Drive-In Movie Day 2025 is on Friday, June 6, 2025: In Movie Day - Are their any Drive in movies available in Southern California?

Friday, June 6, 2025 is Drive-In Movie Day 2025. Celebrate National Drive-In Movie Day With a Glimpse at Past ... Drive-In Movie Day.

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Drive-In Movie Day may be the anniversary from the opening from the first drive-in cinema, which happened in Camden, Nj.

Sure, there's one on Mission and Ramona. A bit of a drive from San Fernando Valley, but maybe you can make it a day trip ending up at the movies.

There's a swap meet there on Saturday and Sunday for .75 admission.

The shows costs per person. Kids age 5 to 9 are $1; age 10 and above are $7. Movie starts at dusk.

Ontario Mills is about 10 miles to the East.

There's a nice, family style spaghetti place on Holt Ave between Central and Mountain, Vince's Spaghetti. Good value if you are hungry. Ask for a bib.

What happened to the drive in movie theatres in L.A ?

Good morning Amanda Mungarro,

I hope you have a great day. I just got back from my morning walk at Venice Beach. This morning pelicans were diving for fish. I find it so interesting to watch a bird that big hit the water at high speed.

I have never talked to my wife about questions on yahoo answers until today. I had to tell her about your question on Drive-Ins. Before I answer your question I would love to share a story with you. I got her approval to tell this story.

My wife grew up in a small town in Virginia. There were four girls in her family. The closest Drive-In was twenty (20) miles away. Not only was the closest Drive-In twenty (20) miles away, her mother would not allow any of them to go to a Drive-In. Her mother called a Drive-In “A whore house on wheels.” My future wife left Virginia for California after high school. She moved in with her older sister who worked the grave yard as a nurse. She would go to college in the day and baby sit her older sister’s new baby at night.

I met my future wife in 62’. She explained the story about her mother. I was laughing on the inside while keeping a straight face on the outside, because I knew her mother was right. She told me she had never been to a Drive-In, and would I “please” take her out one night to see a Drive-In movie. I was cool as I answered “sure.” But I really did not believe she had never been to a Drive-In.

I was a teenager of the fifties. While Drive-Ins were topping out in other parts of the country, Drive-Ins in California were just starting to hit their stride. I could not wait to pick up this hot fine sweet voiced classy southern girl from Virginia in my 57’ Chevy. I had giant plans.

I picked her up that night. I immediately realized this girl was not lying about never going to a Drive-In. I wish you could have seen her. Can you believe she was dressed in hi-heel shoes and a fabulous dress for our date? I remember asking her where did she think she was going? She honestly believed a Drive-In was a big thing. Even after 46 years of marriage, we both laugh at this true story.

Later we would go to the Drive-In with an ice chest and Chinese food in the back seat. I will not tell you how she dressed. My wife loved the Drive-In movies. We would love to go to the Gilmore Drive-In. It was ten minutes from our house. “The Grove” now sits in that location. The Studio Drive-In, on Sepulveda and Jefferson, in Culver City and the Centinela Drive-In in Inglewood, on Centinela Blvd, were among the last drive-Ins to close in 1993 in Los Angeles. Thank you, Amanda Mungarro, for letting me share my story with you.

It is true that the increases in the land values helped to close Drive-Ins, but I do not believe this was the main reason. You must remember that Drive-Ins were a family activity. I believe gang violence and drugs were the main reason for the closing of Drive-Ins. People were getting killed. Fights were very common. These fools were running around shooting at each other. Women were being raped. Cars were being broken into. Most of this was by gang members. There was no way to secure such a large area. Many people blamed the movie industry for showing gang, biker, and drug movies. Many Drive-Ins stop showing violence movies. But it was too late. It was no longer a place for the whole family to go and enjoy. Families stop going to the Drive-Ins. I have enclosed a web site with many articles but there are others.

Thank you, Amanda Mungarro, for your question. You and your family have a beautiful week. Peace, from Los Angeles.

Have you ever been to a DRIVE-IN Movie??????

First movie I've ever seen at a drive-in was Battlestar Galactica