In this week’s post, I decided to take it easy from the normal reporting business and check out what Pacific Heights has to offer and I thought to myself: what better way to spend a boring Monday night than going to catch a movie?

That’s exactly what I did, and I knew the Clay Theater was the place to go to.

While it is the only movie theater in the neighborhood, this historic landmark offers a movie experience that is hard to come by in San Francisco.

Built in 1910, the structure shifted owners only three times throughout its history and hasn’t changed much through the years until 1991, when new amenities were introduced to provide the Pacific Heights area with a modern moviegoing experience.

The landmark never ceases to pull in a diverse crowd of moviegoers, as a mix of old and young, couples and friends come to watch a flick in a movie theater as timeless as the Clay. Even at the last screening of the night, an impressive crowd of people came to stuff their faces with popcorn as they watched the new Woody Allen film “Blue Jasmine.”

The Clay is located right in the heart of Pacific Heights, surrounded by local businesses like Palmer’s Tavern right across the street and high-end outlets and restaurants, making it a short walk for residents in the area and the the perfect spot for moviegoers to grab a bite to eat afterwards.

Its one theater room only allows it to screen one movie at a time, so the establishment is very selective in the films it plays. In regards to the movies it screens, the Clay has a history of kicking it old school and celebrating independent and classic films.

It is one of a handful of theaters in California belonging to Landmark Theaters, an organization composed of award-winning historic theaters across the country. While company policy keeps employees from speaking to the press without consent from executives, their friendly and energetic cashiers make customers feel more like friends than easy money.

Though admired for being a historic landmark in the area as well as in San Francisco, the Clay keeps the authenticity of a classic establishment while providing a modern moviegoing experience. By incorporating modern amenities associated with movie theaters of today, such as digital sound, comfier seats and renovations to the overall building.

The Clay is also a participant in Landmark Theaters’ EcoSelect initiative launched on Earth Day 2010. The initiative sets the company and its theaters apart from behemoth chains by significantly reducing its theaters’ carbon footprints with popcorn bags made by renewable energies; just another way the Clay has been able to keep in touch with its customer base.

As a movie buff, I can safely say the Clay offers a different vibe that sets it apart from the megaplexes many of us flock to for the next summer blockbuster. Its history, charming setup and commitment to an incredible moviegoing experience makes it a movie theater to be respected.

The Clay will be kicking off October with films sure to bring out the spirit of Halloween. Stephen King’s “The Shining” will be playing at the Clay, while moviegoers looking to trade scares for a song or two could groove to the cult classic musical “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Both pictures are screening for selected dates, so catch them while you still can!