Michelle Aude Martman (via Unsplash)
Do you like unusual, secluded, or even abandoned places that feel haunted and give you goosebumps? These towns near Los Angeles are once thriving places… It’s a snapshot of a bygone era that, for a variety of reasons, no longer stands the test of time. If you love exploring cities or taking road trips, get ready to explore ghost towns near Los Angeles.
1. Mentry Building
Image via Wiki Commons.
Founded by Charles Alexander Mentry in the 1870s after a major oil strike, this quaint town is located at the end of Pico Canyon Road, just four miles from Santa Clarita’s I-5 Lyons Avenue exit. Now part of the Stevenson Ranch, the ghost town of Mentryville preserves structures that transport you back in time, amidst stunning canyon views.
🚗 Distance from DTLA: 54 miles, 46 minutes
🧳 Plan your visit: https://mrca.ca.gov/parks/park-listing/mentryville/
2. Calico
Photo by Stephane LEGRAND: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-and-white-concrete-house-on-brown-sand-under-blue-sky-13831170/
An abandoned gem in Southern California’s Mojave Desert, Calico Ghost Town takes visitors on a journey back to the silver rush era. Founded in 1881 as a silver mining town, Calico flourished until decline, but was revived as a county park.
Located off Interstate 15 and just minutes from Barstow, this historic landmark is identified by the giant “CALICO” letters at the top. Saved in the 1950s by Walter Knott, most of the town’s buildings have been restored to their 1880s charm. Now a California Historic Landmark, Calico lets you explore a piece of the past in a truly unique ghost town experience.
🚗 Distance from DTLA: 126 miles, 2 hours
🧳 Plan your visit: https://www.calicoattractions.com/
3. Landsburg
Via Wikicommons.
Landsburg is another living ghost town located just off Highway 395 near Los Angeles. This hidden gem oozes Old West charm. Here you can explore abandoned mines and vintage storefronts, and the general store still serves sandwiches and ice cream. A quirky soda fountain.
With dirt roads perfect for off-road adventures and antique shops to browse, this city has a unique energy that’s both historic and lively. Don’t miss the weekend-only Landsburg Museum, which displays fascinating local artifacts. Also, be sure to stop by the Old Town Jail for a memorable photo opportunity.
🚗 Distance from DTLA: 138 miles, 2 hours 20 minutes
4. Pioneer Town
Photo by Joakim Kingström sur Unsplash
As seen in “Selling Sunset”! Pioneertown is a unique blend of Hollywood history and desert charm. Originally built by Roy Rogers and Gene Autry as a setting for a 1940s Western, this quaint town has an authentic 1880s exterior with modern features such as an ice cream parlor and a bowling alley. Spots are hidden.
More than 50 movies and shows have been filmed here, and visitors can now explore motels, shops, and restaurants. Just minutes from Joshua Tree National Park, Pioneertown is the perfect base for camping, glamping, and stargazing under beautiful desert skies.
🚗 Distance from DTLA: 125 miles, 2 hours 9 minutes
🧳 Plan your visit: https://visitpioneertown.com/
5. Amboy
Vivek Sumanth via Unsplash
Located in the Mojave Desert, Amboy offers an authentic taste of the old world that was made obsolete by the rise of cross-country highways. Known for its spooky atmosphere, especially at night, Amboy has a population of just four people and was even put up for sale on eBay at one point.
Several films have captured its haunting atmosphere, and although the cafe’s status has changed, the town’s ruined charm remains the same. This truly unique ghost town near Los Angeles is the perfect place to take a trip back in time.
🚗 Distance from DTLA: 116 miles, 1 hour 50 minutes
🧳 Plan your visit: https://visitamboy.com/
6. Allensworth
A restored building in Allensworth. Image via Wiki Commons.
Funded and governed by the black community, Allensworth is one of the most interesting abandoned towns near Los Angeles. Allensworth was founded in 1908 by four African American men and grew to include a schoolhouse, library, Baptist church, and even a hotel.
As California’s first African American school district, it was a symbol of hope and progress. However, when the railroad moved in, the town faced challenges and tragedy, including the death of its founder, Colonel Allen Allensworth. Now a functioning state historic park, it offers a glimpse into a vibrant past that continues to thrive more than a century later.
🚗 Distance from DTLA: 153 miles, 2 hours 35 minutes
🧳 Plan your visit: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=583
7.Body
Photo by Joseph Russo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/view-of-buildings-in-the-body-state-history-park-in-california-usa-19098199/
Once home to more than 5,000 residents during the mining boom of the late 19th century, Bodie is now a famous ghost town. As the town declined, local miner JS Cain purchased many abandoned buildings, leaving their contents untouched.
By 1950, only a few residents remained at Bodie, and in 1962 it became a California State Park and was preserved in an “arrested decay” condition. Despite catastrophic fires in 1892 and 1932, many structures still remain, attracting travelers who want to learn more about the history of this haunting and beautiful destination.
🚗 Distance from DTLA: 364 miles, 6 hours 13 minutes
🧳 Plan your visit: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=509
8. Eagle Mountain
Kaisersteel ruins. Image via Wiki Commons.
Founded in 1948 by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser, Eagle Mountain was once a thriving community and home to the now-defunct Eagle Mountain Iron Mine, originally owned by the Southern Pacific Railroad and later owned by Kaiser Steel. It served as an entrance to.
This interesting property, located just 12 miles north of Desert Center and accessible from State Route 177 via Kaiser Road, recently attracted attention for its sale in May 2023 to Ecology Mountain Holdings for $22.58 million. Collected. However, the buyer’s intentions remain a mystery, adding an element of curiosity to this unique stop for those exploring the desert landscape.
🚗 Distance from DTLA: 195 miles, 3 hours 3 minutes
9. North Bloomfield
One of Southern California’s charming ghost towns, North Bloomfield emerged in the 1880s as a result of water-powered mining, drawing more than 2,000 people to the area along with numerous taverns, hotels, and grocery stores.
The town also had a church, school, butcher, bakery, pharmacy, and even several breweries. However, by the late 1880s, hydro mining was banned due to environmental concerns, and the town gradually declined. It is now part of Malakoff Diggins State Historical Park and has been very well preserved over the years.
🚗 Distance from DTLA: 774 miles, 7 hours 44 minutes
🧳 Plan your visit: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=494
10. Silver City
Silver City is a unique “town” that has never really existed as a single entity. Instead, it is a collection of historical buildings from various mining camps. During the 1960s and 1970s, Dave and Arvilla Mills rescued these structures from demolition, restored them, and moved them to their current location.
Now a museum, Silver City is home to about 20 historic buildings, including a prison, post office, tavern, general store, and thousands of artifacts. The place is rumored to be haunted, and strange occurrences such as floating bottles and self-playing violins have been reported.
🚗 Distance from DTLA: 253 miles, 4 hours 39 minutes
