The Balboa Theater is a much loved, independently owned, and classically restored movie theater. It's been serving audiences in the Outer Richmond since 1926. It's part of the CinemaSF local chain of San Francisco movie theaters, owned and operated by the San Francisco Neighborhood Theater Foundation.

General Admission: $8.50, Seniors and Children: $6.00, Bargain Matinees: $6.00

Discount Cards: 5 admissions for only $30 (that is $6 each). Good anytime. Can be used for two admissions to a single show.

This theater serves freshly popped popcorn with real butter, Caffe Trieste Coffees, fine teas, chai, hot chocolate, and Hebrew National Kosher hot dogs, Aidells' poultry Sausages, Vegi Dogs, Ice Cream, and Cookies. Complimentary popcorn seasonings are offered.

On your birthday you get free admission.

Mondays are School Days and Nights. With proof of being a student, faculty or staff member, your admission is only $6.00 on Mondays

Please see Movie theaters for more theater options.

History

Samuel Levin, who operated a number of theaters across San Francisco in the early 1900s, founded the Balboa on February 27, 1926. It was a single screen theater until 1978 (after a fire), when they added a second screen in order to increase revenues. The Levin family owned and operated the Balboa for over 75 years, until they sold it to Gary Meyer in February 2001.

Meyer was one of the founders of the Landmark Theatres chain, which he sold in 1995. He ran the Balboa for 10 years with much enthusiasm, showcasing quirky independent and foreign films and sharing passionate stories about movies in his weekly newsletter. In July 2011, Meyer announced that he was selling the Balboa, which needed about $200,000 in renovations.

In October 2011, the San Francisco Neighborhood Theater Foundation announced that it was partnering with Meyer to save the theater and raise funds to renovate it. In February 2012, the foundation announced that it would be operating the theater under the new name, CinemaSF. It's currently running a grassroots Sponsor-A-Seat campaign, where you can get your name on a new seat for $500.