Kathleen from San Francisco

About me Born on an American Army base in Germany, I came to the states when I was six months old and my parents were stationed back home at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington, where I spent my entire childhood. Little did I know that the military lifestyle was going to become what inspired me to become an artist. I have been a photographer for most of my life. Whether I knew it o...

Apr 5, 2025

Mission Dolores Cemetery San Francisco

Lovely and serene

""Mission Dolores Cemetery" in San Francisco belongs to a church built back in 1791! A lot of folks that lived here during the Gold Rush are buried here..."

When I first moved to San Francisco, I lived virtually across the street from Mission Dolores Church. Did I ever go there? Nope. So I never knew there was actually a cemetery behind it. A very cool one, as it turns out.

The full and true name of Mission Dolores is “Misión San Francisco de Asis” and it’s beautiful. The original church was built in 1791 with adobe walls that are four feet thick! A good thing, too, because it survived the 1906 earthquake. The Basilica wasn’t so fortunate.

There’s a beautiful statue in the middle-ish of the cemetery of Father Junipero Serra and it gives it the feeling of being a very beautiful, very serene place to spend time. It was larger at one point, but was consolidated to its current size. It also contains an indigenous Ohlone hut.

A lot of the folks buried there now are from the Gold Rush, when illness and disease were rampant. Some of the names you’ll recognize from the streets that are their namesakes when driving around the city. The earlier graves were unidentifiable because the markers were wooden and had deteriorated completely so they were reverently buried in a common grave.

If you get the opportunity to visit Mission Dolores, take the opportunity to visit the cemetery. It’s beautiful.

Art & culture

About this spot

3321 16th Street

Entry fee:

US$

Website

4156218203

Find your way with 156 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our San Francisco guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in San Francisco

The Crab House

So much food!

"The Crab House" in San Francisco makes some of the best seafood around - and presented beautifully. It's like Fantasia, but for food!

Restaurants

Kathleen

Messmer

Apr 23, 2025

Graffiti Murals

Unbelievable

The Graffiti Murals in San Francisco, close to the Steiner end of Haight street, have been created by artists that are talented beyond imagination...

Art & culture

Music

Relaxing

Kathleen

Messmer

Apr 22, 2025

Ingleside Terraces Sundial

Largest in the US

The "Ingleside Terraces Sundial" in San Francisco is the largest sundial in the US. It's more than 100 years old & still tells the time very accurately...

Art & culture

Kathleen

Messmer

Apr 21, 2025

Church of 8 Wheels

Holy rollers unite!

This San Francisco church has a rich history... today, the "Church of 8 Wheels", created by the Godfather of Skating, is the epicenter of the SF scene...

Art & culture

Relaxing

Nadine

Johnson

Apr 20, 2025

Talk About Stairs!

Neighborhood steps up

You might notice that each brick on this staircase at San Francisco's Coit Tower has a name written on it. Here's the forgotten story behind those names.

Art & culture

Kathleen

Messmer

Apr 18, 2025

CA Coastal Trail

Walk along the Pacific

"CA Coastal Trail" in Francisco is a calm, easy and beautiful hike that includes quite a few Bay Area landmarks - and all next to the ocean...

Relaxing

Kathleen

Messmer

Apr 17, 2025

Critical Mass

Better together

"Critical Mass" San Francisco is lots of fun and serious for some. Everyone is invited! No one is in charge! Body paint, optional.

Art & culture

Relaxing

Nadine

Johnson

Apr 13, 2025

Heading to San Francisco?

156 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

✓ 156 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download

.single-jet-popup{--wpr-bg-fa01e99b-b94b-4a97-84f9-86152a3aeda6: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-popup/assets/image/transparent.jpg');}.elementor-widget-jet-map .jet-map-message .jet-map-message__dammy-map{--wpr-bg-2645144b-c006-468a-ae01-324af83002aa: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-elements/assets/images/dummy-map.png');}.jet-image-accordion__item-loader span{--wpr-bg-19c97c64-c78a-47d8-8764-11a211c404ef: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-tabs/assets/images/spinner-32.svg');}.chosen-container-single .chosen-single abbr{--wpr-bg-15755603-f671-4f26-ac4c-345eeeef14e8: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite.png');}.chosen-container-single .chosen-single div b{--wpr-bg-7122b675-d2e4-4c6d-905b-69e06636cc16: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite.png');}.chosen-container-single .chosen-search input[type=text]{--wpr-bg-f16a1293-0380-453e-a0fc-fc2abdf4c0b3: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite.png');}.chosen-container-multi .chosen-choices li.search-choice .search-choice-close{--wpr-bg-f98890ee-8092-48e6-9899-cfbc8ce4ee0c: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite.png');}.chosen-rtl .chosen-search input[type=text]{--wpr-bg-a194fb58-beef-4902-83bc-774907c1f0ed: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite.png');}.chosen-container .chosen-results-scroll-down span,.chosen-container .chosen-results-scroll-up span,.chosen-container-multi .chosen-choices .search-choice .search-choice-close,.chosen-container-single .chosen-search input[type=text],.chosen-container-single .chosen-single abbr,.chosen-container-single .chosen-single div b,.chosen-rtl .chosen-search input[type=text]{--wpr-bg-226c6666-ac77-4dfb-a9a5-da07d1810112: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/jet-search/assets/lib/chosen/chosen-sprite@2x.png');}.elementor-710 .elementor-element.elementor-element-5db2dae:after{--wpr-bg-41621bc7-3195-4520-b6cf-6c5655eeac10: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/grain-noise.png');}.elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808 > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808 > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-1ede5808 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer::before{--wpr-bg-f8e0ab19-0904-437c-b13e-df2641daea68: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/grain-noise-1.png');}.elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9 > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9 > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-61752 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ec15a9 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer::before{--wpr-bg-51f8fa17-c0f1-4bd5-a393-7287f7d35a63: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/grain-noise-1.png');}.rll-youtube-player .play{--wpr-bg-30948098-9ccb-4c7f-a43e-51474a62af4e: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-rocket/assets/img/youtube.png');}.elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-42e5cd5::before, .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-42e5cd5 > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-42e5cd5 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-video-container::before, .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-42e5cd5 > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-42e5cd5 > .e-con-inner > .elementor-background-slideshow::before, .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-42e5cd5 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer::before{--wpr-bg-2a9282ef-b8b8-4ce1-8e52-134e58337ce0: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/grain-noise.png');}.elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-396fe4c:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-396fe4c > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-9d6f1c5b-9719-4586-8bfa-e2a909fae6c3: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img-20190925-wa0000_cropped-e1726825913724-1024x1024.jpg');}.elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-396fe4c:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-396fe4c > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-46188cf9-c26e-41df-99eb-93c5dd39bf23: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img-20190925-wa0000_cropped-e1726825913724.jpg');}.elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-d71b397:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-47288 .elementor-element.elementor-element-d71b397 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-daab6004-73dc-4c6b-b7e1-0d9d809533df: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/restaurant.jpeg');}.elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19ac1552:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19ac1552 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-21ca7f60-7cd5-4be7-bac0-a9674518238a: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Man-met-Bril-3-scaled.jpg');}.elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ff85509:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6ff85509 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-0251ccfe-acde-4ee6-8f4c-a0d24c41d28c: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/O-Ciclo-4.jpeg');}.elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19ac1552:not(.elementor-motion-effects-element-type-background), .elementor-137002 .elementor-element.elementor-element-19ac1552 > .elementor-motion-effects-container > .elementor-motion-effects-layer{--wpr-bg-b5964975-7541-4b74-980f-6803c52135ae: url('https://www.spottedbylocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hot-Dog-Soup-scaled.jpeg');}

Download our app