Beyond the rush of Interstate 5 traffic, leaders inside one of San Diego County’s most recognizable landmarks are quietly preparing for a rare milestone: opening its doors to the public for the first time since the early 1990s.
Ahead of the San Diego California Temple’s rededication on Aug. 23, local members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are inviting the public to step inside the Mormon church for an open house — an opportunity that likely won’t happen again for decades.
In 1993, approximately 730,000 visitors braved the lines to tour the newly dedicated temple during a six-week open house. Church officials told the Union-Tribune they expect to host “several hundred thousand” visitors during the shorter, two-week open house, which starts June 18.
While the church — which sits on 7.2 acres near La Jolla and clocks in at 72,000 square feet of floor space — has seen exterior repairs in recent years, the building remained closed to members for about a year and a half for interior renovations.
The San Diego California Temple, operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will be open to the public in June. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
“We’re very excited to have this opportunity. This opportunity is generational,” said Kurt Wickham, communications director for the church’s San Diego region.
Wickham said the open house also serves as a chance for local LDS members to tour the temple with friends and loved ones who have never been inside.
“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to host people through it. It’s something that we love as the LDS community and is important to us,” he said.
To accommodate anticipated crowds, the church will extend its hours to allow as many people inside as possible.
“We’re going to do everything we can to still make it meaningful and make sure that everybody has an opportunity and an experience to enjoy the space and learn about what it all means,” Wickham said.
In the decades after the 1993 dedication, curiosity surrounding what’s inside the towering temple building has grown, and soon, visitors can see for themselves. The temple, with two main towers topped by golden angel statues, has for decades been a landmark, with its bright white surface — made of marble chips in plaster — shimmering in the San Diego sunshine.
Here’s how you can tour the temple.
The San Diego California Temple, operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will be open to the public in June. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
When is the open house?
The church will offer free public tours through a reservation system June 18 through July 11, with Friday and Saturday expected to be the busiest days. Two simultaneous tours will be guided through areas of the temple, which officials say they hope will allow more people inside.
How do I schedule a tour?
Starting May 1, you can click here to reserve your time to attend the two-week public open house. Walk-ins will still be welcomed, but you may have to wait, which is why a reservation is encouraged.
What will I see?
You’ll get a chance to tour all of the major areas of the temple. This includes the baptistery, the sealing rooms where marriage ceremonies are held and the celestial room, which church officials said is meant to be a representation of heaven. But just like in 1993, you’ll have to live in the moment to remember the experience because photos and videos will be prohibited.
Why now?
After more than 30 years, the temple was taken out of service for repairs and renovations, church officials said. Keeping with tradition, the church will be opened to the public before it is rededicated and resumes religious service. Following the rededication on Aug. 23, the doors will close to the general public, and the space will once again be reserved only for church members.