This Spectacular Cathedral In Southern California Is A Truly Stunning Architectural Sight

From amazing natural wonders to incredible man-made reservoirs and everything in between, California is awash with magnificent sights. Whether it is waterfalls, mountains, historic sites, gorgeous golden beaches, or canyons, there's a lot in the Golden State to please the eye. A good man-made example is a structure located in Garden Grove. Tucked inside Southern California's Orange County, Garden Grove hosts one of the most spectacular architectural landmarks, the Crystal Cathedral. Known today as Christ Cathedral, this charming structure has fascinated visitors for decades with its futuristic glass design. If you are looking for beautiful architectural landmarks in California, this is a must-see destination for your ultimate West Coast trip. You can visit the cathedral to take in its architecture, attend a mass or concert, or tour the serene gardens. You can even take a free tour through the church's campus — hosted in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

To get to Christ Cathedral, you can drive to Garden Grove from nearby towns. The city is about 30 miles from Los Angeles, and the drive takes anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes in average traffic. If you are visiting from San Diego, the drive to Garden Grove takes about one hour and 40 minutes and is just under 100 miles. The closest airport to the city is Irvine's John Wayne Airport (SNA), which is about 14 miles away. The cathedral's story began in the late 1970s when televangelist Rev. Robert H. Schuller wanted to build a megachurch. The building was engineered by Philip Johnson and was completed in 1980. In 2012, the Roman Catholic Church purchased the cathedral, and it was renovated to suit Catholic worship.

Just like these beautiful castles in California, brimming with European charm, the Crystal Cathedral has a practical and elegant design. It has over 10,000 rectangular panes of tempered glass, each carefully sealed with a silicone compound to allow the structure to expand and contract based on the temperature changes. The result is a shimmering cathedral that reflects sunlight during the day. Unlike traditional stone cathedrals, the glass structure feels lightweight. The cathedral's glass structure, which rises up to 12 stories above the ground, with a spiderweb framework, has a four-pointed star shape. The cathedral's interior is modern and can seat almost 3,000 worshipers, with giant doors allowing others to watch from the parking lot.

When you step inside, you will notice the Hazel Wright Organ, one of the largest pipe organs with over 17,000 pipes that fill the cathedral with quality sound. Some of the changes to allow Catholic worship include a baptismal font, an altar, and a crucifix. Aside from the main cathedral building, the campus features the Tower of Hope, which is a 13-story structure crafted by Richard Neutra, a popular architect in the 1960s. The tower was given a glass exterior similar to that of the main building during renovations. The cathedral campus also has beautiful gardens, sculptures, and pools where you can stroll around. You can join a guided tour to learn about the history and architecture of the cathedral or attend one of the musical concerts or events hosted in the building. You can even livestream weekly sermons and organ music from the comfort of your own home.

While the Christ (Crystal) Cathedral is the main attraction in Garden Grove, there are many other activities to enjoy. Garden Grove is popular for its Strawberry Festival held every Memorial Day weekend. The festival takes place on the historic main street of the city and showcases Garden Grove's (and Orange County's in general) agricultural roots through parades, live music, and a huge strawberry shortcake. You'll also get to enjoy a host of carnival rides and non-strawberry eats from local vendors.

If you are a food lover, you will have plenty to savor at the Little Saignon District. This is a large Vietnamese community offering a variety of dining options, making Garden Grove one of the best US cities for food lovers to add to their bucket list. Step into Michelin Guide-recommended Phở 79, a local favorite for those craving something comforting yet light. You can also enjoy Phở Tai, a rice noodle soup with rare beef, or the Phở Chin noodle soup with well-cooked beef. Those not in the mood for soup can pause by Oc and Lau restaurant for a truly epic offering of seafood. On the menu, you will find shrimp, crab, and an array of fish paired with delicious sides.

Gig-goers will be thrilled by the live performances at the historic GEM theatre. This theatre hosts musicals, comedy shows, and concerts throughout the year. Check the schedule and find an interesting performance to attend. If you prefer an outdoor live performance, the Garden Amphitheatre won't disappoint. This amphitheatre hosts local and national performances, as well as events such as Anaheim's local bard festival. Plus, you're only a hop, skip, and a jump away (it's literally a 10-minute drive) from Anaheim's Disneyland — just make sure you plan accordingly.