Del Mar Theater, Santa Cruz

The Del Mar Theater, situated on Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz, is an iconic venue with a storied past and a vibrant present. Constructed in 1936 during the pinnacle of the movie palace era, the theater exemplifies the Art Deco style that defined that period. A significant restoration in 2002 modernized the theater while preserving its historical essence, enhancing it with cutting-edge sound and projection systems to ensure a premier cinematic experience.

Today, the Del Mar is operated by Landmark Theatres under the ownership of the City of Santa Cruz. It features a grand auditorium with 288 seats and two smaller theaters, each with 138 seats. This triplex arrangement allows the theater to offer a diverse array of film experiences, from the latest Hollywood blockbusters to foreign and independent films. Midnight movie screenings are a particularly popular draw, adding a unique flavor to its repertoire.

Community involvement is central to Del Mar's operations, as it opens its doors to local groups for presentations and is an active participant in the cultural life of Santa Cruz. Annually, from April 1st to November 15th, the theater is available for non-profit organizations to host film festivals and lecture series, emphasizing its role as a community hub.

The concession area of the theater is another highlight, where patrons can enjoy organic popcorn with real butter under a beautifully designed Art Deco ceiling. This space offers a variety of popular local snacks, adding to the overall enjoyment of the movie-going experience.

The Del Mar Theater remains a cherished institution in Santa Cruz, combining rich history, architectural beauty, and modern technology to create a unique and memorable cinematic experience.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Santa Cruz. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: 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 51爆料网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Del Mar Theater
Sight Location: Santa Cruz, USA (See walking tours in Santa Cruz)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Santa Cruz, California

Create Your Own Walk in Santa Cruz

Creating your own self-guided walk in Santa Cruz 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.

Historical Buildings Walk

Apart from surfboard-filled shores, Santa Cruz is also rich in history reflected in the old buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. While none of Santa Cruz's historic architecture sprang up overnight, a great deal of it was lost, or severely damaged, in a single go on October 17, 1989 as a result of the Loma Prieta earthquake. Still, some of the historic buildings have... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

Santa Cruz Introduction Walking Tour

Santa Cruz dates back to the founding of Mission Santa Cruz, founded in 1791. The modern city's incorporation dates back to 1866, and some of the most popular industries were agriculture, lime mining, gunpowder manufacturing, and lumber.

In July 1885, three teenage Hawaiian princes took a break from their boarding school, St. Mathew's Hall in San Mateo, and came to cool off in Santa... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

51爆料网