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Saints Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco: Tips to Visit this Catholic Church in the North Beach District
by Jill Loeffler •
Saints Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco is in North Beach, which is also our "Little Italy" district.
This beautiful Roman Catholic church is a quick stop and free to enter.
You will find its spires towering high above Washington Square Park. Its ornate details both inside and out are a sight to see for all visitors.
One of the reasons why it is so famous is because of the wedding photos of Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe on the steps.
Fun Fact: Many think of this Catholic church in San Francisco as the Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio wedding church, but that's only partly true. They took their photos on the front steps, but didn't actually wed inside.
Read on for the full Joe DiMaggio story, visiting tips, the history of the church, movies that feature it, how to get here, and more.
I have also included several Saints Peter and Paul Church San Francisco photos.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
Visiting Tips
You will find the Saints Peter and Paul Church at 666 Filbert Street in San Francisco. It's on the northern side of Washington Square Park in North Beach.
Visiting Hours
The church is open to visitors 365 days a year during the following hours:
- Monday through Friday from 7 am to 3 pm
- Saturdays from 7 am to 6 pm
- Sundays from 8 am until 6 pm
Anyone can come and visit, as there is no requirement regarding your beliefs or religion.
Special hours: On Christmas and Easter, Saints Peter and Paul Church San Francisco closes after mass at 1 pm.
Dress Code
The church staff asks that you dress moderately while visiting the church. They request that no shorts or tank tops be worn during your visit.
Women do not need to cover their heads when entering, but they welcome those who wish to do so.
Mass Schedule
The Saints Peter and Paul Church San Francisco mass times are as follows. They include weekly masses in Italian and Cantonese.
Sunday
- English: 8:45 am & 5:00 pm
- Bilingual Cantonese and English: 10:15 am
- Bilingual Italian and English: 12 pm
Weekday Masses: 7:00 am and 9:00 am
Saturday Masses: 7:30 am, 9:00 am & 5:00 pm (Vigil)
They request that all visitors be respectful during their visit when mass is in session.
North Beach Tours
If you want to learn more about Saints Peter and Paul Church, you will find a variety of North Beach tours that include this San Francisco church in their itinerary.
Most do not enter the church but will stand outside explaining some of its fine details. You can then enter on your own time to check out the interior.
North Beach Free Walking Tour: SF City Guides (part of the SF Public Library) offers a free walking tour of North Beach. The tour starts at the church with information on its history and why it has been an important part of this community for such a long time. Find out more details and upcoming tour dates and times.
North Beach & Little Italy Walking Tour: This guided tour offers you the chance to learn all about North Beach. It includes some tastes and treats along the way as well as a stopping point at the church for you to learn more about it. This 3-hour tour runs most days at 10 am and 2 pm. Visit Viator to learn more and check for ticket availability.
Additional San Francisco Tours
About Saints Peter and Paul Church San Francisco
The Saints Peter and Paul Church is part of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. It is administered by the Salesians of St. John Bosco.
You will love this free San Francisco attraction, as it features many gorgeous details. (Scroll down for some Saints Peter and Paul Church San Francisco photos.)
Its twin spires with crosses at the top reach 191 feet high.
On the front facade, you will see a ribbon of verse from Dante's "Paradiso." The translation is "The glory of Him who moves all things penetrates and glows throughout the universe."
The front also showcases four statues on pedestals. They represent the following four evangelists from the Bible:
- An angel: Matthew
- A lion: Mark
- An ox: Luke
- An eagle: John
Below is a picture of two of them.
The stained glass on the inside is also gorgeous. Once you enter, make sure to turn around and check out the large rose glass display above the entrance area. This magnificent piece is 14 feet in diameter.
The main altar is another lovely site to see.
Saints Peter and Paul Church San Francisco History
The first Saints Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco was built in 1884. It was on the corner of Filbert Street and Grant Avenue, which is just a few blocks from its current location.
Unfortunately, the 1906 earthquake and fire destroyed the original building. The current church was then built in 1924.
Shortly after it was rebuilt, it became a target of anti-Catholic activities. From 1926-1927, there were five separate bomb attacks.
A bombing attempt in 1927 ended with the police shooting the two activists and both of them dying.
History of Joe DiMaggio
Joe DiMaggio grew up in the North Beach district and was part of Saints Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco during his childhood.
He married his first wife, Dorothy Arnold, in the church in 1939. They divorced, but did not get an annulment, which means he was still married to Arnold according to the church.
That is why, when he married Marilyn Monroe in 1954, he was not able to get married at Saints Peter and Paul Church.
So, if not at this North Beach church in San Francisco, where did Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio get married?
They were married at City Hall in a civil ceremony and then came to the church to take pictures outside.
Rumor has it that it was a way to show is family back in Italy that he had a "proper marriage."
DiMaggio's funeral was also held at the church in 1999.
Inside the church, you will still see a picture of DiMaggio and his first wife on their wedding day.
Saints Peter and Paul Church San Francisco in the Movies
Apart from appearing as the supposed location of the Marilyn Monroe wedding in San Francisco, the church is featured in a variety of movies and TV shows.
In the following films, you can get a sneak peek at this historic gem.
- The Ten Commandments (1923)
- Cavalcade of San Francisco (1940)
- Dirty Harry (1971)
- What's Up Doc (1972)
- Season 3 Episode 3 of The Streets of San Francisco: "Target: Red" (1974)
- Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)
- The Bachelor (1999)
How to Get Here
Saints Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco is in the heart of the city and easy to get to from many popular districts.
If you have the time, you could easily walk to this church in North Beach from either Fisherman's Wharf or Union Square.
Public Transit
You will find quite a few public transit options nearby the church. It's mostly Muni buses and cable cars that run through this part of town.
Buses: Both the 30 & 91 ride along Columbus Street between Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf. You can get off right at Washington Square Park.
The 8 and the 39 (which takes you up to Coit Tower) also have stops on the corner of Filbert and Powell, less than a block from the church.
The 45, which connects downtown to the Marina District, also has a stop at Washington Square Park.
Cable Car: The Powell-Mason cable car is a fun way to ride through North Beach. The closest cable car stop is at Mason and Filbert Streets, about two blocks west of Saints Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco.
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
The Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour is another great way to get here. This bus will leave you near the intersection of Broadway and Columbus, just three blocks south of Saints Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco.
Find out more about the popular one-day tour, including the other 15 stops on its route.
Parking
721 Filbert Street: Indoor parking garage about a block to the west
1636 Powell Street: Indoor parking garage about two blocks south
North Beach Garage: This is one of the bigger, public garages in this area. You will find it at 735 Vallejo Street, about four blocks south of the church. Unlike the others, this one is open 24 hours.
>> More tips on getting around SF
Places to Stay Nearby
If you are interested in staying near Saints Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco, I recommend staying in one of North Beach's few boutique hotels because there aren't many large hotels in the district.
Here are a few of my favorites.
Washington Square Inn (1660 Stockton St): Just across the street from this famous church in North Beach, you will find the Washington Square Inn. This 3-star historic hotel offers modern amenities with an Old-World vibe. Several of its rooms offer views of the Saints Peter and Paul Church and Washington Square Park. Click for more details and check availability.
Green Tortoise Hostel (494 Broadway): This hostel offers both dorm rooms and private rooms with shared baths. It's a great way to save a little money on your stay. It's a very social hostel with game nights and other events, so it's the perfect way to meet and spend time with fellow travelers. Find reviews and learn more about the Green Tortoise Hostel.
San Remo Hotel (2237 Mason St): About five blocks north of Saints Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco is the cute San Remo Hotel. This two-star European-style pension offers private rooms with shared bathrooms. The prices are great, too, so it's a wonderful choice to save. Get the most up-to-date information for your stay at San Remo Hotel.
Fisherman's Wharf Hotels: You will also find a large selection of hotels less than a mile away in the popular Fisherman's Wharf district. Here, there are more brand-name hotels, including a Marriott, Hyatt, and others. Find a list of my favorites by budget.
>> Find additional lodging options all around SF
Other Things to See Nearby
Coit Tower: This San Francisco tower sits high above North Beach on Telegraph Hill. The most popular things to do at Coit Tower include checking out the sweeping views and admiring its historic murals. Learn more about visiting.
Comedy Clubs: There are a couple of great comedy clubs in this district, where you will see both local and internationally recognized performers on stage. Check out the upcoming schedule of comedians for this district and all of SF.
Other San Francisco Churches
Discover a dozen additional churches around town, including Christian, nondenominational, and other Catholic churches in San Francisco.
On this page, I laid them out in a map of the city and described the historic, architectural, and other distinguishing features of each, including their services.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
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It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!
