One of the sentiments we wholeheartedly believe is this: Cypress Lawn is for the living – and as soon as you begin to explore our vast, 200-acre grounds, you’ll see why. It’s the rolling terrain perched high upon the Bay Area coastline. It’s the fascinating history dating back to when California first began. And the amazing visual expressions of love and respect to those who are buried here.

If you’ve never experienced the beauty of Cypress Lawn, summer is the perfect time to do so. Wander the grounds, enjoy the lake with the ducks and other wildlife, and take advantage of endless opportunities to learn about area history, art, architecture, and so much more. As you think through your trip, be sure to keep these treasured sights in mind:

Trees from all over the world. Cypress Lawn’s Arboretum has always been a centerpiece, dating back to our beginnings in 1892 when Founder Hamden Holmes Noble brought in plant materials from around the world to create the stunning, park-like setting. What’s more, our staff has recently added a new accreditation: Global network ArbNet has officially recognized Cypress Lawn as a Level 1-certified arboretum! Be sure to check out our trees indigenous to the Northeast, including the live oak, scrub oak, and a variety of pines. These are in addition to mature trees from all parts of the world, with a wide array of North American, European, and Australian species.

Elaborate stained glass windows. Our mausoleum, located behind the administration building, is home to some of the most stunning stained glass in America, including 36,000 square feet of glass ceilings. Architect Bernard Cahill, a specialist in mausoleum design and mortuary architecture, believed that light and color would be an answer to the grief of death. See what you think as you take in his magnificent work.

Noble Chapel’s charming indoor gardens. Created in 1892, Noble Chapel is the heart of Cypress Lawn. It was named after our founder, Hamden Holmes Noble, and it truly is a work of art. It was designed by architect Thomas Paterson Ross, who patterned the chapel after St. Giles Church in Stoke Poges, England. Inside, you’ll find gardens that provide a place for family and friends to reflect, pray, or spend quiet time as they remember a loved one.

Statuesque works of art. Whether you’re interested in history, art, or architecture, you’re sure to admire the angels, characters from Greek mythology, iconic columns, and statement pieces scattered throughout the property. These visual expressions of love were expertly crafted to bring peace and tranquility to Cypress Lawn.

Before you come, be sure to download our Cypress Lawn App, a simple way to connect with us and the resources we provide. You can learn what our cemetery has to offer from a cultural and historical perspective, and even search for your loved one’s resting place by their name – or the name of anyone who is buried here. Plus, once you’ve located a gravesite you would like to visit, you can use our Cemetery 360 technology to navigate to the location – all on your smartphone.

In an effort to meet the needs of each person in our community, we offer docent-led public trolley tours of Cypress Lawn, featuring information about our history, famous people who rest here, and the many treasures that live at Cypress Lawn. We also provide detailed maps for self-guided tours, and lectures on a variety of topics. We’ll hope to see you this summer!