A Super Bowl-Sized Ghost Story: Inside the ‘Haunted’ Winchester Mystery House That Lives Just 12 Minutes from Levi’s Stadium.
Just a 12-minute walk from the roar of the Super Bowl crowds at Levi’s Stadium, the spooky Winchester Mystery House in San Jose stands in stark contrast to the modern spectacle nearby.
This mansion, boasting Victorian architecture and mysterious walls, is known around the world for its strange design and the spooky stories that surround it.
What began as a modest home grew into one of the most extraordinary residences in United States history, attracting visitors for more than a century.
The house was a private residence Sarah Lockwood Pardee Winchesterwidow of William Wirt Winchesterheir to the Winchester Repeating Arms fortune. After losing her husband and child, Sarah moved from Connecticut to California in the 1880s.
There, he bought an eight-room ranch house in San Jose and immediately began remodeling it—and never stopped.
Over time, the building was expanded into a maze of more than 160 rooms, with strange structures that seem to defy logic. They include staircases leading to the roof, doors that open into the walls, dozens of windows, fireplaces and hidden passages—all of which leave visitors in awe and wonder.
The construction of this place continued for almost forty years, only stopping when Sara died in 1922.
The unusual design of the home was mainly due to its continuous construction, often without a plan, and it was often changed or repaired after earthquakes or other structural changes.
While the architecture alone is enough to draw attention, the home’s lasting disappointment comes from its reputation as a “haunted” house.
According to legend, Sarah believed that she was possessed by the spirits of those killed by the Winchester guns.
It was widely reported that the shaman warned him that he must continue building to appease the restless spirits or his life would be in danger.
Although historians have long debated the veracity of these strange claims, the legends persist.
Over the years, visitors and staff have reported unpleasant experiences, including unexplained cold spots, strange steps, doors that close by themselves, and an eerie feeling of being watched.
Today, the Winchester Mystery House is a major tourist attraction, offering guided tours of the house that lead visitors through 110 rooms within about 65 minutes.
Guests can even choose to go below and below to explore the rarely seen areas of the house.
There are also torchlight tours, Victorian gardens, cafes, gift shops, and exhibitions on site.
Located just 8 miles from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, this mansion is an easy side trip for downtown guests looking for something to do outside of cheering on their favorite team.
By car, the drive takes about 12 to 15 minutes, while public transportation can take anywhere from 40 minutes to over an hour.
In the shadow of the world’s biggest sporting event, the Winchester Mystery House remains a poignant reminder that some mysteries refuse to stay buried.
The Super Bowl will take place on Feb. 8 and see The New England Patriots go head to head Seattle Seahawks.
