Inspiring Calif. Easter Services

From the mountains to the desert to the sea, California inspires on a daily basis. But millions of residents to a few moments or hours to contemplate, appreciate, and worship in the most amazing places on Easter Sunday. Here are just a few!

Services are held on Easter

Mountains

Yosemite Valley Chapel - 130+ year old church with backdrop of Yosemite Falls - yosemitevalleychapel.org
Located in the breathtakingly beautiful Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park, California, the Yosemite Chapel is Yosemite's oldest structure, built in 1879! 

Mammoth Mountain McCoy Station - Easter Service at 1:30 p.m. is a non-denominational Easter Service on the deck of the Mountainside Bar & Grill (Mammoth Mountain Inn).  mammothmountain.com

Truckee: Northstar at Tahoe - Easter Eggstravaganza includes Interdenominational On-Mountain Church Service in the fresh air and beautiful mountain setting. northstarcalifornia.com

Mt. Helix, La Mesa – San Diego County. 4901 Mt Helix Dr. La Mesa, CA.
Easter Sunrise Service starts at 6:30 a.m. It is a beautiful service  held in the Mt. Helix Park Amphitheater hosted by Christ Lutheran Church. Free shuttles begin at 5 a.m. from the parking lots, usually at the corner of Vivera and Mt. Helix Drive near the San Miguel fire station, with overflow parking available at the Brigantine restaurant and Grossmont Center mall.  Attendees may walk or take a shuttle to Mt. Helix Park amphitheater. This annual event has taken place at the summit of Mt. Helix since 1917. mthelixpark.org

San Francisco Mount Davidson Cross.  Easter morning service usually begins at 7 a.m. at the top of Mt. Davidson, where it all began in 1932. This year's citywide celebration atop the City's highest peak (summit elevation 938 ft.) marks the 96th anniversary of the event.  Special bus service on Muni's 36 line begins at 5:30 a.m. and runs 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. An attendance record was set during World War II, with an estimated 50,000 people. Originally dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in a transcontinental ceremony in 1934, the 103-foot-tall Mt. Davidson Cross has been restored 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.  The park entrance across from 39 Dalewood Way affords the easiest route to the top. mountdavidsoncross.org

Sea

NEWPORT BEACH: On the Beach, Newport Beach Peninsula.   christbytheseanb.org A sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. at 14th Street Beach invites you to bring a beach chair or blanket. The Balboa Island Ferry will begin transporting cars from Balboa Island at 6 a.m. for this special service. The dolphins usually swim during the service, they say.

OCEANSIDE: Sunrise on the Shore Oceanside Beach Amphitheater, 7:30 a.m. service with stadium seating overlooking the Pacific Ocean, newventure.org

MORRO BAY: Morro Bay Beach Service - Come as You Are - Sunrise Service 6 a.m. |  Easter Sunday Outdoor Worship Service. Additional Easter Services held at Rock Harbor Christian Fellowship, 1475 Quintana Road, Morro Bay, CA    rockharborcf.com

HERMOSA BEACH: Easter Sunrise Catholic Mass on the Beach 6 a.m. Sunrise Mass on the Beach (on the sand, 11th street south of pier in English. Please bring a beach chair/blanket. And if you wish bring a small radio, Mass will be broadcasted on FM 100.9.
Location: South of the Pier
Hermosa Beach, California 90254
A Roman Catholic Easter Sunrise Mass on the beach with communion, prayer, reflection and song. Please bring your own chair. ourladyofguadalupechurch.org

HUNTINGTON BEACH: Sunrise Easter Service at Huntington Beach Pier Plaza at 6 a.m. Annual service Sunrise Service at Huntington Beach Pier with Hope Chapel Huntington Beach.  Main & Pacific Coast Highway, pay parking in beach parking lots. Location: Pier Plaza Address: 325 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 Phone: (714) 536-1614

CARLSBAD: The Flower Fields, Carlsbad – Easter Sunday, 6:30-8:30 a.m. theflowerfields.com
The Fields Church presents a sunrise service on Easter morning at the Carlsbad Flower Fields. Dress warmly, and come prepared for great music and fellowship.  Location: Carlsbad Flower Fields, 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA  Annual Carlsbad Flower Fields features great music and close fellowship. After the service stay for free breakfast  and stay to enjoy the beauty of the Flower Fields!   easter@thefieldschurch.org. The Fields is a growing church in Carlsbad. 

SAN DIEGO: Point Loma Cabrillo National Monument Easter Sunrise Service 6:30-7:30 a.m. Gates open at 6 a.m.  The Kiwanis Club of Point Loma will again present an ecumenical Easter Sunrise Service at the Cabrillo National Monument. The services will be held in the lower parking lot, giving those who attend a great early morning panoramic view of San Diego Harbor and the city behind it. Location: 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr., San Diego, CA. Free. facebook.com/KiwanisClubOfPointLoma/

California Missions - the oldest organized religious institutions in California will host services.

SANTA BARBARA: Oceanhills Church celebrates Easter Sunday together NOTICE!!! Due to predicted rain in parts of California on March 30-31, 2024, some events may be canceled or have a date or location change!

March 31, 2024, 9 a.m. & 11 a.m. at The Marjorie Luke Theater. Location: 721 E Cota St. Santa Barbara, CA. Two services with music, a speaker, and encouragement. There will be refreshments and connections in between the two services on the patio. Everyone is welcome!   hello@oceanhills.org email | oceanhills.org

SANTA BARBARA: Easter in the Garden 10-11:30 a.m. Easter Service at the Courthouse Sunken Gardens with Calvary features live music, fun children's area, refreshments, and a message of hope! Location: Santa Barbara Sunken Gardens 1100 Anacapa Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 calvarysb.com. Price: Free

Desert

RAMONA: Easter Sunrise Service at Ramona Bowl NOTICE!!! Due to predicted rain in parts of California on March 30-31, 2024, some events may be canceled or have a date or location change!

March 31, 2024, 6:30-8:30 a.m. Free, public invited! Sponsored by Kiwanis Club and Bible Fellowship Church. Location: Ramona Bowl Amphitheatre 27400 Ramona Bowl Road Hemet, CA. facebook.com/KiwanisClubofHemet
 There is no fee for parking and gates open at 5 a.m. A huge cross above the amphitheater visible throughout the San Jacinto Valley will be lit. 

PALM SPRINGS: 
Aerial Tramway Sunrise Easter Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. One of the most spectacular places to watch the sunrise on Easter is at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway's Mountain Station, elevation 8,516 feet. celebrate Easter Sunrise Service with songs of faith, hope and joy along with a special inspirational Easter message by Pastor.  pstramway.com

Vineyards

SONOMA: Cline Cellars Easter Sunrise Service 6 a.m.
Sunrise Service at the Adobe Mission includes complimentary pastries and coffee served after the service. Reservations recommended. Sunrise happens at 6:25 a.m. clinecellars.com

Cowboy

NORCO: NOTICE!!! Due to predicted rain in parts of California on March 30-31, 2024, some events may be canceled or have a date or location change!

March 31, 2024, 7 a.m. Ingalls Park Moreno Arena  Easter Sunrise Service Enjoy a very special service. Coffee, donuts & hot chocolate will be provided!
norcohorseweek.com

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.