Coast Cinemas

Fort Bragg's movie theater since 1964 — where generations gathered for Friday nights, first dates, summer matinees, popcorn, and some of the biggest movies of their lives.

Overview

Coast Cinemas is one of Fort Bragg's longest-running entertainment landmarks.

Since 1964, the theater at 135 S. Franklin Street has been a gathering place for local families, teenagers, couples, employees, and movie fans.

For many people, Friday night meant the Coast Theatre. Summers meant free matinees. For others, it was a first date, a first job, or the place they saw a movie they would remember for the rest of their lives.

Although the building has changed considerably inside, it has remained a movie theater for more than six decades.

Location

Coast Cinemas stands at 135 S. Franklin Street, just off Fort Bragg's downtown core.

Its location made it easy to reach from Main Street, Redwood Avenue, Laurel Street, and surrounding neighborhoods.

For generations of local children and teenagers, it was close enough to walk to, meet friends outside, and spend an afternoon or evening at the movies.

History

Coast Theatre opened at 135 S. Franklin Street on September 10, 1964.

It was built for Noyo Theatres and designed by architect Gale Santocono in a California Modern style.

The original theater was a single-screen auditorium seating roughly 650 to 680 people.

Community memories confirm that it began as one large theater. Early moviegoers also remember different seating sections, including elevated “lodge” seating with more comfortable chairs.

One of the strongest memories from the theater's early years is Mrs. McBurney, remembered as the formidable woman who ran the theater during the 1960s. Local children knew that bad behavior could result in being removed or even banned.

Free summer matinees became one of Coast Theatre's most fondly remembered traditions.

Local businesses including Savings Bank, Sprouse-Reitz, and Rexall distributed free movie passes, and residents remember children lining up around the block.

Inside, those matinees could become lively. People remember kids running through the aisles, popcorn boxes flying, and ushers with flashlights reminding children to keep their feet off the seats.

Movies remembered from those years include John Wayne films, Planet of the Apes, True Grit, The Railway Children, and 80 Steps to Jonah.

Later generations remember Jaws, Star Wars, Rocky, Blade Runner, The Dark Crystal, Heavy Metal, The Road Warrior, and many others.

Before Coast Theatre

Fort Bragg's moviegoing history began well before the Franklin Street theater opened.

Residents remember the earlier State Theatre on Main Street, north of the Masonic building.

The State Theatre had a mezzanine locals called “upstairs,” and people remember the era when smoking was still permitted inside theaters.

When Coast Theatre opened in 1964, it carried Fort Bragg's downtown movie tradition into a new generation.

Expansion and Changes

The original Coast Theatre was one large auditorium.

Over time, that auditorium was divided and additional screens were added.

Community memories describe the theater first being split into two auditoriums, followed by further expansion and eventually an upstairs screening room.

One unusual piece of that expansion history later surfaced in Comptche, where an old Coast Cinemas sign was found in a barn attic. The sign appeared to be connected with one of the theater's expansions and carried the name of Blue Persimmon sign company.

The building continued functioning as a theater through major changes in the movie business, including cable television, home video, DVDs, and streaming.

One community memory also recalls movie rentals being available through the theater for a period in the early 1990s.

Calling the Movies

Before websites and apps, Fort Bragg residents could find out what was playing by calling the theater.

Locals remember dialing 964-2019 and listening to a recorded listing of the current movies.

For some residents, that telephone number became almost as familiar as the theater itself.

Working at the Theater

Coast Cinemas was also a first job for a number of Fort Bragg teenagers.

Former employees remember working there around age sixteen, taking tickets, serving concessions, and helping keep the theater running.

Workers in the late 1980s and around 1990 recall free popcorn and soft drinks, leftover hot dogs, free movies, and being allowed to bring one friend into the theater.

Community Memories

Few Fort Bragg businesses seem to bring back memories as quickly as Coast Cinemas.

Residents remember inexpensive double features, free summer matinees, first dates, favorite films, and Friday nights when it sometimes mattered less what was playing than who would be there.

One person remembered admission costing 50 cents during the 1970s. Another remembered the original theater's regular and lodge seating in the summer of 1965.

Others remember gold-colored bathroom floors, nutritional yeast piled onto popcorn, and the upstairs auditorium feeling more like a large living room than a commercial movie theater.

One memorable story dates to 1982, when three young children fell asleep during Popeye and did not wake until around midnight. Their worried mother had already called police when they failed to come out of the theater.

Other memories are simpler: rainy afternoons, being dropped off by parents, walking downtown to meet friends, hearing the projector upstairs, and watching a favorite movie again and again.

Some remember Star Wars. Some remember John Wayne. Some remember popcorn flying through the air. And some remember the people they were with more clearly than the movie itself.

The Building Today

Coast Cinemas continues operating at 135 S. Franklin Street.

The interior is very different from the large single-screen theater that opened in 1964, but the building remains one of Fort Bragg's most enduring gathering places.

A change in ownership in 2025 kept the theater operating and preserved a local moviegoing tradition that has lasted through more than sixty years of changes in entertainment.

Timeline

Before 1964 — Fort Bragg residents remember the State Theatre on Main Street, north of the Masonic building.

September 10, 1964 — Coast Theatre opens at 135 S. Franklin Street as a single-screen theater.

1960s — Free summer matinees and children's shows become part of local tradition.

1965 — Community memories describe regular seating and elevated lodge seating in the original auditorium.

1960s–1970s — Local businesses distribute free summer-matinee tickets to area children.

1970s — Inexpensive admission, double features, and packed Friday nights become part of local memory.

Later years — The original auditorium is divided and additional screens are added.

1980s–1990s — Coast Cinemas remains a popular gathering place for local children, teenagers, families, employees, and movie fans.

Early 1990s — Community memory recalls movie rentals being available through the theater for a period.

2025 — New ownership continues operating Coast Cinemas.

Present — Coast Cinemas continues showing movies at 135 S. Franklin Street.