From the first day my son and I walked into the doors of VIVE San Francisco, I felt a sense of…read morehome. The community is so loving and welcoming! The welcome team on the street welcomed us in with open arms and warm smiles. From day one we were connected to a community that does life together. The church is so diverse, which I loved. So many different ethnicities. Worship experience was amazing. The Holy spirit was present. I felt so comfortable to let go of my insecurities and fully surrender in worship! I also loved that they have a Royal Kids experience for my son who is six years old. It was such a nurturing and safe environment where my son could learn to love God and love others, engage in a worship experience, and enjoy a lesson from the Bible. Overall happy with my experience at VIVE San Francisco and love the community I now call family!

I was invited to Vive SF and appreciated the sermon, as well as meeting the members. I was welcomed…read morewarmly and received information about connecting with the church and the possibility of membership, as I was seeking a new church home. The friendly atmosphere made me feel at ease. It's nice that they had matcha for guests before and after service and also pastries after service.

Grace Cathedral has always been one of San Francisco's most iconic landmarks, but before this, I…read moremostly thought of it as just another tourist attraction. This time, I specifically went at night to see the AURA immersive light show, and it completely changed the way I experienced the place. The cathedral is already beautiful during the day, but once the lights and music begin at night, the entire space feels like a completely different world. The architecture itself is stunning, especially when the projections are cast onto the massive ceilings, arches, and stained glass windows. At times it almost feels unreal. The AURA show is more than just a simple light show -- it feels like the entire cathedral becomes a giant canvas for an immersive art experience. The music, projection mapping, and the scale of the space all blend together beautifully, and there were moments where the atmosphere naturally made everyone quiet down. I honestly didn't go in with extremely high expectations for the immersive show itself, but the live experience ended up being much better than I expected. Because the cathedral is so tall and open, the sound naturally echoes throughout the space, and combined with the slowly shifting lights, it creates this feeling of being completely surrounded by the experience. Some parts didn't even feel like watching a performance anymore -- it felt more like zoning out and letting yourself fully sink into the atmosphere. In a fast-paced city like San Francisco, that kind of feeling actually felt pretty special. Visiting Grace Cathedral at night also feels completely different from visiting during the day. Nob Hill is already quiet and peaceful at night, and even walking up the large staircase outside feels strangely cinematic and dramatic. Once inside, the dark atmosphere somehow feels calming instead of heavy, and people naturally start speaking more softly. Even if you're not religious, I think it's hard not to appreciate the combination of the architecture, lighting, and atmosphere. As for the ticket price, I actually thought it was pretty reasonable. It wasn't cheap, but it also didn't feel overpriced considering the venue itself, the production quality of the show, and the overall immersive experience. I think it's definitely worth experiencing at least once. Especially if you have friends visiting San Francisco, bringing them here at night feels much more memorable than just stopping by during the day for photos. Walking back down Nob Hill afterward really gives you one of those classic "San Francisco" moments.

Grace Cathedral -- Laser Light Show Experience…read more We attended the 9:30 PM laser light show and it was a truly unique and memorable experience. The cathedral itself is stunning, and the lighting effects against the soaring architecture and stained glass created a beautiful, almost otherworldly atmosphere. We walked to the cathedral, but noticed there is parking nearby and the area seemed easy to access. The staff and volunteers were welcoming and well organized. As we entered, the scent of frankincense filled the space -- used as part of the show -- adding an immersive, ceremonial feeling that complemented the visuals and music beautifully. The show was entertaining, peaceful, and visually captivating. Watching the light projections move across the vaulted ceilings and stone interior made the entire space feel alive. If you're looking for something different in San Francisco -- artistic, calming, and visually impressive -- this is absolutely worth experiencing.

I've attended Canvas for the past two years and can't recommend it enough! Everyone is very…read morewelcoming and it's an excellent place to build Christian community in a city where connection can be difficult.

I didn't expect a church to make me consider moving neighborhoods--but Canvas has done exactly…read morethat. Because of this community, I've genuinely thought about moving closer to the Presidio/Marina area just to be more involved. What makes Canvas so special starts with the people. From day one, it was incredibly easy to make friends. Everyone is warm, open, and intentional about connection. It's also one of the most genuinely inclusive spaces I've experienced--people are welcomed without judgment, regardless of ethnicity, sexual orientation, or life decisions. It never feels political or controversial--just a place where you can show up as you are. The leadership really sets the tone. Jena brings so much warmth, creativity, and a deep love for people into everything she does. Travis is incredibly down-to-earth (tattoo sleeve included), passionate about helping creatives discover faith in an authentic way, and has a perspective that really stands out--he believes church shouldn't be a place that tells people what to think, but a space that helps people think. Together, they've built something that feels both meaningful and approachable. The sermons are thoughtful and actually applicable to everyday life--covering topics like patience, healing, loving others, generosity, building intentional community, and mental health, including anxiety. If you're curious, you can check out past messages here: [https://canvas-sf.com/media/topic](https://canvas-sf.com/media/topic) What also stands out is how committed Canvas is to the broader community. They regularly serve San Francisco in tangible ways--feeding the unhoused, organizing clothing drives for children in the foster care system, and even doing neighborhood clean-ups. There are also so many ways to get involved through growth groups--whether that's Bible study, running, hiking, or even movie groups. It makes forming real friendships feel easy and natural. Canvas isn't just a church--it's a community you actually want to be part of.

We came to this area to see this beautiful church. The inside and outside is gorgeous. We were able…read moreTo pray and get some quiet time inside the church.

Beautiful historic church right in the heart of North Beach! The twin spires and classic…read morearchitecture make it a striking landmark, and the interior is peaceful with detailed stained glass and ornate decorations. A great spot to take photos, enjoy a moment of calm, or admire the city's Italian-American heritage. Perfect to combine with a stroll through Washington Square or nearby cafes.

Teach your Eucharistic ministers to keep their hands off members of the congregation. At this…read moreevening's Saturday before Easter Mass, one of your idiot ministers thought it was appropriate to put her filthy hands on me, claiming to do it to get my attention because she didn't see me put the bread in my mouth immediately after receiving it. I don't care what your Eucharistic protocol is, you never put your hands on another person without their consent. No Eucharistic minister has ever shown me that level of disrespect in my life and I'm petty enough to call it out. That minister was incredibly fortunate we were in a church during Mass because had that happened anywhere else, I would've dropped them without hesitation. Make that idiot do penance. If it narrows it down, it was a fat woman. So figure out who it was from there. Imbecile.

Beautiful beautiful!!!!! And I love the tradition of being…read moreable to light candles throughout the church $6 candles sold in the gift shop and little gift shop on the side super cute.

Christmas and a special mass ...nice view ..the sun ..landmark ..for years ..not sure ..years ago…read more..near Van ness

It was my first time going to mass here and it was really pretty and well organize! Its a really…read morebig church and a lot of seating. Theres also a gift shop right under the church.

Loved this church! Was plugged in from the beginning and was able to join two groups! They even…read moresuggested to serve on the worship team! Love this church, definitely will recommend

Very welcoming environment with classes for kids of all ages, amazing coffee, powerful worship,…read morediversity in age and race which I love to see and dynamic speakers. There is so much going on not just inside the church building but outside as well, city life partners with the city and supports the community which is a beautiful reflection of what the church should be.

Great pastoral service very in and out. just wish they had more seating. Definitely going back…read moreroutinely

If you want to attend a church to affirm your choices unchallenged, with staff lacking courage to…read moretalk about important issues facing Christians today, EPIC Church SF is your home. If, however, you want a truly caring and bold church leadership unafraid to counsel on the most important issues facing Christians, I'm afraid this isn't what you're looking for. I didn't notice it right away, but over time I grew increasingly weary of the radical leftist politicization and business-oriented approach of Epic's church staff, particularly of lead pastor, Ben Pilgreen. I wrote a thoughtful and detailed PRIVATE letter 3 weeks ago, to which I received no response. In it, I outlined why the deafening silence about the widespread celebration by people in the US of the most public assassination in a generation was extremely problematic; why silence on the Christian genocide in parts of Africa was a miss; why their repeated Marxist takes on the politics of our day was against Christian doctrine (the Bible is rife with political leaders like David, Solomon, Paul, James, etc - while we should render unto Cesar what is Cesar's, the Judeo-Christian tradition is the foundation of Western Civilization. We cannot, as Christians, put our heads in the sand about the increasingly anti-Christian geopolitical climate within which we find ourselves). The lack of any response to my letter is why I decided to take my complaint PUBLIC; I gave ample time for a private response to demonstrate a caring approach to church members like myself and the dozen or so others who walked out in disgust on September 14th (the Sunday after Charlie Kirk's assassination) - not to mention the many others who likely had a similar reaction though remained silent. The staff (particularly lead pastor, Ben Pilgreen) often talks about its biggest tech-founder backers and recent press about its rapid growth. Epic is run more like a business, with a focus on bigger donations and new numbers, than like an actual church demonstrating real concern for Christians. Sure, the first few months will feel good - the kumbaya songs and therapist-like self-affirming feel-good approach - but at the end of the day, we have to contend with scripture and understanding Christian morality. This church will initially make you feel good with the amazing production value of its songs and welcoming community, but as you dig a little deeper into what's being said, and as your commitment to leading a Christian life grows (especially as we grapple with how scripture translates into the 21st century), you will not find the bold leadership needed to take that on in this community. I will not be returning and I would advise friends to find another congregation. Five former members and I have since started a home church, honoring Christianity's earliest church leaders and ourselves, as we seek greater closeness to Christ.

Very welcoming, especially for people who want to explore Christianity and learn moreread more

I feel a strong urge, perhaps nudged by the Spirit, to share my experience with Reality SF,…read moreespecially in light of recent events where Christian pastors in DC were arrested for advocating for Palestine, after being gaslit by Reality SF and its leaders that I was the only person in their entire three thousand people congregation that supported the humanity and dignity of Palestinians. My story with Reality SF is a long one, spanning over 12 years of attendance, from their early days in the Swedish American Music Hall, transitioning to Everett Middle School, and finally to their current residence in a lavish $15 million building. My relationship with the church has been complex, characterized by its lack of welcomeness, but the strong and insightful teachings, attracted me to stay and call it home. Despite never voicing my concerns publicly--unlike the 200 congregants who once left in protest against the leadership--I remained silent and mostly defended the church, until the church's (lack of) response to the Gaza genocide pushed me to the brink, when they have commented on Ukraine and social issues in the past. Reality SF's portrayal of the genocide as a mere 'war' and their silence on the human rights abuses inflicted upon Palestinians led me to question the church as an institution, my faith, and to question God's character and even existence. My efforts to discuss these issues, including some encouragement for my faith, were initially met with a wall of silence. Persistently, I sought to make my voice heard, only to be confronted with defensiveness and outright dismissal. The most disheartening part of my quest for dialogue was trying to engage with Dave Lomas, the head pastor, who, as I learned, 'doesn't do emails' and proved to as difficult to meet with as the Pope. This barrier to communication only compounded my frustrations, leading me to take a hiatus from the church. Yet, in a twist that felt laden with divine intervention, after weeks of abstaining from church services, a sequence of undeniable signs led me back to Reality SF one Sunday morning. Carrying a glimmer of hope that the day's sermon might finally address the suffering in Palestine, I was met with disappointment as a guest speaker took the podium, leaving my expectations unmet. In an extraordinary turn of events, as I was about to leave, disheartened, I spotted Dave Lomas by the exit. In over 600 Sundays, I had never seen him greeting congregants. Unlike the kissing babies and shaking hands type of pastor, I've always respected him in his introversion, which I thought fueled his insightful sermons and considered him a guiding figure in my spiritual journey. This encounter, whether by divine arrangement or sheer coincidence, gave me the courage to approach him and share my concerns directly. While I prefer not to divulge the specifics of our 1:1 conversation, it was dishearteningly marked by significant ignorance and a lack of the compassion and justice Jesus preached. This interaction left me more lost than ever, questioning the foundations of my faith and the leaders who are supposed to embody Christ's teachings. In my quest for clarity, I turned to what my generation does for anything--social media. It was there, that I found the accounts that Dave follows on Instagram--conservative influencers, luxury golf resorts, and luxury watchmakers (think Richard Mille, not even Rolex). This revelation served as a poignant lesson: God often uses the imperfect among us to serve His purpose. I was wrong for putting Dave on a pedestal for his teachings. This reflection brought me to a deeper inquiry: Why had God, through a series of undeniable signs, guided me back to Reality SF that particular Sunday, to a moment of face-to-face encounter with Dave? Initially, it seemed Dave, as the pastor, might have thought he had a divine message for me--"you don't have to agree with everything your church believes" and he encourage me to stay, or, he pointed to the door (it literally was as we were right by the exit). However, upon reflection, perhaps the message was to Dave - to have a more compassionate heart, one that embraces all of God's creation, including Arabs (Muslims and Christians). I hope this somehow gets to him (he's a foodie so I have a better shot of getting to him than by email) and my worldly message is: read works by Ilan Pappe or Richard Becker.

Cornerstone is a one of a kind church. The messages always seem to hold a very relevant lesson…read moreregardless of who is speaking. The seating can be a little cramped, it's in an older building, but it's still comfy. A big highlight of this church is it's performances (Spring musical, Christmas Eve candlelight, the comedy improv night etc.). Worth a sunday visit and staying around after and before service. The java is killer. Bagels, toast, donuts, and really delicious coffee. And if you're not into that type of food then there's plenty of local restaurants as well. This is a great spot to go to for very lively worship on sunday mornings. Saturday nights are excellent too! Just check it out, the pastoral staff is very wholesome and welcoming.

I had a deeply disturbing experience with this church, and I feel a responsibility to share it so…read moreothers can make an informed decision. During my time there, I trusted members with personal information. Over time, I came to believe that this information was discussed behind my back in ways that felt disrespectful and damaging. Instead of direct communication, there seemed to be judgment and private conversations about me, including my financial situation, which felt intrusive and shaming rather than supportive. What concerned me most, however, were statements and situations that felt threatening and deeply unsettling. There were comments about taking control over people's lives and even statements that came across as threats involving my family. At one point, I experienced a situation where a vehicle came near my home and I genuinely feared for my grandfather's safety based on what had been said to me. Whether others interpret that differently or not, it created a real sense of fear and crossed a line that no church should ever approach. This environment felt driven by fear, control, and intimidation rather than care, humility, and truth. I'm sharing this not out of spite, but out of concern for others. A healthy church should build people up, respect boundaries, and communicate directly--not operate in ways that make people feel unsafe or targeted. Please use discernment if you are considering getting involved here.