Grace Cathedral is a Gothic landmark atop San Francisco‘s Nob Hill, built over 37 years following the 1906 earthquake and fire, and now the third-largest Episcopal cathedral in the country.
This guide was updated in August 2026. Self-guided sightseeing admission is now $14 for adults — some travel listings still show the older $12 rate. You can book your self-guided entry ticket in advance through Viator.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1100 California Street (main entrance on Taylor St), San Francisco, California 94108 |
| Hours (Mon–Sat) | 10am–5pm |
| Hours (Sun) | 1pm–5pm |
| Self-guided adult admission | $14.00 |
| Children under 12 | Free |
| Nearest transport | California St Cable Car; Muni #1 bus |
| Typical visit duration | 45 minutes to 1 hour, self-guided |
Why book Grace Cathedral tickets?
- 🏛️ 37 years in the making: Built after the 1906 earthquake and fire, Grace is now the third-largest Episcopal cathedral in the US.
- 🎟️ Prices recently updated: Self-guided admission is $14, above the $12 rate some listings still quote.
- 🌿 A full-scale replica of the “Gates of Paradise”: Ghiberti’s famous bronze doors from Florence’s Baptistery.
- 📜 An Interfaith AIDS Memorial Chapel: With a bronze altarpiece by artist Keith Haring.
- 💰 Free for quiet prayer or meditation: No admission fee for anyone seeking a private moment during sightseeing hours.
Grace Cathedral opening hours
Sightseeing hours run Monday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and Sunday, 1pm to 5pm. Because Grace is an active, working cathedral, it occasionally closes to sightseers for organ practice, rehearsals, services, or weddings without much notice — for example, sightseeing is closed Friday, September 6, and Saturday, September 7. It’s worth checking the official site close to your visit date.
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- 🌉 Combine the Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods, Sausalito and Alcatraz on a packed day tour.
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Grace Cathedral ticket prices
As with some other North American cathedrals, such as the Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal and the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York City, there is an entry fee for tourist visits.
A self-guided ticket is included with general admission; guided tours cost more and vary by date.
| Ticket type | Self-Guided | Guided Tour |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $14.00 | $25–$35 |
| Senior (65+) | $12.00 | $23–$32 |
| Young Adult (18–22) | $10.00 | $20–$30 |
| Youth (12–17) | $10.00 | $20–$30 |
| Children under 12 | Free | Free with adult (not Behind-the-Scenes Tour) |
| GraceArts Members | Free | Discounted or free |
Guided options include Highlights and Behind-the-Scenes Tours, each about an hour long. Groups of 10 or more should contact the cathedral directly for discounted rates. Book your self-guided entry in advance through Viator to lock in your visit.
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How to get to Grace Cathedral
The cathedral’s official address is 1100 California Street, though the main entrance is on Taylor Street, at the top of the “great steps.” Parking is scarce on Nob Hill, so public transit is recommended: the California Street Cable Car stops at California and Taylor, the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason Cable Cars stop at Powell and California, and the Muni #1 bus stops at Sacramento and Taylor or Clay and Taylor. From BART, disembark at Embarcadero or Powell and continue by cable car or bus.
Parking at Grace Cathedral
A paid parking garage (Ampco/ABM) sits at 1051 Taylor Street, between California and Sacramento Streets, with accessible spaces available. The Masonic Garage, at 1111 California Street, is a paid alternative nearby.
How long to spend at Grace Cathedral
A self-guided visit takes 45 minutes to an hour. Add about an hour if you’re booking a guided tour instead.
Accessibility at Grace Cathedral
Grace Cathedral is fully wheelchair accessible, with accessible entries through the double glass doors on Taylor Street (just north of the great steps), directly from the parking garage via elevator, and from Sacramento Street (though this street runs fairly steep between Taylor and Jones).
What to see at Grace Cathedral
The Ghiberti Doors, a full-scale bronze replica of the “Gates of Paradise” from Florence’s Baptistery, mark one of the cathedral’s most photographed features.
The Interfaith AIDS Memorial Chapel houses a bronze altarpiece by artist Keith Haring, alongside works by David LaChappelle and Ansel Adams found throughout the building.
The cathedral’s stained-glass windows depict a mix of historical and modern figures, and its mosaics, by artist Jan Henryk De Rosen, add further layers of color to the Gothic interior.
Two labyrinths, one indoors and one on the outdoor plaza, invite visitors to walk a meditative path at their own pace.
The 14-stop self-guided interactive tour, included with admission, covers the cathedral’s history, art, religion, architecture, and social justice initiatives, and is available in Spanish, Chinese, French, and Korean, with a children’s treasure map for younger visitors.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Check for event closures before you go | As a working cathedral, Grace occasionally closes for services, rehearsals, or weddings. |
| Take public transit | Parking is scarce; the cable car and Muni #1 bus both stop close by. |
| Walk both labyrinths | One is indoors, the other outside on the plaza. |
| Use the self-guided tour | Available in Spanish, Chinese, French, and Korean. |
| Ask about free entry for prayer | Quiet meditation is welcomed at no charge during sightseeing hours. |
Grace Cathedral FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the opening hours? | Monday–Saturday, 10am–5pm; Sunday, 1pm–5pm; occasional closures for cathedral events. |
| How much does admission cost? | Self-guided admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for youth and young adults; free for children under 12. |
| Is Grace Cathedral wheelchair accessible? | Yes, with accessible entries from Taylor Street, the parking garage, and Sacramento Street. |
| Is parking available? | Yes, a paid garage sits on Taylor Street, though public transit is recommended since parking is scarce. |
| Can I visit for free? | Yes, if you’re seeking a quiet place for prayer or meditation during sightseeing hours. |
Things to do near Grace Cathedral
Nob Hill, the neighborhood surrounding the cathedral, is home to grand hotels like the Fairmont and Mark Hopkins, both worth a look even without staying there.
The Cable Car Museum, a short walk downhill, offers a free look at the machinery that still powers San Francisco’s iconic cable car system.
Huntington Park, right across from the cathedral, offers a small, quiet green space with city views.
Chinatown, a short walk away, is one of the oldest and largest Chinatowns in North America.
Union Square, San Francisco’s main shopping and theater district, is a 15 to 20-minute walk or short cable car ride away.
What to visit tomorrow
Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, in nearby Chinatown, is San Francisco’s original Catholic cathedral, a Gothic Revival landmark dating to 1854 and rebuilt after the 1906 fire.
The Cathedral of Christ the Light, in Oakland, about 30 to 40 minutes away, offers a striking contrast: a modern glass-and-wood Catholic cathedral completed in 2008.
Stanford Memorial Church, on the Stanford University campus about 45 minutes to an hour away, is famous for its elaborate mosaic facade and interior, inspired partly by the Byzantine and Romanesque traditions.
More San Francisco travel
Other San Francisco travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What’s the point of the Wave Organ in San Francisco?
- Visitor guide to Fort Point by the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Get interactive at the Exploratorium in San Francisco and the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito.
- How to get the best out of the Asian Art Museum, Legion of Honor Museum and de Young Museum in San Francisco.
- Practical guide to visiting the American Bookbinders Museum in San Francisco.
