Balboa Theatre, San Diego
The Balboa Theatre in San Diego's Downtown area is a historical testament to the past, blending Moorish and Spanish Revival architectural styles. Built in 1924 during the golden age of grand movie theaters, it has a timeless charm. With its stage adorned by waterfalls for air cooling, this single-balcony theater once held an impressive 1,513 seats across two streets. Finding a comparable IMAX theater of this size is a challenge today.
The Balboa Theatre, part of the Fox West Coast circuit, combined vaudeville acts, movies, and music with orchestras and organs. It was upgraded in 1930 for sound pictures and added a neon marquee. In 1934, it became Teatro Balboa, showcasing Spanish-language films. During World War II, the theater's office space housed the U.S. Navy temporarily.
After the war, the Balboa Theatre faced decay but was saved in the 1970s and recognized as a historic site. It briefly showed movies but closed due to low business. In 1985, San Diego acquired and restored it.
Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places since 1996, the Balboa Theatre underwent extensive refurbishment starting in 2005 and reopened its doors in 2008 as a versatile performing arts venue, designed to accommodate captivating live musical concerts.
In 2009, following yet another comprehensive renovation, the Balboa Theatre Foundation proudly reintroduced a 1929 Wonder Morton organ, one of only four of its kind worldwide. Today, the theater serves as a vibrant host for the Mainly Mozart Festival, special events, and touring Broadway productions, enriching the cultural landscape of San Diego.
The Balboa Theatre, part of the Fox West Coast circuit, combined vaudeville acts, movies, and music with orchestras and organs. It was upgraded in 1930 for sound pictures and added a neon marquee. In 1934, it became Teatro Balboa, showcasing Spanish-language films. During World War II, the theater's office space housed the U.S. Navy temporarily.
After the war, the Balboa Theatre faced decay but was saved in the 1970s and recognized as a historic site. It briefly showed movies but closed due to low business. In 1985, San Diego acquired and restored it.
Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places since 1996, the Balboa Theatre underwent extensive refurbishment starting in 2005 and reopened its doors in 2008 as a versatile performing arts venue, designed to accommodate captivating live musical concerts.
In 2009, following yet another comprehensive renovation, the Balboa Theatre Foundation proudly reintroduced a 1929 Wonder Morton organ, one of only four of its kind worldwide. Today, the theater serves as a vibrant host for the Mainly Mozart Festival, special events, and touring Broadway productions, enriching the cultural landscape of San Diego.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in San Diego. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The GPSmyCity App
Balboa Theatre on Map
Sight Name: Balboa Theatre
Sight Location: San Diego, USA (See walking tours in San Diego)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: San Diego, USA (See walking tours in San Diego)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in San Diego, California
Create Your Own Walk in San Diego
Creating your own self-guided walk in San Diego is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historic Gaslamp District Walking Tour
The Gaslamp Quarter is a lively 16½-block neighborhood in downtown San Diego, known for its nightlife, diverse entertainment and, just as importantly, historical appeal.
Back in the 1860s, the area was known as New Town, in contrast to Old Town, the original Spanish colonial settlement. After a period of decay, the neighborhood underwent redevelopment during the 1980s and 1990s, and was... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Back in the 1860s, the area was known as New Town, in contrast to Old Town, the original Spanish colonial settlement. After a period of decay, the neighborhood underwent redevelopment during the 1980s and 1990s, and was... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Balboa Park Walking Tour
Named after the Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa, Balboa Park is one of the largest cultural parks in the United States. A renowned cultural and recreational hub, it offers a plethora of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages.
One of the prominent landmarks within the park is the California Building and Tower, which boasts stunning Spanish-Colonial Revival architecture.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
One of the prominent landmarks within the park is the California Building and Tower, which boasts stunning Spanish-Colonial Revival architecture.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Embarcadero Marina Walking Tour
Adjacent to downtown San Diego and the picturesque San Diego Bay is a vibrant waterfront area. Embarcadero Marina, a testament to the region's colorful maritime heritage, houses several outstanding ship museums and is home to other notable sites. The abundance of shopping and dining options, complete with the pristine views of the city skyline, delight numerous locals and tourists and make... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour
Old Town is the oldest settled area in San Diego which claims to be the first site visited by Europeans on the West Coast of modern United States.
The Native American culture in the area, however, goes back thousands of years. Historically, this land had been a home to the Kumeyaay people who settled on the banks of the San Diego river since around 1000 AD. The first European explorer to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
The Native American culture in the area, however, goes back thousands of years. Historically, this land had been a home to the Kumeyaay people who settled on the banks of the San Diego river since around 1000 AD. The first European explorer to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Souvenir Shopping Guide: 14 Gifts That Say San Diego
San Diego is known for its beautiful, temperate climate, but you can’t take the weather home with you. If you want a piece of San Diego as a souvenir, it’s best to shop with the natives. Whether it is made locally or just made famous locally, following are 14 perfect gifts that capture the...