San Francisco, California

San Francisco
The Golden Gate Bridge under a full moon. Photo Creative Commons License Tyler Westcott.

San Francisco is a compact city (49 square miles) of 750,000 people in northern California. One of the country's most popular travel destinations, San Francisco is famous for its Golden Gate Bridge, steep streets, Victorian architecture, swanky boutiques, world-class restaurants, cable cars, and trademark commitment to liberalism. San Francisco's rich history of gold rushes, pioneers, Spanish missionaries and Asian immigration has ensured the city is full of interesting religious sites, which include Chinese temples, a museum full of Asian religious art, Episcopal churches, Spanish missions and some interesting examples of modern religious architecture. Follow a link below to explore the spiritual side of San Francisco.


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Mission Dolores
This Franciscan church founded in 1776 is the oldest building in San Francisco. Built and decorated by Native American converts, it has an interesting mix of native and Spanish styles.
Hua Zang Si Temple
A non-denominational Chinese Buddhist temple, Hua Zang Si is housed in an old Gothic church building in the Mission District of San Francisco.
Grace Cathedral
Completed in 1964 in a neo-Gothic style, this active Episcopal cathedral contains fine stained glass windows, two labyrinths, and other notable modern artworks.