California Theatre

800 reviews

345 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113

sanjosetheaters.org

+14087924542

About

California Theatre is a Movie theater located at 345 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113. It has received 800 reviews with an average rating of 4.7 stars.

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F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The address of California Theatre: 345 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113

  • California Theatre has 4.7 stars from 800 reviews

  • Movie theater

  • "This is a lovely theater"

    "Elegant theater"

    "The California Theater, located right in downtown San Jose, is a great place to see a show! I saw a Tech Roast and was on the first floor, which had pretty good seats"

    "The sound quality of this theatre is world class! I enjoy the performances of Opera San Jose"

    "We sat on the lower level orchestra"

Reviews

  • Julie Harvey

This is a lovely theater. It was our first and last time attending. The show, Cinderella, was advertised on the theater's website as being 2.5 hours including intermission. In reality, the show was 3 hour and 15 minutes. Had we known that, we would not have brought our 10 year old child to the show. Worse, the temperature in the theater was unbearably warm. Audience members were fanning themselves throughout the show with the programs. It was a miserable experience. I wouldn't have expected this after spending upwards of $300 on tickets. As a former performing artist myself, I can't imagine how the artists on stage were feeling, ie. the heat, coupled with lights and costumes. This was a huge fault of the management of the venue. Unacceptable and so disappointing. Treat your customers better.

  • donna mayle

Elegant theater. Excellent acoustics. It's not so large that the sound gets lost. We attended the San Jose Opera production of Die Fledermaus. It was a superb production, the staging was perfect. The seats are red velvet and very comfortable. This is important for a three act Opera. The there had several bars offering beer ($7.00) wine ($12.00), mixed drinks ($10.00), sodas ($3.00), and water ($2.00). They also have freaked baked cookies, chips, and a cheese plate ($10.00). We had gin and tonics and a cheese plate. It was all excellent. The staff was friendly and courteous, as you would expect for $200.00 a ticket. There was pre show entertainment on the lobby organ. All in all a lovely venue.

  • Avantika Naik

The California Theater, located right in downtown San Jose, is a great place to see a show! I saw a Tech Roast and was on the first floor, which had pretty good seats. Audio is great as well! The entire location is GORGEOUS. The tasteful decorations and ambient lighting elevates your experience. There are clean, standard bathrooms on site, and the staff is very welcoming and lovely. They will keep your food and help you get to your seat while being chatty and friendly.

  • David Miller

The sound quality of this theatre is world class! I enjoy the performances of Opera San Jose. If you do go here to see the opera, please do not miss the lecture before the opera. Contex is so important with opera,I feel. I have some pictures, but the beauty of the theatre is something best experienced in person. It is an all encompassing experience for the senses.

  • Glenn Julian Ramos

We sat on the lower level orchestra. We had a good view of the stage however the low lights on the ceiling were a little distracting. There was a decently stocked snack bar were everything tastes aa you expect but don't get the donuts, they are a bit dry. The lobby is a great place to relax around. The ushers are also very responsible and helpful.

  • Jean Warren

A beautifully ornate movie palace built in 1927. The Wurlitzer organ was built in 1926 for the Fox Theater in Riverside, California. The theater is a wonderful setting, with no bad seats. Theater performances are often preceded by an organ concert by Jerry Nagano, a very skilled and talented organist. (This is true for ALL opera performances.)

  • Lauren Schenck

This historic theater is a fantastic place to see the symphony, or any other show for that matter! There isn't really a bad seat in the house, and there are plenty of restrooms, as well as a convenient concession area. There are also a number of tasty places nearby to grab a bite or a drink before or after the show!

  • Jody Nelson

We attended Ocean Grove Charter Schools graduation at this theater. Although on the smaller size (a bit bigger than a modern day movie theater) it was well kept and architectural beautiful. Definitely a vision of grandeur for days gone by and thanks to 3 lovely vocalist you could tell that the acoustics are good.

  • Jenny Xu

Came here to watch west side story and we had some middle orchestra seats - overall really enjoyed my experience - the audio quality was good and we had a good view from our seats. The play was also good, and they had lots of ushers and staff on site to make checking in and finding our seats easy.

  • Harry Hsieh

Performed there for SJYS 3rd time. Great theater, round up the sound pretty well. Have warm AC in winter, might want to have changeable clothes. Not a big hall in comparison, but the whole theme is fancy and classic, including the service there. All light are well plotted and restroom are clean.

  • Abhishek Rajput

California Theatre is an historoc infrastructure masterpiece located at the South st. avenue, San Jose and it has been recrafted to a modern day performing arts venue. Aside from that, it is also publicly avialable for other type of events and can be visited during the usual business hours.

  • Denis Lynch

The beautifully restored theater has unobstructed views, excellent sound and comfortable seats. Refreshments are adequate. Everything is in place to enjoy what you're there to see. This particular day we were there for the Symphony San Jose, which had a pretty great night. So did we!

  • Jeena James

I loved my first ever San Jose Symphony Chorale performance at the California Theater! And I'm going to make this my annual tradition to visit with friends and family during Christmas time. I had booked orchestra seats under the balcony section, and the acoustics did not disappoint!

  • Neal Weinstein

I've been going to the San Jose Symphony performances at the California since it was reopened in 2004. The first night I was there I sat next to a gentleman whose mother took him to see movies there in the 1930s! There theater is beautiful on the inside and had great acoustics.

  • Jason R

A beautiful gem tucked into downtown. This theater has been gorgeously restored and the Wurlitzer organ is certainly an experience if you're lucky enough to witness it in action. Opera San Jose performs here and they put on a great show if that's your cup of tea.

  • Juan Ramirez

Cozy environment, the personal is very kind they love this theater, the sit number is confusing. This theater has a bar you can bring beverages and refreshment to your sit, but is very crowded. This theater make you feel between traditional and non conventional.

  • Rosalie Arntzen

The California Theater is a gem. It's one of the best places in the area to enjoy the opera. Not too big and not too small, comfortable seating, friendly and helpful ushers and staff, easy parking and good acoustics make it a wonderful place to see a show.

  • Kevin Freimarck

Good theater to watch a movie or go see the symphony. The structure inside is very beautiful and they have a balcony also if you want to look down at the performance. There are a variety of places to eat around the theatre too either before or after.

  • BwanaP

Great ambiance and acoustics!! Go catch a show and while you're at it, try grabbing a bite on the number of cool restaurants down the street (Petiscos - Portuguese tapas) or the food kitchen (lots of options). Enjoy your night out!!

  • aQuixoteFilm

Majestic! A wonderful architectural step back in time. Catch a show or screen a movie during the Cinequest film festival. I love taking the light rail, getting a bite at one of the many downtown options and capping with a show.

  • Patrick

The California Theatre is a beautifully restored early 1900s movie theater. The lobby is a bit small, but overall very elegant. The actual theater feels intimate and is a great place to watch a performance.

  • Chris Ferderer

Beauticul venue! Reminds me if the Fox Theater in Oakland with its ornate details. Good views from my seats too, though I think high up in the balcony or on orchestra level will have limiting views.

  • Eugene Palmer

Excellent venue..I have always enjoyed the old historic theater architecture.. the visual upon entering definitely put you in the right mood, the staff was very helpful..seating was very comfortable

  • Lydet PIDOR

This is such a really nice theatre that I have ever been. The design from the entrance and to the inside of the hall is just wonderful. Further, all the sounds system, stage and seat are all great.

  • Juanito Chaiken

We arrived 1 minute before the performance due to a transportation mixup and were treated very sympathetically. We sat way high in the balcony, which was actually excellent for seeing and hearing.

  • derek wong

I really like this theatre. I've been here for many types of performances - orchestra, operas, ballet. The location is very centrally located, easily accessible by public transportation.

  • David Collacott

I’ve watched two performances at this theater and I really enjoyed it both times. Beautiful design, good views from almost any seat, and clean restroom facilities at every level.

  • BetzBookkeeping

WONDERFUL small opera venue. We saw West Side Story. A lively cat and amazing orchestra! Great seating and small concession stand with snacks, wine and beer. Very nice evening!

  • Ronald Heiby

Beautiful interior design and very good acoustics. Theatre organ in the lobby provides an enjoyable prelude to the day's concert. Nice assortment of snacks for intermission.

  • Dan Belick

This is a grand 100 year old theater that is fully restored. The pipe organ is amazing. We were there for the grand opening of sinequest '22. The balcony is a real treat...

  • Bill Horbaly

I am amazed at the beauty of this theater! There are few that match. The restoration was first class making this a great venue in which to host or see an event. Incredible

  • Judy Ling CHENG

The theatre is excellent. Love the sound system, ample seating allowance for long legs. I’ve got middle front row seats, very good view. The show was entertaining, too.

  • elias ponce

It was good Staff is nice and helpful pretty much everything perfect, but you need sound up stairs at least for the comedy shows you need clear sound upstairs!

  • Yousef Hammad

Classical theater, built for smaller intimate crowds. Attended the Trey Kennedy tour and had a blast! I would definitely go back for a future show.

  • Courtney

Beautiful piece of SJ history. Usually hosts smaller productions, but still a worthwhile visit if there is a show that interests you.

  • Roxanne Ozawa Coulon

Love attending Symphony San Jose concerts here. The acoustics is great and the from the upper level, I can view the whole orchestra

  • fatima Fatima

One of San Jose’s step back in time gem. I quite liked the acoustics but somehow during our show vocals could hardly be controlled.

  • Aaron Yuan

Lovely venue with lovely patrons. The organ in the hall is truly special, and their concessions bar has refreshments for all ages.

  • Teresa y Heladio

Good place to enjoy some Opera, check out the organ playing on the entrance, also check out the cookies, if there any of course.

  • Theresa Halstead

We've been to the Opera here twice now. It's a gorgeous theater and both shows have been magical!

  • santhosh kumar

We went to attend a lecture by a famous physicist. Lightning and audio system was excellent.

  • Running Mama

Beautiful theater. Just watched The Nutcracker with my twin nieces and family. Outstanding.

  • Mario Padilla

Beautiful historic theater. Went for a wedding reception and all I can say is what a night.

  • Terry Chiccino

Saw "The Barber of Seville" Very well done. The California Theater is beautiful inside.

  • El Ver

What a great venue! The acoustics are amazing, and there are no bad seats in the house.

  • Erik Chee

Great venue to watch sjDANCEco and San Jose Chamber Orchestra performances.

  • Alice C.

Beautiful performing arts center with lots of public parking around.

  • Llana Flores

Excellent place to enjoy an excellent conference or play

  • bhavana mahabali

Saw the Nutcracker here and it is a Beautiful theatre!

  • Cecil Coe

Great facility especially the third floor. Love it.

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