My first visit here was with my Great Uncle, John Dominique. He was an early California artist who lived in Montecito and had a studio in Santa Barbara in the early 20th Century. He was living in Ojai when we would visit him at his home and studio. One visit he said he wanted to go check on his headstone. So we drove from Ojai to Santa Barbara so he would visit his gravesite. It's a few steps from his sister Ellen, who died of the Spanish flu in 1918. It was a tragedy as she was a teacher and had been nursing children who were sick at the time. She contracted influenza and she and her unborn child died in the pandemic. She has a large rough granite headstone . Their parents are also a few more steps away, August & Emma Dominique. Whenever I'm in the area or traveling through, I always stop to visit this serene cliff top sanctuary. It is epically beautiful in all seasons. The chapel is also magnificent with its frescos on the wall. An intimate space to pause for prayers of remembrance. read more

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My husband's mother and grandparents are buried in the Santa Barbara Cemetery, and one day, hopefully far in the future, my father-in-law will join them. I've visited many times over the years, and it's a beautiful place, peaceful and green and well maintained. We have two little kids, and they've gone with us a few times, including for the annual Memorial Day ceremony last weekend. It was a nice event, though it might have been a mistake to take small children to see the flyover, which happened a full hour into the speeches. The boys don't totally get death yet, but I'm glad they have a nice place to visit their forebearers. I know my husband and I will be here countless times before we die, and it feels like a particularly good cemetery to rest in eternal peace. read more

Cemeteries. They're an odd business to review, but this one is special and everyone should know how special it is. I wish the photos of the small chapel were better. They do not do it justice as it's beautiful on the interior and exterior, designed in a Spanish mission style. There's a small courtyard out front. It's intimate and comforting. The grounds themselves are rolling hills. There's a lot of terrain here and it makes each grave unique. The purple mountains show in the background. They have a variety of trees here, palms, pines and others. It's incredibly well manicured. At the rear of the property there is an ocean view which frequently shows sailboats cruising the horizon. This place is incredibly well maintained. It's a gorgeous cemetery. read more

Visiting cemeteries may seem like an odd hobby to some. I find them to generally be peaceful and the equivalent of a museum. It's even better when family is there to visit. Although I've been here numerous times to visit family and look around I need help finding a site. The gentleman at the office was kind and went one step beyond in terms of helping. I would have been happy with a map but he actually led us to the location and the specific graves. Talk about great service! It's a shame that COVID restrictions prohibits visiting the chapel. I can't get enough of that place and it's beautiful, historic murals. But not on this visit... read more

Mexico's David Alfaro Siqueiros became world famous for his murals. Alfredo Ramos Martínez, Siqueiros' teacher, is now much lesser known and that's disappointing because he left southern California with some treasures. The most well known are probably his chapel murals here at the Santa Barbara Cemetery. Completed in 1934, the images fill all upper interior portions of the chapel designed by architect George Washington Smith. The theme is the resurrection of Christ and it turns this small jewel of a building into an amazing art gallery. This cemetery looks out on the Pacific Ocean and the deceased, including 1940s film star Ronald Colman, certainly have some of the best views of anyone in the always growing afterlife club. Considering its context in the history of art, this cemetery really is a must-see attraction in Santa Barbara. read more

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Came here early on a Saturday morning, hoping to visit the burial site of actress Virginia Cherrill. However, the large mausoleum appears to be the only part off limits during the Covid era. We took advantage of our time here visiting the gravesites of several famous individuals who are buried here including Fess Parker, Suzy Parker, Alan Thicke and Sam Battistone to name a few. There is an expansive list available on the "find a grave" website. The view of the Pacific Ocean from the grounds is stunning. This was A peaceful visit that we enjoyed. read more

Super frustrating dealing with staff regarding the placement of my Mom's grave marker. I was not informed by the cemetery that the marker had been delivered. I stayed in touch with the agency that completed the marker and was told by them it was delivered. I called to speak with the cemetery representative and they confirmed it had been delivered but told me to keep trying to call back for confirmation the grave digger has installed the marker. I thought that to be a lot to ask of family to continue to call and ask of status versus letting the family know when installation would be complete. The representative stated that the grave digger was very busy and they were not sure when the marker would be complete. This is super frustrating to place this burden on the family and not necessary when a simple call of completion would suffice, let alone professional to expect the customer that has paid in full to continue to have to work for the services that have been paid. Disappointed - I am, and my family, are Santa Barbara natives. read more

Many years ago I connected with the author of a book that made a great impression on me. In the epilogue it said that he retired in Santa Barbara. At that time I was living up North. I contacted him and we became penpals for a decade. On a trip to Santa Barbara, my mother had tea with him and his wife at his home. When I ended up moving to California I made a point of going by his grave site to pay my respects. It is very serene and beautiful cemetery, that brought me much peace and connection to what matters. I did notice that the flower vase in front of his stone was grown over. I called the office and they probably sent someone up to dig it out to enable me to put the flowers that I brought. read more

I recently had the most difficult day of my life, to bury my husband after a tragic accident. He already had a plot at the Santa Barbara Cemetery and when I called to setup the arrangements, Lori was very helpful and explained exactly how everything worked. She also gave me a list of people who could officiate the service since I didn't have anyone. I choose to ask Jonathan Mulford to officiate the service for my husband. He was wonderful. Even though he had never met my husband, he was able to put together a service based on stories and information I shared. The service was perfect. I'm so grateful for everyone who made this difficult day go smoothly. read more

WOW! What a beautiful cemetery! When I die, I want to buried here. It was kinda random how I came to this cemetery. But being how am I so GOTHIC and MORBID, I decided to pull over and check out the cool tombstones while I was driving down the freeway. It took me a while but I found it. When I did, I realized how huge this place really is. Everyone and their mothers is buried here! But what's even cooler is the dead's wonderful close-up view of the ocean!!!!!!! WHOA! I even got to take some cool pictures of me on a tombstone loveseat with a view of the ocean. ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! STOP BY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE 101! read more

Santa Barbara Cemetery Association - waiting......TO DIE!!! in Santa Barbara - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This old cemetery has a beautiful view of the ocean but some of trees block the view. The place is very well maintained and the lawn is immaculate. read more

Santa Barbara Cemetery Association - DEC2013 - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Lovely place to explore the history of Santa Barbara. The chapel has some amazing Frescos. Pictures say it all. read more

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Beautiful Day Beautiful Cemetery... to lay my beautiful mother down, next to my dad...and, her parents. The cemetery personnel (especially Laura), did a wonderful job today 2-2-2018 read more

So my sister-in-law want to cruise the cemetery. Ok, lets drive through. This one is on the ocean cliffs with fabulous views and an amazing collection of headstones and monuments. I guess to give the departed such great real estate and views, well it says a lot about how we honor the dead. It was a peaceful cruise and I recommend doing it before you bucket list includes you! read more

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One of the most gorgeous and uplifting cemeteries in America. There are still openings available to buy your plot of final real estate, and if you have enough change sitting around, there are a few plots available on the ocean front. Even if you can't afford ocean front, many plots still have both ocean and mountain views. The chapel is open when the cemetery is open (post covid). When the gates are open, between 10-5, you can come and visit your loved ones or do what I've been commonly seeing....exercising (cough). Yes, I see a lot of runners here for some reason, maybe because it's so beautiful with stunning 360 degree views. The employees are responsive, professional, and compassionate and the grounds are well cared for and respectful. It's one of the best cemeteries and visiting here is a good, healthy reminder of how we should embrace life to its fullest before we reach our final resting place. Gorgeous place to be buried or to visit! read more

Seems weird to be reviewing a cemetery ("great ambiance! service was terrific!") but many of my peoples are buried here and I never miss it when I'm in town. For me, it is one of the most blissful spots on earth. And the people who work in the office are seriously nice. A lovely, lovely place. read more

Santa Barbara Cemetery Association - Feeling happy and grateful to be alive in this inspiring locale! - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

It is a good cemetery, though I can't bring myself to give more than three stars to a place full of dead people. Interestingly here around Montecito and Santa Barbara, there are a lot of opulent headstones, crypts, and monuments. They're worth a look, if you want a slow, quiet, introspective walk. The top of the property is on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean; pretty amazing. read more

My elegant Hollywood starlet mother was laid to rest next to my high-ranking military dad this past month here at SB Cemetery. What great service from the staff here. Everyone was so helpful and they had all the files and records regarding my family instantly available and they even had the burial plot records on me, even though I live far away for my hometown. If you need guidance, the staff will be there to advise you properly. This is an update from my Yelp review from a few years ago. This is a stunning property next to the famous Clark Estate (read "Empty Mansions" if you want to know more) and I lived within in a mile of here at the beach for over 25 years. A true treasure of old California is here--the organization sells a fascinating book, "The Best Last Place" which describes a unique history. read more

This is the most beautiful cemetary in California. All my relatives are buried here. The cost is perfect and the local mortuaries are most helpful in presenting a respectful and dignified funeral service. They have a chapel...for your service. I ordered an extensive display of flowers for my mother's service from www.sanroqueflorist.com/ and they did a fabulous job getting them to the chapel and providing large colorful displays. I too have a plot selected and will bury my husband and myself together. You will be surprised how much more affordable this breathtaking pacific ocean spot is compared to Rose Hills in Whitter & Forest Lawn in South CA. read more

Santa Barbara cemetery is a place I feel comfortable recommending. My son is buried there. His death was unexpected and tragic. He was a young amazing man. A man of integrity and full of potential. His death is mortifying for our family. The staff were kind and helpful. During such a horrific and and traumatic time. Spending time there, nowadays reflecting and mourning, provides the luxuriousness off good vibes. For the simple reason, the cemetery is a beautiful place. A space I wish I never had to know about. Although, since I do, I find the cemetery and the staff to be very comforting. The trees are unique and intriguing. Additionally, the grounds are beautifully maintained. read more

This is the most beautiful cemetery in the U.S. and one of the most historic. It is kept up magnificently and the staff is always more than helpful in all respects. My husband was interred there in 1996 and my mother in 2009, and one day I will be. Can't say enough about all the staff - they're great. anything you need, they are always there to see that things run smoothly. read more