Balboa Theatre

The Balboa Theatre is a theater building in the Gaslamp Quarter that displays classical architectural details throughout its structure. Its interior contains a main floor seating area and a balcony level with a combined capacity of around 1,300 seats.

The theater opened in 1924 and was later recognized on the National Register of Historic Places for its design and role in the community. It has shaped the entertainment history of the neighborhood for nearly a century.

The theater serves as a main venue where opera singers, orchestra musicians, and ballet dancers perform for audiences throughout the year. It remains central to the city's performing arts scene and draws people who want to experience live cultural events.

The building is located on Fourth Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter and is reachable by multiple forms of transportation, including the local trolley system. Wheelchair access is available in the main floor seating area, making it accessible for visitors with different mobility needs.

The theater has an unusual seating arrangement where the right side of the house contains even-numbered seats and the left side features odd-numbered seats. This distinctive numbering method dates back to its opening and remains in place today.

Location: San Diego

Inception: 1924

Official opening: 1924

Capacity: 1339

Address: 854 Fourth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101

GPS coordinates: 32.71389,-117.16056

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:42