We're celebrating the reopening of the historic South Coast Theater in Laguna Beach this week as our first flagship Rivian space. It's been a year of putting down roots for us. We've met so many new friends as we opened spaces across North America, from New York to Vancouver and in between.
Beyond selecting sites and buildings with good bones, we choose inviting places that foster connection with our communities. That's why at the South Coast Theater we've restored its original auditorium to screen films for the public once again and serve as a creative hub for the neighborhood. After three years of careful restoration, we're excited to welcome the community back inside this local icon.
For nearly 80 years, the South Coast Theater was the only theater in Laguna before closing down in 2015. Since purchasing the theater, Rivian has worked to preserve its iconic facade and marquee and restore its unique interior features.
Restoration in progress
With its original charm and comfortable updates, we hope that the theater will continue to be a cultural hub for the neighborhood and connect local communities and visitors to the past, present and future of Laguna Beach.
The tiled courtyard, the distinctive vertical tower, the star-shaped ceiling light fixture, the murals — the art of restoration is to keep the unique features and character of historic places alive.
The four original murals, painted on canvas by American landscape artist Edgar Payne, were taken down during a prior remodel before Rivian purchased the building. Although the paintings were heavily worn over the years, one of the murals, Settlement, has recently undergone extensive conservation treatment and is on display at the Laguna Art Museum.
As an homage to the original Edgar Payne paintings, we commissioned two new murals by southern California artist Ariel Lee to hang in the same arched alcoves. Much as Payne took inspiration from Laguna's history, Ariel describes her paintings as a love letter to the surrounding mountains, deserts and beaches.
Looking back
The South Coast Theater has been a central part of the coastal Laguna Beach neighborhood — an enthusiastic, art-centric community — since it opened in 1937. Back then, a ticket cost 25 cents. This weekend, admission will be free. We're excited for all the new moments that will be shared as we turn the lights back on and re-open the theater to the public.
Laguna's long history as an arts colony continues to attract filmmakers, sculptors, writers, glassblowers, painters. Venues like the South Coast Theater function as incubators for these local artists by fueling creative expression and collaboration.
Coming Soon
Opening events and future programming.
To truly stand up a community creative hub, the theater's operations will be supported through local partnerships. The Laguna Beach-based non-profit, Coast Film Foundation, will curate independent films to screen. Equator Coffees, a women-owned coffee roaster, will serve up treats and hot drinks and Orange County founded Almond Surfboards will be featured in the on-site Gear Shop.
Learn about future events like family art workshops and beach excursions here.
© 2026 Rivian
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