About El Campo Santo
El Campo Santo is a historic small cemetery that offers a peaceful visit to those interested in the past. Established in 1849, this tiny old town cemetery in Old Town San Diego is a significant site where many early residents, including pioneers and politicians, were laid to rest. It features unmarked graves of indigenous ancestors and weathered headstones, some with names barely visible, telling stories of the deceased. Visitors appreciate the respect and history that surrounds this unique location, which is a treasure for the city. The site is cared for, with offerings placed on some graves, and many original graves were disturbed in the 1880s when San Diego expanded. Today, parts of San Diego Avenue run directly over unmarked graves, with brass markers in the sidewalk showing where bodies still lie beneath the road. El Campo Santo is also known for its paranormal activity. Some visitors claim to have seen ghostly apparitions and flickering lights as they walk through. While some believe in urban legends of ghosts, others do not experience anything unusual, noting that the cemetery is small and feels peaceful, even at night. Despite its eerie reputation, this cemetery is a beautiful and tranquil place to visit, characterized by traditional Spanish-style crosses, iron fencing, and old-world charm. Whether someone is a history buff, a fan of ghost stories, or just appreciates preserved historic landmarks, this cemetery is a must-visit in Old Town. It serves as a powerful reminder of San Diego’s early days and continues to tell its stories, even after more than 170 years.
We usually take our out of town guests here after an evening docent led tour at the Whaley House. The historical cemetery is small but it is nice to walk around and read about the graves. There is so much history there.
One thing we always point out to friends is the fact that there are still graves under the sidewalk and street. They paved right over them! They have gravesite markers on the sidewalk outside of the cemetery gates.
Historical plaque inscription:
El Campo Santo once included The Adobe Chapel on Conde Street, in which is buried Jose Antonio Aguirre and where funeral services were held for Maria Victoria Dominguez Estrillo, Cave Johnson Couts, and many distinguished early San Diegans, between 1849 and 1897. 477 persons were buried in these grounds. Antonio Garra was the most eminent of many Native Americans interred here. A number of graves were relocated after 1874. A street railway bisected the cemetery in 1894. The wall around this portion was built in 1933. Restoration has continued to the present.
It’s a tiny old town cemetery from 1800’s. This is a close walk from the Old Town train station. First, you’ll see the park and the old town. And at the end of that road you’ll run into the old cemetery after the restaurants. It’s a treasure for the city and the graves are old some graves are inclosed to get protected from visitors. Some claim paranormal activity and ghosts but I have not seen any to believe it. It’s more of an urban legend than reality. Sure if you show up at 2am-4am it will feel spooky but still no ghosts because first of all it’s tiny and second of all the ghosts have no room to run ;)