San Diego California Temple

The San Diego California Temple is the 47th constructed and 45th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located in San Diego, California.^[2][3] It is the third in California, following the Los Angeles and Oakland temples.^[4][5]

Plans to construct the temple were announced by Gordon B. Hinckley on April 7, 1984, during general conference.

After construction was completed, a public open house was held from February 20 to April 3, 1993. In 1993, the temple was named “Headliner of the Year” in the landmark category by the San Diego Press Club,^[6] and publicity surrounding the open house received a Silver Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America.^[7] It was dedicated, with 23 sessions held from April 25 to April 30, 1993, by Gordon B. Hinckley.^[4]

Located near the La Jolla community of San Diego, the temple has two main spires, with four smaller ones at the base of each tower.^[8] The eastern spire has a statue of the angel Moroni on its top.^[4]

The intent to construct the temple was announced on April 7, 1984, during general conference.^[9] It was intended to serve members in Southern California and parts of Mexico.^[10]

On February 27, 1988, ground was broken at the 8-acre University City site.^[9] Following a recent heart attack, church president Ezra Taft Benson made his first trip outside the Salt Lake Valley to preside at the ceremony, with his second counselor, Thomas S. Monson, dedicating the site.^[11]

The temple was designed by project architect Dennis Hyndman and interior design architect Shelly Hyndman, a Roman Catholic couple.^[7] After construction was complete, a public open house was held from February 20 to April 3, 1993.^[4] It was the first time the designers had toured a Latter-day Saint temple.^[5][6] Approximately 720,000 people attended the open house, exceeding the anticipated 650,000 visitors.^[4]

The temple was dedicated by Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency, with 23 sessions held from April 25 to April 30, 1993.^[4] Hinckley conducted 13 of the sessions, with Monson conducting the other 10.^[4] The dedication was attended by approximately 49,270 people.^[10]

In 2010, the temple underwent exterior maintenance, including cleaning with a specialized solution, recaulking the white aggregate-stone and stucco seams, repairing the roof and towers, and applying a protective sealant.^[8]

In 2020, like all the church's others, the San Diego California Temple was closed for a time in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[12][13]

In April 2023, the church announced that the temple would close in July 2023 for extensive renovations.^[14][15]

The temple is on a 7.2-acre (2.9 ha) site near the La Jolla community of San Diego, adjacent to Interstate 5, making it a prominent landmark for travelers.^[16] In 1993, the temple was awarded “Headliner of the Year” in the landmark category by the San Diego Press Club.^[6]

The exterior has a bright white finish created from plaster mixed with marble chips.^[7] The temple has two main spires that are approximately 190 feet (58 m) high,^[7] with four smaller spires at its base, for a total of ten spires, the most of any church temple.^[5] The eastern spire has a statue of the angel Moroni.^[5] Connecting the towers at the center is a star-shaped atrium filled with a garden.^[17]

Inside, the temple has approximately 72,000 square feet (6,700 m2) of floor space, and includes four ordinance rooms and eight sealing rooms.^[4] The two-story celestial room is the central interior space and has large art-glass windows, suspended light fixtures, and a grand staircase leading to an upper-level balcony.^[17] The celestial room connects to a central atrium, allowing natural light to enter the interior spaces.^[5]

A design element of the temple is the repeated use of a geometric motif sometimes referred to by church members as the "Seal of Melchizedek".^[18] The pattern forms an eight-pointed star created by two overlapping squares rotated 45 degrees.^[18] This appears throughout the temple’s architecture, including doors, windows, and decorative features, and has been estimated to occur more than 10,000 times in the building and its associated facilities.^[19] However, historians note that the association of the motif with Melchizedek appears to be a modern interpretation and that similar eight-pointed star patterns have historically been used in various cultures primarily as decorative geometric designs.^[20]

In July 2023, the temple was closed for extensive renovations.^[21][22][23] The renovation project included exterior cleaning and sealing, interior upgrades, and full restoration of 144 original art glass windows.^[24] With renovations nearing completion, the church has announced that the temple would be open to the public from July 11 to August 23, 2026, except on Sundays.^[25] The temple is scheduled to be rededicated on August 23, 2026.^[26][27][28]

During the closure, church members attended other temples in the region, including the Newport Beach California, Redlands California, and Los Angeles California temples.^[19] The Tijuana Mexico Temple is also located approximately 36 miles (58 km) south across the Mexico–United States border.^[14]

During its six-week public open house from February 20 to April 3, 1993, approximately 720,000 visitors toured the temple.^[7]

Communication efforts tied to the open house received a Silver Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America in the category of special events and observances by nonprofit organizations.^[7] The temple also received the “Headliner of the Year” award in the landmark category from the San Diego Press Club.^[16]

Although there is not a visitors' center at the temple site, the church operates the Mormon Battalion Historic Site in Old Town, San Diego, approximately 10 miles (16km) south of the temple.^[5]

The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each typically serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.^[29]

Individuals who have served as president of the temple include the first president, J. Clifford Wallace (1998–1999), as well as emeritus general authorities Joe J. Christensen (1999-2002) and David E. Sorensen (2005-2008).^[30] As of 2020, James P. Little served as temple president, with Kay M. Little as matron.^[31]

Following completion of construction, a public open house was held from February 20 to April 3, 1993, with approximately 720,000 visitors touring the temple.^[4] The temple was dedicated by Gordon B. Hinckley in 23 sessions held from April 25 to April 30, 1993, attended by approximately 49,270 church members.^[10]

Following completion of renovations, the temple will again be open to the public from July 11 to August 23, 2026, except on Sundays.^[25] The rededication is scheduled for August 23, 2026.^[32][33]

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.^[34][6]

• At twilight (2008)
• (2011)
• (2011)

• The stained glass wall of the West spire
• The angel Moroni on the east spire

• Comparison of temples (LDS Church)
• List of temples (LDS Church)
• List of temples by geographic region (LDS Church)
• Temple architecture (LDS Church)
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in California

• San Diego California Temple Official site
• San Diego California Temple at ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org
• A website with several photos of the interior of the temple.
• Website dedicated to the San Diego Temple