Elegant theater. Excellent acoustics. It's 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.

Came here to watch west side story and we had some middle orchestra seats - overall really enjoyed my experience - the audio quality was good and we had a good view from our seats. The play was also good, and they had lots of ushers and staff on site to make checking in and finding our seats easy.

A beautifully ornate movie palace built in 1927. The Wurlitzer organ was built in 1926 for the Fox Theater in Riverside, California. The theater is a wonderful setting, with no bad seats. Theater performances are often preceded by an organ concert by Jerry Nagano, a very skilled and talented organist. (This is true for ALL opera performances.)

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 went to attend a lecture by a famous physicist. Lightning and audio system was excellent.

Classical theater, built for smaller intimate crowds. Attended the Trey Kennedy tour and had a blast! I would definitely go back for a future show.

I’ve watched two performances at this theater and I really enjoyed it both times. Beautiful design, good views from almost any seat, and clean restroom facilities at every level.

Beautiful piece of SJ history. Usually hosts smaller productions, but still a worthwhile visit if there is a show that interests you.

This is a lovely theater. It was our first and last time attending. The show, Cinderella, was advertised on the theater's website as being 2.5 hours including intermission. In reality, the show was 3 hour and 15 minutes. Had we known that, we would not have brought our 10 year old child to the show. Worse, the temperature in the theater was unbearably warm. Audience members were fanning themselves throughout the show with the programs. It was a miserable experience. I wouldn't have expected this after spending upwards of $300 on tickets. As a former performing artist myself, I can't imagine how the artists on stage were feeling, ie. the heat, coupled with lights and costumes. This was a huge fault of the management of the venue. Unacceptable and so disappointing. Treat your customers better.

We sat on the lower level orchestra. We had a good view of the stage however the low lights on the ceiling were a little distracting. There was a decently stocked snack bar were everything tastes aa you expect but don't get the donuts, they are a bit dry. The lobby is a great place to relax around. The ushers are also very responsible and helpful.

Beauticul venue! Reminds me if the Fox Theater in Oakland with its ornate details. Good views from my seats too, though I think high up in the balcony or on orchestra level will have limiting views.

Love attending Symphony San Jose concerts here. The acoustics is great and the from the upper level, I can view the whole orchestra

Beautiful performing arts center with lots of public parking around.

The beautifully restored theater has unobstructed views, excellent sound and comfortable seats. Refreshments are adequate. Everything is in place to enjoy what you're there to see. This particular day we were there for the Symphony San Jose, which had a pretty great night. So did we!

We arrived 1 minute before the performance due to a transportation mixup and were treated very sympathetically. We sat way high in the balcony, which was actually excellent for seeing and hearing.

The California Theater, located right in downtown San Jose, is a great place to see a show! I saw a Tech Roast and was on the first floor, which had pretty good seats. Audio is great as well! The entire location is GORGEOUS. The tasteful decorations and ambient lighting elevates your experience. There are clean, standard bathrooms on site, and the staff is very welcoming and lovely. They will keep your food and help you get to your seat while being chatty and friendly.

I've been going to the San Jose Symphony performances at the California since it was reopened in 2004. The first night I was there I sat next to a gentleman whose mother took him to see movies there in the 1930s! There theater is beautiful on the inside and had great acoustics.

Good place to enjoy some Opera, check out the organ playing on the entrance, also check out the cookies, if there any of course.

Great venue to watch sjDANCEco and San Jose Chamber Orchestra performances.

This movie house is located inside the mall and was very nice and huge inside. It was newly built, and the place was very tidy and comfortable. The chairs were the best! It was super cozy! It was definitely our new favorite cinema in town! We will be watching our favorites here! And don't forget to have your popcorn and fries first!

The sound quality of this theatre is world class! I enjoy the performances of Opera San Jose. If you do go here to see the opera, please do not miss the lecture before the opera. Contex is so important with opera,I feel. I have some pictures, but the beauty of the theatre is something best experienced in person. It is an all encompassing experience for the senses.

I loved my first ever San Jose Symphony Chorale performance at the California Theater! And I'm going to make this my annual tradition to visit with friends and family during Christmas time. I had booked orchestra seats under the balcony section, and the acoustics did not disappoint!

The theatre is excellent. Love the sound system, ample seating allowance for long legs. I’ve got middle front row seats, very good view. The show was entertaining, too.

Good theater to watch a movie or go see the symphony. The structure inside is very beautiful and they have a balcony also if you want to look down at the performance. There are a variety of places to eat around the theatre too either before or after.

The California Theater is a gem. It's one of the best places in the area to enjoy the opera. Not too big and not too small, comfortable seating, friendly and helpful ushers and staff, easy parking and good acoustics make it a wonderful place to see a show.

WONDERFUL small opera venue. We saw West Side Story. A lively cat and amazing orchestra! Great seating and small concession stand with snacks, wine and beer. Very nice evening!

This historic theater is a fantastic place to see the symphony, or any other show for that matter! There isn't really a bad seat in the house, and there are plenty of restrooms, as well as a convenient concession area. There are also a number of tasty places nearby to grab a bite or a drink before or after the show!

The California Theatre is a beautifully restored early 1900s movie theater. The lobby is a bit small, but overall very elegant. The actual theater feels intimate and is a great place to watch a performance.

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

During this pandemic, It was a couple of months that I didn't go to any movie theaters. But when the time they open, I grab the opportunity to watch my favorite movie. I was so happy and comfortable inside the theater because we all wear a mask and observed social distancing.

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.

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.

This is not a knock on the theater - it is a knock on "Team San Jose" (i.e., the City of San Jose) and it's incompetent ticketing operation. If you order tickets online, their website only provides an email with a QR code that you must present at the theater door to be scanned. That's all well and good but there is no alternate provision to allow customers without smartphones to simply print out the scan code at home to carry to the theater. When asked about this, their solution? Drive down to the box office and we'll print it for you. Incredible.