Colma is known as the "City of Souls" for its sprawling population of the departed, which dwarfs the town's living residents by a 1,000-to-one ratio.

Among the better-known denizens of Colma's 17 cemeteries are lawman Wyatt Earp, buried in Hills of Eternity Jewish Cemetery, and former San Francisco Mayor George Moscone, buried in Holy Cross Cemetery.

The Italian Cemetery is regarded for its beautiful sculptures adorning many graves, while the Chinese Cemetery's unmistakable arch - rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake - welcomes relatives and well-wishers who leave traditional food offerings by their loved ones' markers.

But there's more to this 2.2-square-mile burg, including two shopping centers, an array of car dealerships and easy BART access to San Francisco and beyond. Colma also is home to Lucky Chances card room, one of the county's two casinos.

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[San Mateo County Community College District]