The Rising Phoenix Entheogenic Temple has opened its second location in San Francisco, just six months after the closure of a larger mushroom church in the city amidst allegations of religious discrimination.
The Oakland-based Zide Door announced its decision to shut down its only San Francisco location in December 2024, citing discrimination from the SF Planning Department. The department contended that Zide Door’s building required approximately $200,000 in repairs to meet code standards.
In contrast to the challenges faced by Zide Door, Rising Phoenix Entheogenic Temple has successfully launched its new site on Polk Street, close to Vallejo Street. The new location in the historic Russian Hill neighborhood aims to broaden the temple’s outreach and accommodate an increasing congregation.
In a press release, the temple explained, “In an effort to expand the Temple’s congregational reach, Rising Phoenix has opened a 2nd Temple location in the historic Russian Hill neighborhood on Vallejo Street.” This expansion follows the positive reception of their Haight Street location, which has garnered favorable reviews from congregation members.
With a selection of over 35 strains of magic mushrooms, Rising Phoenix Entheogenic Temple prides itself on offering a diverse range of options. These strains include premium indoor-grown varieties, outdoor foraged options, and rare exotic species that are difficult to obtain.
Despite the absence of reviews on the new location’s Yelp page, the initial interior shots posted in recent days suggest a welcoming atmosphere. The Haight Street location continues to thrive, a testament to the temple’s community engagement and its services.
A spokesperson for the temple noted, “We’ve been engaging with communities in the Marina, Nob Hill and Russian Hill region for almost a year now since we first opened in San Francisco. We’ve seen a large and growing demand for our spiritual and religious services and products from these San Francisco communities.”
With a successful lease secured at 1506 Vallejo Street, the temple leadership believes that the new location will further enhance their capabilities to provide spiritual guidance at a time when it is needed most.
Entry into the temple requires a lifetime membership, which is free, but members must be 21 years or older. Although the sale of magic mushrooms is technically illegal, San Francisco has decriminalized their use. Efforts by state Senator Scott Wiener to push for state-level decriminalization have yet to succeed.
Both Rising Phoenix Entheogenic Temple locations are open daily from 10 am to 8 pm, catering to those who seek a unique spiritual experience in the realm of entheogens.
As the landscape of spiritual services evolves in San Francisco, Rising Phoenix stands as a notable example of the intersection between spirituality and the changing legal status of magic mushrooms.
image source from：sfist
