A Sad Goodbye to Sunset Theater

It is with great sadness that we begin to say goodbye to the Sunset Theater. This week, demolition began on our long-beloved, long-abandoned landmark.

Designed by San Francisco architect Albert Larsen & built in 1950, Sunset Theater debuted with a screening of John Wayne’s “Sands of Iwo Jima”. The opening of the theater was an exciting affair, featuring an amphibious tractor on display to promote the film with over 2,000 attendees and a performance from the Lodi Union High School Band. Until then, there were no theaters outside of Downtown Lodi and the Sunset was a big deal!

Over the years, the Sunset became a favorite local spot and home to so many cherished moments for Lodians. We are heartbroken to see it disappearing from our local landscape.

A recent adventurous renovation project, began in 2020, inspired hope that the Sunset would shine again, but over two decades of neglect had left the structure deemed beyond saving.

Though the Sunset has been closed since 1998, its memory burns bright & we are sad to see it go.

Share a memory of the Sunset Theater in the comments and help us as we try to live in the best parts of our past!

Want to know more about local historic preservation efforts like the Lodi Firehouse & City Hall Preservation Project? Click Here to learn about the building’s progress. Click Here to donate to the preservation fund & help us build Lodi’s first museum!

Sunset Theater, February 2026