- Monday to Friday 9:00 am Morning Prayer (online) · 12:00 pm Midday Eucharist (Wed) · 5:30 pm Evening / Choral Prayer (Tue & Thu) · 6:00 pm The Vine service (Wed)
- Saturdays -
- Sundays & Holy Days 8:30 am Holy Eucharist with Hymns · 11:00 am Choral Eucharist · 4:00 pm Choral Evensong (select Sundays) · 6:00 pm Vesper Light: Evening Eucharist
Grace Cathedral
in San Francisco
San Francisco, United States
Church Details
1100 California St, San Francisco, CA 94108, United States
Grace Cathedral in San Francisco · Mass Times
- Monday to Friday 9:00 am Morning Prayer (online) · 12:00 pm Midday Eucharist (Wed) · 5:30 pm Evening / Choral Prayer (Tue & Thu) · 6:00 pm The Vine service (Wed)
- Saturdays & Vigils -
- Sundays & Holy Days 8:30 am Holy Eucharist with Hymns · 11:00 am Choral Eucharist · 4:00 pm Choral Evensong (select Sundays) · 6:00 pm Vesper Light: Evening Eucharist
Grace Cathedral in San Francisco
How to Get There
History of Church
Grace Cathedral in San Francisco (California, United States)
Grace Cathedral in San Francisco: general information
Grace Cathedral in San Francisco is the cathedral church of the Episcopal Diocese of California and one of the most recognisable landmarks on Nob Hill. Overlooking the city from 1100 California Street, it is known as a house of prayer for all people, welcoming parishioners, neighbours, pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.
At Grace Cathedral in San Francisco the community gathers for regular Eucharist services, Morning and Evening Prayer, Choral Evensong, baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals. The cathedral also hosts concerts, art installations, lectures, labyrinth walks and social justice events. It is a place where worship, music, art and community life come together in a broad and inclusive Anglican tradition.
History and architecture of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco
The roots of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco go back to 1849, when Grace Church was founded during the California Gold Rush. After the earlier church buildings were destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fire, the Crocker family donated their Nob Hill mansion site for a new cathedral. Construction of the present building began in 1927 and the cathedral was finally completed and consecrated in 1964.
Designed by architect Lewis P. Hobart in a French Gothic style, Grace Cathedral in San Francisco is the third-largest Episcopal cathedral in the United States. Its twin towers, large rose window and pointed arches recall the great Gothic cathedrals of Europe, while the interior combines medieval inspiration with modern art. The cathedral is especially famous for its replica of Lorenzo Ghiberti’s “Gates of Paradise” doors, extensive stained glass windows, murals by Jan Henryk De Rosen, two labyrinths and a 44-bell carillon.
Architectural and artistic features
- Main nave and sanctuary: a long, high nave with ribbed vaults, stone pillars and a spacious sanctuary designed for major liturgical celebrations and large congregations.
- Ghiberti Doors: bronze doors at the main entrance, modelled on the famous “Gates of Paradise” of the Florence Baptistery, depicting biblical scenes in relief.
- Stained glass and murals: thousands of square feet of stained glass with more than a thousand figures, alongside murals that link Christian themes with the history of San Francisco and the wider world.
- Labyrinths: two Chartres-style labyrinths, one inside the nave and one outdoors in the cathedral plaza, used for prayer, meditation and walking contemplation.
- Organs and carillon: several pipe organs and a 44-bell carillon that support the cathedral’s rich tradition of sacred music, concerts and special events.
Services, worship and usual schedule
The worship schedule at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco includes multiple services each week, combining traditional Anglican liturgy, choral music and more contemporary expressions of faith. The pattern can vary, but typically includes Sunday Eucharist, weekday prayer services, a midday Eucharist and Choral Evensong.
Typical worship and visiting times (guideline)
- Sundays: several Eucharist services across the morning and sometimes the evening, including a principal choral Eucharist with the cathedral choir.
- Weekdays: opportunities for Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, Midi or midday Eucharist, as well as special services such as healing prayer or contemporary worship gatherings.
- Feasts and seasons: special liturgies during Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, Easter and major civic occasions.
- Visiting hours: on most days the cathedral is open to visitors for sightseeing, private prayer and labyrinth walking during posted opening times.
Recommendation: before planning your visit, always check the current service and visiting times on the official channels of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco (website, visit FAQ or cathedral office), as schedules may change due to special events, holidays or building use.
How to get to Grace Cathedral in San Francisco
Grace Cathedral in San Francisco stands on the top of Nob Hill at 1100 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94108, near the intersection of California Street and Taylor Street. The cathedral is clearly visible from the surrounding area and is a well-known reference point for visitors exploring downtown San Francisco.
Access and visit recommendations
- Public transport: the California Street cable car line runs right in front of the cathedral, and several Muni lines and downtown transit connections are within walking distance.
- By car: there is street parking and nearby garages around Nob Hill, but spaces can be limited, especially during Sunday services and special events.
- For visitors and tourists: the cathedral welcomes guests for self-guided visits, guided tours and group visits. It is advisable to respect quiet zones during services and to follow any posted guidelines regarding photography, labyrinth use and access to side chapels.
Community life and ministries at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco
Grace Cathedral in San Francisco is a vibrant Episcopal community with a strong emphasis on worship, music, social justice and the arts. The cathedral hosts choirs, education programmes for children and adults, public lectures, forums on faith and society, outreach to people experiencing homelessness, and initiatives focused on climate justice and inclusion.
Through its ministries and partnerships, Grace Cathedral in San Francisco seeks to be a sign of hope in the city: a place where prayer, action and hospitality come together. The cathedral frequently collaborates with local organisations, interfaith partners and cultural institutions, and offers space for concerts, art exhibitions and community gatherings that are open to a wide public.
Areas of activity
- Worship and music: regular Eucharist, Choral Evensong, special liturgies, and a strong tradition of cathedral choir, organ music and concerts.
- Faith formation: programmes for children, youth and adults, Bible studies, forums and retreats that help people deepen their Christian faith and reflect on contemporary issues.
- Social justice and outreach: ministries addressing poverty, homelessness, racial and climate justice, often in cooperation with local partners in San Francisco.
- Arts and labyrinth spirituality: art exhibitions, sound and light experiences, and regular opportunities to walk the indoor and outdoor labyrinths as a form of prayer and meditation.
Frequently asked questions about Grace Cathedral in San Francisco
Where is Grace Cathedral in San Francisco located?
Grace Cathedral in San Francisco is located at 1100 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94108, on the top of Nob Hill. It stands near the intersection of California and Taylor Streets, directly on the route of the California Street cable car and within walking distance of Union Square and the Financial District.
What Christian tradition does Grace Cathedral in San Francisco belong to?
Grace Cathedral in San Francisco is part of the Episcopal Church, within the worldwide Anglican Communion, and serves as the cathedral church of the Episcopal Diocese of California. It is known for its inclusive, welcoming approach, its commitment to social justice and its rich liturgical and musical life.
Can visitors walk the labyrinths at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco?
Yes. Grace Cathedral in San Francisco is home to two Chartres-style labyrinths, one in the nave and one outdoors in the plaza. Walking the labyrinth is encouraged as a form of prayer, meditation and quiet reflection. The cathedral often organises special labyrinth events, but on many days visitors can walk the labyrinths individually during normal visiting hours, unless the space is reserved for a service or event.
How can I find current service times and visitor information?
The most accurate way to check service times, visiting hours and special events at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco is to visit the official cathedral website or consult its visit FAQ and service-times pages. You can also contact the cathedral office by phone or email if you have specific questions about group visits, guided tours or accessibility.
In a few lines:
- Name: Grace Cathedral in San Francisco
- City: San Francisco (California, United States) · Nob Hill – 1100 California Street
- Role: Episcopal cathedral of the Diocese of California; house of prayer for all people, with active worship, music, arts and social ministries
- Architecture: French Gothic–style cathedral with twin towers, Ghiberti Doors replica, extensive stained glass, murals and two Chartres-style labyrinths
- Worship and visiting: multiple weekly services and daily visiting hours – always check the latest information before your visit

