South Bay Drive-In Theatre

Like time travel back to the heyday of drive in theaters of the 50’s and 60’s. San Diego used to have two dozen drive in theaters. Now there are only two. I like to pick up fish tacos from a taco wagon a couple streets away on Palm Avenue. Wear pajamas. Take a cozy blanket.

If my previous reviews have proved anything, it’s that I love a good drive-​in experience. I have been to many in the last few years, mainly in the Midwest. I did enjoy my stay here at South Bay and will likely be back the next time I’m in the area, but I feel there is room to improve.
Firstly, we had fun for a number of reasons–
*Their prices for first run double features is pretty darn fair. $ 9 for adults. $ 1 for children ages 5 – 9. None too shabby.
*The property is easy to find and easy to navigate. Once inside, signage is clearly posted to direct you to your screen.
*They have multiple screens so you have choices what you can see. That’s a big plus for me.
*The rules and guidelines for the property are far less restrictive than other theaters I’ve been too.
*They do allow outside food and non-​alcoholic beverages (good to know, but I’ll always make a point to support concessions and give a place a little more revenue toward my next visit.)
*We had minimal interaction with staff but they seemed pretty knowledgeable, friendly and helpful.
On the other hand…
*While I will always support concessions, the food was standard. That’s not to say bad at all, just predictable and a bit limited.
*Service did lag a little bit at the counter, but there were a few factors in play to consider. (It was a summer weekend, good weather, good movie releases, they seemed under staffed for the turn out). It happens and it’s not the end of the world.
*Restrooms looked like they could use at least a little attention to cleanliness and at most a minor remodel. I used a stall in the men’s room and getting in and out was tricky. Well, tricky if I didn’t want to rub my legs all over a dingy toilet bowl to squeeze by the door. Very cramped. My wife said the same of the women’s end.
*My biggest problem stems from having so many wonderful experiences with drive-​ins in rural areas (read here cornfields for miles in all directions and perfect silence apart from crickets) — the location itself. Being in a highly developed urban area, there so many distractions to the viewing experience that really are not the theater’s fault and cannot be helped.
–ambient city light obscuring screens
–city and traffic noise blocking out clear audio
–airline noise (not very far at all from San Diego International Airport).
Things of that nature. I do understand all of this is out of the theater’s control, but it still subtracts. For example, my wife and I only had the energy to stay through the first film of our double feature. In that time emergency vehicles drove past the theater, lights and sirens blaring, on four separate occasions.
Overall we still had a great time and will most certainly be back the next time we are in the area. I’m glad to see these theaters surviving anywhere. I’m glad to see that the area has a drive-​in option available at all. The staff seems to care about the experience they put out for their guests, it’s just a shame that the location itself hurts that same experience.

This place is great. I was able to see a movie with my toddler hanging out in the back seat. The people at the gate were friendly. I really enjoyed the experience. I am looking forward to going back.

Awesome ‘old school’ drive in movie theatre! I’d always heard about the existence of this theatre, but I’d never gone until now… and boy oh boy was I happy I went. For $ 9 adults and $ 1 for kids 5 – 9, you get access to any one of three theaters (you just need to decide what movies you want to see). The movies are all double features, so you get to see 2 movies for less than the price of a normal movie ticket.
Once you pay, you drive to either theatre 1, 2, or 3. Then switch your FM radio to the one specific to the screen you’re seeing. Best of all, you’re in the comfort of your car; you can eat, drink, and do whatever you want. The video quality is pretty good (not quite as good as in a theatre, but that’s expected) and the sound quality is awesome (dependent on your sound system, but the FM signal is strong). This is a great place and I’ll be back for sure!!!

There really is never a bad spot unless you’ve got a monster truck in front of you and you can’t beat the price… Adults $ 9, Kids $ 1 and the little ones under 4 are free! The snack shack isn’t all that– bring your own goodies. They offer tostilocos but they use cheesy nacho tortilla chips-​dont bother. They also have guys who walk around to jump your car with their kit if you need it. Pack up the kids, lawn chairs, blankets, grab some snacks and enjoy a show!

I would like to give more than two stars but you gotta earn those.
First the good…
Price of movies and option for a drive in which is cool.
The Bad…
Because the prices are so low I like to give them a little business back in the concession area. Let’s be honest, the concession stand is a joke. You do get many choices but the food is awful. If you can’t cook (and by cook I mean heat up) a hot dog then you have no business serving food. Stick to popcorn and soda. The hotdog was barely warm. It’s not that hard people. We also had their pizza pretzel which wasn’t good either.
Also, way too slow. Missed part of the movie waiting in that awful line.
I guess this is my fault b/​c all the other reviewers said to bring your own food.
I suggest you bring something with you. There’s a 7 – 11 down the street and they can at least cook a hot dog.
I did like the layout and I appreciate the option but mediocracy is what kills any business. This place could be better.

I think drive-​in movies are such a cute and fun idea. There’s (somewhat) freedom to do as you please, and I love it. Bringing your own food and drinks, cuddling in the bed of your trunk with blankets and pillows, sitting in lawn chairs, and just being able to be comfortable with other another person (s) without worrying if you’re going to take the armrest of the person next to you.
South-​Bay is $ 9 a person (for adults), which is such a steal because it’s for a double feature! Not to mention, they play movies that are at any other regular theater, so it’s not like they play old, outdated films. The radio station for the movie worked perfectly for me. It was basically like surround sound and there was no static problems that I faced.
The main issue is other cars because they can block your view, as well as the inconsideration of other people. Luckily for my boyfriend and I, we arrived an hour early (the site suggests you do that), so we got the perfect spot. It was in the center and positioned so the cars at the level below us were not directly in front of our spot/​not blocking the screen. You just have to be strategic about where you park.
Overall, I loved it and I am definitely going to come back!

Nice place to take the kids and mos def a family environment. The snack bar was good and to my surprise the nachos weren’t to bad. It looks like we will be frequenting this place a lot more.

Long story short — not too impressed with the customer service /​logistics here. Came here on a Sunday night and was one of the first five cars in line. It was my first time at any drive-​in movie theater so I didn’t really know what to fully expect. I thought they would start letting cars in at 7PM for the 7:30PM showing, but even at 7:15PM, we were still waiting in line and the gates were still closed. The food we bought to eat during the movie was getting cold! :(
Finally, they started to let people in, but they neglected to let our line in first. Wtf? We were forreal the first cars there! Other cars got in the movie theater before we did, and after much struggle to merge right into the other line, we were finally let in.
Overall good movie watching experience (watched Zootopia! So good!), except for the few cars that just had to show off their horn and the occasional car that randomly left during the movie and caused attention, but I guess that’s expected for a drive-​in.

Came here on a Friday expecting it to be very packed. It was actually really spacious, clean, and safe. It’s a really good idea for dates or for family outings. I got in line at 6:20 and the gates opened at about 7:05. It’s quick and easy from the moment you pay at the booth and then getting to the screen.
I didn’t stay for two movies, instead I only stayed for the 730pm movie. It was dark when I left and I didn’t want to turn on my headlights to distract the others watching a movie. So a piece of advice when exiting: follow the exit signs along the fence/​perimeter. It’ll take you behind the sheds. Follow the narrow path along the sheds. you can also turn on your headlights at this point without bothering other movie goers.
Also, save your car battery and engine just buy a cheap cordless shower radio at Bath & Body Works or Walmart. It’s actually pretty annoying and distracting when the car next to you has a running engine for 2 hours because they’re listening through their car radio.

Drive-​In movies are still in!!! Took advantage of this cute little Unilocal find during my Valentine’s bae-​cation in SD and I’m glad we did! My boyfriend’s first time at a drive-​in, and he loved it!
Clearly this old school idea is still really popular because the line was out the lot. It took a while to get our tickets, but after we got our tickets, it was smooth sailing from there. We watched the 7:30 showing of «How To Be Single» (yep, on Valentine’s Day LOL). We got there pretty late but still got a decent seat. You just park wherever you find a spot in your movie’s lot and turn to the lot’s radio station to tune into the movie. The sound was good, I’m glad my car is fairly new so the sound system is decent, but the brightness of the movie screen could have been higher. It was a bit dim!
We picked up some Phil’s BBQ and ate our to go in the car! No more needing to sneak in movie snacks, it’s totally permitted and totally awesome. They have snack bar coupons online as well :)
Basically it’s like $ 9 to watch 2 movies! You can stay and watch the following showing of your lot! Our second movie was «Dirty Grandpa». Such a good deal!
Bathrooms aren’t far, they’re not that clean either… but it’s not that surprising considering you’re watching a movie in a parking lot… aside from the screen brightness and bathrooms, it’s a great experience and cute date night idea! I love the freedom of being in my own car!

I love love loooovvee this place (:
This is where my fiancé and I go when we need to get out of the house or want to catch a movie.
We bring our own munchies, pillows, and blankets does get cold it’s a good time. He took me here for my first date. Awesome! I always want to come. I mean good pricing and 2′ movies wow!
Guys want to take a girl out this is the place.

This place is great! Went when it was raining, which was an awesome experience, in which next to nobody was there. Movie was great quality and the sound comes from your own car stereo system. The only crappy part about this place is the bathroom (minus 1 star), but other than that this place is awesome! Also, there is security there which makes it feel like a safe environment.
In case you lose your receipt for the stations for each screen…
SCREEN 1…93.7FM
SCREEN 2…89.1FM
SCREEN 3…106.1FM

Cute little place right behind my house! Cheaper than traditional movies and you can see two screenings with your pass! Perfect for a lazy date night or if you just wanna save money! Bring snacks and a blanket and prepare to enjoy yourself!

This drive in is close to my house and with a family of 5 it is a cheap way to see a movie. I always have fun and it reminds me of seeing movies when I was a kid.
My children love it. They also have the latest movies.

Very fun and relaxing! This place is such a gem to have close by my House!
Bring your own food, watch 2 movies for the price of one, and enjoy the cool breeze on your face while you watch your movie on your lawn chair.

This Drive in is average. I prefer the Santee Drive-​In. Ticket price is fair, but food prices seem to have gone up?
Parking here is ridiculous. My son and I had to come an hour early to get ample parking. One time we came 30 minutes before the movie started and they clearly let more cars in than there were spaces available. that was beyond frustrating because we drove around with probably 50 other cars looking for spaces to park when there weren’t any! I had to ask two people if they could move over a little so I could squeeze in between them, luckily they were both nice enough and they each moved over a couple feet and I fit in.
They need to count amount of spaces to park for amount of cars they actually let in! Plus, they don’t regulate on people with bigger cars who are SUPPOSED to park in the back. frustrating because I have a sedan and don’t want to be beind a jerk in a huge lifted truck. ugh
The only reason why I would come to this drive in over the santee one is if they have a better movie set up.

First off, I’d absolutely come back, although I don’t understand why I haven’t lately.
When I did come here, it was $ 6 per person for a double-​feature. Glancing over at the more recent reviews just to the right of this very text box, I notice that the price is now $ 9. Regardless, it’s a bargain. You will most likely pay more than that for just ONE movie.
You drive up to the booth in lines of cars to pay. They designate different radio frequencies to specific movies as the audio. All you need to do is drive up to an open spot, turn off your engine, and enjoy the movie once you are situated and when it starts.
This can either be a fun and/​or romantic time. Regardless, you’ll probably feel good knowing you just got a great deal on watching movies.
Of course, compared to a common movie theater these days, this form of cinema requires a bit more time and preparation. I had a ton of food packed up to consume during the movies. If you didn’t do this and are hungry, they have a little concession area towards the back (nothing fancy).
If your group happened to take more than one car, and at least one person wanted to see a different pair of movies without going to a different area, he/​she/​they can always change the station and view another screen from afar.
Hopefully your car battery is working fine. Just in case you unsuccessfully start your car, there is a service vehicle that gives you a jump for that occasion. They’ve thought it through.
Do not go here on a first date. It’s unrelated to this business, but taking someone to a movie on a first date takes so much of the interaction away, and that’s not a great first impression.
Anyways, back on topic. The movies they show are new. Great way to spend a night if you want to save money and can spare a bit of car battery. It’ll feel much more «free», and you won’t have to deal with other people and their noise (unless they’re so loud that they can be heard through thick layers of their own car).
Go with friends. Go with a significant other. Heck, go alone, and nobody judges you.

First time at a drive-​in! i love it. i cant believe i’ve never taken advantage of going to see a drive-​in movie.
Originally made plans to watch Furious 7 at Palm but since my friend wanted to take me to Oasis Ice Cream — we drove by the drive-​in. I glanced at the screen when we drove by and i said i’ve never been to a drive-​in and my friend said what really? i go to drive-​in all the time — theyre only 6 $ and you can watch 2 movies.
Then we were like YOLO!!! Lets watch Furious 7 here after we get Ice Cream (reminds me i need to write a review for Oasis).
We drive in – pay 9 $ each (price increased — still cheaper than the theaters tho)
She says Screen #1 furious 7 to your left. I drive in – feels like a rollercoaster — humps everywhere. We find a perfect spot — reverse park the car, we get comfy, good think i had my beach mats w/​pillows in my trunk.
Excited like a little girl Furious plays. I loved the whole drive-​in experience! Definitely coming back with pillows and a blanket.

Bueno ami en lo personal me encanta ese lugar lla que aparte de su buen servicio ay otras cosas en comida me gusta también cuentan con swapmeet los miércoles sábados y domingos y la playa a sólo unos minutos los invito a que conozca este lugar en imperial beach sandiego california.

I’m going to have to agree with every positive review here– this drive-​in theater is amazing.
As others have mentioned, the price is $ 8 per person. They have 3 screens showing different movies at a time and once you figure out which screen to go to, they’ll let you know what radio station to tune into for the film’s audio.
Both times I’ve gone here, my group brought boxes of Popeyes fried chicken, rice, sauces, our own popped popcorn, other snacks, water bottles, etc. It’s really comfortable to sit in our own cars (or outside your car if you bring lawn chairs and blankets), and just enjoy what ever food/​beverage we like while not having to worry about bothering other people if we were to talk or text.