Religious Sites in San Francisco

Grace Cathedral is an impressive Episcopal cathedral atop Nob Hill, modeled after Notre Dame in Paris. This Gothic Revival masterpiece features stunning stained glass windows, including a rose window by Charles Connick, two labyrinths (outdoor and indoor) for meditative walking, bronze doors cast from Lorenzo Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise, and an organ with over 7,000 pipes. The cathedral hosts concerts, yoga classes, and interfaith events. The views from the cathedral steps over the city are magnificent.

Mission Dolores (Mission San Francisco de Asís), founded in 1776, is the oldest surviving structure in San Francisco and the birthplace of the city. The mission's original adobe chapel has survived earthquakes that destroyed much of the city. The cemetery contains the remains of early settlers and Ohlone people. The mission museum showcases artifacts from the Spanish colonial period. The basilica next door features stunning Churrigueresque architecture and beautiful stained glass.

Located in North Beach, Saints Peter and Paul Church is a beautiful Italian Renaissance-style Catholic church serving San Francisco's Italian-American community since 1924. The twin spires and ornate facade dominate Washington Square Park. Inside, stunning stained glass, marble altars, and intricate woodwork create an inspiring space. Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio photographed their wedding here (the ceremony was elsewhere). The church remains the spiritual heart of North Beach.