In the latest effort to stay afloat, two san francisco independent movie theater groups have joined a national gofundme drive for struggling cinemas launched by the criterion collection and janus films in partnership with art house convergence, an organization based in michigan dedicated to the survival of independent cinemas nationwide. In the spirit of loving films and the filmgoing experience, were here to celebrate destination theaters movie houses in the bay area that require a long drive. Summer means the weather usually gets a little warmer in the bay area and all the outdoor movie screens pop up. Californias first drive in movie theater opened in june of 1938 there were less than 15 auto theaters in all of america at that point. If you were born in the bay area in the 1970s or earlier, chances are good that at least five of these 10 seminal moments. At least 35 drive in theaters have operated in bay area history. Jul 17, 2009 this may be the best place in the bay area to see an art film. Below you will find a schedule of top performances for each region within the greater bay area, as well as details on. West wind drivein is your san jose destination for a fun, oneofakind movie going experience. San francisco theater dates, times, and tips to get discounted tickets. The bay area theater calendar includes performances in san francisco, the north bay, san jose, oakland, and more. Thankfully, san francisco and other parts of the bay area still have a handful of decent single screen and art house movie theaters for your enjoyment.
Santa clara county tops 2,000 cases, deaths rise in san francisco, san mateo county opinion commentary ten small bay area theater companies you should know. Movie times, buy movie tickets online, watch trailers and get directions to amc metreon 16 in san francisco, ca. Socially distanced drive in theater a sign of normalcy during covid19. Forrest and erin mcbride figured a drive in movie was one of the. Search for sf movies, theaters, and showtimes datebook. Lakeport auto movie theater 52 soda bay road lakeport, ca 95453 the lakeport drivein theater is a single screen drivein that shows double features. Movie theaters in san francisco, ca cinema treasures. Solano drivein concord if youre the type that likes to talk during a movie eh hem, like me, then a drivein movie theater is definitely your jam. Sam whiting is a san francisco chronicle staff writer. San jose church hosting easter services at drive in movie theater. San jose church hosting easter services at drivein theater. Nestled in the richmond district of san francisco, the historic balboa theatre is one of the few independent neighborhood theaters still around in the bay area today. A bay area movie theater closed over coronavirus concerns, others say no need to panic. Sunday at the west wind capitol drive in theater, at 3630 hillcap ave.
Mar 23, 2011 in the 1940s, at the height of the theater age, san francisco had over a hundred movie houses. Rolling back the decades at the bay areas drivein theaters on the way to the movies in his pickup, aaron roofener decided to stop and pick up a fulllength couch that he spotted on a street. Jun 03, 20 5 best outdoor theaters around the bay area. Mar 04, 2020 vegas mayor reiterates call for opening amid protest drive. The theater, one of only a handful of drive in movie theaters left in the bay area, is temporarily closed in. Within this enclosed area, customers can view movies from the privacy and comfort of their cars. As people began acquiring televisions in the 50s, theaters became unprofitable and began to close. Opera plaza cinema 601 van ness avenue near san francisco s civic center san francisco, ca 94102 415 7710183. Alexandra garfield uses her lifelong love of theater, fifteen years of experience on stage and behind the scenes and two journalism degrees to bring you the best information about theater in the san francisco bay area. The best 10 drivein theater in san francisco bay area, ca last. Melanie graysmith is a writer, artist and educator based in san francisco. National gofundme drive to benefit 3 sf movie theaters during. The ultimate guide to movie theatres and drive ins in the usa and canada.
These are the last two drivein theaters in the bay area, and both operate under the. Ten small bay area theater companies you should know the. For fans of vintage films, the bay area offers classic movie screenings yearround at mainstream screens as well as such venerable movie meccas as san francisco s castro and balboa theaters, palo altos stanford theatre, and the grand dame of bay area movie. He is a south bay native and graduate of san francisco state. If youre the type that likes to talk during a movie eh hem, like me, then a drivein movie theater is definitely your jam. The cinema treasures website lists 20 of the citys theaters as demolished, 65 as closed, and only one, the pagoda in north beach, as currently. Cindy warner is a freelance writer and a san francisco bay area.
San franciscos abandoned movie theaters the bold italic. What are the emptiest movie theaters in the bay area. Find everything you need for your local movie theater near you. You can also lay the seats down flat, throw a couple of pillows and a blanket over them, and pop the trunk while you watch a flick at the solano drivein. In response, theatre bay area has created the bay area performing arts worker emergency relief fund. Alamany drivein theater, san francisco, ca 94155 facts. May 11, 2017 the 15 best movie theaters in the bay area. Movie theaters in san francisco, ca showing 1 30 of 36 open movie theaters all theaters 168 open 36 showing movies 22 closed 2 demolished 67 restoring 1 renovating 1. In the 1940s, at the height of the theater age, san francisco had over a hundred movie houses. Celebrating the character and freewheeling spirit of the bay area. Drive is not affiliated with the alamany drive in theater.
The theater now screens an eclectic mix of hollywood blockbusters, old classics, and independent films. The information above is provided as a free service. Welcome to the south bay drive in theatre website, a multiple screen drive in located in san diego ca. See current and upcoming attractions, pictures, snack. Located in outer richmond, balboa is much smaller than the grandiose theaters around the bay. In jacks book, theatres of san francisco, theres a photo of market street ablaze. Includes an interview with local resident sherry hensley and scenes from a san jose council meeting about this matter. This calendar features sf shows, plays, and musicals at the larger theaters as well as performances in a smaller, more intimate setting for 2020. The geneva drivein was one of the most celebrated driveins in the san francisco bay area and had a car capacity for 771.
San jose porno drive in theater bay area television archive. Embarcadero center cinema one embarcadero center promenade level san francisco, ca 94111 415 3520835. The drivein is located about 2 hours and 20 minutes north of s. Within just ten years, another 43 drive ins had opened and california was on its way to becoming one of the top drive in movie states. Reviews on drive in movie theater in san francisco, ca film night in the park. The lakeport drivein theater is a single screen drivein that shows double features. A livestreamed celebration of san francisco s filipina entrepreneurs and their drive to sustain filipino culture in the city of san francisco. One of san franciscos last gay porn theaters closing. Simply roll up the windows and chatter away while you watch.
A drive in movie theater easter service and a drive by easter bunny are among the creative efforts being attempted by bay area churches in the coronavirus era. Nov 12, 2019 san jose kron did you know san jose used to have a drive in adult movie theater. You will find a variety of options from large broadway productions to wonderful shows at smaller local theaters. Balboa theater, or new balboa depending on who you ask, is one of the last remaining neighborhood cinemas in the san francisco area. Rick moranis returns for shrunk, guy ritchie to direct aladdin sequel and more. Live actor theatrical experience exploring san francisco s dark history. West wind drive in is your concord destination for a fun, oneofakind movie going experience. San francisco movie theaters then and now the big event. Pflueger, who would later go on to become a renowned bay area architect, the theater features a massive screen thats framed by organ grills.
Sign up for eventfuls the reel buzz newsletter to get uptodate movie times and theater information delivered right to your inbox. West wind drivein is your san jose destination for a fun, oneofakind moviegoing experience. Despite balboas quaint size, the theater provides a more intimate and somewhat. Nestled in san francisco s financial district, the compact sevenscreen embarcadero center cinema is the flagship bay area movie house in the landmark theatre arthouse chain, so it tends to get. Located in south san franciscos excelsior district, the geneva drivein underwent many changes in its 50year history. Bay areas complete outdoor movie guide summer 2018. West wind capitol drivein movie theater in san jose, ca. West wind drivein and public market as people look for ways to safely entertain themselves during californias coronavirus outbreak, a drivein movie theater has reopened to give people a safe way to get out of the house. Discover and share movie times for movies now playing and coming soon to local theaters in san francisco. San francisco east bay south bay peninsula north bay. It has only two screens and all together seats about 500. Jul 17, 2017 the theater regularly plays host to vintage film screenings, double features, and film festivals, so stop by and pay homage to one of the pillars of california cinema. New york the drivein theater, long a dwindling nostalgia act in a multiplex.
New friday night scene as bay area remains under stayat. Rick moranis returns for shrunk, guy ritchie to direct aladdin sequel. This report by dick courier from may 30, 1978 explains the controversy surrounding the movie theater. The spruce drivein theater in south san francisco in 1983. San francisco dungeon 145 jefferson street, san francisco, ca 943.
Nov 03, 2011 thenandnow photos of san francisco comedians, so i decided to do the same thing with movie theaters. Apr 24, 2020 find showtimes and movie theaters near zip code 94118 or san francisco, ca. We should bring back drive in theaters in postcovid world. Krontv newscenter 4 report by dick courier in san jose from may 30th 1978, featuring the controversy surrounding a drive in adult movie theater.
One of san francisco s last gay porn theaters closing. May 30, 2014 but what about when you want an intimate, slightly more personal film viewing experience. Together, we set off in his brightcolored volkswagen bug, and as we drive. Customers wait for the start of a movie at the tkstarlite drivein theater on september 28, 20 in neligh, nebraska. As the oldest continuallyoperating movie theater in san francisco, it would be impossible to make this list without a mention of the roxie.
San francisco movie times eventful movies is your source for uptodate movie times and movie theater information in san francisco. The opening movie was vaughn monroe in singing guns. There are still a precious few in the bay area, though more digital and family friendly this time around. Photos, history and much more information about alamany drive in theater located in in san francisco, ca 94155. Bay area theatre guide all shows updated as of 4 pm, sunday, march 15th to reflect each companys policy with covid19 coronavirus. Customers wait for the start of a movie at the tkstarlite drivein theater. We used to go to the capitol drive in in san jose when the kids were little. Best drivein theater in san francisco bay area, ca drivein solano, drivein capitol 6, the new parkway, marin mobile drivein movie, macys great.
Even a bad movie can be good in this beautiful art deco san francisco theater. With nearly all of the nations movie theaters shuttered due to the. West wind solano drivein movie theater in concord, ca. There were more than 100 archived photos of old bay area theaters in the chronicle photo. San diego protest against coronavirus shelterinplace restrictions. The reality is less romantic and more nostalgic, as driveins have mostly disappeared in northern california. Find showtimes and movie theaters near zip code 94115 or san francisco, ca. Theyd fall asleep in the car and my wife and i could watch the movie. Search local showtimes and buy movie tickets before going to the theater on moviefone.
The theater, which opened in 1952, is one of only two drivein theaters left in nebraska, a state that once had almost 50. Bay area couple lived in a van for two years to save up for their. West wind drive in is your san jose destination for a fun, oneofakind movie going experience. Where are the drivein movie theatres in the bay area.
Find the movies showing at theaters near you and buy movie tickets at fandango. Business is booming for showboat drivein theater in hockley. Coronavirus closures will devastate bay area independent. The 20 most san francisco movies of all time thrillist. Gathering and distancing, as drivein theater hosts easter. I know the ggp and dolores park have some movies that will be playing there harold and maude oct but theres something about lounging in your car while looking up at the big screen slurpie in hand that just feels so right. The showboat drive in theater in texas is seeing a growth in their ticket sales. Rolling back the decades at the bay areas drivein theaters. Built in 1922, the castro theatre is now considered a historic landmark within the city. Thompson was a frequent visitor to the geneva drivein, and wrote of his experiences there. Amc metreon 16 san francisco, california 94103 amc. Find a local amc theatre near you in san francisco. Check out these bay area drivein theaters while you still can.
Drivein movie theater reopens in northern california. A drive in theater or drive in cinema is a form of cinema structure consisting of a large outdoor movie screen, a projection booth, a concession stand and a large parking area for automobiles. May 26, 2017 spend date night at a drivein thomas hawkflickr. The bay areas best theaters to watch classic movies 7x7. Showtimes and tickets for san francisco, ca 94115 moviefone. Geneva 4 drivein in daly city, ca cinema treasures. Pssstspeaking of retro movie theaters, isnt it about time you checked out one of the bay areas drivein theaters. Get local movie show times, watch trailers, and buy movie tickets. The last theater to run conventional movies on market street, the st. A bay area movie theater closed over coronavirus concerns. With the skyview drive in on the edge of santa cruz closing last year to make room for a medical facility, now there are only two. A livestreamed celebration of san franciscos filipina entrepreneurs and their drive to sustain filipino culture in the city of san francisco.