Presidio Pet Cemetery San Francisco

Military pets live on

Brooke from San Francisco

About me Hello there! I work for a non-profit that supports the Golden Gate National Parks. In this role, I often come across visitors and love to encourage them to explore, not only parts of San Francisco, but our well-known park sites that offer so much beauty and history as well! I love engaging with visitors and locals, seeing what interests them. You can learn a lot about people and I’v...
"TIme has almost forgotten the "Presidio Pet Cemetery" in San Francisco, with pet hedge stones & names from when this was an active Army base..."

I never was one to visit any type of cemetery, as it has a sad connotation and makes one think of what they no longer have. However, I had a change of opinion when I discovered that there was a pet cemetery in The Presidio. I had always heard about it. It almost seemed like you had to just “know” where it was.

I was pleasantly surprised to find it tucked directly under the freeway approach to the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s about a ½ acre and has countless pet hedge stones inside. The cemetery is enclosed by a weathered white picket fence. Something out of a movie, really. It’s like time has forgotten about this little cemetery plot. Upon inspecting each aged marker, I found the many playful names of the animals who belonged to various military officials who lived in the Presidio while it was an active Army base. Names like Smoochy, Cleo, Tabby, Champagne, and countless others. The names really made you feel a sense of family and what these pets must have offered their hardworking owners. I can only imagine that the companionship of these pets made life a little easier for these often nomadic military families. It was touching to sense while walking around.

I could even sense my imagination hearing the spirit sounds of cats meowing, dogs barking, and a macaw cawing, as if to say, “thank you for visiting us.” Please go visit this eclectic piece of Presidio history.

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

Buy one, Give one!

Share your 💚 this December

*on all products

San Francisco Spotter Brooke

About me Hello there! I work for a non-profit that supports the Golden Gate National Parks. In this role, I often come across visitors and love to encourage them to explore, not only parts of San Francisco, but our well-known park sites that offer so much beauty and history as well! I love engaging with visitors and locals, seeing what interests them. You can learn a lot about people and I’ve met so many interesting characters over the years. I was a former film student many moons ago. And while that didn’t pan out, I naturally found photography as my go-to creative outlet. It pleases me...

About this spot

McDowell Ave

US$

free

4155615300

Nov 1, 2025

Our San Francisco City Guide

Find your way with 158 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

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

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

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

Discover all other hidden gems in San Francisco

Pug Sunday

Fun for dogs and humans

"Pug Sunday" in San Francisco is on the first Sunday of every month. Four-legged and two-legged creatures alike welcome the new month at Altaza Park.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Sasha

Sommer

Dec 10, 2025

SF Symphony

Something old, something new

The Louise M Davies Symphony Hall is a beautiful space of culture and concerts. There's always something and fresh to enjoy by the SF Symphony here!

029-guitar-instrument-1
Music
019-lemonade-1
Theaters

by

Nadine

Johnson

Dec 10, 2025

Oracle Park

Baseball by the bay

"Oracle Park" in San Francisco is one of the finest baseball stadiums in America. With panoramic views of the bay, it's uniquely San Franciscan...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 10, 2025

Swensen's Ice Cream

Same corner since '48

"Swensen's Ice Cream" in San Francisco hasn't changed since 1948. It's the chain's first store and I sill buy bulk ice cream here when I'm in the area...

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 10, 2025

Ocean Aquarium

Hidden fish store

"Ocean Aquarium" in San Francisco is a beautiful fish & aquarium store on the most unremarkable side alleyway you can think of. So glad we found it...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 10, 2025

Victoria Pastry Co.

All the major food groups

"Victoria Pastry Co." has prompted me to travel across San Francisco solely to enjoy one of its famed cannolis. Walking into it is a test of self-control.

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 10, 2025

Liguria Bakery

A little Italy in SF

The focaccia at "Liguria Bakery" brings Italy to San Francisco. The place feels so familiar for locals. Everyone has a story about the first time they tried.

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Nadine

Johnson

Dec 10, 2025

Golden Boy Pizza

A gold rush

"Golden Boy Pizza" is far and away the best pizza place in San Francisco. I know this is a bold claim, but everything about it is perfection...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 10, 2025

SOMArts

Some arts

"SOMArts" is a perfect example of what I enjoy about San Francisco. It's an old warehouse that's a boundary-pushing hotspot for local art & music...

002-building
Art & culture
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 10, 2025

Brogan and Son Barber Shop

A cut and a pint

"Brogan and Son Barber Shop" San Francisco is an eye-catching barber shop that offers a cool vibe and a clean trim.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Nadine

Johnson

Dec 10, 2025

¡Venga! Empanadas

Delicioso

"¡Venga! Empanadas" San Francisco is a spot that serves fresh empanada. Yes you can find these places every around town but this spot welcomes you with...

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Nadine

Johnson

Dec 10, 2025

Downtown City Farmers Market

Seasonal delights

The "Downtown City Farmers Market" is a San Francisco market in a historic location. What I like the most about it is the friendliness of the farmers!

017-plant-1
Relaxing
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Nadine

Johnson

Dec 10, 2025

Heading to San Francisco?

158 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

San Francisco app Home
San Francisco app Home
San Francisco app Map
San Francisco app Home

Heading to San Francisco?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

158 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves San Francisco

Get to know our other Spotters from San Francisco

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
64
Made with the 💚 of 498 Spotters.
Filters