The Oakland Temple was dedicated on November 17, 1964, by President David O. McKay. The temple was the second in California (following the Los Angeles California Temple), and the 13th in the world.

In the 1930s, a committee of local Church leaders chaired by Eugene Hilton sought to identify a suitable plot of land upon which to construct a temple. The committee looked at various places in the Oakland area but focused on an initial 14.5-acre site where the Oakland Temple is now located.

The President of the Church, David O. McKay, visited the site in 1942 and confirmed that the temple should be built there. He authorized local leaders to purchase the land. Over the next many years, the initial 14.5-acre plot was purchased. Soon after that, in December 1960, David O. McKay announced plans to construct the Oakland Temple. It would be a large temple: 95,000 square feet.

Groundbreaking for the temple took place on May 26, 1962. The Oakland Temple was designed by architect Harold W. Burton. Local members of the Church helped supply funds and goods for the construction. The Oakland Temple was completed on September 27, 1964.

In late summer 1964, David O. McKay suffered a severe stroke that impaired his ability to walk and speak. Nevertheless, he desired to attend the dedication of the Oakland Temple. Despite reservations from his family and physician, they brought the prophet in a wheelchair to the first dedicatory service, which was held in the celestial room of the Oakland Temple on November 17, 1964. As the service was about to begin, David O. McKay miraculously rose from his wheelchair, walked to the podium, and gave a forceful and inspirational dedicatory prayer.

In February 2018, the Oakland Temple closed for substantial renovation. That work was finished in May 2019.