What to do and see in California, United States: The Best Movie Theaters

June 1, 2021 Emerita Lamoureux

California is a fertile, peaceful place where you’ll find a near-equal balance of vineyards and deserts, beaches and mountains, hippies and traditionalists. Catch an epic wave in Big Sur or swirl a glass in Napa Valley. Be dazzled by the Joshua Tree night sky or just star-gaze in Hollywood. Swish down the slopes of a Tahoe ski resort, or cruise across the Golden Gate Bridge with the top down and the music blasting. Above all, don’t forget to soak up some Golden State sunshine.
Restaurants in California

1. California Science Center

700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037-1254 +1 323-724-3623 http://www.californiasciencecenter.org
Excellent
69%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,947 reviews

California Science Center

Space Shuttle Endeavour on display in the California Science Center's Samuel Oschin Pavilion. Please reserve your passes online or by phone. Explore over 100 permanent interactive science exhibits spanning several galleries. Admission to permanent exhibit galleries is Free! (excludes IMAX and special paid exhibits) Visit Ecosystems -- a hands-on exhibit home to nearly 400 plant and animal species. Come discover amazing environments from the familiar to the fantastic, and find out how the physical and living worlds affect each other.

Reviewed By raminb446 - Los Angeles, United States

The California Science Center is a state agency and museum located in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, next to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the University of Southern California.

2. Laemmle's Claremont 5

450 W 2nd St, Claremont, CA 91711-4664 +1 909-621-5500 http://www.laemmle.com/theaters/17
Excellent
65%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 94 reviews

Laemmle's Claremont 5

3. Regal Cinemas El Dorado Hills 14 & IMAX

2101 Vine St, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762-7117 +1 844-462-7342 http://www.regmovies.com/Theatres/Theatre-Folder/Regal-El-Dorado-Hills-Stadium-14-IMAX-7853
Excellent
55%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 94 reviews

Regal Cinemas El Dorado Hills 14 & IMAX

4. Paramount Theatre

2025 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612-2303 +1 510-893-2300 http://www.paramounttheatre.com/
Excellent
77%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 240 reviews

Paramount Theatre

A throwback to the 1930s with its art deco architecture.

Reviewed By Cruiser62569790470 - Oakland, United States

The Paramount is a beautiful theatre in the art-deco style in uptown Oakland, California. Great place to see music and theatrical shows. Recently I have had the pleasure of enjoying the music of Lila Downs, The Whispers, as well as the Oakland Ballet's Nutcracker. There are also free tours of the theatre during the week.

5. Crest Theater

1013 K St, Sacramento, CA 95814-3803 +1 916-442-7378 http://crestsacramento.com/
Excellent
64%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 154 reviews

Crest Theater

Opened in 1949, the spectacular Crest quickly became the city's top theater, which it remains today.

Reviewed By doctorbove - Sacramento, United States

The Crest is a Sacramento landmark. My girlfriend and I are lucky enough to see movies here quite frequently, and we love it! The old theater has charm and style, and makes for a fun date night. We usually walk down, grab a bite to eat nearby before or after, and enjoy a drink at the show. They have a diverse selection of films and concerts, and the staff is always very friendly and accommodating. This next month alone, we plan on seeing The Muppet Christmas Carol, Love Actually, and It's a Wonderful Life! Keep up the good work, and we'll see you soon!

6. Castro Theatre

429 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114-2019 +1 415-621-6120 [email protected] http://www.castrotheatre.com/
Excellent
64%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 453 reviews

Castro Theatre

Reviewed By Johnnywetsuit - Wellington, United States

My wife and I spend Christmas 2019 in San Francisco. The Castro Theatre and our our time in the Castro area was a definite highlight. We saw a viewing of "It's a Wonderful Life" just before Christmas and then a sing-a-long of "The Sound of Music" on boxing day. The theatre is gorgeous and well kept in its original style (see photos). You really feel like you've stepped back into its history as soon as you enter the theatre. An organist performs about 10 minutes before showtime on a hovering riser that can't be missed. Come early so you can check out the memorabilia on the walls and take in the beauty of this historical landmark. The only negative about our experience was that the popcorn was stale and flavorless. Boo! Note: If your movie has an intermission or it's a double feature (which many are) you'll have about 15 mins. to motor down to a nearby bar for an in-between movie drink. I recommend Harvey's. All-in-all the Castro Theatre was a highlight of our stay in San Francisco and a must do.

7. ArcLight Cinemas

6360 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028-7323 +1 323-464-1478 https://www.arclightcinemas.com/
Excellent
64%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 553 reviews

ArcLight Cinemas

Reviewed By rhiannonw319

Loved visit to this cinema!!! My 13 year old and myself saw several films on our holiday to LA at Arclight.. most films still not shown in UK. Went for meal in restaurant before one film and was made immediately welcome by Ryan our host. Chatted and was very sincere, brought us delicious food, and made us so welcome. Pitty we did not see him again, had 2 more meals but must not have been working that day. Other staff members were accommodating also. Hope to visit this amazing theatre again in future, so many audiotauriums, relaxed and plenty of room in them. Loves the presentations before beginning of films by Arclight staff. Really clean and well kept and close to amenities in Hollywood. Thankyou!!!! R Williams x

8. El Capitan Theatre

6838 Hollywood Blvd Rua Versalhes 45 Casa 4, Los Angeles, CA 90028-6102 +1 800-347-6396 http://elcapitantheatre.disney.com/
Excellent
67%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 421 reviews

El Capitan Theatre

Reviewed By TeamWard - Nottingham, United Kingdom

If you are on Hollywood blvd after visiting TCL Chinese you really do need to see the El Capitan theatre just a short walk away, glitz and glamour is the difference with a charming 1920/30's feel, well worth a look.

9. Galaxy Theatres Atascadero

6905 El Camino Colony Square, Atascadero, CA 93422 +1 805-460-0123 http://www.galaxytheatres.com/loc_atascadero.asp
Excellent
57%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
4%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 117 reviews

Galaxy Theatres Atascadero

Reviewed By The_Roamer - Templeton, United States

Many screens, good sounds, high-tech viewing options if you want to pay up for them, clean, no higher priced than others in this area (given you will pay insanely, absurdly high prices for concessions no matter what theater you go to anymore). $7 Tuesdays...all shows all day. Nice points club adds up quickly for free movies and concessions. Love the VIP room, 21+ year olds only, alcohol served, very comfortable seats. Went last night, sat between two very large people but was never bothered due to large seats with plenty of elbow room. Good place to see a flick!

10. Starlight Cinemas, Whittier Village

7038 Greenleaf Ave, Whittier, CA 90602-1304 +1 562-907-3300 http://www.whittiervillagecinemas.com/
Excellent
55%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 119 reviews

Starlight Cinemas, Whittier Village

Reviewed By 3dmac - Whittier, United States

This is a old school theater at uptown Whittier your popcorn is always fresh and prices are great. You can reserve your seat bad side are the seats don’t recline.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.