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California Theatre
A defaced California Theatre. Photo by Sandé Lollis |
2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 Newly Added Remaining from past years
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San Diego's premier movie palace, the California Theatre was heralded as the "Cathedral of the Motion Picture" when it opened in 1927. The grand Spanish Colonial Revival style single-screen theatre and office building is listed on the local Register of Historical Resources. Its opulent interior originally featured gold leaf ceilings, murals, a huge Wurlitzer organ, and was able to seat 2200 film goers. In the 1970s, it became a memorable concert venue, but shortly after a 1988 renovation, it closed and came under imminent threat of demolition. Miraculously, it is still standing but vacant two decades later. Meanwhile, only a few blocks away, the restored and reopened Balboa Theatre stands as a preservation triumph. Like the Balboa, the California desperately deserves its long-overdue second chance to shine after years of neglect and vandalism.
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Mailing - PO Box 80788 · San Diego CA 92138 | Offices - 3525 Seventh Avenue · San Diego CA 92103
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