Spirits of the Adobe - A Paranormal Experience
​at the Rancho Buena Vista Adobe

The San Diego Paranormal Research Society (SDPRS) has been hosting its Spirits of the Adobe tours at the Rancho Buena Vista Adobe since 2011.  Originally, the tours were to just be held during the month of October; however, due to popular demand, the City of Vista has added them to its roster of monthly events.   History and the paranormal are closely connected; they are friends with a dear kinship.  For that reason, these two hour tours are designed to allows guests to learn about the rich history of the adobe while also having the opportunity to communicate with its many spirits – some who still call the adobe their home.

There are many layers of historical energy at the Rancho Buena Vista Adobe.  The same can be said for its paranormal phenomena.  The property is rich in both Native American and Spanish history.  There is a lot of residual energy imprinted on the adobe and its environment – basically, left over impressions from its past.  As far as intelligent spirit activity, the Rancho Buena Vista Adobe does have its share.  The SDPRS team has communicated with the spirits of its past owners, including Cave Johnson Couts and his three boys, Cave Couts Jr., Robert Lee and William Couts; Ysidora Bandini de Couts; silent film star Margarita Fischer Pollard and her husband, Harry Pollard etc.  Two other popular spirits on the property include Luis Machado Senior (he prefers to be greeted as “Luis, my friend”) and Juan Gonzalez, who’s origins are being researched.

We are honored to have the opportunities to connect with these spirits as it’s a way to learn about and feel closer to San Diego’s history.  The Rancho Buena Vista Adobe is indeed, a beautiful place proudly holding onto the memories of its past.

About the Tours

Vista’s historic Rancho Buena Vista Adobe has been inhabited by numerous residents since it was built in the mid-1800s. Some say those early residents have never left. The San Diego Paranormal Research Society (SDPRS) offers the unique experience of joining them in actual paranormal investigations at the Adobe. These interactive ghostly journeys include a walking tour of the Adobe that includes the history of the historic site and the paranormal happenings that occur there. The SDPRS will focus on their paranormal investigation techniques offering tour guests the opportunity to participate in a live EVP session, dowsing rod session and an ITC session via the spirit box. Spirits of the Adobe will be offered on the third Friday of each month. The two-hour tours begin at 7 pm and again at 9:30 pm. Each session is limited to 10 people. Parental written permission is required for children under the age of 18-years-old. Tickets are $25 per person and registration is required at vistarecreation.com or by calling (760) 643-5275. The Rancho Buena Vista Adobe is located at 640 Alta Vista Drive, Vista. Proceeds will benefit the Friends of the Rancho Buena Vista Adobe.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the "Spirits of the Adobe" tours have been temporarily suspended.  We will update the page with future tour dates once the Rancho Buena Vista Adobe resumes activities. 

If you have any questions, please e-mail Nicole Strickland at [email protected] or call her at (858) 395-8520. Please be advised that due to strict protocol, anyone coming to the tours drunk or under the influence will be asked to leave the event. Thank you for your cooperation.