Explore California’s Top 9 Cemetery Tours and Historic Graveyards

Cemeteries are not only the final resting places of fascinating individuals but also preserve the rich history of their regions. While some visitors are drawn by ghost stories and thrills, these hallowed grounds serve as some of the best locations to delve into local history.

Many of the cemeteries featured below provide guided tours, with some operating year-round while others are limited to October.

Cypress Lawn Cemetery, Colma (San Francisco)

Cypress Lawn Cemetery, established in the late 19th century, is renowned for its stunning angel sculptures and elaborate mausoleums. Situated just south of San Francisco, it is the resting place of numerous notable figures from the area.

Guided walking tours occur on Saturdays from April to October. The cemetery also offers historical trolley tours, Victorian heritage days, and various events throughout the year. For a complete list of happenings, visit their website.

Alhambra Cemetery, Contra Costa County

The Alhambra Cemetery holds the remains of early pioneers who ventured to California in search of fortune. With earliest burials dating back to the 1850s, this cemetery encapsulates a significant part of local history.

While the Martinez Historical Society conducts walking tours once a year, visitors can also explore the cemetery at their leisure with a self-guided tour by visiting their website for more information.

Forest Lawn, Glendale (Los Angeles)

Forest Lawn serves as the final resting place for countless famous individuals and is filled with remarkable chapels and artwork. Although public tours are not available and staff may not assist visitors directly, it is still possible to enjoy a self-guided experience.

To begin your visit, consider reviewing the cemetery overview at Seeing Stars as a valuable resource.

Ghosts and Gravestones in San Diego

The Ghosts and Gravestones tour features a stroll through the historic El Campo Santo Cemetery as well as a visit to the infamous Whaley House, both renowned for their paranormal activity.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Los Angeles

Dating back to the early Hollywood era, Hollywood Forever Cemetery lies adjacent to Paramount Studios and serves as the final resting place for numerous iconic stars and filmmakers.

In late October, the cemetery hosts the Los Angeles Day of the Dead celebration. Regular tours are also available a couple of times each month.

Long Beach Municipal and Sunnyside Cemeteries

During the Halloween season, the Long Beach Historical Society organizes tours of the city’s two oldest cemeteries, famously noting that “every plot has a story.” These engaging tours often feature graveside presentations by both professional and volunteer actors, sharing poignant stories of those interred.

Old City Cemetery, Sacramento

Old City Cemetery is the final resting place for notable historical figures, including mayors, governors, Civil War veterans, and victims of the 1850 Cholera Epidemic.

A variety of guided tours are available, allowing visitors to learn about Sacramento’s intriguing past residents. Additionally, their Lantern Tours in late October are particularly popular and tend to sell out quickly.

Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery, Sonoma County

The Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery offers both self-guided exploration and themed tours, which may include the “Stones and Images,” “Darkside,” or “Lamplight” tours, the latter of which are conducted after dark.

Yorba Cemetery, Orange County

With origins dating back to 1834, the historic Yorba Cemetery was active until 1939 and is now part of the Orange County Parks system. It features regular tours, allowing visitors to enjoy the historical relevance of this site.