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California Theatre: A Restored Movie Palace

Experience the opulence of a bygone era at the California Theatre, a meticulously restored 1920s movie palace in the heart of San Jose.

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The California Theatre in San Jose, originally opened in 1927 as the Fox Theatre, stands as a beautifully preserved example of a 1920s-era movie palace. Following a meticulous $75 million renovation, it now serves as a premier performing arts venue and home to Opera San Jose and Symphony San Jose.

A brief summary to California Theatre

Local tips

  • Check the San Jose Theaters website for the most up-to-date event schedule and ticket information.
  • Arrive early to allow time for parking, as on-site parking is not available.
  • Explore the surrounding SoFA District for a variety of restaurants and bars.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, walk north on Almaden Boulevard, then turn right onto W San Carlos St. Turn left onto S 1st St, and the California Theatre will be on your left. The walk is approximately 5 minutes. No costs are associated with this approach.

  • Public Transport

    The closest light rail stop to the California Theatre is the Convention Center Station, accessible via the Blue and Green lines. From the station, walk north on S Market St, turn left onto W San Carlos St, then turn left again onto S 1st St. The California Theatre will be on your left. A single VTA light rail fare is $2.50.

  • Taxi/Ride-share

    From San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC), a taxi or ride-share to the California Theatre will take approximately 10-15 minutes, depending on traffic. Expect to pay between $20-$30 for a one-way trip. Note that prices may surge during peak hours or special events.

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Discover more about California Theatre

The California Theatre, located in the SoFA (South First Area) district of San Jose, is a historic landmark that first opened its doors in April 1927. Originally known as the Fox Theatre, this lavish 1,122-seat theater was designed by architects Weeks and Day and quickly gained recognition as one of the finest theaters in California. The grand opening featured the film "An Affair of the Follies," starring Billie Dove, and a variety stage show. Over the years, the California Theatre hosted vaudeville shows and showcased films in 3D and Cinemascope. However, the theater closed in 1973 after several changes in ownership. In 1985, the Redevelopment Agency purchased the building with the goal of preserving the city's largest remaining downtown movie palace. A comprehensive $75 million restoration project, funded by the Redevelopment Agency of the City of San Jose and the Packard Humanities Institute, began in July 2001. The renovation transformed the historic movie palace into a state-of-the-art performing arts venue while carefully preserving its original ornamentation. The opulently ornamented interiors, featuring cast plaster ceilings and intricate details, were refurbished with decorative painting, and the elaborately stenciled entry foyer ceiling was meticulously restored. The theater now boasts a seating capacity of approximately 1,100. The California Theatre is also a sought-after venue for wedding ceremonies, corporate meetings, and other special events.

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