About Haunted Orange County

The Story of Haunted Orange County

Haunted Orange County was founded in 2009 by Ernie Alonzo, a creative force in the world of themed entertainment, historical storytelling, and immersive event production. What began as a modest blog documenting the haunted history of Old Town Orange—Ernie’s hometown—has grown into Southern California’s leading haunted history tour company, thanks to his unique blend of historical integrity, production flair, and community engagement.

Haunted Orange County started as Haunted Orange, a personal passion project where Ernie collected ghost stories, interviewed local shopkeepers, and curated vintage photographs to preserve and share the eerie folklore of Old Town. In 2010, he partnered with historian Charles Spratley to launch the Old Town Orange Haunted History Ghost Walk, which set the tone for what would become an ever-expanding catalog of deeply researched and theatrically staged tours.

Under Ernie’s direction, Haunted Orange County quickly expanded into new cities, debuting the Downtown Santa Ana Ghost Walk in 2014, followed by tours in Black Star Canyon, San Juan Capistrano, Downtown Fullerton, and the Kellogg House at the Heritage Museum of Orange County. The company also produces exclusive seasonal tours in Hollywood, Pasadena, and the Walt Disney Mansion in Los Feliz.

Beyond ghost walks, Ernie has produced an impressive range of themed events including haunted dinners, cemetery tours, séance recreations, paranormal lecture series, horror film screenings, cryptozoology and UFO panels, and more. Haunted Orange County has collaborated with organizations including Chapman University, Heritage Museum of Orange County, City of Tustin, Santa Ana Historical Society, and the City of Buena Park.

Ernie is the founder of Fandom Productions LLC, a brand and experience-driven entertainment company that also manages Disney Legend Bob Gurr. Through Fandom Productions, Ernie serves as executive producer of The Bob Gurr Show and the acclaimed documentary Bob Gurr: Living By Design, celebrating the life and legacy of one of Walt Disney’s original Imagineers. He is also the creative producer of Waltland Disney History Tours, a Los Angeles-area tour experience honoring Bob Gurr’s contributions to Disney and themed design.

As a brand builder and experience curator, Ernie brings together storytelling, design, and production to craft unforgettable experiences that resonate with fans of history, mystery, and imagination.

In 2022 Darcy Staniforth was brought on to docent tours of the historic Kellogg House. Darcy is a writer, researcher, and seasoned paranormal investigator with a background in American Studies and cultural history. In 2025 Darcy took on the role as Director of Tour Operations. She brings her passion for storytelling, folklore, and the unexplained to every tour she curates. With years of experience leading ghost walks at iconic locations like The Kellogg House and Downtown Santa Ana, she combines deep historical knowledge with engaging, immersive presentation. Behind the scenes, Darcy oversees guide training, tour development, and guest experience to ensure each event is both educational and unforgettable.