California's Best Ghost Towns

Even though the locale is a true Old West town, many of the buildings have either been rebuilt or restored with not-so-genuine facades. Calico Ghost Town may not have any residents but it is peopled with visitors aplenty, operating as an amusement park of sorts. Mine tours, gunfight shows, and restaurants are part of its offerings. And even though the silver and gold rush is long gone, you can still pan ...

The spirit of the old west lives on in Pioneertown, CA. Once a permanent movie set built in the '40s used for shooting scenes as well as for housing actors, it's now become a bonafide small town with thriving businesses popular with locals and out-of-towners.

Home to 20 historic structures dating back to 1858 this Bodfish ghost town is a family-friendly jaunt into California's mining past. Artifacts, antique shops, and costing a few dollars, this well-kept piece of history is safer than a real ghost town and not as creepy. Make it a part of your itinerary if you happen to be traveling near Sequoia National Forest.

Located in the heart of the Mojave, Amboy is a legit abandoned town that was made obsolete once our U.S. highways were fully developed from coast to coast. A few films have been shot here and the cafe has opened/closed repeatedly. The town itself was once for sale on eBay! Latest population puts the count at 4 townsfolk. Spooky at night!

Even California, where real estate is at a premium, has her ghost towns. Far inland and near the CA-NV border, the ghost town of Bodie rests in peace, a casualty of the 1800s search for gold. The original structures are still standing, thanks to the concern of people who cared to preserve history. A general store, church, gas station, and gymnasium are only a few of the buildings to see - and many of the...

Los Angeles County, even with its large population, has a tiny little ghost town in Santa Clarita. Mentryville was created in 1876 and prospered because of the discovery of oil on its land. The early 1900s saw the decline of Mentryville and thereafter was inhabited solely by oil foremen and their families. When Pico Number 4, as the oil well was called, ceased production in 1990, it had become the longes...

Even though Bombay Beach is a desolate place sitting on the equally desolate and putrid Salton Sea, it's quite the attraction for novice filmmakers and writers. It's hard to believe this bleak town was once like Palm Springs - property sold at a premium and movie stars came here to relax at this inland California riviera. Taking a walk on this beach will require footwear; the whiteness you see is not san...

A "living ghost town" may be an oxymoron, but the historic gold-mining town of Randsburg (pop. 200) should meet enough criteria to satisfy ghost town buffs. You've got a selection of abandoned buildings from the original goldrush era plus some thriving businesses and a museum where you can chat with locals to get the historic lowdown.

Coalinga is a California town that almost no one has ever heard of. It has a dubious claim to fame - as the home of one of the most toxic ghost towns. New Idria was once the site of a mercury mining town; thus it is a highly toxic area. Quicksilver, one of two periodic table elements to remain a liquid at room temperature, has leached into the ground and water making the surrounding area uninhabitable.

Located near Joshua Tree National Park this Riverside County "census-designated place" is home to a little over 200 residents. Founded in 1921 it was the only stop within a 50-mile radius to have gas and food. The old gas station is still standing, although it has long been out of business. There is now a cafe and post office, although you won't find much more than that here. However, it's a nice change ...