Polix/Google Maps
Each spot offers a unique perspective and plenty of room for your imagination to soar.
Imposing yet captivating, the Institute is not only a world-class arts establishment but a popular tourist attraction.
David Lovelace/Google Maps
Because the city is still emerging from the constraints of the pandemic, it’s best to call first to be sure the campus is open before attempting a visit.

Have visited or attended the San Francisco Art Institute? If so, we’d love to see your photos and hear about your experience there. You can also learn more about the Institute on their Facebook page.

If you’re looking for another important place to visit in the city, be sure to check out the Maritime National Historical Park.

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San Francisco Art Institute, 800 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA