Del Mar Theater
"Be Excellent To Each Other" Bill & Ted
Pacific Ave. Santa Cruz, CA
Originally built as a vaudeville theater in 1936.
Architect: J. Lloyd Conrich
Style: Zig-Zag Moderne (Art Deco)
Historical Marker Read: "Booming theatre business in Santa Cruz led the Golden State Theatre chain to replace the 700-seat Unique with the 1,500-seat Del Mar in 1936. The movie palace was a flagship of the chain, with a stage and 25 piece orchestra pit for vaudeville acts and conventions.
From his Del Mar Offices Barney Gurnette also managed the New Santa Cruz and Rio theatres. Live Del Mar shows continued into the 1970's with concerts by Lionel Hamption, Duke Ellington, Jerry Garcia, Tom Waits, Emmylou Harris, and the Tubes.
When a Chamber of Commerce bid failed to purchase the theatre, United Artists partitioned it into a four-plex in 1978. 1999 plans to convert it to shops and offices were stopped when a coalition was formed to save the theatre in 2001. The city redevelopment agency purchased the theatre, installed an elevator, and made the facility thoroughly accessible for the disabled.
Jesse Nickell of Barry Swenson Builder and George Ow Jr. renovated the structure and main auditorium, and the Nickelodeon's Jim Schwwenterley and Chuck Volwiler outfitted it for movies."
The Alameda a personal project by Bay Area photographer David C. Hill
Originally shared on Explore San Jose · May 17, 2021