California Theatre, San Jose

The California Theatre in San Jose is a gleaming example of 1920s glamour blended with 21st-century functionality. Originally opened in April 1927 as the Fox Theatre, it was designed by the renowned architectural firm Weeks and Day and immediately became a community favorite. With 1,122 seats and opulent interiors featuring cast plaster ceilings and intricate stenciling, it was once hailed as “the finest theater in California.”

Opening day was a red-carpet affair, attracting Hollywood stars and debuting An Affair of the Follies, starring Billy Dove. Over the years, the theatre hosted everything from vaudeville acts to cutting-edge film presentations in 3D and Cinemascope. Despite its popularity, the building closed in 1973 after changing ownership multiple times.

In 1985, San Jose’s Redevelopment Agency acquired the theatre to preserve the city’s last grand movie palace. A $75 million restoration, partly funded by the Packard Humanities Institute, began in 2001 and was completed in 2004. The project revived historic details and added a larger stagehouse, expanded orchestra pit, rehearsal and conference rooms, dressing areas, and a tranquil courtyard.

One of the theatre’s standout features is its pair of Wurlitzer organs, specially commissioned and installed by Edward Millington Stout III and maintained by the Stanford Theatre Foundation. These instruments add to the theatre's unique soundscape and historical charm.

Though intimate in size-comparable to venues like England’s Glyndebourne or Venice’s Teatro la Fenice-every seat offers an immersive experience thanks to the theatre’s excellent acoustics and proximity to the stage. The layout includes twenty rows in the orchestra, five in the grand tier, and six in the mezzanine.

Today, the California Theatre is the proud home of Opera San Jose and Symphony San Jose, hosting a vibrant mix of concerts, films, theatrical performances, and literary events. Its elegant setting and modern amenities also make it a sought-after venue for weddings, corporate events, conferences, and private parties-perfect for anyone looking to mix state-of-the-art tech with a touch of historic splendor.