San Francisco’s grandest Easter morning tradition gets under way at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 1, 2018: the annual Sunrise Service at Mount Davidson Cross. This year’s citywide celebration atop the City’s highest peak marks the 96th anniversary of the event.

Local clergy presiding at the non-denominational service at the foot of America’s largest cross include Rev. Jeff Mammen of New Life Church, Rev. Mesrob Ash of St. John Armenian Apostolic Church, Rev. Dr. Tim Svoboda of Youth With A Mission City Ministries, Pastor Alex Cabansagan of Family Christian Fellowship, and Rev. Gary Peters of Bay Church, who will deliver the Easter message. The program will also feature community leaders and special music, including Lynne Miller of The House of Bagpipes. Admission is free.

Situated at the summit of Mt. Davidson (elevation 938 ft.), the historic 103-foot-tall cross will be illuminated by spotlights throughout Saturday evening March 31, shining as a beacon for Easter morning pilgrims (Note: great location shot at the corner of Robinhood Way and Lansdale Avenue on Saturday night).

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. The trail beginning at the park entrance across from 39 Dalewood Way affords the easiest route to the top.

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 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.

Those planning to attend Easter Sunrise 2018 are advised to dress warmly and wear comfortable walking shoes for the short walk to the summit. For more details, call (415) 566-8393.

Enjoy early movie footage of this tradition from the 1920s provided by the Western Neighborhood Project.