The Sikh Center of San Francisco Bay Area also known as Gurdwara Sahib of El Sobrante is a Sikh gurdwara in the hills of unincorporated El Sobrante, California in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area.[1]
The gurdwara is located at 3550 Hillcrest Rd. El Sobrante, CA 94803 and was established on May 1979.[1]
It features large golden domes topping its pink-cream-beige ceramic box arched structure. The services are held every Wednesday and Sunday.[1] However, people are always welcome to come to the gurdwara whenever they like during opening hours 5AM to 9PM.[2] Langar (collective eating while sitting on floor) is given every day free of cost and free of any discrimination.[2] Visitors must cover their hair, enter sober and without any drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products, and must enter barefoot after washing their feet.[2]
On January 23, 2000 a gunman opened fire with an assault weapon onto temple leader, local teacher, and human rights activist Ajmer Singh Malhi, killing him and seriously injuring another worshipper before being subdued by bystanders.[3][4][5] One of the center's most famous adherents is Harpreet Sandhu a politician and activist. He is a former president of the organization as well and helped the community deal with the tragedy that occurred here.