Explore the haunted history of Big Bear‘s iconic Captain’s Anchorage restaurant, where ghostly activity and Hollywood legends intertwine in the San Bernardino Mountains.
A Hollywood Haunt with a Paranormal Past
Big Bear offers stunning views and outdoor fun — and one of Southern California’s most haunted spots. Opened in 1947 by Western star Andy Devine, The Captain’s Anchorage has become a hotspot for paranormal fans.
The restaurant was once a gambling den and a celebrity hangout for John Wayne and Roy Rogers. Now, people know it for its ghost, George — a bookkeeper who died upstairs. Employees and patrons report unexplained phenomena, from flying glasses to shadowy apparitions, keeping the legend alive decades later.
Eyewitness Accounts from the Staff
General Manager Carlos Yanez attests to the active paranormal presence within the Big Bear institution. He described seeing a ghost on the stairs and spotting bottles move by themselves on security footage.
Yanez said the longtime bartender has felt her ponytail pulled and heard footsteps upstairs.
The most common activity occurs in the evening, with George’s presence often linked to Crown Royal whiskey, his reported drink of choice in life.
Leaning Into the Legend
The Big Bear restaurant now proudly embraces its haunted reputation. The management has hosted psychic mediums and paranormal investigators to explore the activity. This year, they’re hosting a “Haunted Supper” with dinner and a live paranormal investigation.
FAQs
Captain’s Anchorage, a famously haunted restaurant, is a historic spot in Big Bear. Captain’s Anchorage draws visitors from across Big Bear for its ghostly lore.
The primary ghost is believed to be a bookkeeper named George, who died under mysterious circumstances in the building’s upstairs office decades ago
Staff and visitors report a range of activity, including glasses flying off shelves, bottles moving on their own, footsteps from empty rooms, and sightings of shadowy apparitions.
Yes, the restaurant occasionally hosts special events like “Haunted Suppers” that include a paranormal investigation, allowing the public to explore the building after hours.
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