Notable for its five-spire design influenced by Asian architecture, the temple stands on a hill with panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay Area.

The temple stands on top of the Hayward Fault Zone; it underwent major renovations and seismic upgrades, closing from 1989 to 1990 following the Loma Prieta earthquake and again from 2018 to 2019.

Interior decorations include dark cherry wood ornamentation, along with original artwork of Jesus Christ and the California landscape.

Since 1978, annual music and dance performances have accompanied the Christmas light displays, reflecting on the holiday themes and the narrative of Jesus Christ's birth.

Church members who traveled by ship around Cape Horn to California were told by Brigham Young that "in the process of time, the shores of the Pacific may yet be overlooked from the Temple of the Lord.

[16] This change was partly to create a theater-like setting, as this was the first temple to feature a film presentation of the endowment ceremony instead of a live version.

Originally referred to as the tri-stake center, the building served the San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley stakes.

[33] Adjacent to the temple is a visitors' center which includes artwork, displays, and a reproduction of Thorvaldsen's Christus statue.

[34] The visitors’ center was remodeled in 2004, receiving new exhibits emphasizing the life of Jesus Christ and the organization of the church by Joseph Smith.

[36] Set on 18.1 acres (7.3 ha), the temple grounds include a garden with integrated water features, drawing local photographers.

[35][38] In addition to the lights, various displays and artwork of the birth of Jesus and the Christmas narrative are placed on the temple grounds and in the visitors' center.

[35][39][40] Music and dance performances that reflect on the themes of Christmas and the narrative of Jesus Christ's birth occur each year.

The Nutcracker ballet,[41] a sing along of Handel's Messiah,[42] and musical performances by Jenny Oaks Baker,[43] have taken place during the Christmas Season at the Temple Hill Auditorium.

The fault zone is regarded as dangerous, with geologists in 2009 estimating a 33% chance of a large earthquake occurring before the year 2040.

[49] The auditorium and temple closed again for seismic retrofit in February 2018, while the visitors' center and gardens remained open.

[50] According to a report from Philip Stofer of the United States Geological Survey, "The temple is one of the most visible manmade features along the Hayward Fault and can be seen from throughout the Oakland area.

[11] The exterior of the temple is made of reinforced concrete faced with sierra white granite from Raymond, California.

[15][58] Claudia Cowan of Fox News reported that it has been dubbed the "beacon on the hill", underscoring its prominent visibility.

[62] Sam Matthews of the Tracy Press said: "The temple’s interior décor is subdued, with shades of tan and brown and traditional furnishings.

Sealing rooms contain panels of dark cherry wood, marble altars with backlighting, and mirrors placed to create an effect of infinite reflections.

[15] The executive director of the church's Temple Department, Larry Wilson, also noted the building was partly modeled after the Taj Mahal and Angkor Wat.

[66][59] In the nearby meetinghouse, local church members performed a pageant (an annual theatrical production) for many years.