Easter Sunrise Service 2024
San Francisco’s grandest Easter morning tradition will be held on Sunday, March 31, at 7:00 AM. Admission is free. This year’s citywide celebration atop the City’s highest peak will mark the 101st anniversary of the event.
Speakers offering readings, prayers and an Easter message will include Rev. Dave Ainsworth of Citizens Church, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and Tim Svoboda of Tenderloin-based Youth With a Mission.
Representing the Council of Armenian American Organizations of Northern California that owns and maintains the Mt. Davidson Cross property will be Rev. Mesrob Ash of Armenian Apostolic Church. Other local clergy presiding at the non-denominational service include Rev. Ben Day of FirstSF Church and Rev. Jeff Mammen of New Life Church.
Lynne Miller of The House of Bagpipes will commence the service with a bagpipe instrumental of “Amazing Grace.” Principal David Greenbaum of St. Thomas More School will lead the corporate singing supported by the Salvation Army Brass Band.
Situated at the summit of Mt. Davidson (elevation 938 ft.), the historic 103-foot-tall cross will once again be illuminated by spotlights throughout Saturday evening March 30th, shining as a beacon for Easter morning. (Note: great location shot at the corner of Robinhood Way and Lansdale Avenue on Saturday night).
Sponsored by local churches and broadcast nationally in years past, the Easter Sunrise Service attendance record was set during World War II, with an estimated 50,000 worshippers in attendance.
Originally dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in a transcontinental ceremony in 1934, the 103-foot-tall Mt. Davidson Cross has been restored and lit by the Council of Armenian-American Organizations of Northern California, owners of the monument.
With the sun rising over the East Bay hills, Mt. Davidson Park’s beautiful forest setting serves as a spectacular backdrop for this cherished Easter event. Adding to the visual appeal of the panoramic view of San Francisco Bay and the downtown skyline at dawn is the dazzling springtime array of wildflowers currently in bloom.
Special bus service on Muni’s 36 line will begin at 5:30 a.m. and run every 15 minutes from Forest Hill Station to the park gate located at the intersection of Lansdale Avenue, Myra Drive and Dalewood Way – two blocks south of Portola Drive. Call (415) 673-MUNI for further transit information. Those planning to attend Easter Sunrise 2022 are advised to dress warmly and wear comfortable walking shoes for the walk to the summit. The park entrance across from 39 Dalewood Way affords the easiest route to the top. For more details, call (415) 564-7535.
Enjoy early movie footage of this tradition from the 1920s provided by the Western Neighborhood Project, KQED Bay Curious Podcast: Why there is a cross on San Francisco’s highest peak, and this video of the Cross history: Mount Davidson: San Francisco’s Hidden Treasure.
1934 cross lighting of cross by President Roosevelt.
