NewsKPBS Public MediaOctober 30, 2026San Diego County
La Vista Memorial Park hosts annual Día de los Muertos celebration and altar displays in San Diego
Photo: KPBS Public Media
La Vista Memorial Park and Mortuary in San Diego prepares to host its annual Día de los Muertos celebration on November 1 and 2, featuring family-built altars, food, music, and contests. Co-owner Luisa McCarthy and local families share how the multi-day tradition supports the grieving process and honors deceased loved ones through ancient customs.
Read the full story at KPBS Public MediaWhy It Matters
Local families participate in a multi-day cultural event that draws thousands of attendees to a San Diego cemetery for community gatherings, memorial altars, and cash-prize contests.
Key Facts
- La Vista Memorial Park and Mortuary in San Diego's Lincoln Acres neighborhood holds an annual Día de los Muertos celebration that began nearly 20 years ago.
- The official events take place on November 1 for the souls of children and November 2 for the souls of adults.
- Activities include family-built altars, potluck-style food sharing, music, and cash-prize altar and Catrina contests during the afternoon of November 1.
- Co-owner Luisa McCarthy expects a couple of thousand people to attend the celebrations, which extend into the night.
- Participants must sign up ahead of time to build an altar at the cemetery, and the public is invited to visit.
- Attendees use traditional elements such as marigolds (cempasúchil), papel picado, photographs, food items like pan de muerto, and personal mementos.
Who's Mentioned
PersonRacquel Galicia“Matriarch of a family taking part in the celebration”OrganizationLa Vista Memorial Park and Mortuary“Cemetery hosting the Día de los Muertos celebration”locationTijuana“City where Racquel Galicia was raised”OrganizationPixar“Studio that produced the film 'Coco'”PersonLeo“Angela Riggs's son who passed away”PersonThomas Gallardo“Participant who built an altar at the cemetery”PersonAngela Riggs“Mother of a family participating in the custom”locationTecate“Location where McCarthy's father is laid to rest”OrganizationSammy’s Mexican Bakery“Bakery started by Racquel Galicia's late husband”OrganizationDisney“Company that helped popularize the holiday with a film”locationBaja California“State in Mexico”locationLincoln Acres“Neighborhood where La Vista Memorial Park is situated”PersonLuisa McCarthy“Co-owner of La Vista Memorial Park and Mortuary”locationMexico City“Major urban area in Mexico known for Día de los Muertos”locationSan Diego“City where the cemetery is located”