Long Beach & San Pedro
An anchor of Retro Row, this lovingly restored 1924 art-deco gem is Long Beach's only single-screen cinema, showing a compelling mix of classic and art…
Must-see entertainment in Southern California
Downtown Los Angeles & Boyle Heights
Founded in 1965, this pioneering Asian-American ensemble seeks to build a bridge between Eastern and Western theatrical styles. Its repertoire of Broadway…
Santa Monica
Aspiring Harry Potters won't be the only ones who enjoy the comedy-laced sleight-of-hand, levitation and other illusions performed by Steve Spills and…
Los Angeles
What was originally an art-deco movie house is now a 317-seat theater used by the Center Theatre Group to stage oft-terrific new plays by fresh, up-and…
La Jolla
One of the area’s most established comedy venues, the Comedy Store also serves popcorn, drinks and barrels of laughs. Expect a cover charge (from $10 on…
West Hollywood & Mid-City
A 1931 art-deco dance hall decked out in red velvet and chandeliers and flaunting an awesome sound system and excellent sightlines. Although it can hold…
Hollywood
Every seat is within 100ft of the stage at this up-close-and-personal outdoor amphitheater. Recently renovated and with the Hollywood Hills as a backdrop,…
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Coastal Orange County
The county's main performance venue is home to the Pacific Symphony, Philharmonic Society of Orange County and Pacific Chorale. It draws international…
West Hollywood & Mid-City
A fancy all-stadium, 14-screen multiplex with comfy reclining seats, wall-to-wall screens and superb sound. The Monday Morning Mommy Movies series (11am)…
Hollywood
Runs the hugely popular summer season of outdoor movies at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, as well as organizing occasional film screenings at Downtown's…
Santa Monica
Sure, this mecca of musicianship sells guitars and other instruments, but you want to come for the concerts in the back room. Since 1969 everyone from…
Hollywood
Established in 1997, this acclaimed, non-profit theater company is known for staging innovative, eclectic works, including world and West Coast premieres…
Downtown Los Angeles & Boyle Heights
This historic theater originally opened in 1914 as the National Theater, and became the Regent in 1917. These days it's known as a live-music venue,…
Santa Barbara
Harking back to 1931, this Mission Revival–style movie palace has a Spanish courtyard and a star-spangled ceiling. It’s a drop-dead gorgeous place to…
San Diego
This huge Native American–owned casino-hotel offers plenty of slots, blackjack and roulette. Entertainment includes stand-up acts in its comedy club, and…
Westlake & Koreatown
MacArthur Park's historic band shell hosts a series of free evening concerts each summer. The programming is eclectic and democratic, ranging from world…
Los Angeles
The ‘Gang’ was founded in 1981 by Tim Robbins and other renegade UCLA acting-school grads. Robbins remains the artistic director and the company's daring,…
Santa Barbara
One unpretentious brick room plus live music almost nightly equals Soho, upstairs inside a downtown office complex behind McDonald’s. Lineups range from…
San Fernando Valley
Near Universal Studios, a dancing spud beckons you to come inside this diminutive jazz-and-blues hall where the schedule mixes no-names with big-timers…
Hollywood
Booking service for a variety of free TV-show tapings, including Big Bang Theory and 2 Broke Girls. Tickets for most shows are released 30 days prior to…
Downtown Los Angeles & Boyle Heights
Built in 1915, the Old Pacific Stock Exchange building is home to the commendable Latino Theater Company. Expect excellent stage shows exploring…
Greater Palm Springs
This intimate theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum has great acoustics and presents an eclectic schedule of films, lectures, theater, ballet and music…
Downtown Los Angeles & Boyle Heights
The other NBA basketball team in Los Angeles beside the Lakers, the Clippers also play their home games at the Staples Center.
San Diego
Built in 1928, this landmark – and central Encinitas’ main venue – shows arthouse movies nightly and The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Fridays at midnight,…
Downtown Los Angeles & Boyle Heights
Cinephiles head here for independent films, movie-related Q&As and film festivals showcasing anything from Asian-Pacific cinema to arty dirty shorts…
San Diego
In a kiosk next to Balboa Theatre, Arts Tix has discount tickets (up to half-price) for same-day evening or next-day matinee performances, and discounted…
Downtown Los Angeles & Boyle Heights
Currently the most active of Broadway's historic theaters, the Orpheum hosts everything from touring musicals and rock bands to comedy shows and galas…
The Deserts
Ride the retro vibe at one of the few drive-ins left in California at this 1960s movie theater with two screens and digital projection. It's about 4 miles…
San Diego
Bands play most nights, and each night has a different happening: open mike, karaoke, comedy, cover bands for the Grateful Dead and Red Hot Chili Peppers,…
Newport Beach
Showing movies since 1938, the Lido screens mostly mainstream Hollywood fare but some indie flicks too. Fully restored, it has a red-velvet waterfall…
Santa Barbara
This beautifully restored 1930s Spanish Moorish–style theater is home to the city’s symphony, ballet and opera, as well as touring Broadway shows and big…
San Diego
This accomplished orchestra presents classical and family concerts at Jacobs Music Center. Look for summer concerts at Embarcadero Marina Park South.
San Diego
Large country-and-western–style dance hall offering free early-evening line-dancing lessons, plus live music, mechanical bull-riding and a touch of rock…
West Hollywood & Mid-City
The Marx Brothers used to keep offices at this long-standing club. It still gets some big names (such as Kevin Nealon and Dave Chappelle) as well as up…
Santa Barbara
One of California’s oldest theaters (founded in 1873) presents modern dance, chamber music, jazz and world-music touring acts and stand-up comedy nights.
San Diego
Performances and improv classes in Mission Hills and a regular 'whose line is it anyway' type show on Fridays and Saturdays (tickets from $18).
San Fernando Valley
The cinema at the Americana offers cushy, reserved, amphitheater-style seating, loads of leg room and Monday Morning Mommy Movies at 11am.
Santa Monica
Current, tasteful and thought-provoking art-house films are screened in this beautifully renovated multiplex a block off the Promenade.
Laguna Beach
Orange County’s oldest continuously operating community theater stages lighter plays in summer, more serious works in winter.
Hollywood
This small stage puts on (often) award-winning productions of plays and musicals telling of the LGBT experience.
