When most people think of going to the movies, they think of indoor theaters with seating. However, for those who want to indulge in nostalgia and fun, you can still enjoy a drive-in or independent movie theater. You can bring your friends or family to one of the several in Alameda County and the surrounding area. They’re also an excellent choice for an upcoming date night.
Image by Meg Boulden is licensed with Unsplash license
Alameda Theatre Cineplex and Grill Pop-Up Drive-In
Bring the family to the Alameda Theatre Cineplex for a fun night at the pop-up drive-in. The complex is located at 1951 Monarch St. in Alameda. There are no assigned parking spots, but you do need to buy a car pass to enjoy the show. There are limited refreshments available, all wrapped in packages. Due to current health restrictions, patrons must stay in their cars unless they go to the bathroom or buy a snack. The movie begins at sundown, with gates closing 15 minutes prior.
West Wind Solano
If you want a drive-in experience in a California original, head to the West Wind Solano at 1611 Solano Way in Concord. They host weekly viewings of Hollywood’s latest offerings. Tuesdays are family fun nights where families can get a deal on tickets. For every other night, adults are $9, and children from ages 5-11 are $2. Anyone under the age of 4 is free. You can buy tickets online until one hour before showtime; tickets are sold at the gate until showtime.
You can bring food from home or purchase snacks at the concession stand. Open fires are not allowed. The spots are available on a first come, first served basis, so arrive early for the best place. Animals, except for service dogs, are not allowed. You can request a special message to be played before any of the movies.
West Wind Capitol Drive-In
Another option from the West Wind company is the West Wind Capital Drive-In. It’s located at 3630 Hillcap Ave. in San Jose. The theater does tend to show different movies than its Solano counterpart. While most nights they offer only one film, sometimes there are movies lined up for a double feature. There is a fifteen-minute intermission when they show two movies. Ensure your engine is off, which keeps your headlights from interfering with the movie. Keep your car battery engaged so you can tune your car radio to the posted FM station to enjoy the film.
Grand Lake Theatre
The Grand Lake Theatre is located at 3200 Grand Ave. in Oakland. This historic gem of an independent theater keeps the ticket prices low while keeping the entertainment value high; adults are only $7.50 for a matinee and $13 for a night movie. If you watch a movie on Tuesday, it’s $6 all day. You can enjoy the latest Hollywood offerings surrounded by classic charm. There is even a 3D screen for a more immersive experience. On Friday and Saturday nights, moviegoers can take a trip back in time and listen to the beauty of a mighty Wurlitzer organ before the movies begin. The music is played in the main auditorium.
Balboa Theatre
For a unique experience, head for the Balboa Theatre at 3630 Balboa St. in San Francisco. The theater opened in 1926 and has been known to show some exciting movies through the years. The screenings here tend to focus on more cultural films. While you can find a few new projects from Hollywood, the focus is more on movies from the past. The upcoming schedule is posted on their website. General admission tickets are $15. Seniors over 60 pay $12.50.
The New Parkway
The New Parkway is a unique independent theater at 474 24th St. in Oakland. Not only do they play first-run films, but you can get a meal in the on-site cafe before your movie. They’re open throughout the week. The hours for the cafe adjust with the movies’ times to ensure you can eat without having to rush before the show.
Beyond the movies, the theater hosts a theme night every night of the week so customers can enjoy an activity before or after their show. Some examples of the themes include trivia, art, cooking classes, and even a video game tournament.
Wednesdays are a fantastic night to catch a movie as it’s a pay-what-you-can night. After the showings, the staff donates their profits from the night to a local charity through a Karma Cinema program. All the money stays in the East Bay to support charities in the area. You can rent it out for private celebrations if you enjoy the location.
Landmark Piedmont Theatre
Another independent option in Oakland is the Landmark Piedmont Theatre at 4186 Piedmont Ave. They show first-run moves throughout the week. Beyond the newest from Hollywood, they also show art and independent films. The building houses three screens with state-of-the-art sound and video equipment. Guests will settle into luxury leather seats that’ll make them feel at home for the length of their show.
Before the show, the concession stands are packed with everybody’s favorites. If you purchase a large soft drink or popcorn, you can get free refills if you don’t mind missing a few minutes of the movie.
Have you ever wanted to watch a movie with the people who made it? Piedmont offers that chance with filmmakers’ Q&A sessions. You’ll enjoy the movie as usual and then be able to discuss it with the filmmaker and your fellow audience members. If you’re looking for a discount ticket rate, Tuesday night movies are $7. If you enjoy Piedmont, you can rent it for special events. They host everything from fundraisers to bachelor/bachelorette parties. You can even rent it for a gaming experience on the big screen.
Before the movie begins, swing by Dublin Toyota to check out our vast selection or ask any of our associates a question. If you’re in the market to upgrade, we can make your next drive-in experience even better.
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