La Paloma Theatre (471 S. Coast Hwy 101)

“It may have been the first ‘talking’ theater in ‘rural’ U.S.A.”

On opening night, February 11, movie stars came from Hollywood, the Kilgen Wonder Organ played the “La Paloma” overture, vaudeville acts performed. Then, as heavy red velvet curtains parted and lights dimmed, a feature film flashed in the screen, “The Cohens and Kelleys in Paris”. It was the most exciting night in Downtown Encinitas history.

On February 11, 1928 La Paloma Theatre opened with the film “The Cohen's And Kelly's in Paris.” The gala event was attended by Hollywood starlet and soon to be Academy Award winner Mary Pickford. It has been rumored that she rode her bicycle all the way to La Paloma from Fairbanks Ranch for the event.

La Paloma (The Dove) was one of the first theatres to show “Talkies.” Talking pictures premiered in 1927 with the Warner Bros. film “The Jazz Singer” starring Al Jolson. Making the transition from silent pictures to “talkies” didn't happen overnight, so La Paloma was also equipped with a beautiful pipe organ, a standard piece of theatre equipment during the Silent era. Films in the early days of motion pictures were usually preceded by a vaudeville stage act, and La Paloma was well suited for that.

Over the years many performers have graced the stage of La Paloma. Musical artists as diverse as Loreena McKennitt, Nickel Creek, Ralph Stanley, Jerry Garcia and Eddie Vedder.

Today, the La Paloma Theatre is a vibrant part of the Encinitas art scene and hosts many community and City functions throughout the year as well as daily programs such as concerts, stage productions and movies.