1940s PCH Laguna Beach between Broadway St. (from the inland canyon areas) and Forest Avenue… The Main Beach is on the right, although the old buildings block the more modern day views. Hello, From the time we always drove past this old theater on our southerly Coast Highway surf adventures, we always thought it was a small theater compared to the ones in Long Beach. The Laguna Theater was small as we found out during our surf movie presentations and viewing. Parking was always a scramble and for most, a long walk to get to the theater. In the past history of Laguna Beach, the next door neighbor is and always has been one of the earliest gas stations in time. At one point, there were 4 gas stations, one on each corner of the intersection. But, the two on the beach sand side were taken out and the ocean view Main Beach attraction became the major draw in Laguna Beach for travelers. The other two gas stations are still in the same location after various upgrades and rebuilds. But, now that movie theater viewing is down due to the pandemic parameters, this movie theater has also been idle for a while. Thoughts of demolishing it was nixed by the preservationists and it had to stay a theater of some kind for any new developer. 2023 The original site of the theater and its old neighbor, one of the 4 gas station sites on PCH back in the very early days. The building originally opened in 1934 as the New Lynn Theater. It has served as a stage for Vaudeville performances, has been the place for movie premieres and opening nights. And don’t forget the numerous surf movies if they were not played in the local high school auditorium, a few blocks away. Since it was in Orange County, the big time Hollywood movies that showed here were not the first run extravaganza movies. We had to drive to Los Angeles/Hollywood to see those shows when they first opened. This coastal theater is one of the only ones across the street from a beautiful sandy shoreline and makes standing in line for any movie, surf movies or a “Saturday night at the movies” a big thing. For years, it has sat empty, waiting for a new life. The theater has been successfully listed on the National Register of Historic Places. So, it remained in its historic phase without being demolished. “LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian has officially broken ground on the South Coast Theater project, according to the City of Laguna Beach.” Construction at the site of the historic theater on South Coast Highway in Laguna Beach is ongoing and progressing quickly toward a planned opening at the end of this year, according to the city. According to Rivian, the redesign would slightly change the building's footprint but not the historic details.” “Rivian would reduce the theater to 130 seats, transform screening rooms, and build and lobby area into space for community-focused programs and education. Inside the lobby, two electric vehicles would be on display. There, visitors can learn about the electric vehicle manufacturer and its mission of sustainability.” “The minds at Rivian see the revived theater area to "become a centralized meeting spot in the downtown area," they say. The theater portion would be maintained for screening movies, live entertainment, lectures, and educational programs for Laguna Schools. The building's footprint will not change, and the mission would be focused on "connecting people to the arts and the outdoors," Jnaki The Coast Highway drive is not the same as in the old days or even today. There are a lot of changes going on in this small coastal city. It is still considered one of the Westcoast “jewels” in vacation spots or just a daytrip. We have been coming to Laguna Beach since the late 40’s with my dad’s penchant for surf fishing in coves and rocky outcroppings. Then our southerly journeys to go to the best surf spots along this portion of the coastline was almost a daily road trips and during the school year, definitely, a weekend adventure. In our teenage years Laguna Beach was a destination spot for nighttime strolls along the portion of the beach. After a long stairway drop to the ocean/sand, a moonlight stroll… with feet dangling in the wet sand/water… Living here was once affordable for most young couples. But, as all things go… It is what it is…YRMV
The Jalopy Journal
