SoCal Sights | Est. 2022

Los Angeles Drive In Theaters: Check Vineland Before You Go

Cars facing the Vineland Drive-In screen

For drive in theaters Los Angeles offers a short, real list: Electric Dusk, Paramount Drive-In Theatres, Vineland Drive-In Theatre, and Cinespia’s outdoor screenings. Electric Dusk is a long-running drive-in, while Vineland is seasonal. Always check showtimes and tickets before you hit the road.

TL;DR:

  • Vineland is seasonal, so confirm it is open and check current film listings before making the drive with your group.
  • Paramount’s theater has multiple screens and concessions on site; verify entry details and consider a diner along Rosecrans Avenue before the show.
  • Check official venue pages or social accounts before leaving, and call to confirm the start time, entry window, and double feature runtime.
  • When a drive in is booked or closed, Marina Movie Nights offers a lawn screening; arrive by 7 p.m. for its 8 p.m. start.
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Which LA drive-in movie spot fits your night?

Picking a venue comes down to the kind of night you want. Here’s how the options line up, based on what we know about each one.

Visit California lists Electric Dusk, Paramount, and Vineland among the best drive-in options around LA, and describes Electric Dusk as a long-running drive-in. For tonight’s lineup, jump to our showtime checklist below.

Three drive-in options near Los Angeles

What to know about each drive-in before you go

Here’s the practical stuff for each spot, plus an easy way to round out the evening.

  • Electric Dusk Drive-In (Glendale): This is a long-running drive-in option. Expect a drive-in screening. Check the venue’s current information for audio and food details. Grab a bite in Glendale before you roll in.
  • Vineland Drive-In Theatre (City of Industry): Vineland is seasonal, so confirm it’s open before you drive out. Check the current film listings to see whether there’s an option for everyone in your group. Pick up dinner nearby and arrive with the kids already fed.
  • Paramount Drive-In Theatres (Paramount): The Paramount listing gives the address as 7770 Rosecrans Ave and notes multiple screens and on-site concessions. The listing notes multiple screens and on-site concessions. Check the venue’s current entry details before you go. Local diners along Rosecrans are an easy pre-show stop.
  • Cinespia (Greek Theatre and Hollywood cemetery events): These screenings offer an alternative to a classic car-based drive-in. Check the event format and booking details before you go. Make a night of it with dinner in Los Feliz or Hollywood.
  • WE Drive-Ins (Santa Monica): Check current event listings for details. Pair it with a walk along the beach before the sun drops.
  • The Roadium (South Bay): A Yelp roundup of local drive-in and drive-thru spots includes The Roadium alongside Paramount and Electric Dusk, with reviewers mentioning concessions and radio audio. Check current event listings for details before making plans.

If you’d rather scout a sunset first, our photo-ready sunset spots guide covers parking and transit.

How do you plan a smooth drive-in night?

A little prep makes the difference between a great night and a stressful one.

  1. Arrive early. Some events advise arriving early because seating is first come, first served. Check the venue’s guidance before you go.
  2. Sort your audio. Tune your FM radio to the channel posted at the venue, or use an app if the theater offers one, and test it before the film starts.
  3. Park smart. Follow the venue’s parking and vehicle guidance. Scope out restrooms and accessibility when you arrive.
  4. Pack your food. Check whether the venue sells concessions or allows outside snacks. Bring a bag and take your trash home.
  5. Plan your exit. Expect a slow roll out after the credits, and set rideshare pickups away from the main exit.

Pro Tip: Fill your tank and charge your phone before you go, then park near the back so you can leave early if the double feature runs long.

For more on leaving a crowded event without the gridlock, these concert parking tips are worth a skim.

What are the outdoor movie alternatives in LA?

If a drive-in is booked or closed, a lawn screening may be an alternative. These are different experiences, and some events recommend bringing a blanket or low-back chair.

  • Marina Movie Nights: The county event listing shows scheduled Saturday films in late summer and advises arriving early because seating is first come, first served. The Marina del Rey page suggests arriving by 7 p.m. for an 8 p.m. start and bringing blankets and low-back chairs.
  • Torrance Movies in the Park: The city’s listing covers seasonal community screenings with guidance on arrival time, seating, and accessibility.
  • More ideas: Our guide to free nights and rooftop outdoor movies rounds up more options.

How do you check showtimes and buy tickets?

Confirm before you leave, every time.

  • Official pages first: Start with the venue’s own website or social accounts for the freshest schedule.
  • Statewide map: The California drive-in map lists operating drive-ins with hours, films, and directions.
  • Call ahead: Confirm start time, the entry window, and double feature runtime.

Pairing a drive-in with the rest of your SoCal night

I like treating a drive-in as the final act of an outing, not the whole plan. Start with dinner, catch a sunset, then roll into the lot as the sky goes dark. Got a favorite screen or a tip we missed? Send it our way.

— Joshua

Plan the whole evening with us at SoCal Sights

Drive-ins are one way to spend a night out. We built SoCal Sights for the rest of it too: the dinner spot, the sunset, the hidden gem you’d never find on a mainstream list. Our guides come from locals who share what they actually love, so you spend less time scrolling and more time out the door.

Not sure where to start? Browse our fun activities near me guide and build your next outing in minutes. Run a local business or put on events? See how to advertise with SoCal Sights and get in front of readers who are planning their weekends right now.

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FAQ

What are some of the best movie locations in Los Angeles?

For watching a film outdoors, drive-ins like Electric Dusk and Paramount are standout choices, along with Cinespia’s themed screenings. Visit California also highlights classic and modern theaters across the city.

How many drive-in theaters are left in America?

The exact count changes, so we don’t quote one here. The California drive-in map is a handy way to see which drive-ins are open in the state right now.

Where do movie premieres usually take place?

Premieres are typically held at major Los Angeles theaters, but locations vary by studio and film. Check each event’s official announcement for the venue.

Can a regular person go to a movie premiere?

Premieres are usually invite-only or tied to ticketed events, so access depends on the studio. For a public movie night, check the event details for access and what to bring.

Sources

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