If you’re driving south from San Francisco, past the fog-drenched hills of Daly City, you might notice something a bit... quiet. You’ve likely hit the town limits of Colma. Honestly, most people just pass through on their way to the airport or a shopping run without realizing they are standing in the middle of one of the most bizarre geographical anomalies in the United States.
So, where is Colma California exactly?
Geographically, it’s tucked into the San Francisco Peninsula in San Mateo County. It’s tiny. We are talking about two square miles of land. But here is the kicker: while there are only about 1,500 living residents, there are over 1.5 million "residents" underground. That is a 1,000-to-1 ratio that earned the town its nickname, the "City of Souls."
Finding Colma on the Map (and Why It’s There)
You’ll find Colma bordered by Daly City to the north and South San Francisco to the south. It sits right in the Merced Valley, a gap between San Bruno Mountain and the Santa Cruz range. If you're looking for a landmark, just follow El Camino Real—the historic "King's Highway"—which runs right through the heart of the town’s cemetery district.
It wasn't always like this.
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Back in the day, San Francisco had plenty of cemeteries. But by the late 1800s, the city was booming. Real estate became more valuable than respect for the departed, and local officials started viewing graveyards as "public health hazards." Basically, they wanted the land for houses and businesses.
In 1900, the city banned all new burials. By 1912, they went a step further and ordered the "eviction" of the dead. Thousands of bodies were dug up and moved 10 miles south to Lawndale, which we now know as Colma.
The Layout of a Necropolis
Walking through Colma is a surreal experience. Most of the town is green space, but it’s not the kind of green space where you’ll find kids playing soccer. It’s 17 distinct cemeteries that make up over 70% of the town’s land.
The variety is actually pretty fascinating:
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- Holy Cross Cemetery: The oldest and largest, home to baseball legend Joe DiMaggio.
- Hills of Eternity: This is where you’ll find Wyatt Earp’s final resting place.
- Pet’s Rest: Yes, even the animals have a dedicated spot here, including Tina Turner’s dog.
- Cypress Lawn: Known for its incredible architecture and the burial site of publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst.
It’s weirdly beautiful. The town motto is "It’s Great to Be Alive in Colma," which is a bit of dark humor that the locals (the living ones, anyway) lean into. You’ll see it on the town’s official seal.
Getting There and Looking Around
If you want to visit, it’s incredibly easy. The Colma BART station drops you right near the action. If you’re driving, it’s just off Interstate 280.
Most people come for the history. You can spend an entire afternoon wandering through the Italian Cemetery or looking for the grave of Emperor Norton (the guy who declared himself the Emperor of the United States back in the 1850s).
It isn't just a giant graveyard, though. Since the 1980s, the town has diversified. There’s a massive retail sector—the 280 Metro Center—and a string of car dealerships that make up a huge chunk of the town’s tax revenue. It’s a strange juxtaposition: a Ferrari dealership on one side of the street and a centuries-old mausoleum on the other.
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Why Does Colma Still Exist?
You might wonder why they don’t just build houses there now.
In California, once land is dedicated for cemetery use, it is very difficult to change. Colma was incorporated in 1924 specifically to protect these "residents." It was a necropolis by design.
The weather there is classic Bay Area—chilly, foggy, and damp. It adds to the atmosphere. Most days, the fog rolls over San Bruno Mountain and blankets the headstones by 4:00 PM. It’s the kind of place that feels like it belongs in a gothic novel, yet it has a Target and a Home Depot.
Actionable Next Steps for Visiting Colma
If you're planning to see the "City of the Silent" for yourself, here is how to do it right:
- Start at the Colma Historical Association: Located on Hillside Blvd, this small museum gives you the context you need before you start wandering. They have exhibits on everything from old funeral carriages to local boxing history.
- Download a Grave Map: Cemeteries like Cypress Lawn and Holy Cross are massive. If you want to find Joe DiMaggio or Levi Strauss, you’ll want a map from the main office or a GPS-enabled app.
- Respect the Hours: Most cemeteries close their gates at 5:00 PM sharp. Don't be the person who gets locked inside a necropolis after dark.
- Check the Weather: It is significantly colder in Colma than in downtown San Francisco or San Jose. Bring a jacket, even if it looks sunny.
Colma is a reminder of how we treat our history—and how the needs of a growing city can literally push the past right out of town. It is one of the most unique zip codes in America, and once you’ve seen it, you won't forget it.