We love a shimmy down memory lane. Downtown San Diego’s Balboa Theatre turns 100 in 2024 — let’s run through the landmark’s history and centennial celebrations. Raise the curtains, it’s showtime.
✨ Showstopping moments
Designed by architect William H. Wheeler, the $800,000 venue debuted in late March 1924 as a vaudeville and movie theater. The building’s design was partly inspired by the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture seen about a decade prior in the construction of Balboa Park — we thought that tiled dome looked familiar.
- 1934: After remodeling, the venue reopened as Teatro Balboa, with a focus on films from Mexico City and Latino stars.
- Early 1940s: During World War II, the office space served as housing for US military soldiers.
- 1959: The Russo family bought the theater, saving it from demolition. It reopened as an “action movie house.”
- 1972: The theater was placed on the local Historic Register.
![The stage at Balboa Theatre in San Diego with a bright blue curtain and ornate designs framing it.](https://6amcity.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/aa76dcf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/998x562+0+51/resize/1000x563!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk1-prod-sixam-city.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F2b%2F18%2F07e33942479b8486e5840b4a471c%2Fbalboa-theatre-historictheatrephotos-1-copy.png)
Inside the Balboa Theatre — the ornate decor is one-of-a-kind.
Photo via @historictheatrephotos
- 1985: The city’s redevelopment agency acquired the site.
- 1996: It was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
- 2002: The City of San Diego committed to preserving the site as a community asset; renovations began a few years later.
- 2008: With a $26.5 million renovation, the 1,339-capacity venue reopened.
![Balboa Theatre in San Diego at night, its lights and marquee glowing.](https://6amcity.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4852669/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1440x811+0+259/resize/1000x563!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk1-prod-sixam-city.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F7e%2F78%2F42d8ce3145c0a3ce940b3384cecc%2Fbalboa-theatre-kidfrom619-copy.png)
Today, Balboa Theatre offers a robust lineup of entertainment year-round.
Photo via @kidfrom619
🎟️ Modern times
Today, Balboa Theatre features a robust, year-round events lineup — from live music and dance to stand-up comedy and podcast tours.
The site’s centennial celebration is planned for Thursday, March 28-Saturday, March 30, with four special events:
- 100th Anniversary Gala | Acclaimed pianist and playwright Hershey Felder will lead this show inspired by 100 years of famous American music.
- Centennial Salute | This tribute will honor the venue’s ties to San Diego’s military with a screening of the silent film, “The Flying Fleet,” accompanied by organist Ken Double.
- Toons and Tunes | Bring the kids to this one — classic cartoons will play on the big screen while Ken Double plays the organ; wear your Roaring 1920s attire.
- San Diego Spotlight | The 100th anniversary celebration culminates with performances from local arts organizations from all of the city’s districts.