​New Drive-In Movie Theaters Popping Up Across Bay Area

Mill Valley CA

20 October, 2020

11:41 AM

Description

BAY AREA, CA — Anyone else catch the "Grease" sing-along on CBS this summer? The 1978 musical classic hasn't, perhaps, aged the best in the 40-plus years since its release, but it invoked a nostalgia for something most Bay Area residents hadn't seen much in the decades before the pandemic struck: a drive-in movie. Even as San Francisco moved into the "orange" zone for businesses reopening, from hair salons to gyms to (limited) indoor dining, indoor movie theaters were only allowed to reopen earlier this month. However, the National Association of Theatre Owners of California/Nevada announced that its members agreed to keep their theaters closed until the city of San Francisco loosens its COVID-19 restrictions. Some indoor movie theaters have already reopened with limited capacity in Napa, Marin, Solano and San Mateo counties. Recently, the Regal Cinemas chain announced it will temporarily close all of its movie theaters across the United States. But for those still too worried about catching COVID to attend an indoor movie, that's OK. Find a Danny Zuko, or at least someone with a license and car, and mosey on over to one of the new theaters of yesteryear. SAN FRANCISCO Pier 70 San Francisco is a city of collaboration. Pier 70 has teamed up with food-entrepreneur incubator La Cocina, as well as a slew of independent theaters including the Roxie, the Vogue and the Balboa to bring the city three weekends of Dinner And A Drive-In. Where: 20th Street, Illinois St., San Francisco When: 8 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 24 and 31 How much: $65 includes a ticket for one vehicle and two meal servings Choice flick: It's sold out, but "Blindspotting" on Oct. 24! OAKLAND The New Parkway It's refreshing to watch a movie in a theater on a sofa. Or on a dining room chair, or even a beanbag. Such is the New Parkway's way, and this flexibility is why it was able to adapt to outdoor screenings. It's hosted some outdoor screenings nearby in Oakland's Uptown District in August and September, and its theaters are available to book for private rentals. But the New Parkway doesn't plan to reopen to the public until a vaccine is available. Where: 474 24th St., Oakland with outdoor screenings at Heist, 440 25th St., Oakland, 510-338-3228 When: No outdoor new screenings are scheduled, but keep checking the site MORE EAST BAY West Wind Drive-In Concord While hundreds, even thousands, of businesses have closed in the Bay Area due to the pandemic, at least one has been revived. The Concord location of the West Wind Drive-In Movie Theater has reopened to bring back some affordable flicks, including Christopher Nolan's new film, "Tenet" and a double feature of the "Halloween" (2018) and "Ouija" this weekend. Where: 1611 Solano Way, Concord, 925-825-1951 or 925-687-6445 When: Every day, shows are in the evening, check schedule for showtimes How much: $8.50 per person general admission, $2 per children ages 5-11, and free for children age 4 and under. On Tuesday Family Fun Nights, tickets are $5.50 per person, $2 per children ages 5-11, and free for children age 4 and under. Choice flick: "Halloween" (2018) Alameda County Fairgrounds Despite canceling the 2020 county fair, the fairgrounds have plenty planned for the rest of the year, including Under the Stars Drive-In Movies with "Hairspray" (2007) screening Friday and "Mission: Impossible" screening Saturday. Where: 4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton, 925-426-7600 When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays How much: $35 for parking Choice flick: "Hairspray" (2007) NORTH BAY Corte Madera Marin's Lark Theater is bringing movies to a parking lot near you — if you live in the North Bay. Drive up to screenings of classics old and new every weekend evening. Where: North Parking Lot of The Village at Corte Madera, 1557 Redwood Highway, Corte Madera, 415-924-5111 When: 7 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 9:15 p.m. Saturdays How much: $15-$35 per vehicle St. Helena Like everyone else, Cameo Cinema had to get creative. They partnered with local eatery Gott's Roadside to bring St. Helena a family-friendly outdoor theater. Where: 933 Main St. (Highway 29), St. Helena, 707-963-9779 When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 1 How much: $35 per car Choice flicks: "Coco" on Oct. 30 SOUTH BAY San Jose West Wind also has a San Jose location, Capitol Drive-In, for those in the South Bay, with an exclusive lineup of double-feature nights featuring some of the most harrowing Halloween films including "The Nun" and "The Rite." Where: 3630 Hillcap Ave., San Jose, 408-226-2251 When: Daily evening screenings How much: Same prices apply to this location: $8.50 per person general admission, $2 per children ages 5-11, and free for children age 4 and under. On Tuesday Family Fun Nights, tickets are $5.50 per person, $2 per children ages 5-11, and free for children age 4 and under. Choice Flix: "Hocus Pocus" and "Goosebumps" double feature! By Amelia Williams / Bay City News Foundation Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. — Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.