Costa Mesa, California: TBN Studio and Virtual Reality Jerusalem (Gone)

In TBN's heyday visitors could stroll an indoor replica of the street where Jesus carried his cross, watch one -- or all three -- hour long movies in the Virtual Reality Theater, take a guided tour, watch a live taping of the "Praise the Lord!" TV show. Sold and closed in 2017.

Directions:: From the north, take Hwy 55 exit 5B (Baker St.). Turn right at the stoplight onto Paularino Ave. Drive about a mile, then turn right at the stoplight onto Bear St. (Look for little green highway sign pointing to South Coast Plaza). Drive about a quarter-mile, then turn right into the TBN parking lot (Look for the white wall emblazoned with the TBN coat of arms).
Hours:: 2017: Sold and closed.
Status:: Gone

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TBN Studio and Virtual Reality Jerusalem

TBN sold the 6.19-acre Costa Mesa campus to Greenlaw Partners in 2017.

[Mads, 03/20/2018]

Greenlaw bought the property for less than half of its assessed value, and plans to turn it into office space.

TBN Studio and Virtual Reality Jerusalem

Right across the 405 Freeway from the SoCal shopping mecca South Coast Plaza is Trinity Christian City International. It is the home of the TBN TV studio, where televangelists Paul and Jan Crouch have broadcast their religious shows for decades.

Visiting TBN is surreal. Even though it is located in ultra-hip Southern California, you feel like you have been transported into the Bible Belt once you drive onto the property. It feels a bit like Graceland combined with a Sunday School class on steroids. Big, bold, friendly, glitzy, and gaudy.

You will find many people visiting who have made long pilgrimages from across the country, and who are completely sincere and reverent about the place, so be sure to be respectful. Enjoy this field trip through the Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh Gift and Book Shop, and the recreation of the Via Dolorosa street in old Jerusalem [where Jesus carried his cross], which leads to the Virtual Reality theater for a high definition movie about the Bible. On some evenings you can sit in for a live taping of the "Praise The Lord!" TV show.

[Joel James, 03/21/2013]