Staying at The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Touring the Whaley House (Old Town)

**** No food in this one. But I figured I needed to finally get this done!

If you recall, we had a fun stay back in early 2024 at the newly renovated Lafayette Hotel. We had enjoyed our stay so much, that we decided to do another staycation, and to finally play tourist and do a tour we’d been wanting to for a while. So yes, we stayed a night at the Cosmopolitan Hotel and double yes, we booked ourselves a tour of the Whaley House! So touristy, yea?

With the Blue Line Clairemont Drive Trolley stop being established at the end of 2021, it was easy to walk on down and instead of parking, just catch the trolley to Old Town. We only had small backpacks since we’d only be staying the night.

At the time of our visit, the restaurant/bar was not opened yet. I believe they are still only doing Happy Hours during weekends now. Anyway, checking in was done by calling a number provided and the really nice young lady met us at the side gate.

We were staying in the Seeley Suite, the largest suite that has a fireplace and a separate sitting room. On an interesting note, the rooms have no television or telephone.

Named for Alfred Seeley who purchased the property to create a stagecoach hotel. The room is on the second floor with a view of Old Town from the wrap around balcony that stretches the length of the building.

Juan Bandini originally built his home on this location, named Casa Bandini in 1829. It was a single story 12 room u-shaped adobe home. In 1859, Bandini struck by illness and in debt transferred the ownership of the property to Abel Stearns who sold the property to Alfred Seeley in 1869. In 1888 Seeley sold the hotel, which over the following years served as a store, pickle factory, and motel.

The rooms really do transport you to another time. And speaking of transport; I opened the book on the table and started reading…..

About various supernatural experiences that took place in this room! Shades of the Historic Anchorage Hotel, huh?

After resting a bit, we headed off to dinner at Tahona….my photos strangely didn’t come out? Perhaps something was going on with the combination of staying at the Cosmopolitan and eating next door to Campo Santo Cemetery? And throw in the little tour we were headed to after dinner……

At the Whaley House of course! Which claims to be the most haunted house in America and has been featured in many of those “supernatural shows” on television.

We met our guide; Hannah who was so full of stories and entertaining.

Back in September of 1852, James “Yankee Jim” Robinson was hanged on the site of what was to become the Whaley House for supposedly stealing a rowboat. It is said that he is one of the “spirits” that haunts the Whaley House.

Thomas Whaley, who had moved to San Diego after his store burnt down in San Francisco in 1851 purchased the lot in 1855, building a single story structure. In 1857, the two story house was built.

Along with “Yankee Jim”, the house, and the Whaley’s ran into some bad luck. Their 18 month old son died of scarlet fever in 1858 and their store burnt down. Trying to change their luck; Thomas and Anna Whaley moved to San Francisco. They ended up moving back to San Diego after the 1868 Hayward Earthquake. And in partnership with Philip Crosthwaite opened the Whaley and Crosthwaite General Store. Which Hannah went over during the tour.

She also went over the suicide of the Whaley’s daughter, Violet in 1885. In 1868, an upstairs bedroom was converted into a theatre and rented out to the Tanner Troupe.

Unfortunately, a few months later Thomas Tanner, the head of the troupe died suddenly. It is said that he also haunts the house.

It is said that you can smell Thomas Whaley’s cigar smoke in the foyer or Anna’s apple pie in the kitchen…along with utensils rearranging themselves. There have been reports of a Native American Man, a Confederate Soldier, and a mystery woman in the converted courthouse portion.

I didn’t smell, hear, or feel anything. But the Missus did say that something tapped Her on the shoulder as She was walking up the stairs!

And then it was a short walk to El Agave for a nightcap, before returning to the Cosmopolitan. We slept well and luckily were not “awakened” by Mr Bandini or his daughter Yisadora during the evening.

Waking early, it was interesting walking around Old Town at that time of the day.

And we also got to check out the bar and restaurant areas of the hotel as well.

That’s a portrait of Albert Seeley on the wall in the dining room.

It was quite fascinating to wander around.

We did enjoy our short overnight stay in Old Town. I’m certain that we really don’t spend enough time exploring our lovely city. I’m hoping to try to rectify some of that in the future.

Whaley House
2476 San Diego Ave.
San Diego, CA 92110

Cosmopolitan Hotel
2660 Calhoun St.
San Diego, CA 92110

Thanks for stopping by!