Día de los Muertos ofrenda displayed behind a window, featuring sugar skulls, framed portraits, and orange marigolds.
The windowfront of Mission Action, showcasing an ofrenda days before the celebration of Dia de los Muertos. Photo by Zoe Malen.

Candles and the traditional orange flor de cempasúchil line the windows of Mission and Tenderloin storefronts as merchants prepare for the celebration of Dia de los Muertos.

The ofrendas, altars set up as an invitation for the souls of the dead to join the living world, are thoughtfully curated: There’s tobacco for the smokers, fruit to stay fed for their journey, sage, copal, and lavender so the ancestors can feel peace upon their arrival and photos to pay respect for their time among the living.

Niebla Bookstore and Cafe

Día de los Muertos ofrenda featuring framed photographs of deceased loved ones, marigolds, sugar skulls, candles, and pan de muerto on a layered cloth display.
For bookstore owners, Marífer Ramírez and David García, their Tenderloin shop displays a combination of personal photos from staff as well as photos of their favorite writers who have passed. Photo by Zoe Malen.

HOMEY

A Day of the Dead ofrenda featuring a framed portrait of an elderly woman, marigolds, candles, and decorative sugar skulls.
Maria Salcedo, manager at ‘Homies Organizing the Mission to Empower Youth’, said they’ve set up an ofrenda every year for over 20 years. They always honor a community leader. This year they’ve chosen Dolores Huerta who passed away on October 28, 2026. Photo by Zoe Malen.

Beauty Bar

A Dia de los Muertos altar featuring marigolds, candles, skull figurines, and framed pet photos in front of a graffiti-covered wall.
Jazzy, owner of Beauty Bar, says that honoring animals alongside humans in an ofrenda is a part of hispanic culture. Only nine months into owning the bar, he plans to set up an ofrenda every year and hopes that other businesses follow suit. Photo by Zoe Malen.

Best Collateral

A Día de los Muertos ofrenda featuring photographs of various celebrities, decorated with candles, sunflowers, and a colorful striped runner on a checkered table.
Best Collateral, a pawn shop in The Mission District, honors a mix of family members and famous loved ones who passed. The entire staff contributed to the ofrenda. Photo by Zoe Malen.

Mission Dance Studio

A memorial display for Mestre Carlos Aceituno featuring photos of him performing capoeira, candles, and a floral cloth on a table against a brick wall.
At Mission Dance Studio, an altar honors Mestre Carlos Aceituno, a martial arts, dance and music teacher. The display was originally intended for a showcase earlier in the month but they’ve kept it for Dia de los Muertos. Photo by Zoe Malen.

Grand Coffee Too

A Day of the Dead altar featuring marigolds, two painted sugar skulls, prayer candles, and a woven basket on a patterned cloth.
Grand Coffee Too has a small table set up with decorations in the entrance of their coffee shop. Photo by Zoe Malen.

Mission Action

A person in a purple jacket stands before a store window display featuring a Dia de los Muertos altar with photographs, sugar skulls, and marigolds.
Mission Action, a non-profit helping immigrant and low-income communities, has an altar that “serves as a reflection of our community and the collaborative effort of our Trauma Healing and Language Justice Committee, whose efforts brought this display to life.” Photo by Zoe Malen.

Where to go for Dia de los Muertos? Here are Monday events. 

With a bachelor's degree in journalism, centering on film and media production alongside visual storytelling, Zoe Malen has a well-rounded focus when it comes to digital media.

New to San Francisco, she is excited to unpack new opportunities to get to know the area and emphasize the strength in community stories.

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