Colma Proud

Colma, Calif., is located a few miles south of San Francisco in San Mateo County. The most common origin of the name "Colma" is the Ohlone word meaning "springs" or "many springs."

Within its two square mile boundary resides 1,507 people, but Colma is best known for its 17 cemeteries that make up approximately 73 percent of the town's land area and 1.5 millions “souls.”

Colma became the site for numerous cemeteries after San Francisco outlawed new interments within its city limits in 1900. It then evicted all existing cemeteries in 1912, many of which were relocated to Colma.

Notable souls include Levi Strauss, Wyatt Earp, Joe DiMaggio, Willie McCovey, William Randolph Hearst and Bill Graham.

Its tongue-in-cheek motto is “It’s great to be alive in Colma!”

Colma boasts an old-world charm all its own, from its paving stone residential streets and ornamental street lamps to its restored historical museum and railroad depot located at its 5,500 square foot community center. The state-of-the-art police station complements the architecture of the historic and charming town hall across the street.

Colma’s commercial buildings make a distinct architectural statement resulting from design standards that encourage Spanish-Mediterranean motifs.

Colma enjoys a strong tax base with two shopping centers and one of Northern California's most complete collections of car dealerships.