Grace Cathedral
Church · San Francisco, California
Grace Cathedral is the Episcopal cathedral of San Francisco, standing at the top of Nob Hill in a French Gothic style, with construction running from the late 1920s into the 1960s - confirm the dates. Visitors come for the bronze doors that are copies of Ghiberti's Doors of Paradise from Florence - confirm - for the stained glass, for Keith Haring's altarpiece in the AIDS Interfaith Chapel, and for the two labyrinths, one indoors and one on the terrace outside, which anyone may walk. It is a working cathedral with daily services, choral evensong and a long tradition of welcoming people of any faith or none. Entry has traditionally been free, with a donation welcome - confirm - and tours may carry a charge. Most people need 45 minutes to an hour, longer with a service or a tour. The hill is steep from every side, parking is expensive, and the nave closes to sightseers during services, so check the day's schedule first.
1100 California Street, San Francisco, California, 94108, United States
The cathedral is generally open to visitors every day, commonly from the morning until the early evening, with the nave closing to sightseeing during services, weddings, funerals and concerts - confirm the current hours on the cathedral website or by phone. Sunday has the fullest schedule of services, and choral evensong is held on set weekdays in the cathedral's season - confirm days and times. The outdoor labyrinth on the terrace has traditionally been reachable outside building hours, but confirm that before a late visit. Tours and special events, such as yoga on the labyrinth, run on their own timetables and may need a ticket or a booking. Holidays, especially Christmas and Easter, change everything.