San Diego California Temple

San Diego California Temple
Interactive map of San Diego California Temple
Number45[1]
Dedication25 April 1993, by Gordon B. Hinckley[2]
Site7.2[3] acres (2.9 ha)
Floor area58,005[4] ft2 (5,388.8 m2)
Height169 ft (52 m)
Official website • News & images
Church chronology
←
Toronto Ontario Temple
San Diego California Temple		 →
Orlando Florida Temple
Additional information
Announced7 April 1984, by Gordon B. Hinckley[5]
Groundbreaking27 February 1988, by Ezra Taft Benson[6]
Open house20 February–3 April 1993
18 June-11 July 2026 [7]
Rededicated23 August 2026, by D. Todd Christofferson[8]
Current presidentRichard G. Whittier (2026-present)[9]
Designed byWilliam S. Lewis, Jr.[10]
LocationSan Diego, California, United States
Geographic coordinates32°51′59.1″N 117°13′43.3″W / 32.866417°N 117.228694°W / 32.866417; -117.228694
Exterior finishMarble chips in plaster[11]
Temple designModern, two main towers [12]
Baptistries1[13]
Ordinance rooms4 (stationary)
Sealing rooms6[14]
Clothing rentalYes
()

The San Diego California Temple is the 45th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located in San Diego, California, United States.[15] It was the third to be built in California, following the Los Angeles and Oakland temples.[16]

Plans to construct the temple were announced by Gordon B. Hinckley, a counselor in the church's First Presidency, on April 7, 1984, during general conference.[17][18]

After construction was completed, a public open house was held from February 20 to April 3, 1993.[19] Approximately 720,000 visitors toured the temple during the open house.[20] In 1993, the temple was named "Headliner of the Year" in the landmark category by the San Diego Press Club,[21][22] and publicity surrounding the open house received a Silver Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America.[23][24] It was dedicated by Hinckley, with 23 sessions held from April 25 to April 30, 1993.[25]

Located near the La Jolla community of San Diego, the temple is a Gothic-inspired structure with two main spires and four smaller spires at the base of each tower.[26][27] The eastern spire has a statue of the angel Moroni on the top.[28] The temple contains approximately 59,000 square feet (5481 m2) of interior space and is recognized as a prominent landmark along Interstate 5.[29][27][30]

Following nearly three decades of operation, the temple was closed in 2023 for an extensive renovation project.[31] With renovation completed, a public open house was held from June 18 to July 11, 2026, with the rededication scheduled for August 23, 2026.[15]

History

The presence of Latter-day Saints in Southern California developed during the 19th and 20th centuries through westward migration from earlier pioneer settlements.[32] By the early 1990s, the church reported approximately 725,000 members in California.[33] In response to this growth, plans for the San Diego California Temple were announced during general conference on April 7, 1984.[17][18] The temple was intended to serve approximately 80,000 members residing in the Southern California – Baja California megaregion.[34][35] It was the third temple built in California, following the Los Angeles (1956) and Oakland temples (1964).[16]

Construction of the temple began with a groundbreaking ceremony held on February 27, 1988, with church president Ezra Taft Benson presiding.[16] The ceremony took place in the University City area, the Golden Triangle neighborhood near La Jolla Village Square.[16][36] Benson was joined by his second counselor, Thomas S. Monson, and other church general authorities.[37]

By the time the temple opened for public tours in February 1993, Benson was unable to attend due to his declining health[38] and apostle David B. Haight attended in his place.[39] The public open house, held from February 20 to April 3, 1993, was preceded by two days of preview tours for members of the news media, community leaders, clergy, and other invited guests.[19] It was the first time the designers had toured a Latter-day Saint temple. Approximately 720,000 visitors attended the open house, exceeding the estimated 600,000 visitors.[26][40]

The temple was dedicated in 23 sessions from April 25 to April 30, 1993.[41] At least two sessions were held in Spanish to accommodate members from northern Mexico.[42] Hinckley conducted 13 of the sessions, and Monson conducted the other 10. The dedication sessions were attended by a total of 49,273 people.[41]

Following nearly two decades of operation, the temple underwent exterior maintenance in 2010.[43] The work included repairs to the roof, towers, and other exterior features, along with cleaning and preservation work to protect the structure from weathering.[44] In 2020, like all the church's others, the temple was temporarily closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[45] Three years later, in April 2023, the church announced that the temple would close in July for an extensive renovation project.[31]

Design and architecture

The San Diego California Temple is on a seven-acre site in the La Jolla–Golden Triangle area of San Diego, adjacent to Interstate 5 and is described as a prominent landmark for travelers.[46][47]

White temple with glass wall and spire
The stained glass wall of the West spire

The temple was designed by William S. Lewis, an architect and one of the church's bishops, working with a Roman Catholic couple, Dennis and Shelly Hyndman, who were responsible for the architectural and interior design work.[26] As non-members of the church, the Hyndmans had not previously entered a Latter-day Saint temple.[48] They relied on Lewis for guidance regarding temple requirements and later recalled being "really in the dark" until touring the interior of the Las Vegas Nevada Temple before its dedication, three years into the project. However, the principal design models for San Diego's construction were the Salt Lake and Washington D.C. temples.[48] Design work began shortly after the church acquired the property in 1984, and the architects developed a custom design rather than following standardized temple plans.[32] Early design concepts were later revised following review by church headquarters in Salt Lake City.[49] According to Lewis, the designers also avoided architectural conventions commonly associated with Southern California, including stucco, tile, and arches.[50]

Golden statue of angel Moroni blowing a trumpet at the top of the temple steeple
The Angel Moroni on the east spire

The temple is a Gothic-inspired structure with two principal spires, connected by a glass-enclosed, star-shaped atrium garden,[27][26] and four smaller spires at their bases, for a total of ten spires.[51] The spires rise to approximately 198 feet (60 m) and 203 feet (62 m), and the eastern spire is topped by a gold-leaf statue of the angel Moroni.[28] The exterior is finished in white stone aggregate and plaster mixed with marble chips and incorporates vertical architectural elements, geometrically patterned leaded-glass windows, and etched glass in shades of green, white, and blue.[52][53]

The temple contains approximately 59,000 square feet (5481 m2) of interior space.[29] Its interior includes a baptistry, four instruction rooms, six marriage sealing rooms (used to be eight), a celestial room, offices, and other facilities.[54] The celestial room includes large art-glass windows, sofas, a staircase that leads to the balcony, and ceilings approximately 120 feet (37 m) high.[55][56][57] The baptistry includes a font supported by twelve oxen sculptures, representing the Twelve tribes of Israel, and a painting on the wall depicting the baptism of Jesus.[56] The building is arranged across four levels used for baptisms by proxy, instruction, and sealing ceremonies, with circulation provided by elevators, stairs, ramps, and a spiral staircase located within one of the towers.[57]

A geometric motif, popularly referred to as the "Seal of Melchizedek" among church members, consisting of an eight-pointed star formed by two overlapping squares rotated 45 degrees, appears throughout the architecture.[58] However, architect Lewis stated that the motif was selected for architectural reasons, while scholar Alonzo L. Gaskill found no evidence linking it to Melchizedek and interpreted it as a symbol of Christ.[59]

Light is a recurring design element throughout the temple. Patterned leaded and art glass filter natural light into the interior, and the amount of light increases on the upper levels of the building.[57]

Renovations

In July 2023, the temple was closed for extensive renovations.[60][31] The renovation project included restoring and cleaning the marble-clad exterior, arresting freeway and marine staining, updating landscaping, upgrading interior finishes and bathrooms, repurposing the cafeteria and dining room into a worker break room and marriage waiting room, combining two sealing rooms into one larger room, and restoring all 144 original art-glass windows.[31][61] As renovations neared completion, the church announced the public open house that was held from June 18 to July 11, 2026, excluding Sundays, followed by a rededication ceremony on August 23, 2026.[62][30][63]

Community impact

During its six-week public open house from February 20 to April 3, 1993, approximately 720,000 visitors toured the temple.[20] The communications campaign associated with the open house received a Silver Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America for special events and observances by nonprofit organizations,[64][65][23] and the temple was also named "Headliner of the Year" in the landmark category by the San Diego Press Club.[21][22]

Former San Diego city architect Michael Stepner described the temple as a landmark along Interstate 5, noting that it helps distinguish San Diego from nearby communities, and called it "a big asset to San Diego".[49]

Temple presidents

The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each typically serving for a term of three years.[66] The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.[67]

Those who have served as the temple president include J. Clifford Wallace (1998–1999), who was first, as well as emeritus general authorities Joe J. Christensen (1999–2002) and David E. Sorensen (2005–2008).[68][69][70] In October 2025, the church announced that after rededication, Richard G. Whittier would be the president, with Stephanie L. Whittier as matron.[71]

Admittance

Prior to dedications, temples are open to the public only during its open house period.[20] With renovations completed, it was open to the public from June 18 to July 11, 2026, except on Sundays.[72][47] The rededication is scheduled for August 23, 2026.[73][46]

Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship.[74][75]

See also

Temples in California
Los Angeles Temples
Temples in the Los Angeles metropolitan
area
  • = Operating
  • = Under construction
  • = Announced
  • = Temporarily closed
()

References

  1. ↑ Ashcraft, Emily (June 16, 2026). "Open house begins for renovated San Diego California Temple". KSL.com.
  2. ↑ Williams, Christopher (June 15, 2026). "See inside the San Diego California Temple". Deseret News.
  3. ↑ Williams, Christopher (June 15, 2026). "See inside the San Diego California Temple". Deseret News.
  4. ↑ Randall, Joel (June 15, 2026). "Doors open to tour recently renovated San Diego California Temple". Church News. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  5. ↑ Gordon B. Hinckley (April 1984). "The Sustaining of Church Officers". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  6. ↑ Randall, Joel (June 15, 2026). "Doors open to tour recently renovated San Diego California Temple". Church News.
  7. ↑ Eubank, Dylan (June 16, 2026). "San Diego LDS temple, one of church's most recognizable, opens for tours after renovation". The Salt Lake Tribune.
  8. ↑ "President Christofferson Will Rededicate the San Diego California Temple". Church Newsroom. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. August 18, 2026.
  9. ↑ "New temple presidents and matrons called to serve in California, Oregon, Mexico and more". Church News. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. October 24, 2025.
  10. ↑ Page, Eric S. (June 11, 2026). "Iconic Mormon temple in La Jolla opening to public for first time in a generation". NBC 7 San Diego.
  11. ↑ Randall, Joel (June 15, 2026). "Doors open to tour recently renovated San Diego California Temple". Church News. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  12. ↑ Yutig, Jayne (April 29, 2026). "San Diego California Temple tours". The San Diego Union-Tribune.
  13. ↑ "San Diego temple open house set". The Daily Herald. December 13, 1992. p. 10 – via Newspaper.com.
  14. ↑ Ashcraft, Emily. "Open house begins for renovated San Diego California Temple". www.ksl.com. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  15. 1 2 "It's one of the most popular LDS temples. It shares ties to the faith's first temple. And it's open again". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "North County Times". North County Times. June 6, 1990. p. B4 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  17. 1 2 "LDS Tell Plans to Build Three New Temples In U.S., Two Abroad". The Salt Lake Tribute. April 8, 1984. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. 1 2 Presidency, President Gordon B. Hinckley Second Counselor in the First. "The Sustaining of Church Officers". churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  19. 1 2 "San Diego LDS Temple opens doors to public". The Daily Herald. February 21, 1993. p. 33 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. 1 2 3 "San Diego LDS Temple dedicated". The Daily Herald. May 2, 1993. p. 50 – via Newspaper.com.
  21. 1 2 Flores, Juan J. (December 9, 2007). "Divine design: Religious architecture". Orange County Register – via Newsbank.
  22. 1 2 RIGGS, ROD (February 25, 1994). "Press Club taps Osuna, Golding as 'Headliners'". San Diego Union-Tribune – via NewsBank.
  23. 1 2 "MEANWHILE IN UTAH... ..." Salt Lake Tribune. July 27, 1994 – via NewsBank.
  24. ↑ "Public Relations Society of America Records, 1938-2014 Series: Silver Anvil Awards, 1986-2014". UWDC.
  25. ↑ Van Orden, Dell (May 8, 1993). "SAN DIEGO TEMPLE: 45TH HOUSE OF THE LORD DEDICATED IN 'SEASON FOR TEMPLE BUILDING'". Deseret News. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  26. 1 2 3 4 "Temple draws stares, glares in San Diego". The Salt Lake Tribune. April 11, 1993. p. 32 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. 1 2 3 Meyer, Matt (August 5, 2022). "What is that castle-like building off I-5?". Fox 5 San Diego News.
  28. 1 2 Swain, Liz (December 25, 1991). "Angel arrives at temple sites". North County Blade Citizen. Vol. 53. p. 103 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  29. 1 2 "San Diego Temple public open house planned". Davis County Clipper. February 23, 1993. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. 1 2 "San Diego's LDS temple opens to the public for the first time in 33 years this summer". cbs8.com. March 6, 2026. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  31. 1 2 3 4 Swenson, Madison (April 17, 2023). "San Diego California Temple closing for renovations; open house set for new Japan temple". KSLTV.com. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  32. 1 2 Sutro, Dirk (December 20, 1990). "Mormon Temple Will Become Landmark in Golden Triangle". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  33. ↑ Greenberg, Brigitte (February 19, 1993). "New temple rises as leader's health wanes". Napa Valley Register. Vol. 130. p. 192 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  34. ↑ "Temple holds open house". North County Blade Citizen. Vol. 62. December 26, 1992. p. 361 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  35. ↑ Cruz, Bonna M. De La (June 5, 1990). "San Diego to be Home to Major Mormon Temple". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Temple reaches halfway mark". North County Blade-Citizen. May 31, 1991. p. 158 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ↑ "Ground-breaking ceremony held for new LDS temple". The Fallbrook/Bonsall Enterprise. March 17, 1988. p. 36 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ↑ Greenberg, Brigitte (February 27, 1993). "Mormon leader too ill to attend opening of San Diego temple". The Patriot Ledger. p. 43 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ↑ "TEMPLE: No Hilltop, but Freeway Accessible". The Los Angeles Times. January 4, 1993. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ↑ Yutig, Jayne (April 29, 2026). "Curious about this San Diego landmark? Here's a once-in-a-generation chance to step inside". East Bay Times: Web Edition Articles (CA) – via NewsBank.
  41. 1 2 Van Orden, Dell (May 8, 1993). "SAN DIEGO TEMPLE: 45TH HOUSE OF THE LORD DEDICATED IN 'SEASON FOR TEMPLE BUILDING'". Deseret News. p. Z8 – via Newsbank.
  42. ↑ "SAN DIEGO TEMPLE DEDICATION: `LOTS OF TEARS' AS SAN DIEGO TEMPLE OPENS". Deseret News. May 8, 1993. p. 27 – via Newsbank.
  43. ↑ "Touching up the San Diego temple". Deseret News. June 19, 2010. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  44. ↑ Sanchez, Leonel (April 21, 2010). "Mormon temple off I-5 getting touch-up". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  45. ↑ Stack, Peggy Fletcher. "All Latter-day Saint temples to close due to coronavirus", The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 March 2020. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
  46. 1 2 "Iconic LDS Church temple in San Diego offering once-in-a-generation public access". KGTE.com. March 5, 2026.
  47. 1 2 "This is your once-in-a-generation chance to step inside this San Diego landmark". San Diego Union-Tribune. April 29, 2026. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  48. 1 2 Greenberg, Bridgitte (February 28, 1993). "Two Roman Catholics part of team that designed the temple". The Daily Herald. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  49. 1 2 "TEMPLE: Mormons Build in San Diego". The Los Angeles Times. January 4, 1993. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.
  50. ↑ Brass, Kevin (April 21, 1991). "NATIONAL NOTEBOOK: La Jolla, Calif.; Gothic Temple Stirs a Debate". New York Times – via GALE ONEFILE.
  51. ↑ Morgan, Kitty (February 7, 1993). "Mormon Temple a distinguished addition to San Diego landscape". The Orange County Register. p. 70 – via NewspaperArchive.
  52. ↑ "Public Open House Underway at San Diego LDS Temple". Summit County Bee. February 26, 1993. p. 10 – via Newspaper.com.
  53. ↑ "Mormon Temple a distinguished addition to San Diego landscape". The Orange County Register. February 7, 1993. p. 70 – via NewspaperArchive.
  54. ↑ "San Diego temple open house set". The Daily Herald. December 13, 1992. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  55. ↑ Wardle, Carolyn (February 27, 1993). "Temple inspires, beckons all to God". The Daily Spectrum. p. 5 – via Newspaper.com.
  56. 1 2 O'Brien, Dick (March 11, 1993). "New San Diego LDS Temple open to public". The Fallbrook/Bonsall Enterprise. p. 17 – via Newspaper.com.
  57. 1 2 3 JARMUSCH, ANN (February 21, 1993). "SPIRITUAL SPECTACLE - Traditional design takes a back seat at freeway-close Mormon temple". San Diego Union-Tribune – via NewsBank.
  58. ↑ Lehenbauer, Ernest (June 15, 2015). "Why this symbol appears 10,000 times in the San Diego Temple". LDS Living. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  59. ↑ Gaskill, Alonzo L. (2010). "The Seal of Melchezidek?". Religious Educator. 11 (3): 95–121 – via Brigham Young University Religious Study Center.
  60. ↑ KUTV, Victoria Hill (April 17, 2023). "Open house for temple in Japan, renovations to San Diego California Temple announced". KUTV. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  61. ↑ Ashcraft, Emily. "Open house begins for renovated San Diego California Temple". www.ksl.com. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  62. ↑ Robles, Sergio (May 7, 2026). "You can now reserve a spot to tour the San Diego LDS Church Temple". fox5sandiego.
  63. ↑ Page • •, Eric S. (March 6, 2026). "Iconic Mormon temple in La Jolla opening to public for first time in a generation". NBC 7 San Diego. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  64. ↑ "Public Relations Society of America Records, 1938-2014 Series: Silver Anvil Awards, 1986-2014". UWDC.
  65. ↑ Archives, Church News (August 6, 1994). "Church earns award for spreading word at temple open house". Church News. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  66. ↑ "New Temple Presidents and Matrons Called in 2026". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. May 4, 2026. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  67. ↑ H. Ludlow, Daniel H. (1992). Encyclopedia of Mormonism. New York : Macmillan. pp. 1445–1446.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
  68. ↑ "Elder Joe J. Christensen, emeritus General Authority Seventy, dies at age 91". Church News. May 18, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
  69. ↑ "David Sorensen Obituary". Orange County Register. August 29, 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  70. ↑ "San Diego temple president speaks to BYU-Idaho students about miracles". Idaho State Journal. May 13, 2006. p. 20 – via Newsbank.
  71. ↑ "New temple presidents and matrons called to serve in California, Oregon, Mexico and more". Church News. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. October 24, 2025.
  72. ↑ faith, Amy OrtizAmy Ortiz covers; Saints, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day (March 3, 2026). "San Diego California Temple rededication, open house dates announced". Deseret News. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  73. ↑ Hobson, Amelia (March 2, 2026). "Open house dates announced for LDS temples in San Diego, Cambodia". abc4.
  74. ↑ "Latter-day Saints Worship and Participate in Sacred Ceremonies in Temples". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. September 17, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  75. ↑ "TEMPLE CEREMONIES BEGIN THE PROCESS". The Orange County Register. December 1, 1996. p. 82 – via NewspaperArchive.
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