Mountain View Cemetery
4.1(170)google
4.5(248)yelp
HistoryNatureSecluded & Uncrowded
Overview
Designed in 1863 by the world-famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, this stunningly grand historic park-like cemetery features historic rolling parkways and majestic panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay. The prestigious park functions as the final resting place for numerous historic California pioneers, industrial tycoons, and cultural leaders, whose massive, artistic family mausoleums line the famous Millionaires' Row. It remains highly popular among architecture buffs, history lovers, and local walkers seeking peace amid historic carved stone monuments.
Practical Info
Suggested DurationAbout 1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimeRecommended for clear spring or autumn mornings. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, this hillside cemetery features 'Millionaires' Row' at the top, resting place of California historical icons, offering stunning Bay vistas.
Getting ThereSituated at the northernmost end of Piedmont Ave. Driving is allowed inside the cemetery gates along the winding paths with careful roadside parking. Or take AC Transit bus 12 to the terminus and walk in.
Travel Tips
- Revised sanctuary codes bar public recreational access during standard weekdays; entry is restricted to specific weekend daylight windows via check-in gates.
- The Olmsted-designed Millionaire's Row ridge involves severe uphill scaling; private touring vehicles are denied driving access past the valley entrance lots.
- The panoramic Bay Bridge summit vistas face a hard security sweeps starting at 4:30 PM; photo setups must be broken down and evacuated before this target window.
Reviews
Positive
- Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the grounds look like a premium hilltop park, offering spectacular, panoramic views of the Bay Bridge from the summit.
- It is completely free to the public, featuring wide, smooth paths, clear signs, plenty of trash bins, and great accessibility for long walks.
- It serves as the resting place for many legendary figures in California history, featuring artistic tomb sculptures rich in historical and educational core value.
- The pristine natural environment is impeccably preserved with lush trees and wild deer, keeping crowd density low for a thoroughly relaxing escape.
Heads up
- Since it is an active private cemetery, strict crowd-control and reduced hours have been implemented, meaning it is only open for public walking on select days.
- Spanning over 200 acres with steep rolling hills, hiking to the summit viewpoint entirely on foot can be physically exhausting without a vehicle.
- Public restrooms are extremely sparse, clustered mostly near the main entrance office, making them hard to find once deep inside the grounds.
- Despite the park-like setting, its cemetery nature means bicycles, loud noises, and commercial photo shoots are banned, with no leisure or snack amenities.