Tobin's Spirit Guide

According to a Gallup Poll, only one-third of all Americans believe in the existence of ghosts. That's too bad for the other two-thirds of the nation because while they're busying themselves with the season premiere of Desperate Housewives, the rest of us will be prepared. Since the age of 5, we believers have been training with crude ghost traps constructed from Legos and building up our comprehensive collective knowledge of poltergeists by sharing stories via whispered exchanges in the dark.

Seriously. Do you know what usually happens to people who question ghost stories and try to prove their courage by venturing into the forbidden woods or sneaking into the dark castle during a foggy night? You remember Ichabod? I'm not talking about fun times with Fred, Velma, Daphne, Shaggy and co. We true believers do quite the contrary: We give the supernatural respect and stay the hell away, trying to not mettle with the dead.

Most of us purposely never go anywhere near where the spirits supposedly roam, but if you feel the need for some fear in your lives, I guess you should be grateful that there's plenty of old haunts just a short drive away, including old downtown Fullerton. Being one of the most historic places in Orange County, it's no surprise the city has also earned its title as one of the most haunted. On this sixth annual Haunted Fullerton Walking Tour of the downtown district, guests can visit the theater where a former manager wanders the aisles and a restaurant where a ghost has been seen strolling up to the bar to down a few.

Because the tour requires a lot of walking, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes; I suggest a good pair of running shoes—just in case.

Sixth annual Haunted Fullerton Walking Tour will start at the Fullerton Museum Center, 301 N. Pomona Ave., Fullerton. Every Wed.-Thurs. Ends Oct. 25. $8-12. Reservations recommended; call (714) 738-6545. Not recommended for children under 13.