Family Owned. Community Focused.
Our Hearts Are With You Always At La Vista Memorial.
La Vista Memorial Park is the only family owned and operated memorial park in San Diego County. We have a proud heritage of serving San Diego families since 1868, and we have a reputation for putting families first for all of the more than over 150 years we’ve been here to serve.
Proud To Have Won The 2022 Hispanic Small Business Award
Our Process
5 Steps To Hassle-Free Management
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Set Goals with Us
Establishing a plan makes everyone feel better. With your goals in mind, let your "Dream Team" walk you towards profitability.
Path to Profitability
With your established goals, walk the path with us. A path where stress is not invited.
Track Performance
Evaluating and Measuring the performance is part of the fun.
From Generation To Generation. Our History Lives On.
Come Home To La Vista Memorial Park & Mortuary.
1868
Rancho De La Nacion:
Founded by the Frank Kimball Family
Francis Augustus Kimball
Born in New Hampshire, 1860
More than a century ago, on a cold and foggy morning, the early settlers of Rancho De La Nacion (now known as National City) quietly turned spades on earth on a hill above their lands.
1870
Kimball’s Generosity
The first families – the Kimballs, the Copelands, and the Dickinsons – gathered to bury Mrs. Francis Wicapaw of Philadelphia or, as she was commonly known “The Little Mother.” Mrs. Wicapaw was the first of the group to succumb to the rigors of pioneer life.
To bury Mrs. Wicapaw, Frank Kimball chose 30 acres on a peaceful hillside with a sweeping view from Otay to Point Loma. It became the settlement’s “Silent City on the Hill” and remains so today.
1877
Silver Gate Cemetery
Seven years after Mrs. Wicapaw’s burial in 1870, Kimball’s music-loving wife, Sarah planted eucalyptus trees in the shape of a grand piano around the top eight acres of the “Silent City on the Hill” and it became Silver Gate Cemetery.
Sarah Kimball’s eucalyptus trees are still there, and towering now, encircling a hundred pioneer graves, including her own. Today, the Kimballs, Copelands, Dickenson’s and many more pioneers have scattered graves amid wildflowers in the oldest part of the cemetery. The graves mark the history not only National City, but of San Diego County as well.
La Vista Memorial Park
Over the years Silver Gate Cemetery became La Vista Memorial Park. When La Vista was born, a ravine running through the middle of the cemetery was transformed into a pool filled with water from the park’s own well. A monument to the Armed Forces rises from the center. An annual grand Memorial Day celebration – free to the public – is held by the fountain each year.
La Vista’s Historical Archive
National City’s Historical Society’s Vice-President, “Lady” Marilyn Zubov, along with President Janice Martinelli and “Lady” Margaret Puhn, have helped create a Hallway Walk in Time in La Vista’s main building, a bow to the San Diego area’s early history and a measure of our respect for those who came before us.
1912
Grand Army of the Republic
Some of that “living history” include the 30 Civil War graves in the park: the history of the “Grand Army of the Republic,” the archives of both the Union and Confederate Soldiers; and in-depth information on National City’s founders.
There is a city map from 1912 showing all property lines and written in names of the ownership of each parcel. Do you have any ancestors you would like to look up? Maybe you can find them listed on our map or in our original cemetery records.
Frank A. Kimball House Tour
The historic Frank A. Kimball House is listed on the National City Historic Site List.
It stands as a visible symbol of the life and legacy of Frank and Sarah Kimball who devoted their lives to the building and betterment of National City and its people.
The National City Historical Society and the City of National City welcome you.
Meet Our Family
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me siento en paz sabiendo que mi familia no tendrá que tomar este tipo de decisiones...
"Como me hubiera gustado haber tomado la decisión de hacer arreglos previos antes...fue tan fácil y me siento en paz sabiendo que mi familia no tendrá que tomar este tipo de decisiones."— Jim (El Cajon, CA)We recommend others to pre-plan their burial arrangements...
"We recommend others to pre-plan their burial arrangements. My husband and I have been talking about pre-planning our funeral and burial so our son doesn't have this burden on his shoulder. Through experience, it is very hard on the surviving family members. The hurt is tremendous."— The Nichols FamilyThe South Bay is fortunate to have business leaders like La Vista...
"Who thinks of a cemetery as a key center of a community’s cultural life? Probably no one-unless they know about La Vista. Their efforts to preserve the region’s history; to reach out to military veterans, young and old, and honor their service; and to carry on a proud Mexican tradition with an annual Dia de los Muertos celebration for the entire community. … all set La Vista apart. The South Bay is fortunate to have business leaders like La Vista who appreciate the importance of community service."— Charles Reilly (San Diego)I’m deeply grateful for every little detail La Vista took to make our experience in my dad’s final send off perfect...
"We never want to talk about death but it is most certainly something we will face sooner or later. Luckily my parents are of a different mind-set and had taken care of all the final arrangements down the minimal of details, so there was no stress on the days following my dad’s passing. I had just returned home to Texas a few days prior to his passing. La Vista staff contacted me and asked if I would like to use their Hacienda Hall for a family private viewing of my father. At first I was unsure. They suggested I sleep on it. The next day, I said yes. It is a time that I will cherish forever. My husband and I got to visit with my dad one final time before his mass the following day. The Hacienda Hall was absolutely beautiful, cozy, even heavenly, not sad or cold and impersonal like your average funeral viewing rooms. They facilitated a very special final good-by with my dad whom I love dearly. I’m deeply grateful for every little detail La Vista took to make our experience in my dad’s final send off perfect. Thank you for doing what you do."— Valerie Juarez (Pair, Texas)Este parque cementerio lo tiene todo...
"Cuenta con una vista del mar hacia el Este y con una vista espectacular de las montañas al Oeste y al Sur. Este parque cementerio lo tiene todo."— Louise (La Mesa, CA)This park has it all...
"Ocean views to the West, spectacular mountain views to the East and South. This park has it all."— Louise (La Mesa, CA)It is a pleasure to work hand in hand in a united effort to showcase the founding Kimball family and the history since 1868...
"Lady Janice Martinelli and National City Historical Society are eternally grateful to La Vista Memorial Park for their dedication to Historic Preservation. “It is a pleasure to work hand in hand in a united effort to showcase the founding Kimball family and the history since 1868”."— Lady Janice Martinelli (President of the National City Historical Society)Their compassion and generosity made our last moments with our loved ones feel beautiful...
"My grandfather, father and sister are all laid to rest at La Vista Memorial Park. It is during life’s most difficult times that we must rely on others who have knowledge to help. In my personal experience La Vista has constantly went above and beyond the limits with their superior and excellent service, their compassion and generosity made our last moments with our loved ones feel beautiful. There are no words to express our sincere gratitude during one of the lowest times in our lives. The caring and compassion they showed helped to ease the pain of the entire funeral decision making process each time."— Josie Clark (Bonita, CA)The team at La Vista helped us through a very difficult time...
"We didn't know where to start when faced with an unexpected loss in our family. The team at La Vista helped us through a very difficult time and we are so pleased with the choices we made. Only after comparing our experiences with others did we realize what a value La Vista provides."— Marie (La Jolla, CA)I am comforted knowing my family will not have to make these decisions on their own...
"I only wish I had taken care of my preplanning arrangements earlier... it was so easy and I am comforted knowing my family will not have to make these decisions on their own."— Jim (El Cajon, CA)El equipo de profesionales de La Vista nos ayudo durante estos momentos tan difíciles...
"No sabíamos por donde empezar a buscar cuando nos enfrentamos con la perdida inesperada de un familiar. El equipo de profesionales de La Vista nos ayudo durante estos momentos tan difíciles y estamos muy satisfechos con las decisiones que tomamos y fue cuando comparamos con otras personas las experiencias que tuvieron en este tipo de situación que nos dimos cuenta del empeño que pone La Vista."— Marie ( La Jolla, CA)Con la ayuda de mis nuevos amigos en La Vista pude realizar este deseo....
"Yo deseaba darle a mi familia algo muy especial y eterno... Y con la ayuda de mis nuevos amigos en La Vista pude realizar este deseo."— Greg (San Diego, CA)An integral part of the fabric of our community...
"For over a century La Vista Memorial Park was always considered just a cemetery, but now it has become an integral part of the fabric of our community. It has become the place where we all can come to celebrate, individually and as a community, loved ones both present and departed. The Memorial Day and Dia de los Muertos celebrations are indeed highlights that are among those things that have transformed a community necessity into a wonderful community asset!"— The Honorable Ron Morrison (National City)My new friends at La Vista made it happen...
"I wanted to give my family something special and eternal... My new friends at La Vista made it happen."— Greg (San Diego, CA)