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Burlingame Drive-in Theatre ( Demolished)
Burlingame, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Near the San Francisco Bay area is the Burlingame Drive-in Theatre in, yes, Burlingame. Portraying the distinct look of Northern California drive-ins, the Burlingame sports the spread "W" ticket booth and a saucer shaped snack bar.

The Burlingame is still open for business, though recent rumors state that this drive-in will soon be closed and forgotten.

Update 05/06 : The Burlingame was shut down in 2001 and was demolished a couple of years later. 05-06


Geneva Drive-in Theatre (Demolished)
Daly City, CA

Photo by Roadsidepeek.com

Right near downtown San Francisco is the Geneva Drive-in Theatre. The Geneva just dripped of emotion, from the huge grandstand off in the back to the abandoned appliances in the lot. Not to mention the numerous screen towers.

Also see Roadside Peek's tribute to the Geneva Drive-in.

Update 05/06 : The Geneva Drive-in had originally opened up in 1950. Once a dog racing track, this drive-in shut down in 1999/2000. The Geneva was bulldozed in March 2002 and is currently a vacant site. Many thanks to Chet Wilson for update. 05-06

Update 06/06 : I used to live 2 blocks from the Geneva Drive-In in Daly City, CA when I was a young girl. Our little family went every weekend in our 57 Desoto and our grocery bag of popcorn. It backs up to the the famous Cow Palace in Daly City and it's about 15 minutes from downtown San Francisco. Many thanks to Karin Weman for update. 06-06

Update 07/07 : To the left is a photo of the Geneva Drive-in Theatre from 1970. The old grandstand was originally used for dog racing, but was converted to a drive-in in 1950. The canteen and projection booth were in the grandstand lower lever. The upstairs is blocked off.

The Geneva was a nice clean theater and a pleasure to work at. The Geneva was considered a San Francisco theater, even though it was located across the San Mateo County line. Many thanks to Jim Shaw, former projectionist of the Geneva Drive-in Theatre for all comments above. Also, thanks to Jack Tillmany for granting permission to use his 1970 photo. 07-07


49'er Drive-in Theatre (Demolished)
Sacramento, CA

Photo by Roadsidepeek.com

Here's the 49er Drive-in Theatre in Sacramento which opened up in 1950. Also sporting the spread "W" ticket booth structure, the 49er's lot appeared to be in decent shape. Check out the interesting look of the snack bar.








UPDATE 01/09 : The 49'er drive-in lot was virtually razed over with the exception of the marquee earlier this decade. The 49er marquee was removed possibly some time in 2007. 01-09


Ceres Drive-in
Ceres, CA

Photo by Roadsidepeek.com

Ceres, CA located just south of Modesto. The marquee of the Ceres Drive-in Theatre beckons to roadside travelers and invites all to enter its parking lot. This drive-in appeared to be in good shape and has been open since 1947.

UPDATE 01/09 : According to the Ceres Drive-in website, the Ceres Drive-in will be re-opening in the Spring of 2009 after completing the Drive-in projector project. 01-09


Marysville Drive-in Theatre (Demolished)
Marysville, CA
Photo by Roadsidepeek.com

Located north of the Bay Area is the Marysville Drive-in Theatre which opened in 1966. A bit North East of Sacramento, the Marysville was located right off the West end of a highway. The Marysville Drive-in is still open on summer nights and all weekends.

Update 05/06 : The Marysville Drive-in played its last movie in 2005. 05-06

UPDATE 01/09 : According to Cinema Treasures, the Marysville opened in 1966 by the name Sierra Drive-in and became the Marysville Drive-in in 1978. The theatre is now gone. 01-09


Sacramento 6 Drive-in
Sacramento, CA

Photo by Roadsidepeek.com


"A rather huge complex" best describes the Sacramento 6 Drive-in Theatre. This Sacramento behemoth sports six screens and occupies a huge lot. Drop by for a visit when you're visiting the Governor's Mansion. You'll have your selection of 6 movies. The Sacramento 6 opened up on June 26, 1973.

Update 08/07 : According to the May 31, 2007 issue of the Sacramento Bee, the Sacramento County Planning Commission has approved a major commercial center at the site of the Sacramento 6 Drive-in. With the demise of this last operating drive-in in California's capital city, it appears that the open air drive-in theatre experience in Sacramento will soon be just a memory. 08-07


Sunrise Drive-in Theatre (Demolished)
Orangevale, CA

Photo by Roadsidepeek.com


An abandoned drive-in located near a cemetery, the Sunrise Drive-in Theatre of Orangevale, CA sports a true sunrise in its marquee. Though this single screen lot appeared to have been a prime spot for a open-air theatre in its day, area is now overrun by weeds.

Update 05/06 : The Sunrise Drive-in was demolished in 2004 after over 40 years of existence. The marquee was removed in May. 05-06


Coliseum Drive-in Theatre (Closed)
Oakland, CA

Photo by Roadsidepeek.com

With a snack bar very similar to the Burlingame's, the Coliseum Theatre is closed for movie purposes and now operates as a swap meet. The congestion in the parking lot was horrendous, to say the least. The drive-in opened up on December 22, 1961.


Solano Drive-in Theatre
Concord, CA

Photo by Roadsidepeek.com

A cross between the Burlingame and the Geneva, the Solano Drive-in Theatre of Concord, CA originally opened on March 16, 1964 and is still operating as both a drive-in movie theatre and a swap meet.

Update 05/06 : The Solano Drive-in showed its last movie in 2004. (See below as the drive-in reopened in 2007). 05-06

Update 07/07 : The Solano Drive-in re-opened in Spring 2007. One screen reopened on May 4, 2007 and the second screen is re-opening soon. Many thanks to Angelica Rodriguez, Donald Smith, Greg McDaniel, Jen Niemotka, Richard Rangel, Scott Carlisle, and Terry Minton for update. 07-07


Capitol 6 Drive-in Theatre
San Jose, CA

Photo by Roadsidepeek.com

One of the Syufy operated drive-ins, the Capitol Drive-in Theatre of San Jose was bustling on another weekend swap meet day.

UPDATE 01/09 : The Capitol 6 Drive-in is now owned by West Wind Drive-in and continues to show movies. The Capitol 6 has been open since May 25, 1971. 01-09

 

 

 

 

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