Niguel Theatre

When the theatre was operated by Pacific Theatre chain. The theatre would have problems when the pacific ocean would over run the Pacific Coast Highway and flood the front of the theatre.

The Niguel Theatre at 27 Monarch Bay Plaza opened with an unnamed major studio preview on June 9, 1965. On June 10, they began their regular program with Gregory Peck in “Mirage.”
On the weekend of March 24-26, 1972, the biggest bank burglary in U.S. history took place at the United California Bank located at 6 Monarch Bay Plaza. The burglars were misinformed that 30 million of President Nixon’s secret campaign contributions was nestled in the bank. After month of planning they spent the weekend penetrating the bank only to find that there was no Nixon money. If there was any Nixon money it was in San Clemente, south of Dana Point. The burglars however did manage to escape with 8 million including safety deposits. Within a year, the FBI had arrested some of the perpretators or knew who the others were. This intriguing story is told in a series of articles in the Orange County Register on February 23-25, 2003

As for the flooding mentioned earlier, I believe you are thinking of another theatre (perhaps, the Laguna Beach South Coast). The Niguel was located well above sea level and not directly adjascent to the ocean (a large gated community has stood on the ocean side of PCH for quite some time). The Niguel's flooding and water damage issues were the result of the theatre being built at the base of a hillside; i.e. drainage problems during heavy rains. While the theatre is long gone, Monarch Bay Plaza still stands, near the corner of Crown Valley and PCH.

Photo of the Niguel.
http://occinema.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/nigueltheatre.jpg

Boxoffice of April 12, 1965, reported that the Niguel Theatre, to be operated by South Coast Theatres, would have 478 seats. The project was designed by San Clemente architect Ricardo A. Nicol.