Your Quick & Easy Guide To The Magnolia in El Cajon, CA

The Magnolia History

After lying dormant for a decade, the former East County Performing Arts Center (established in 1977) was reborn in September 2019 as The Magnolia, the new crown jewel of San Diego’s concert scene. In the suburb of El Cajon, The Magnolia is a sleek soft-seater theater with a capacity of 1,200. But the venue’s gorgeous, refurbished concert hall is only part of The Magnolia experience — its outdoor plaza is a destination in its own right, playing host to food trucks, beer festivals, movie nights and other community gatherings.

The Magnolia Performers

In its opening months, The Magnolia established itself as the premier place in San Diego to catch jazz legends like Al Di Meola, soul icons like Patti LaBelle and rock veterans like Pat Benatar. And despite its stately environs, The Magnolia doesn’t shy away from more raucous events — it’s also welcomed metal overlord King Diamond.

Planning Your Visit to The Magnolia

Located in the heart of downtown El Cajon, The Magnolia is close to restaurants along the Main Street strip. The Downtown Cafe serves up pub classics like nachos and burgers, while Por Favor El Cajon is the place for Mexican staples like burritos and margaritas. Lovers of wood-fired artisanal pizza, meanwhile, can load up on premium toppings at URBN El Cajon.

The Magnolia Frequently Asked Questions

What are The Magnolia parking options?

The Magnolia has two parking lots: the North lot (with 120 spaces) can be accessed off of Magnolia Avenue at Park Avenue, while the east-side parking garage (with 400 spaces) is located off of W.D. Hall at Main Street.

Does The Magnolia serve food?

The concession stand in the lobby serves traditional theater snacks like popcorn, pretzels and candy.

What are the seating options at The Magnolia?

The Magnolia features three tiers of ticketing: Rear Reserved (consisting of the last three rows), Reserved (the majority of rows) and the Gold Circle (the six rows closest to the stage). The venue also sells admission to a VIP Lounge featuring an exclusive bar and elevated viewing areas.

What are The Magnolia safety & security guidelines?

The Magnolia has a clear-bag policy in effect with a maximum size of 12”x6”x12”. Small clutch-size bags are allowed with a maximum size of 4.5”x6.5”. Consult the venue’s FAQ page for a complete list of safety guidelines, forbidden items and COVID-19 protocols.

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