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…