Residents in Los Angeles County have watched their drive-in theatre treasures
fall by the wayside in recent years. As the population density increases
and people move further away from the main city, drive-ins that were once
located in the outskirts suddenly find themselves sitting on prime land.
And then there are two... or were...
The L.A. County area now finds itself with just 1 open drive-in...
the Vineland. The most recent one to fall was the Fiesta 4 (formerly the
Whittier) and the Azusa Foothill has been closed for a couple of years
now. Here at Roadside Peek's L.A. County Drive-Ins, see what's
remaining, both open and closed.
Vineland Drive-in Theatre (Screen and marquee replaced)
Industry, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Vineland Drive-In Theatre in Industry sports some of most pastel
colors in the industry (sic.). This drive-in is open daily for both swap meets
and movies. The area around is all industrial, so the huge lot may be
a sitting duck for a weasel factory one day. You just never know.
(Far left) The screen tower at the Vineland Drive-in
UPDATE: The screen tower and marquee at the Vineland Drive-in were replaced. Word is the tower was deteriorating and in danger of collapsing.
UPDATE 08/13 : The Vineland went into the 2013 summer season with a major upgrade. Yes, the Vineland invested in digital projectors. We hope this means the Vineland intends to show open air movies to fans for another six decades. 08-13
Fiesta Drive-in Theatre (Demolished)
Pico Rivera, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Fiesta 4 was formerly called the Whittier Drive-In. A multiplex
is being built
behind the drive-in lot, leading many to believe that the end of the road
has come for this Pico Rivera treat. However, the drive-in recently celebrated
its 50th anniversary which should count for something.
Sundown Theatre, H.W. Bruen/ Pacific Theatres
1954 - 1999 (Demolished)
Whittier, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Sundown Drive-in Theatre in Whittier sported googie architecture
that would've made even Googie's themselves jealous.
Well, perhaps not.
In either case, the Sundown's
colorful paint scheme and lettering on it's marquee and screen tower was
a fixture in the area.
Unfortunately, the big bad boom-mobile took over
and leveled this old drive-in to the ground in early 1999. Drive-in aficionados
have not been the same since.
Sundown marquee down
Whittier, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Fiesta Drive-in Theatre (Demolished)
Unfortunately, the big bad boom-mobile took over
and leveled this old drive-in to the ground in early 1999. Drive-in aficionados
have not been the same since.
