San Diego's church scene is as inviting as its year-round sunshine. From the historic Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala -- the first of California's 21 missions, founded in 1769 -- to thriving contemporary congregations in La Jolla, North County, and the Gaslamp Quarter, America's Finest City offers a remarkably diverse worship landscape. The military presence adds a transient but deeply committed churchgoing population, and many San Diego churches excel at welcoming newcomers and building instant community. If you are exploring other cities, check out our guides to churches in Los Angeles, churches in Phoenix, and churches in San Antonio.

1. The Rock Church

Non-Denominational

One of the most well-known churches in San Diego, The Rock Church on Rosecrans Street in Point Loma draws thousands each weekend with its contemporary worship and practical biblical teaching. Founded by Miles McPherson, a former NFL player, the church is known for its community outreach programs, including massive food drives and service days that mobilize the entire city.

Overall	Reviews	Denomination
★★★★½ 4.8/5	New listing	Non-Denominational

📍 2277 Rosecrans Street, San Diego, CA

View Full Profile → Church interior in San Diego CA

2. St. Paul's Cathedral

Episcopal

This historic Episcopal cathedral on Sixth Avenue in Bankers Hill serves as the seat of the Diocese of San Diego. The Gothic Revival architecture, excellent music program, and progressive theology make it a landmark in both the spiritual and architectural landscape of downtown. The cathedral's gardens are a tranquil oasis just steps from Balboa Park.

Overall	Reviews	Denomination
★★★★½ 4.7/5	New listing	Episcopal

📍 2728 Sixth Avenue, San Diego, CA

View Full Profile → Community gathering at a San Diego church

3. North Coast Church

Non-Denominational

Based in Vista in North County, North Coast Church has pioneered the "video cafe" model of multi-site worship and is one of the most innovative congregations in America. The casual, come-as-you-are atmosphere and practical sermon series attract thousands of North County residents who might otherwise skip church entirely.

Overall	Reviews	Denomination
★★★★½ 4.7/5	New listing	Non-Denominational

📍 2405 North Santa Fe Avenue, San Diego, CA

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4. Flood Church

Non-Denominational

Meeting on El Cajon Boulevard in City Heights, Flood Church brings a young, creative energy to one of San Diego's most diverse and underserved neighborhoods. The church's commitment to neighborhood transformation, arts integration, and authentic community has made it a model for urban ministry in Southern California.

Overall	Reviews	Denomination
★★★★½ 4.7/5	New listing	Non-Denominational

📍 5000 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego, CA

View Full Profile → Stained glass window in San Diego

5. Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala

Catholic

Founded by Father Junipero Serra in 1769, this is the birthplace of Christianity in California. The beautiful whitewashed mission on San Diego Mission Road in Mission Valley is both an active Catholic parish and a museum that tells the story of the state's spiritual origins. Attending Mass here connects you to 250 years of unbroken worship.

Overall	Reviews	Denomination
★★★★½ 4.8/5	New listing	Catholic

📍 10818 San Diego Mission Road, San Diego, CA

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6. Calvary Chapel San Diego

Calvary Chapel

Part of the Calvary Chapel movement that began in Costa Mesa, this South Bay congregation on Palomar Street in Chula Vista offers verse-by-verse Bible teaching in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. The church's emphasis on the straightforward exposition of Scripture has built a loyal and growing congregation.

Overall	Reviews	Denomination
★★★★½ 4.6/5	New listing	Calvary Chapel

📍 1771 East Palomar Street, San Diego, CA

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7. Shadow Mountain Community Church

Baptist

Led by Dr. David Jeremiah, one of America's most listened-to Bible teachers, Shadow Mountain in El Cajon draws worshippers from across the county for its in-depth biblical teaching and traditional worship. The campus also houses Christian Heritage College and a robust broadcasting ministry.

Overall	Reviews	Denomination
★★★★½ 4.7/5	New listing	Baptist

📍 2100 Greenfield Drive, San Diego, CA

View Full Profile → Modern worship at a San Diego congregation

8. Christ Community Church

Non-Denominational

Located on Kearny Villa Road in the Kearny Mesa area, Christ Community offers a multi-ethnic, multi-generational worship experience that reflects San Diego's incredible diversity. The church's small group model creates genuine connections in a city where it can be easy to feel anonymous.

Overall	Reviews	Denomination
★★★★½ 4.6/5	New listing	Non-Denominational

📍 9535 Kearny Villa Road, San Diego, CA

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9. Village Church Rancho Santa Fe

Presbyterian

Nestled in the affluent enclave of Rancho Santa Fe, Village Church offers a Presbyterian worship experience in one of San Diego County's most beautiful settings. The intimate campus, thoughtful preaching, and commitment to both local and global missions have made it a spiritual anchor for North County's coastal communities.

Overall	Reviews	Denomination
★★★★½ 4.6/5	New listing	Presbyterian

📍 6225 Paseo Delicias, San Diego, CA

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10. Journey Community Church

Non-Denominational

Meeting in La Jolla, Journey Community draws university students, young professionals, and families with its contemporary worship and emphasis on spiritual growth through community. The church's multiple campuses make it accessible across San Diego's sprawling geography.

Overall	Reviews	Denomination
★★★★½ 4.5/5	New listing	Non-Denominational

📍 8363 Center Drive, San Diego, CA

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How We Ranked These Churches

FaithScout ranks churches using a multi-dimensional rating system based on verified visitor reviews. Rather than relying on a single score, we evaluate churches across six key categories: Overall Experience, Teaching Quality, Community & Fellowship, Worship Experience, Welcoming Atmosphere, and Children's Ministry.

For this San Diego guide, we weighted overall rating as the primary factor, with review volume serving as a tiebreaker to ensure that highly-rated churches with meaningful sample sizes are appropriately highlighted. Churches with fewer reviews can still rank highly if their scores are exceptional.

Every church on this list is an active, verified congregation in the San Diego metropolitan area. Ratings are updated continuously as new visitor reviews come in, so check back regularly for the latest rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Churches in San Diego

What is the oldest church in San Diego?

Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, founded by Father Junipero Serra in 1769, is not only the oldest church in San Diego but the oldest in all of California. This active Catholic parish on San Diego Mission Road in Mission Valley continues to hold regular Mass, connecting modern worshippers to over 250 years of unbroken Christian worship.

What are the best contemporary churches in San Diego?

San Diego has a vibrant contemporary church scene. The Rock Church in Point Loma, Flood Church in City Heights, North Coast Church in Vista, and Journey Community Church in La Jolla all offer modern worship experiences with casual atmospheres and practical teaching. The year-round sunshine even allows for occasional outdoor worship gatherings.

Are there large churches in San Diego?

Yes, The Rock Church in Point Loma and North Coast Church in Vista are among the largest congregations in Southern California, each drawing thousands each weekend. Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, led by Dr. David Jeremiah, is another major congregation with a significant national broadcasting ministry.

What churches in San Diego are good for military families?

San Diego's large military population means many churches specialize in welcoming service members and their families. The Rock Church, Calvary Chapel San Diego, and several churches near the major bases in Coronado, Point Loma, and Miramar have dedicated military ministries, support groups, and programs for families dealing with deployment and relocation.

Where can I find historic churches in San Diego?

Beyond the Mission Basilica, San Diego offers several historic worship sites. St. Paul's Cathedral in Bankers Hill dates to 1869 and features beautiful Gothic Revival architecture. The Immaculata Church at the University of San Diego and several churches in Old Town San Diego also carry significant historical and architectural interest.

Find Your Church Home in San Diego

Ready to start your search? Take our Church Match Quiz to get personalized recommendations based on your worship preferences, or browse all churches in San Diego to explore on your own.

FaithScout makes finding your perfect church home simple. With honest visitor ratings, detailed profiles, and tools to compare congregations side by side, you will spend less time searching and more time growing in community.