Golden Gate National Cemetery, National military cemetery in San Bruno, California, United States
Golden Gate National Cemetery is a military burial ground in San Bruno, just south of San Francisco, holding over 143,500 gravesites. The grounds cover rolling terrain and flat sections, with markers arranged in organized sectors across many acres.
Congress approved construction in 1937 after San Francisco banned new burial grounds within city limits, with the first interments taking place in 1941. The site has received veterans from multiple conflicts, including servicemen from World War II and later wars.
The cemetery's Memorial Day flag display began here under superintendent John T. Spelman: large flags are raised around the base of the central hill and scout volunteers place small flags on each grave. A Schulmerich carillon donated by the American Veterans was dedicated on May 30, 1958.
The cemetery entrance is at 1300 Sneath Lane in San Bruno, reached from Interstate 280. The grounds cover 161.5 acres of rolling and flat terrain, with graves arranged in sections around a central hill. The administration office provides maps for locating gravesites on weekdays.
Admiral Chester Nimitz, commander of the Pacific Fleet during World War II, rests here alongside 44 sailors who died in the 1944 Port Chicago explosion. That incident remains one of the deadliest home front disasters of the war on American soil.
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