If you've never visited a labyrinth, I highly recommend you do so soon. First created to send visitors on a spiritual journey, labyrinths are calming and like a walking meditation. For children, labyrinths can help in motor development and critical thinking skills while they are having fun.
While some may believe a labyrinth is just a fancy name for a maze, labyrinths lead you gradually to the center, while a maze has numerous false turns and dead ends. Some believe a labyrinth is a natural healing generator.
We've rounded up the labyrinths in the Bay Area for your family to explore. Some are simple, while others can be quite difficult. Some are intended more for adults, while others encourage all to enjoy.
Some labyrinths are in places of worship. Please keep that in mind when visiting and be respectful of others. Due to COVID-19, some locations may be closed. Please call first. Have fun!
| Atherton |
Sacred Heart Schools
150 Valporiso Avenue, Atherton
The labyrinth is located on campus in Conway Court of the Main Building and the Campbell Performing Arts Center. It is open between 7 am and 6 pm, however, it is located on a school campus, so please confirm availability. Material: brick/pavers. More info.
| Los Altos |
The Jesuit Retreat Center of Los Altos
300 Manresa Way, Los Altos
The labyrinth is located on the lower property and is easily accessible from the parking lot. Look for the trail sign identifying the labyrinth. Open 7 days a week from 8 am to 6 pm. Please call to confirm public access. Material: rock or garden. More info.
| Menlo Park |
St. Bede's Episcopal Church
2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship on the central patio surrounded by raised planter beds. Material: brick/paver. More info.
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
330 Ravenswood Avenue, Menlo Park
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship indoors on the floor of the small chapel. Call for an appointment. On Tuesday evenings from 8:15 to 9:15 pm, you are invited to visit the labyrinth and to light a candle as you enter the space through the main doors of Angus Hall and use the side Chapel entrance (follow the signs) to minimize the noise as people enter and leave. Material: wood inlay. More info.
| Palo Alto |
All Saints' Episcopal Church
555 Waverly Street, Palo Alto
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship in the courtyard. It is open to all 24 hours a day. Material: painted concrete. More info.
First United Methodist Church
625 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship indoors and is available by appointment only. Material: canvas. More info.
First Congregational Church of Palo Alto, United Church of Christ
1985 Louis Road, Palo Alto
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship in the Memorial Garden in front of the Sanctuary, the large building at the corner of Louis and Embaracero Roads. A glass art feature wraps its way through the Garden on the south side of the Sanctuary. Material: brick/paver. More info.
Grace Lutheran Church
3149 Waverly Street, Palo Alto
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship and always open. Material: concrete and granite epoxy pattern. More info.
Sofia University
1069 E Meadow Circle, Palo Alto
The labyrinth is set on a grassy bank beside the sidewalk and open to the community. Material: rock or garden and rubber mulch. More info.
Stanford Children's Health - Lucille Packard Children's Hospital
725 Welch Road, Palo Alto
The labyrinth is located in the Healing Gardens and outdoor space adjacent to the Sanctuary space and is always open. More info.
Unitarian Universalist Church
505 East Charleston Road, Palo Alto
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship and is always open. If you would like to bring a group, please call ahead for availability. Material: brick/paver. More info.
| Portola Valley |
Valley Presbyterian Church
945 Portola Road, Portola Valley
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship in the redwood grove directly across the creek from the Sanctuary and is open at all times. Material: rock or garden. More info.
| Redwood City |
EA Business Park
205 Redwood Shores Parkway, Redwood City
The labyrinth is located in a grassy area just north of the parking structure in the triangle formed by Redwood Shores Parkway, Shoreline Drive, and Twin Dolphin Drive and is always open. Material: grass.
| San Carlos |
Eaton Park
3000 Eaton Avenue, San Carlos
The labyrinth is located at the park and is open during park hours. The easiest access to the labyrinth is via a small, public path between two residential properties on the 90 block of Loma Road. Material: brick/paver. More info.
Episcopal Church of the Ephiphany
1839 Arroyo Avenue, San Carlos
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship, across from Burton Park with street parking only. Material: brick/paver. More info.
| San Mateo |
Congregational Church of San Mateo - UCC
225 Tilton Avenue, San Mateo
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship in the Memorial Garden and is open to the public during regular business hours. Access to Memorial Garden and the labyrinth may be granted at other times if arrangements are made in advance. Material: brick/paver. More info.
Episcopal Church of St. Matthew
1 South El Camino Real, San Mateo
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship on the north side of the campus, near the Bell Tower, and was installed as a gift to the community. It is available for all to walk in prayer, peace, pilgrimage, and play. Material: rope and lawn staples. More info.
| Stanford |
Stanford University
450 Serra Mall, Building 500, Stanford
The labyrinth is located indoors at a place of worship in the Memorial Church and is open every Friday from 8 am to 1 pm, except during University closures, holidays, and special events. Material: vinyl. More info.
Stanford University
370 Santa Teresa Street, Stanford
The labyrinth is located outside Windhover contemplative center and is always open. Materials: granite. More info.
| Sunnyvale |
Plaza del Sol
200 W Evelyn Avenue, Sunnyvale
The labyrinth is located in the courtyard of the Plaza del Sol in downtown Sunnyvale and is always open. Material: stained concrete.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
231 Sunset Avenue, Sunnyvale
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship and is always open. Please be respectful of any church events that may be happening. Material: Concrete, aggregate, and tile. More info.
Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church
7258 W Fremont Avenue, Sunnyvale
The labyrinth is located at a place o worship on the east side of the Sanctuary - you walk on the grass and it is always open. Material: grass. More info.
| Alameda |
Immanuel Lutheran Church of Alameda
1420 Lafayette Street, Alameda
The labyrinth is around the corner from the church. It is at the southwest corner of Santa Clara Avenue and Chestnut Street in the parking lot. The labyrinth is open to the street and always available with enough light from the street to visit at night. Material: painted concrete, paved. More info.
Mastick Senior Center
1155 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda
The labyrinth is located at the Senior Center and is open during the Center's open hours. Material: concrete. More info.
| Berkeley |
Grace North Church
2138 Cedar Street, Berkeley
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship and is open on the last Friday of every month from 6 pm to 7 pm and scheduled events. I believe the labyrinth is located indoors. Material: painted on wooden floor. More info.
Willard Middle School
Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley
The labyrinth is located between Stuart Street and Derby Street and is painted on the blacktop next to the garden, accessible through the gate on Telegraph or by the driveway on Derby Street. It is available to the public except during school hours (8 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday during the school year). Material: painted on blacktop. More info.
| Burlingame |
Mercy Center Labyrinth
2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame
The labyrinth is open and available for walking meditation. All Mercy Center guests must have a reservation and supply evidence of COVID-19 vaccine. Materials: brick/paver. More info.
| Byron |
Kaleidoscope
14671 Byron Highway, Byron
The labyrinth is located at Kaleidoscope, a non-profit organization for those living with cancer, and is open to the community. Materials: brick/paver, decomposed granite. More info.
| Castro Valley |
Holy Cross Episcopal Church
19179 Center Street, Castro Valley
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship on the Heyer Avenue side of the church and can be reached by a path from the upper parking lot through a large gateway. You may also enter by a wheelchair-accessible sidewalk from the lower parking lots to the church proper and across the western porch of the church. It is available for all at any time. They offer guided labyrinth walks on the first Sunday of each month at 7 pm. Material: painted concrete. More info.
| Cupertino |
St. Joseph of Cupertino Catholic Church
10110 N. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship near the corner of De Anza Blvd. and Stevens Creek Blvd. in front of the church. It is always open. Materials: painted concrete. More info.
St. Jude's Episcopal Church
20920 McClellan Road, Cupertino
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship. It is open at all times and the labyrinth is lit. Materials: painted concrete. More info.
Tate Family Labyrinth
10200 N Stelling Road, Cupertino
The labyrinth is located opposite the Quinlan Community Center on a driveway. Feel free to walk up and knock on the door. If there is no response, please leave a note with your name and contact info and enjoy the labyrinth. You have to jump into it as it is a labyrinth on a sphere, the entire manal, so no mouth. You walk various latitude lines as you traverse between antipodes. Material: painted concrete.
| Daly City |
Marjorie H. Tobias Elementary School
725 Southgate Avenue
The labyrinth is located at a public school so is not available during the school day. Exceptions may be made by appointment with prior principal approval. Material: tanbark.
| Danville |
Peace Lutheran Church
3201 Camino Tassajara, Danville
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship at the north end of the Sanctuary. It is open for use any time, weather permitting. It is lit as dusk until midnight. Material: painted concrete. More info.
Saint Timothy's Episcopal Church
1550 Diablo Road, Danville
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship and is always open. More info.
San Damiano Retreat
710 Highland Drive, Danville
The labyrinth is located in the organic garden. Please check in at the front desk for an information sheet. Children must be supervised and quiet. Dogs on leash only. Visitors are welcome on Sunday afternoons. Material: rock and garden. More info.
Danville Yoga and Wellness Center
125A Town and Country Drive
The labyrinth is located indoors and a labyrinth walk is held once a month on the first Sunday of each month between 2 and 3:30 pm. $5 donation. Material: canvas. More info.
Hap Magee Ranch Park
1025 La Gonda Way, Danville
The labyrinth is located bhind Magee House near the gazebo and is open during daylight hours at Hap Magee Park. Material: brick/paver. More info.
| Dublin |
Resurrection Lutheran Church
7557 Amador Valley Blvd., Dublin
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship and they hold a candlelight walk on the first Friday of each month from 7:30 to 9 pm. Material: Canvas, hand painted. More info.
| El Cerrito |
Christ Lutheran Church
780 Asbury Avenue, El Cerrito
The labyrinth is open Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 pm and Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm. Material: painted concrete. More info.
Public Access Trail
King Court, El Cerrito
The labyrinth is part of the hillside network of public trails and the best access is by King Court, walk about 450 paces and lock slightly downslope of the trail and open trail hours. Material: rock or garden.
| El Granada |
Quarry Park
1195 Columbus Street, El Granada
Exit Coronado Street from Highway 1 and follow the signs. The entrance to Quarry Park is located at the corner of Santa Maria Avenue and Columbus Street. Walk up the trail about 1/4 mile, following the sign left to the Quarry Floor. Material: rock or garden. More info.
| Fremont |
St. James Episcopal Church
37051 Cabrillo Drive, Fremont
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship in the church parking lot at the corner of Thornton Avenue and Cabrillo Drive and is always open. Materials: painted concrete. More info.
St. Anne's Episcopal Church
2791 Driscoll Road, Fremont
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship. Material: etched and stained concrete. More info.
| Hayward |
Eden United Church of Christ
21455 Birch Street, Hayward
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Sunday from 9 am to noon, or by appointment. Material: terrazzo. More info.
| Kensington |
Arlington Community Church, UCC
52 Arlington Avenue, Kensington
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship on the patio, accessible on Arlington Avenue and always open. Special events may require a reservation or limit access. Material: painted concrete. More info.
| Livermore |
First Presbyterian Church of Livermore
2020 Fifth Street, Livermore
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship in downtown Livermore in the central courtyard. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm and on Sunday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Facilitated walks are held on the third Friday of each month from 7 to 8:30 pm and for special events. Material: etched polymer concrete. More info.
St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church
678 Enos Way, Livermore
The labyrinth is indoor and open for scheduled events (found on their website) and by appointment only. Donations accepted. Material: canvas. More info.
| Los Gatos |
RJ Fisher Middle School
19195 Fisher Avenue, Los Gatos
The labyrinth is located on a school campus and an appointment is required to visit. Material: rock or garden, perennial plants. More info.
| Morgan Hill |
St. John the Divine Episcopal Church
17740 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship in the courtyard. It is always open, but it is better to visit in the later afternoon on school days for quieter conditions. Material: painted concrete. More info.
| Oakland |
East Bay Church of Religious Science
4301 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship in the parking lot. If the large gate is locked, there is a small gated door near the corner of the building on Telegraph Avenue and is always open. Material: painted concrete. More info.
Lake Merritt Labyrinth
500 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland
The labyrinth is in the grass between Lake Merritt and the Bellevue-Staten Building. More info.
Madison Square Park
810 Jackson Street, Oakland
The labyrinth is located at the western end of Madison Park near Downtown Oakland and Chinatown and is open during park hours. Material: painted concrete. More info.
Mills College Chapel
5000 McArthur Blvd, Oakland
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship in the gravel courtyard of the Mills College Chapel. When you enter the campus, let Public Safety Staff at the gate know you are visiting the Chapel. Drive straight ahead down the tree-lined main road and the Chapel will be the second building on the right, just past the soccer field that is on the left. When facing the Chapel building, the courtyard is around to the left and up some stairs. If stairs are a challenge, you may use the accessibility ramp on the right side of the building and make your way around the back of the Chapel to reach the courtyard. Open daily. Materials: rock or garden. More info.
Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve
6800 Skyline Blvd., Oakland
The labyrinth is located by following a gentle hill-and-dell walk less than 3/4 a mile, from an easily accessible trailhead, which is open from 5 am to 10 pm, unless otherwise posted or permitted. Material: rock or garden. More info.
Skyline Community Church, UCC
12540 Skyline Blvd., Oakland
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship. The gates are open weekdays from 7 am to 7 pm, or by appointment. Material: rock or garden. More info.
| Pacifica |
St. Edmund's Episcopal Church
1500 Perez Drive, Pacifica
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship and is available for all daily from 7 am to dusk. Material: painted concrete. More info.
| Pleasanton |
Val Vista Park
7350 Johnson Drive, Pleasanton
The labyrinth is located at the far western edge of the park past the community garden, behind a grassy hill, and open during park hours. Material: rock or garden.
| San Francisco |
Bernal Hill Labyrinth
Bernal Heights Blvd., San Francisco
The labyrinth began as a 3-Circuit Classical labyrinth made of stones from Bernal Hill Quarry. Over time, people have added stones, paths, and turns. Park on the south side of Bernal Heights Blvd., near Anderson, and walk west to the quarry area. Add a few stones when you walk it.
California Pacific Medical Center
Pacific Campus, Clay Street, San Francisco
The labyrinth is located next to the hospital's main entrance at Clay and Buchannan Streets and is always open. Material: painted concrete.
Calvary Presbyterian Church
2515 Fillmore Street, San Francisco
The labyrinth is located indoors in a place of worship in the lower level of the Sanctuary. On Sundays, it is often taken over by the kids who play on and around it. At other times, it is a peaceful place where all are welcome to enjoy. Material: painted wood floor. More info.
Commodore Sloat School
50 Darien Way, San Francisco
The labyrinth is located at a school on the corner of Darien Way and San Fernando Street and is not available when classes are in session. It is open to the public on weekdays after 3 pm and on weekends all day. Material: painted concrete. More info.
Duboce Park
Scott Street, between Duboce and Waller, San Francisco
The labyrinth is located at a park and is lit at night. There is also a table labyrinth for the sight-impaired. Materials: concrete. More info.
Grace Cathedral
1100 California Street
The outdoor labyrinth is located at a place of worship outside the front of the cathedral and is always open. Material: terrazzo.
The indoor labyrinth is open weekdays from 7 am to 5:15 pm, weekends from 8 am to 5:15 pm. On Sundays and holidays, there may be special events that cause the indoor labyrinth to be inaccessible to the public. Material: limestone pavement. More info.
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
3201 Ulloa Street, San Francisco
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship and made of drought-resistant succulents and accessible anytime during daytime hours. Materials: rock or garden and succulents. More info.
Land's End Labyrinth
Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco
From Point Lobos where the USS San Francisco Ship Memorial parking lot is, take the Coastal Trail towards the Golden Gate Bridge. When you find the steps going to the Mile Rock Beach, go down and on the cliff next to the beach, you will find the labyrinth with incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, portions of the Bay, and the Pacific Ocean (the sunset view is amazing) and is always open. Materials: rock or garden. More info.
McLaren Park
266 John Shelley Drive, San Francisco
The labyrinth is located in McLaren Park with the entrance near 266 John Shelley Drive, then about 100 feet up a dirt path from the road, on top of a small hill. The park is always open, but John Shelley Drive is closed at night. Materials: rock or garden and rocks and wood. More info.
Noe Valley Ministry
1021 Sanchez Street
The labyrinth is located indoors at a place of worship between 23rd and 24th Streets, between Church and Castro Streets. The labyrinth is located upstairs. Labyrinth Walks talk place monthly on the third Wednesday from 6 to 7 pm, and also available when the building is open and the Sanctuary is not in use. Material: inlaid wood. More info.
Park Presidio United Methodist Church
4301 Geary Blvd., San Francisco
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship at the corner of Geary Blvd. and 7th Avenue. Enter through the garden gate on Geary between the church and an old green parsonage. There is also a butterfly habitat. Open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm (the garden gate will be open when the labyrinth is open). They also have walks for equinoxes and solstices. Materials: rock or garden, gravel and stone. More info.
St. Mary's Square
601 California Street, San Francisco
The labyrinth is located at a public park and open from sunrise to sunset. Material: painted concrete. More info.
Sunset Playground
2225 Lawton Street, San Francisco
The labyrinth is located five blocks south of Golden Gate Park off 19th Avenue. The playground is near a large gymnasium. Materials: painted concrete. More info.
| San Jose |
Center for Spiritual Living San Jose
1195 Clark Street, San Jose
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship and always open. Material: terrazzo. More info.
First Congregational Church of San Jose
1980 Hamilton Avenue
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship. Please call for availability, as they have occasional events scheduled on the labyrinth. Donations accepted. Material: granite and flagstone. More info.
The First Unitarian Church of San Jose
160 North 3rd Street, San Jose
The labyrinth is located indoors at a place of worship and is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:30 am to 1 pm, or by appointment (closed on holidays). Material: carpet. More info.
St. Francis Episcopal Church
1205 Pine Avenue, San Francisco
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship on the front patio and is always open to the public. Material: painted concrete. More info.
Willow Glen United Methodist Church
1420 Newport Avenue, San Jose
The labyrinth is located indoors at a place of worship. Please call for availability. Material: poly canvas. More info.
Center for Spiritual Enlightenment
1146 University Avenue, San Jose
The labyrinth is part of the Center's meditation gardens and is intended to provide a sacred space where seekers may come for insight, healing, meditation, and celebration and is open from dawn to dusk daily. Large groups should schedule time by calling during office hours. Materials: concrete. More info.
Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church
1948 The Alameda, San Jose
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship in front of the church, on the right-hand side of the front walk, and has a 16 language peace pole with a bench near the end. It is always open. Material: rock or garden and dirt pathways. More info.
Rosicrucian Park
1660 Park Avenue, San Jose
The labyrinth is located in the gardens of the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and is open daily from 8 am to sunset. Material: rock or garden. More info.
| San Leandro |
Kaiser San Leandro Medical Center
2500 Merced Street, San Leandro
The labyrinth is located near the eastside hospital entrance and Emergency Department and is always open. Material: painted concrete.
First United Methodist Church
1600 Bancroft Avenue, San Leandro
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship and is a colorful patio garden labyrinth open to all. Material: painted concrete. More info.
| South San Francisco |
St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church
280 Country Club Drive, South San Francisco
The labyrinth is located at a place of worship on the front porch of the church and is available 24 hours a day. A healing walk, followed by a healing service, is conducted on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm. Facilitators are available at this time or by special request. Material: brick/paver. More info.
| Labyrinth Tips |
The labyrinth is a universal meditation tool. Anyone from any tradition or spiritual path can walk into the labyrinth, and, through reflecting in the present moment, benefit from it. Labyrinths appeal to children as well as adults. They can be danced or skipped, or even crawled. The seeker is only asked to put one foot in front of the other.
Here are some tips to help everyone enjoy a visit to a labyrinth:
- Always confirm that the labyrinth is open and available at the time you wish to visit
- Remind your children (and yourself) that remaining calm and peaceful is appropriate while visiting a labyrinth to allow others to enjoy their visit as well
- Take your time and reflect as you walk the labyrinth
- Enter slowly, calming and clearing your mind, following the path toward the center. Pause in the center as long as you'd like and then turn and exit the same path you entered
- Allow space between walkers
- If you encounter someone going the opposite direction, simply step off the path to allow the other to pass
- Enjoy the park and/or gardens that are often nearby
I always find labyrinths calming and tend to relieve any stress I might be feeling or worries I might have. I enjoy some time of reflection while getting out and about with the kids while also teaching them calmness as well.
When visiting events and local businesses, be sure to tell them Macaroni KID sent you... and don't forget to tell all your friends!
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