The land where City Center is located is in San Francisco County, the ancestral homeland of the Yelamu tribe of the Ramaytush Ohlone people. City Center is our urban temple, serving the diverse population of the greater Bay Area as well as people from all over the world who come to live and practice Zen. Here people can participate in morning or evening zazen, attend two weekly Dharma lectures, take classes or workshops, sit one-day or multi-day sesshins, browse the bookstore, talk with a teacher, have lunch with the sangha, or simply find a few moments of quiet in the beautiful central courtyard.
This campus-like configuration is located in the middle of San Francisco at the intersection of two vibrant neighborhoods: Hayes Valley and Lower Haight. It is anchored by our prized 1920’s Julia Morgan designed building, with three additional multi-story Victorian houses and a 17-unit, 100 year old apartment building sharing the same block. In addition to being a Soto Zen Buddhist temple and a place for both residential and drop-in practice opportunities, it also houses the operational infrastructure for all of SFZC. This includes our Finance, Hospitality, IT/Tech, and Online Practice Center as well as a storefront rental.
The main building, 300 Page Street, was purchased in 1969 from the Emanu-El Sisterhood who had been using it as a residence for young Jewish women making their way in San Francisco. Much of the original architecture and details were kept while a zendo, Buddha Hall, and offices were added. In 2025, the building went through a year-long renovation project where serious plumbing, electrical, and access issues were addressed. Included in this 11M renovation was the addition of a much needed elevator and new bathrooms but it was not a complete overhaul, leaving several additional upgrades still a priority. The renovation was considered an enormous success and recently won a prestigious award for the main architect Studio Bondy.
The remaining three multi-story Victorian apartment buildings and the three-story 1920s apartment building have never been sufficiently upgraded. Roofs, foundations, dry rot, old plumbing and electrical systems, and bathroom/kitchen upgrades are becoming a priority.
When the vibrant energy of San Francisco meets the stillness of Zen practice, something entirely unique is experienced. City Center’s dedication to hold this tension with curiosity and flexibility is foundational to who we are. The buildings and quiet gardens that make up our campus offer not only refuge and community, they are a spiritual home to all who enter, whether for a short visit or a lifelong commitment.
