El Cortez Hotel ghost stories

El Cortez, a prominent 1927-era high-rise in downtown San Diego, has a long-running reputation for ghost stories, including reports of footsteps, voices, and sightings in guest rooms and hallways. The building's long history as a hotel and later residential property has made it a frequent subject of local tall tales and paranormal tours. Such accounts are anecdotal and remain debated rather than empirically proven.