Fremont Theater, Movie theater and concert venue in San Luis Obispo, United States

The Fremont Theater is a Streamline Moderne movie theater and concert venue in San Luis Obispo, California, designed by S. Charles Lee and opened in 1942. Its auditorium holds about 850 seats, reduced from the original 1,060, and its interior walls carry murals by the Heinsbergen Decorating Company.

The theater opened on May 29, 1942 with the film 'This Above All' and was visited by famous personalities including Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy at its debut. It represents one of the final Streamline Moderne theaters designed by architect S. Charles Lee.

The Fremont's name and Streamline Moderne facade tie it to the Fox circuit it originally belonged to. Since reopening on September 1, 2017 as a concert venue, it has hosted acts such as Steel Pulse, Los Lobos and Lindsey Buckingham. Yes recorded and videotaped Keys to Ascension here in 1996.

The Fremont stands on Monterey Street in downtown San Luis Obispo, and its vertical sign was damaged by a storm in February 2026. The city then suspended its certificate of occupancy, so check the venue's status before planning a visit. Seating was cut to about 850 by 2012 and reduced further after 2017 to make room for dancing.

The auditorium murals were painted by the Heinsbergen Decorating Company, the firm behind the interiors of many 1920s and 1930s movie palaces. In 1996 the band Yes recorded and videotaped performances at the Fremont for its album Keys to Ascension. A February 2026 storm damaged the vertical sign, and the city then suspended the certificate of occupancy.