Calling itself "the Cathedral 4 the City", St. Paul's describes its mission as "bringing together the ancient rhythms of liturgy and sacred music set to a progressive beat that thoughtfully engages the critical issues of social justice facing our world".

The congregation is greeted each Sunday with an announcement reminding them that "whoever you are and wherever you are on the journey of faith, you are welcome to participate in all that we do here at Saint Paul's".

The church is grounded in a high-church traditional liturgy and expression of Christian faith, but at the same time maintains robust interfaith bonds throughout the community.

Every Sunday, an early service at 8:00 am is followed by a full choral Eucharist at 10:30, complete with a large procession, use of incense, and chanted liturgy.

In addition to the regular services and the busy seasons of Christmas and Easter, there are several special services unique to the cathedral, including a labyrinth walk on New Year's Eve, a "Zydeco Mass" on Mardi Gras, neighborhood processions on Palm Sunday, St. George's Day, and a Blessing of the Animals.

A "forum" is conducted at 9 am which presents topics of interest ranging from religious practice to environmental concerns to local charitable and volunteer opportunities.

As part of that work, every year St. Paul's houses a group of homeless adults for several weeks on campus.

There is a food distribution weekly in the cathedral parking lot which is offered in conjunction with Jewish Family Services.

A major charitable effort is the support of Vida Joven, a home for foster children whose parents are incarcerated in Tijuana Mexico, .

The St. Paul's Cathedral community is explicitly welcoming of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

[12][13] After the passage of Proposition 8, St. Paul's held an ecumenical healing service so that LGBT people and their allies could grieve together.

James R. Mathes, approved a policy by which individual parishes could choose to recognize LGBT couples in a blessing service.

[14] St. Paul's Cathedral was the first parish in the diocese to take advantage of the new policy, and several couples had their marriages or domestic partnerships blessed by a special liturgy.

[15] Following the overturning of California Proposition 8 by the US Supreme Court in June 2013, Bishop Mathes approved same-sex marriages in the diocese, subject to the same rules as blessings.

Apparently the vestry expected an eventual separation from the Los Angeles Diocese that would make St. Paul's the Cathedral of San Diego, since they planned a large structure.

This plan proposes two residential tower buildings with ground-level retail on property adjacent to the cathedral, as well renovation of the campus with new offices and off street parking.