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.

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.

Elegant theater. Excellent acoustics. Its 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.

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

Beautiful restoration. Looks so much better than 50+ years ago when it ran second (or third) tier movies. Go see an opera. Or if you get a chance, a concert or show that uses the big pipe organ. Its amazing.

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

Such a beautiful venue! They dont make buildings like this anymore.

My first time seeing a movie there. I like the atmosphere, but I think the sound needs a little improvement, but overall I would definitely visit this place again.

Sound system was descent. Came here for a mexican comedy show, which was really good and a sold out show!! It was a nice venue for the show, didnt even know this place existed until that night.

Beautiful theatre. Opera San Jose does a great lineup every season. I appreciate the free Sunday afternoon pre-shows where the director tells stories about the show to follow.

Beautiful theater. I attended an opera with friends. Acoustics were amazing. I was able to hear every note of the lovely singing even in the back row up in the balcony. Staff of the theater was also friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. If you have a question, I have found that I can ask anyone and they will either immediately answer or find someone to help answer. This goes for the ticket collectors to the seating assistants to the drinks waitstaff.

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

We saw Die Fledermaus here and it was wonderful. The venue is beautiful.

The California theater is deceiving. Its location in the middle of 1st Street was not give you the impression that it holds the majesty and Grandeur on the inside. Outside when we think youre just walking into a movie theater however once you get past the front doors the Beauty and the architecture of this building is amazing. Its breathtaking. It throws you back into it another era. I went there for the Silicon Valley Symphony and they opened with an artist playing the Wurlitzer. That was amazing. And then once inside the theater there is not really a bad seat and the Acoustics are wonderful. Since youre going there for any kind of performance I would recommend the California theater. Its a nice evening out in a very beautiful place

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.

Nice place with nice shows. Just little hard to find a parking space. There is limit/sometimes no internet inside the building.

Beautiful theater, the staff is so helpful. Went to see my first ballet. And i absolutely love it!!

Good place for shows. They are having latin shows lately.

For the past twenty years upon first hearing Beethovens Ninth Symphony on cassette tape (boy, did I just date myself), Ive always wanted to hear this Great Symphony in person. Sitting in the Grand Tier, the cocaphony of instruments at full crescendo was quite impressive.I had many transcendental moments. I will remember this wonderful experience for the rest of my living days.

Fantastic venue. Its beautiful, the seats are comfortable, and the sound is very good.Its small enough to feel intimate yet large enough that you know youre part of a crowd. Getting in and out was comfortable - there were multiple entrances and exits and that minimized choke points. The ushers knew their stuff and were pleasant and helpful.Its well worth visiting.

Beautiful theatre and they have have a good set of shows each year. If you go for an afternoon show , go early and listen to their director give some background on the Opera and its creation.

This beautiful older historic building hosts Opera, Bands, Dance Recitals and Graduations. Depending on what is playing at this venue, you may be able to enter from both Market Street (across from the Marriot hotel/San Jose Convention Center), and on 1st street, where their box office is located.Inside its a treat! BEAUTIFUL original tiles from the 1920s, along with ornate woodwork and other ornamentation that no longer exists in modern structures. Parking is metered along the street until 6pm, and there are some smaller lots around....as well as Convention Center parking (which can be costly per hour).

Watched VNHelp 2019 concert. The theater is Ina decent state. However, somehow the sound system is that good for upstairs. The lighting is not really for concert. More like for play. Dont park across the street (2nd). This parking is a rip off. $5/hr and it will take you more than an hour to get out and you would need to pay $30 or so. Park on any parking around for $10.

Beautifully restored 1927 movie palace, updated with full stage and orchestra pit to make a wonderful 1100-seat opera house. Big enough for elaborate productions and small enough to seem intimate.

Classy. Historic. Great acoustics and sightlines. Restored historic theater 1920s decor.

Beautifully restored old movie house with 2 built in pipe organs. Acoustics are tops.

Beautiful venue presenting both Opera and classical music. Great for a stylish evening out. One of my favorite venues in the area.

This is a 1920 era grand movie theater. It is now used for multiple purposes. It has the grandeur and elegance of an opera hall (which is one of the current uses). There is a Mighty Wurlitzer organ which is played during silent films and some classical music events. Find any excuse to visit this theatre, and dress in formal wear if you can.

Went there for a Nutcracker ballet. While I did not like it, the theater itself was very small and nice. Staff is very friendly and helpful.

A great place to see an opera in San Jose. The staff was very helpful and their intermission cookies were great. Its beautiful inside and theres a nice courtyard for special events. Parking was easy because there are plenty of pay lots within a block.

Good 4 certain kind of performance. The show I went to was a torture. The sound controller must have hearing problem or did not know how to adjust for that kind of music.

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.

Beautiful theatre. A bit of a labyrinth but fun to explore through levels, hallways, elevators and stairs. Very helpful staff.

Beautiful restored old theater right downtown near SOFA

Had an incredible time watching the show with the parents.

Take any opportunity you can to visit this beautiful, historic theater.

Grand old theatre with great acoustics and sight lines

Good experience to see the nutcracker before Christmas. Only can’t take the drinks from the bar inside to enjoy them so we felt a bit rushed.

Opera San Jose Fantastic!! And beautiful theater

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

Easily accessible. Good infrastructure. Surrounded by coffee shops and parkings. Public transport and bike dock is available.

Have only been here to watch movies during Cinequest. Real nice theatre. Very big and has a large balcony section. Most views are perfectly fine, including in the balcony. I imagine its a very good venue for plays and other stage performances, probably better than for movies. I was not at all impressed with the sound for the movies Id seen. The sound seemed to be coming out of one or two speakers at the front, and the fidelity of the sound seemed really poor, kinda muddled, to where I had trouble understanding some dialogue. The other beef was the seats, which are just okay. Theyre clean and in good shape, but they dont lean back much, if at all. And there isnt a whole lot of leg room if youd prefer to stretch out or cross you legs.

Not great for movies because of the sound quality and I dont like that you have to leave your food and drink at the front door but youre allowed to buy theirs. Other than that I really like it.

Great place for dance shows and competition.

Parking is really bad and expensive, but overall the theatre is a beautiful place.

Opera is not my thing, however, I ended up here on my Birthday to see Cinderella. What a marvelously restored building. The painted ceiling was amazing, as well as the view from our seats in the second level. The lobby was very large, very neat, and the entire visit was wonderful. I am doubtful I will go back for an opera, but this place is a must visit if your passing through San Jose.

Theater seating created intimate environment for panel talks and while accommodating many attendees.

They surprisingly had AMAZING coffee. I wish I knew what kind they served. Symphony was wonderful but the floor at my seat was a bit sticky.

I used to go to this theater when I was youngster in the 50s. My first movie was King Kong in black and white. Spent many good times there. When it closed and then was used as space for garage bands, I kept my Hopes up that they wouldnt tear it down like so many buildings on that block.Now I can say that 60-some years later I can go back to a venue I loved, and see different kinds of performances in a well restored space.

Beautiful restored historic theatre. Worth a visit just to see the inside of this lovely building. Seating is comfortable. There is plenty of parking in area garages, and lots of local restaurants to try. There bathrooms are clean and adequate.

Very nice theatre, the staff handled crowds well. Saw Universal by Brian Cox which was amazing!

Just watched the Russian nutcracker ballet at this historic venue. What a treat!

Have gone to a couple of operas here and the experience has always been great. The staff is friendly and the place is beautiful. Operas start on time so if you arrive late you will not be seated in your regular seat. This rule is set because they dont want to disrupt the experience for others. Once half time happens though, you can sit on your seat for the rest of the show.

Historic theatre with beautiful & exquisite ornamentations and wall & ceiling paintings & stencils. You get a flashback of old-time movie theatres. Great place to watch a performance.

Beautiful venue! Just wished it was better for those with disabilities to navigate

Beautiful place, a walk through time!

Wonderful, opulent theater from the gilded age.

A great venue for the San Jose Opera. Acoustic are great and the ambience is purely of that of a group of aficionados. No pretenses there. Come dressed as you like.

We saw Cinderella by Alma here.Extremely nice venue.

Could have more food options at the concession stands. Otherwise, it is a very beautiful theatre to attend events at. The balcony is just as good as the bottom row of seating.

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

This is a gorgeous Opera House that beguiled its rather bland exterior. Inside, the views are all excellent, and the acoustics are great.It is a bit on the narrow side in the lower lobby, but if you need a bit of space or air, there are dozens of little sub lobbies and outside areas during intermission.

Gorgeous theatre, not to big. Take some time to look at the architecture.

Its beautiful. Lovely to be walking through some San Jose history.

All employees were very helpful getting us seated. I use a walker and was directed to an elevator to get to the seats on the ground floor.

Joined my daughter for her school field trip here for the Silicon Valley Symphony. Gorgeous venue and beautiful music.

Facilites are ornately designed, seats arecomfortable for a theater, everything is clean and the staff are all knowledgeable and kind to you.Went there for The Empire Strips Back tour and it was a great show, the acoustics of the show were not hampered by the layout of the building. Excellent venue

Amazing place! great staff as well

Lovely place for a classy event!

It was really good. We had a graduation ceremony and promotion for middle School students. Bathrooms were good and clean. There auditorium(s) were realy nice.

Beautiful older building with a good staff.

Great historic theater with comfortable seating and good acoustics.

Beautiful theater very handicap accessible elevator & seats good snacks and choices of cocktails and soft drinks Killer choc chip cookies at intermission Great variety of opera and symphony pieces to choose from

Beautiful theatre. Come see something!

Beautifully appointed theater with comfortable seats that offer plenty of legroom.

Great acoustics, gorgeous architecture, many entrances, lots of helpers, smooth handling of walkers/ wheelchairs, easy access to intermission treat counters, large bathrooms. Well kept historic luxury feel throughout.

Fun performance.

Really nice theater. Has a great historical feel but was warm and clean when we went. We were put in a private room because we had a baby, which was very pleasant and was perfect for us.

Phenomenal building - the detail in the architecture and ceiling is phenomenal.Cons - was in the upper balcony and it was extremely hot. Had some audio issues early on. Not sure if this was the fault of the show or theatre, so marking as 4 stars

1927 silent movie palace that was lovingly restored and is now home to San Joses opera and symphony. Additionally, It plays host to smaller performing arts groups, special events, weddings, and the Cinequest Film festival.

Fantastic theatre with retro fixtures and furniture.

Stunning theatre. I went here for Cinequest Film Festival to see the Sapphires and it was such a blast. The building makes you feel like you have stepped back in time to a more glamorous day and time. There is an option to sit either at the orchestra level or in the balcony, and both are great. The architecture is absolutely beautiful, and it is hard not to get distracted by it and want to just stare at it when a movie is playing (not in a bad way, in a great way actually). Overall, this theatre truly is the full vintage experience.

A gorgeous theater. I highly recommend coming to see some very talented opera singers that come through here.

Enjoyed the venue, all good seats. Nicely done

Good refurbished decor theater in downtown San Jose.

Poor handicapped accessibility. Must go up or down stairs to get to elevator.

Very nice venue but a little outdated. Sound system isnt the greatest. The policy of not closing the doors after curtain time and letting latecomers disturb the rest of the patrons is a problem. Saw a ballet performance of Sleeping Beauty here and it was exceptional.

Great view from mezzanine. Snacks and adult drinks available. Parking was easy and affordable. Lots of great restaurants in the neighborhood.

Excellent venue for movies and theater. The restored glory of this old theater is wondrous. The best seats are in the balcony.

Wonderfully restored movie palace. Dennis James accompanying a silent movie called the Wurlitzer organthe best theater organ in the country.

Came here with friends to see Chris Hardwick, it was a small, intimate theater. I liked it a lot. The ushers were awesome. They sold adult beverages and the show was hilarious. Good times, good venue.

I love this comfortable and lovely theater. The ushers, concessions and more are top notch

Very nice older theatre. Lots of great movies. No major movies, but smaller productions

Great building. (Bad service inside but thats to be expected) Lots of bathroom stalls. Really beautiful architecture

When to a burlesque show. Good show. Was able to pre order intermission drinks before show. They were waiting for us. No standing in line. Some spent the whole intermission in line. Definitely pre order.

Its good theater. You can see from everywhere. Good seating

Went and saw The Empire Strips Back amazing show!

Renaissances 2 Graduation along with school band

Went there with my family for a performance. Great theatre