Iconic Mormon temple in La Jolla opening to public for first time in a generation

Whether you’re a follower of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints visiting San Diego, a curious traveler driving up I-5 in La Jolla who loves architecture or an 8-year-old girl who’s a fan of the “crystal palace” just off Nobel Drive, the magnetic pull of the San Diego California Temple is a strong one.

And now, for the first time 33 years, officials will throw open its doors to all visitors, not just the Mormon faithful.

The bleached-white double spires of the temple soar nearly 170 feet into the air, above the 72,000-square feet of floor space in a structure conceived and designed by architect William S. Lewis Jr. Five years in the making, ground broke in 1988, with the last open house welcoming visitors back in 1993.

This year’s public open house begins June 18 and runs through July 11, excluding Saturdays, with a dedication ceremony scheduled for Aug. 23, when the building will be formally dedicated. The open house follows a lengthy three-year closure of the edifice for exterior improvements, interior upgrades and landscaping work, as well as efforts to strengthen the structure against the elements and long-term wear and tear, an official told NBC 7. For a time, the familiar facade was obscured in towering scaffolding.

Church officials demurred when asked how expensive the renovations were.

Ilia Gur

Ilia Gur

Between the open houses, guests were welcome to visit the site, stroll the grounds and take pictures, but only members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were able to go into the temple.

So, why is the public being invited inside now?

“Latter-day Saint temple open houses invite the public to tour the interior of a newly built or renovated temple before it is formally dedicated,” Madi McQuivey, a spokeswoman for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, told NBC 7 on Thursday. “These free, limited‑time events foster transparency and understanding by giving neighbors and visitors an opportunity to see the temple, learn about its purpose and better understand its role in the faith.”

Mormon meetinghouses, which McQuivey said are also called chapels, are used for weekly Sunday services as well as youth programs, social events and other community events. Temples, though, “are different,” she said. “They are sacred places of worship where members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participate in special religious ceremonies to gain a deeper understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Unlike chapels, which are always open to the public, McQuivey said, temples are closed on Sunday, when church members attend worship services.

When it was built, the San Diego California Temple was just the third Mormon temple in the state, while now, 12 are open or under construction around California.