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**Melonballer** · 10-08-2007, 09:57 PM

Re: Remember seeing movies at the Drive-In?

We have a Drive-In up here in the Bremerton Area. About 20 minutes or so from where I live. They only operate in the Summer. Its been there my entire life.

**Radiobarry** · 10-08-2007, 10:02 PM

Re: Remember seeing movies at the Drive-In?

Wow...thanks for all the great YouTube links...

Remember drive-ins? Are you kidding me? As a kid growing up in the 60's, my folks brought me 2-3 times a week...

And it the 70's, as a teenager and young adult...I still watched the movie most of the time.

Southern California, LA and Orange County, used to be the mecca of the drive-in theater.

No, there are none left in the OC...and between LA and and Ventura County, there's just one...the Vineland in the City of Industry. They still have a couple in the Inland Empire I believe.

Here's a link to a great website for SoCal drive-in fans and others as well.

http://mysite.verizon.net/res8ibgr/socaldriveins/

Enjoy. The snack bar closes in 10 minutes.

**aashee** · 10-08-2007, 10:06 PM

Re: Remember seeing movies at the Drive-In?

Fond memories! Nothing like hiding in the trunk so my parents would save $1.50.

Really though, Drive-inns are an awesome memory of my childhood. There is one in Santee Ca that I'm dying to go to next time I'm in San Diego.

**elly** · 10-08-2007, 10:08 PM

Re: Remember seeing movies at the Drive-In?

i used to LOVE going to the 101 Drive In in Ventura..i used to have a 1973 Volvo station wagon and we'd always park it backwards, throw sleeping bags in the back and kick back watching movies....i really miss those days

**Radiobarry** · 10-08-2007, 10:24 PM

Re: Remember seeing movies at the Drive-In?

Originally posted by elly View Post

i used to LOVE going to the 101 Drive In in Ventura..i used to have a 1973 Volvo station wagon and we'd always park it backwards, throw sleeping bags in the back and kick back watching movies....i really miss those days

On my latest visit to Barnes and Noble, in the strip mall where the 101 used to be...

I think I figured out that Kohl's Department store is just about where the snack bar used to be...

**Retrocool** · 10-08-2007, 10:25 PM

Re: Remember seeing movies at the Drive-In?

Don't forget to stop by the snack bar for some goodies in between shows!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<obje...mbed></object>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<obje...mbed></object>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<obje...mbed></object>

**elly** · 10-08-2007, 10:27 PM

Re: Remember seeing movies at the Drive-In?

Originally posted by Radiobarry View Post

On my latest visit to Barnes and Noble, in the strip mall where the 101 used to be...

I think I figured out that Kohl's Department store is just about where the snack bar used to be...

awww Barry..that makes me soooo sad, the last time we were in Ventura it was so weird to drive by there on the freeway and see all those stores instead of the drive-in.

**Retrocool** · 10-08-2007, 10:34 PM

Re: Remember seeing movies at the Drive-In?

Originally posted by Radiobarry View Post

No, there are none left in the OC...

This was the last one, off the 22 Freeway and Beach Blvd. in Westminster -

BUT!!!!

There's a new drive-in that's been operating all summer in Costa Mesa, at the OC Fairgrounds. It's been VERY popular.

http://www.star-vu.com/

Here's a shot of their opening night!

**elly** · 10-08-2007, 10:44 PM

Re: Remember seeing movies at the Drive-In?

We do have a Drive-In here in the Reno/Sparks area, but its in such a horrible part of town i honestly wouldn't feel comfortable going there, which is a shame

**knittingknerd** · 10-08-2007, 10:54 PM

Re: Remember seeing movies at the Drive-In?

Originally posted by Retrocool View Post

There's a new drive-in that's been operating all summer in Costa Mesa, at the OC Fairgrounds. It's been VERY popular.

http://www.star-vu.com/

Here's a shot of their opening night!

I saw Oceans 13 there! People are sooo nice (I kinda' forgot to wash my car pre-movies, and this guy who washes windows professionally right next to us! He saw us struggling and washed my window and it was soooo great!). Also you can bring your favorite foods in!

Look in the background, you can see Vanguard University.

**Retrocool** · 10-08-2007, 11:28 PM

Re: Remember seeing movies at the Drive-In?

By the way, Barry, here's a link with some info and photos on the Vineland, the only remaining drive-in theater in Los Angeles County. http://www.drive-ins.com/detail/catvine

You know, you might want to check out the Southern California Drive-In Movie Society, Barry. You seem like the kind of guy they'd love to have as a member.

Also, here's the info on the three in the Inland Empire you mentioned (plus two others I found out about!):

Van Buren Drive-in
3035 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside
951-688-2360
http://www.drive-ins.com/theater/catvanb
Screens: Three
Capacity: 1,500 cars
Opened: 1964
Admission: $7, 9 and younger free

Rubidoux Drive-in
3770 Opal St., Riverside
951-683-4455
www.rubidoux.icyspicy.com
Screens: Three
Capacity: 600 cars
Opened: 1948
Admission: $7, 9 and younger free

Mission Tiki Drive-in
4407 State St., Montclair
909-628-0511
www.missiontiki.com
http://www.drive-ins.com/theater/catmiss
http://www.myspace.com/missiontiki
(their snack bar even has churros!)
Screens: Four
Capacity: 1,885
Opened: 1956
Admission: $7, 9 and younger free

Skyline Drive-in
31175 Highway 58, Barstow
760-256-3333
Screens: Two
Capacity: 600
Opened: 1966
Admission: $6, $2 kids 2-11

Smith's Ranch Drive-in
4584 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms
760-367-7713
Screens: One
Capacity: 330
Opened: 1954
Admission: $5, 3 and younger free

Here's a great slideshow with audio that you'll probably enjoy: http://www.pe.com/multimedia/flash/2...n13/index.html

It's in relation to this news article in the Press-Enterprise:

Families return to Inland drive-in movie theaters

05:17 PM PDT on Thursday, July 12, 2007

By MARK MUCKENFUSS
The Press-Enterprise
Slideshow: See people enjoy a night at the drive in
Video: Experience the magic of drive-in theaters

Riverside had the Magnolia, San Bernardino the Mount Vernon. Banning sported the Cherry Pass, while Rialto and Fontana had the Foothill and Bel-Air, respectively. Even Big Bear Lake, like most Inland Empire communities, had its own drive-in theater. But it and the others are now gone.

If you had asked just about anyone 10 years ago, they would have told you the drive-in was history.

But like a Monty Python character, local drive-in theaters seem to be crying out "I'm not dead yet!"

In fact, in the past few years drive-in owners say they have seen a resurgence in business.

Although it usually takes opening multiple screens and daytime swap meets, theater owners say drive-ins have returned to profitability. Recently, the Orange County Fairgrounds began hosting the Star-Vu Drive-in, which uses an enormous inflatable screen.

"Maybe even 10 years ago, it started to pick up," says Fred Williams, who has managed the Van Buren Drive-in in Riverside for 38 years. "The last four years, things have been going like crazy."

Story continues below

Photos By Stan Lim / The Press-Enterprise
Skyline Drive-in 31175 Highway 58, Barstow; 760- 256-3333;
Screens: Two; Capacity: 600; Opened: 1966;
Admission: $6, $2 kids 2-11
Jeremy Gross, 15, and his sister Krista Kolonis, 6, both of Victorville,
sit on top of their van as their movie begins at Skyline Drive-In Theatre
in Barstow.

Williams and others say the resurgence is due to a number of factors. Most important is the fact that drive-ins are now offering first-run films instead of having to wait weeks for them. Better technology also has enhanced the quality of the picture and sound.

Paul Geissinger, 54, is president of the United Drive-in Theaters Association and owns Shankweiler's Drive-in in Orefield, Pa., the oldest operating drive-in theater in the country. It opened in 1934. Geissinger says drive-ins throughout the country are enjoying an upswing in business.

"I think it's widespread," Geissinger says. "People are interested in the nostalgia of the drive-in theater. And it's reasonably priced family entertainment."

Geissinger says there are 408 drive-ins left in the country. Of the 10 remaining drive-in theaters in Southern California -- not counting the Star-Vu -- five are in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. As land values in Southern California escalated, it became more profitable to sell drive-ins in more metropolitan areas. But some rural drive-ins held on.

Frank Huttinger is vice president of marketing for De Anza Land and Leisure Corp., a family-owned business that operates the Mission Tiki, Van Buren and Rubidoux drive-ins, along with several others.

At a time when many drive-ins were being torn down, Huttinger says, "the family members looked at it and said, 'There's potential for growth there. It's time to put the drive-ins back on the map.' Let's say it's met and exceeded our expectations."

Story continues below

Smith's Ranch Drive-in 4584 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms;
760-367-7713; Screens: One; Capacity: 330; Opened: 1954;
Admission: $5, 3 and younger free
Clara Bills, 11, and her brother Ethan, 8, of Twentynine Palms, wait for
the movie to start.

Teri Oldknow is senior vice president for De Anza. She knows some don't understand the effort.

"There are a lot of people who will never get it," she says. "They can't understand why people would want to be outdoors."

But for those that do, she's pleased to see new life in the business in which she grew up. She says she has enjoyed seeing a return to the family atmosphere she knew as a kid.

"Being involved in (the) comeback," she says, "I feel like I have a guaranteed place in heaven."

Reach Mark Muckenfuss at 951-368-9595 or [email protected]

_________________________________________________

Drive-in Food

Drive-in food means different things for different people. For some, the distinction doesn't really exist. But for others, there are certain foods they only purchase or make when they go to the show.

"We always get Foster Freeze, and that's the only time we get it," says Amanda McDaniel, 21, of Twentynine Palms. She and her husband pick up the fast food before heading to Smith's Ranch Drive-in. "The old-fashioned (burger), waffle fries and Dr Pepper -- it's drive-in food."

Here are some other examples:

"We go to Walgreen's or Wal-Mart and get the Raisinettes or Gobstoppers. We don't buy the candy any other time." - Neil Brown, 35, Joshua Tree.

"Sunflower seeds." -- Chris Durant, 29, Upland

"Peanut M&M's, we only buy them for the drive-in." - Larry Morris, 32, Victorville

"Popcorn. The real butter is a selling point." - Al Andrade, 49, Ontario

"We always get a bucket of Red Vines." -- James Alefaio, 34, Twentynine Palms

**Radiobarry** · 10-09-2007, 12:06 AM

Re: Remember seeing movies at the Drive-In?

[quote=Retrocool;2221573]This was the last one, off the 22 Freeway and Beach Blvd. in Westminster -

Did you check out the Southern California Drive-ins site that I referenced? Thanks for the other links.

**Tom Chaney** · 10-09-2007, 12:14 AM

Re: Remember seeing movies at the Drive-In?

Originally posted by aashee View Post

Fond memories! Nothing like hiding in the trunk so my parents would save $1.50.

Really though, Drive-inns are an awesome memory of my childhood. There is one in Santee Ca that I'm dying to go to next time I'm in San Diego.

How I remember drive-ins! I grew up in San Diego and we had plenty of them. Now they're all gone save a few.

I lived in Santee for awhile and saw many movies at the Santee Drive In. Originally, there were two screens showing different films at each end of the parking lot. You chose which film you wanted to see, then parked your car either north or south to see the appropriate screen. Today, there is only a single screen. It was most fun on a balmy summer evening to throw a couple of lawn chairs and a cooler in the back of the pickup, park backwards and sit under the stars in the pickup bed, drinking... uh... Cokes... and watching the movie.

You may also want to check out the South Bay Drive In near Imperial Beach.

**Retrocool** · 10-09-2007, 12:58 AM

Re: Remember seeing movies at the Drive-In?

Originally posted by Radiobarry View Post

Did you check out the Southern California Drive-ins site that I referenced? Thanks for the other links.

Yes I did, thanks for that! That's a great resource!

**Pirate Lover 68** · 10-09-2007, 05:15 AM

Re: Remember seeing movies at the Drive-In?

Wow... you guys talked about the 101 in Ventura... nice to hear it mentioned.

I grew up in Moorpark, so we'd go to the Simi Valley Drive in and on rare occasions drive to Ventura. My sister lives in Lompoc and the old screen for that drive in is still there, although the land it's on is a gravel company or something. What great memories.

The Simi Valley drive in was in a scene in a Janet Jackson movie, I can't remember the title, but at least one can still catch a glimpse of it.

**Trac** · 10-09-2007, 09:29 AM

Re: Remember seeing movies at the Drive-In?

I used to love the drive ins with 6 screens - as a kid we would get tired of the movie my parents would bring us to and we'd watch the other screens

We had this station wagon - we'd get there early - my older brother ALWAYS had to have the back seat so he kicked me and my two younger brothers to the back - we had two seats that pulled up facing each other. We'd go to the playground before the movie started and then the snack bar - we'd wear our pajamas and big fuzzy slippers (well I wore the big fuzzy slippers, my brothers didn't LOL)

The first movie I actually remember was the original Posideon Adventure - we would go to the drive in's 2-3 times a month

Those crappy speakers we'd put on the window LOL all us kids noisy in the back - we had two small dogs that went with us so add that to 4 kids and 2 adults -

All I can remember is how fun it was!!!!

**stinkerbell** · 10-09-2007, 09:35 AM

Re: Remember seeing movies at the Drive-In?

We still go to the drive-in in Newburg, OR a few times every summer.

Before we moved to Portland, we used to go to a double feature drive-in all the time in our tiny Oregon town--it was the only way to see a movie with three kids...for $8. There's a playground to play on before the movies started, we'd pack up junk food or dinner, the kids would fall asleep after the first movie and my husband and I would get date time.

**sunnygirl** · 10-09-2007, 09:37 AM

Re: Remember seeing movies at the Drive-In?

There's a drive in theater in Corona. Double features, new movies, $5 per person. Love it! Paige and I used to go almost every weekend, especially in summer.

**DisneyIPresume** · 10-09-2007, 09:41 AM

Re: Remember seeing movies at the Drive-In?

The closest drive in near the DLR for all you out of towners is in Costa Mesa, at the Orange County Fairgrounds. They put up a temporary screen that can be taken down easily for the Fair and other events, but here is a link...

http://www.star-vu.com/

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