The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

This review is in no way indicative of my overall impression of this church. I only went once to explore the outside, and below is just a recap of my experience.
My friends and I ventured to this castle looking church to snap some snazzy pictures, since we were lacking in the sightseeing department in San Deigo. The first thing we noticed was that entire church looked mesmerizingly beautiful during this time of the year. Every tree was lit up beautifully with red, yellow, white, blue, and green lights and some christmas/​holy music was playing in the background.
I guess I understand why some this place averages such a mediocre rating on Unilocal; you can’t go in the church unless you’re Mormon so you’re left with just the exterior. The church is nice and impressive, but not much else to see on the outside.

J.T. N. Must not truly enjoy architecture if he’s calling this church gaudy… I mean sure, it has spires which is a fairly common feature of Guadi’s work (*cough* La Sagrada *cough*) but the style of the building isn’t even close to being that of a Guadi… J.T.N. — please leave better reviews next time :)

This is one of the most beautiful buildings in San Diego! It is located right off the interstate and is an absoultely great place to walk around and enjoy not only the beautiful building, but really pretty landscaping as well. There are always beautiful flowers everywhere.
Only members of the LDS church with recommends are allowed inside the temple as it is a sacred place for their religious learning. However, there normally is some missionaries or older couples that will tell you about the temple. And everyone is welcome to walk around and enjoy the beauty!
During Christmas they have lots of pretty lights all around as well.
Overall, this is a pretty place to stop and see while in San Diego! It is very peaceful.

As a person who really enjoys architecture this building is obnoxious to look at. It is gaudy and detracts from the landscape and surrounding buildings.

Very beautiful church, nice and peaceful. Encountered with a few wedding photo shooting, very friendly people around.

You have to pay a membership fee to look inside. The poor people have to admire the architecture from the outside.

Pretty to walk around. Very well lit at night and is a good landmark to return home.

This is my favorite place on Earth. Feels just like heaven!

It is so, so beautiful. Even just visiting the grounds makes me feel peaceful and happy. My toddler sons love to come and walk around the grounds, looking at the trees and flowers and the beautiful windows. Although it’s not like a cathedral where anyone can go inside, its grounds are still a beautiful spot for contemplation and meditation.

I live very close by the temple and although I am Catholic not Mormon, I signed up for a tour before it was consecrated so I have been inside. I understand those who say the architecture doesn’t fit in with the surrounding buildings (it doesn’t), but it is striking, a little bit of a cross between a space ship and a princess castle.
At sunset the east-​facing sides of the buildings (toward the freeway) catch the light and it often turns them pink. During storms, the white spires contrast against the dark clouds behind, another spectacular sight.
On the tour, the temple workers were very kind, but aloof. We had to wear covers over our shoes and it made me a little uncomfortable that the temple workers insisted on putting the foot covers off and on for me, not allowing me to do it myself. It was very kind but made me uncomfortable, although I was 7 months pregnant I was perfectly capable of putting the foot covers on and taking them off by myself.
Overall, I really like the building, it’s certainly striking and looks beautiful in different lighting conditions. The inside was very nicely done, super high quality doors and hardware throughout. I saw the rooms with the baptismal fonts, a large locker room where they change into their temple garments, the celestial room (truly beautiful), and other meeting rooms, I can’t recall everything.
Overall a positive experience. For those not of the Mormon faith who were not allowed a tour, even Mormons who show up without a temple recommend cannot enter, I signed up weeks in advance for the tour. This is not the place where Mormons worship on a regular basis, it’s the place for sealings, baptisms, and other special ceremonies. There are lots of Mormons in San Diego who have not been inside.
The building really stands out and it’s location takes advantage of the natural sunset lighting, I love seeing the building when it’s completely pink. A nice addition to our community.

I am LDS and have been since 16. I was married in this temple and it is the most gorgeous temple I have ever been inside since being endowed. I have had many spiritual experiences here. It’s a the best place to get answers from god.
On a side note in order to come to the San Diego temple or any temple for that matter you must be 1) a baptized member of the LDS church 2) live the LDS lifestyle 3) Unless doing baptisms you must be a member of the church for a full year before entering 4) pass a temple recommend interview with a member of the bishop rick 5) pass a temple recommend interview with a member of the stake presidency
A temple recommend is now good for two full years unless it is taken away by your bishop. I like that there is a garmet and LDS clothing/​temple distribution center here too. I have enjoyed the food in the cafeteria as well. This temple also has spanish speaking sessions and other various language accommodations (sign language too).
–Stephanie

This temple is beautiful!
One of my favorite dates with my wife was attending this temple. It was a peaceful and renewing visit.

Nothing to say about it its pretty cool When i was a child i just to make a joke there is Disneyland :)

My hubby and I were married in the San Diego temple, and it’s the only one I would ever want to be married in. It’s my Cinderella Castle! A wonderful place to visit and walk the grounds of with family and friends when visiting San Diego.
The grounds are well kept and gorgeous and the view of the temple is even better on the grounds themselves, than driving by on the freeway.
If you have any questions about how the temple was built, it’s history or about what Mormons believe there are temple ground missionaries who are very informative and can answer any questions you have. If you don’t want to talk though, it’s fine, just say you don’t have any questions if they ask.

A must see on oir pass through while on vacation. Sad that there is no visitor center. just the lobbey for non temple recommend holders. Non the less beautiful grounds and temple. It is nestled at the end. of ccorporate and start of residential. I am certain that the review with one star was provided by a church hater or non believer. Many folks hold animosity against lds… which for the record DO BELIEVE IN THE SAME JESUS CHRIST AS ALL CHRISTIANS. Beautiful grounds.

Amazing place inside and out! I was married here and had an awesome experience!
On our wedding day, all of the unpaid volunteer workers helped make the experience memorable and special. I’ll always hold it dear it in my heart.
To us LDS people this is a holy place and it’s much appreciated to those whom are respectful and don’t mock the things we hold sacred.
It’s not cool to say hurtful hate filled things to Jewish people and others of different faiths… What makes it just fine to go off on Mormons?
Why not retire from being a full time hater and just be cool and love people?

As a building it’s beautiful, as a place of reflection and peace it is my go to place. Even taking time to be on the grounds of the temple can be incredibly peaceful if you are not a member. I have several friends who go and sit outside the temple when they are overwhelmed with problems, just to sit and think. I guess some of the other reviews commenting about how hideous and ugly it is must have some issue they are dealing with other than with the building or landscaping itself. If this was in Europe all the tourists would be taking selfies in front of it. To each his/​her own, I like this place!

The San Diego LDS Temple is like a bad joke. Unfortunately it’s not… and is an assault on anyone’s eyes that happen to see it.
It is, by far, the UGLIEST edifice the Church has ever constructed. The new Temple planed for Meridian, Idaho is what a LDS Temple should be.
Even the regrettable McTemples the Church has built, over the last few decades, are at least plain and boring… and relatively inoffensive. I am still blown-​away that this hideous design got the go-​ahead. It’s vulgar, and has a «culty» look about it.

So beautiful. I love to see it when I am driving down the 5 toward Mexico. I was able to go through it for the open house back in 1993 when I was a kid, and the inside is even more beautiful than the outside.
You must be a member though to be able to enter. you can find out more information about the church on
.

I don’t care who you are or where you are driving to but anytime you’re on the 5 and you pass this building you can not help but admire the beauty of it.
As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I have been able to enter this magnificent house of worship several times.
I can assure you the architecture inside is just as, if not more spectacular than that of the outside.
Even is you are a member who can not enter or not part of the church at all the grounds are open to all to sit and think and offer prayer.
This is definitely a gem in San Diego. They also have lights for Christmas so do not miss out on that.