Niguel Theatre

32844 Crown Valley Parkway,
Dana Point, CA 92629

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Pacific Theatres

Architects: Ricardo A. Nicol

Styles: Spanish Colonial

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Niguel Theater - Monarch Bay Plaza, Dana Point, 1966

Opened onJune 9, 1965 with Gregory Peck in “Mirage”. The Niguel Theatre was a Spanish themed single screen venue, located near the borders of Dana Point and Laguna Beach, adjacent to the Pacific Coast Highway.

Originally owned by the family of actor James Cagney (an early investor in Dana Point realty), the venue was sold to Pacific Theatres in the late-1970’s and closed in 1980. The theatre has since been razed and the property redeveloped in to the high end strip mall, Monarch Bay Plaza.

Contributed by CTCrouch

Recent comments (view all 6 comments)

William
William on August 17, 2007 at 1:10 pm

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.

CTCrouch
CTCrouch on May 3, 2009 at 2:55 am

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.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on February 13, 2010 at 12:30 am

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.

seanu45
seanu45 on June 21, 2011 at 10:40 pm

This was a great little theater to go to since it wasn’t very busy. I lived in Laguna Beach and saw Swashbuckler and Zulu Dawn (3 times) there.

Dublinboyo
Dublinboyo on June 22, 2011 at 12:58 pm

The Niguel Theater was located next door to a great burger stand called “Duke’s on the Pacific Coast Highway. Good burgers and fries as I recall. In 1978 I saw "Big Wednesday” at the Niguel. In one of the scenes the William Katt character talks about “surfing Laguna” and a big cry came from the audience in response.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on March 14, 2019 at 1:30 am

Architect Ricardo A. Nicol.

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