A Mystery House

Begun in 1884, the Winchester Mystery House, 525 S. Winchester Blvd., at the intersection of I-280 and Highway 17, San Jose (tel. 408/247-2101, www.winchestermysteryhouse.com), is the legacy of Sarah L. Winchester, widow of the son of the famous rifle magnate. After the deaths of her husband and baby daughter, Mrs. Winchester consulted with a seer, who proclaimed that the family had been targeted by the evil spirits of those killed with Winchester repeaters, who would only be appeased by perpetual construction on the Winchester mansion. Convinced that she'd live as long as the building continued, the widow used much of her $20-million inheritance to finance the construction, which went on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, for 38 years. (Ricki Lake would love to have her as a guest.)

As you can probably guess, this is no ordinary home. With 160 rooms, it sprawls across a half-dozen acres. And it's full of disturbing features: a staircase leading nowhere, a Tiffany window with a spider's web design, and doors that open onto blank walls. There are 13 bathrooms, 13 windows and doors in the old sewing room, 13 palms lining the main driveway, 13 hooks in the séance room, and chandeliers with 13 lights. Such schemes were designed to confound the spirits that seemed to plague the heiress.

Tours of the house and grounds are $29 for adults, $26 for seniors age 65 and over, $26 for children 6 to 12, and free for kids under 6; a behind-the-scenes tour is also offered for guests over 12. Tours leave about every 20 to 30 minutes and last around 65 minutes. The house is open daily from 9am to 8pm in the summer; winter hours vary, so call ahead.