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Grace Cathedral San Francisco: Tips to Visit This Popular Attraction in Nob Hill
by Jill Loeffler •
Updated: March 11, 2024
Grace Cathedral San Francisco is one of the most beautiful churches in the city. This ornately decorated Episcopal church is in the Nob Hill neighborhood.
This French Gothic cathedral is the third largest Episcopal church in the US. It also hosts thousands of visitors from around the world every year.
This is the fourth Grace Church, which is now a cathedral since it is the seat of the Bishop. The original one was a small church built in 1849.
Two larger churches were built over the years and the third one was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake.
Shortly after the earthquake, the Crocker family—a wealthy banking and railroad family of San Francisco—donated some land for the church to rebuild.
They began to rebuild in 1927. The structure and intricate details of the church were completed in 1964.
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The Gates of Paradise
My favorite part of the church is before you even step inside. A blocked-off entrance to the church features two beautiful doors called 'The Gates of Paradise'.
They are a replica of the doors made in Italy by the sculptor Lorenzo Ghiberti. The originals are at the Baptistery of the Duomo in Florence, Italy.
They used the exact same molds to create these doors as they did in Italy. After creating this replica for Grace Cathedral, they threw the molds away.
The doors are solid bronze. The sculptured pieces are covered with gold.
Each panel represents a biblical event including Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel and Noah and his family. You can pick up a brochure inside if you want to know what event each panel represents.
Here are a couple of close-up shots of two of the panels.
They do open the doors a few times a year, but only for large religious holidays. The gates in front protect them from the thousands of visitors that come to see the doors every year.
Local Secret: If you want to get some great photos of the doors, come in the morning. This is when the morning sunlight hits them and illuminates them the best.
Inside the Cathedral
You will also be in awe of the beauty on the inside of Grace Cathedral San Francisco. Inside you will find huge stained-glass windows as well as other ornate details.
Here are just a few highlights on the inside of the cathedral.
The Interfaith AIDS Memorial Chapel
In the back of the church (on your right when you enter) is the Interfaith AIDS Memorial Chapel. This small chapel opened within the cathedral in 1995.
It's a memorial for all of those who have died of AIDS. It's also a way to provide hope, compassion, and an understanding of AIDS on a global scale.
During your visit, make sure you also spend a few minutes looking at the AIDS Memorial Quilt.
The quilt blocks are rotated frequently and represent the tens of thousands that have died from this terrible disease. Each block was made by a friend or relative to remember the life of their loved one who died from AIDS.
Murals
The south wall of Grace Cathedral San Francisco has a number of colorful murals. These are on your left when you enter.
They depict several important events in San Francisco's history including the 1906 earthquake and fire that destroyed the city (learn more).
The one in the picture below shows the creation and signing of the United Nations, which occurred in the city in 1945.
The Labyrinth
You will find a labyrinth both inside and outside of the church. A labyrinth is a divine imprint found in many religious locations throughout the world.
The outside labyrinth is open 24 hours a day. It's located at the top of the steps right in front of the cathedral.
The inside labyrinth is open during regular visiting hours. It's toward the back of the church, so you can't miss it.
More Tips for Visiting Grace Cathedral
Grace Cathedral San Francisco welcomes people from all religions and backgrounds into their church for a visit.
There is a small admission fee to walk around during sightseeing hours. This is to help them maintain the church for both visitors and parishioners.
The cost is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $10 young adults ages 12 to 22. Children under 12 visit free.
You can visit any day during the week. They are open:
- Monday through Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
- Sunday: 1 pm to 5 pm
They do not allow visitors to tour the church during their regularly scheduled masses. Those times are posted outside the doors so you can quickly check them before entering for your visit.
When you enter, make sure you pick up the free visitor's guide. It includes a helpful map with locations of all the key features throughout the church.
It also includes a little more information on the history of the church and the stories behind its key icons. The table, shown above, with all the brochures is in the back of the church.
There is also a children's map that allows little ones to explore the church through a treasure hunt.
Docent-Led Walking Tours
If you want to learn even more, then head over during one of the church's docent-led tours. The tours last around one hour and are a great way to learn more about the church!
You can choose from two different guided tours: Highlights and Behind-the-Scenes.
The Highlights tour includes information about the cathedral's history and stature in San Francisco, as well as art by Ansel Adams, Keith Haring, and other famous artists.
The Behind-the-Scenes tour allows you to explore and discover up-close the unique design features of the third largest neo-Gothic cathedral in the world, including hidden passageways. (Not recommended for those with a fear of heights or enclosed spaces or those with limited mobility.)
These tours cost $25 to $35, with discounts for seniors and youth.
The times for these vary, so I recommend booking them in advance if you really want to go on a guided tour of the church.
Yoga at the Cathedral
You can also experience the cathedral in a different light by participating in one of their yoga classes. This class is offered on the inside labyrinth every Tuesday night at 6:15 pm, and some Saturday mornings at 9 am. The cost starts at $20.
As with visits, they welcome everyone to their classes. You will need to bring along your own yoga mat and supplies. They do allow water into the cathedral for the session, but no other food or drinks.
You Might Also Like: There are a number of great things to do in the Nob Hill neighborhood. You can stop by the historic Fairmont Hotel, visit the Cable Car Museum or take a free guided walking tour. Discover more things to do near Grace Cathedral.
Getting to Grace Cathedral
Grace Cathedral is located at 1100 California Street in Nob Hill. The hill from Union Square or Chinatown is steep. If you are heading over on your own, your best bet is to take public transportation.
Public Transportation: Bus or Cable Car
Your best options are the 1 California Muni bus (picks up every other block on Sacramento Street) or the California Cable Car line (several stops along California Street).
Both transportation options will drop you off less than one block from Grace Cathedral San Francisco. Each one takes about 10 to 15 minutes to get from the bottom of the hill up to the cathedral.
Driving and Parking
If you do decide to drive to Grace Cathedral San Francisco, there is limited street parking for two hours. However, there is also the Cathedral Garage, which is open every day until 10 pm.
The entrance is on Taylor Street between California and Sacramento Streets.
The cost is $4 per 15 minutes, up to $45 for 24 hours. If you get in early (before 9 am) and leave early (before 6 pm) on weekdays, the flat-rate fee is $18.
On Sunday, the cost is an $18 flat fee if you arrive before 11 am and leave before 6 pm.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
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