One of the most beautiful examples of Art Deco still remaining, the Paramount Theatre stands as a gem among stones of Oakland, CA. Opened in 1931, the lower part of the marquee has undergone a few facelifts over the years. Of of my favorite theaters to stand before and look at. Just make sure you don't go to downtown Oakland at night by yourself.
On this site was originally a Spanish style theater called the Mayfield, which was the name of a community that was anexed into Palo Alto. In 1951, the Mayfield was gone, and the simple looking, Moderne style Fine Arts Theatre stood in its place. It's now a coffee house, but the exterior is still in tact.
