Inspiring Calif. Easter Services from the Mountains to the Sea

Mountains

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

• Easter Week Services Maundy Thursday 7 pm
• Good Friday 12:15 pm & 7 pm
• Easter Day Sunrise Service 7 am at Lower Pines Campground (Weather Permitting)
• Easter Day Services 9:15 & 11 a.m. at Chapel.

Mammoth Mountain McCoy Station - Easter Service at 1:30 p.m. is a non-denominational Easter Service outside at McCoy Station. mammothmountain.com

Mt. Helix, La Mesa – San Diego County. 4901 Mt Helix Dr. La Mesa, CA. Call: (619) 588-6901
100th Easter Sunrise Service in 2025 at 6:15 a.m. is a beautiful service is held in the Mt. Helix Park Amphitheater  hosted by Legacy Church. Free shuttles begin at 5 a.m. from the parking lot of Grossmont High School, 1100 Murray Drive, El Cajon, CA  92020. The ride is 2.6 miles and takes approx. 8 minutes.  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 begins at 6:30 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.)  features Rev. Rob Hall of New North 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. Jeff Mammen of New Life Church. Lynne Miller of The House of Bagpipes will commence the service with a bagpipe instrumental of Amazing Grace. Rev. Jeff Mammen will lead the corporate singing supported by the Salvation Army Brass Band at the non-denominational service. America's largest cross will be illuminated by spotlights throughout Saturday evening  shining as a beacon for Easter morning pilgrims. Special bus service on Muni 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. Call (415) 673-MUNI for further transit information.  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. For more details, mtdavidson.org

Palm Springs - Aerial Tramway Sunrise Easter Service beginning at 6:10 a.m. Celebrate sunrise service with songs of faith, love, hope and joy...along with a special inspirational Easter message. The first tram car up that morning is 5:15 a.m. and the last-for the service-is 6 a.m. At 8,516 feet this is one of the most breathtaking places. Reduced Tram fares will be in effect until 7:30 a.m. with round-trip $15.50 for adults and seniors, and $12.25 for children ages 3-12. Immediately following the program, breakfast and ride ticket for Pines Café costs $24.95. The breakfast menu will also be available separately until 10 a.m. Normal Tram fares will be in effect after 7:30 a.m. with admission $24.95 for adults, $22.95 seniors 65+ and $16.95 for children ages 3-12. Easter dinner is served from 11  a.m. until 8:30 p.m. Cost for the Ride 'N' Dine combination is $36. Reservations are not taken and tickets go on sale at 8:00 a.m.

Sea

Lover's Point – Pacific Grove – Call city: (831) 648-3100. cityofpacificgrove.org
The city recreation guide states that a sunrise service is held here each Easter morning. You should call to find out the time and details. Some local hotels may know, as well.

On the Beach, Newport Beach Peninsula.  A sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. at 14th Street Beach invites you to bring a beach chair or blanket. Continental breakfast in the church  courtyard follows, to which all are warmly invited. Traditional service at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary. The dolphins often swim during the service, they say. Christ Church By the Sea is located at 1400 W. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach, CA 92660. christbytheseanb.org

Not confirmed - Sunrise on the Shore Oceanside Beach Amphitheater, 7:30 a.m. service with stadium seating overlooking the Pacific Ocean

Morro Bay Beach Service - Come as You Are - Sonrise Service  Easter Sunday Outdoor Worship Service at 6 a.m. Rock Harbor Christian Fellowship, 1475 Quintana Road, Morro Bay, CA    rockharborcf.com

The Flower Fields, Carlsbad – Easter Sunday, 6:30 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  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!  The Fields is a growing church in Carlsbad.  thefieldschurch.org

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