Tucson, AZ - The De Anza Drive-in Theatre at 1401 S. Alvernon Way is the last remaining open drive-in in
Tucson, Arizona. Sporting four screens, this ozoner, once called the Cactus,
still delights fans with multiple choices for entertainment. Unfortunately,
the pace of change is quickening, and the could be next to fall
by the wayside. Former name "Cactus" info courtesy Andy Callahan
De Anza Drive-in Theatre
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
UPDATE 05/04 : The De Anza is alive and well
and sports a new roof and new FM transmitters. The last few weekends have
been close to sold out for all four screens. The drive-in was originally
known as the Cactus and opened March 24 1951. It was owned by the same
folks who ended up owning all but the Syufy\Century Tucson 5 which opened
in January 1974 and closed around 1984 when it became a multiplex. The
name changed to the De Anza in 1977 when they made it a triple. A year
later, they added a fourth screen to compete with the Tucson 5. Many thanks to George Cohn for update. 05-04
De Anza Screen
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
UPDATE 10/08 : After being threatened to be sold, demolished, and made into a retail complex, the proposed deal with Evergreen Development fell through earlier this summer. The De Anza has extended itself for hopefully many more months. There is capacity for 600 cars. 10-08
UPDATE 10/09 : The De Anza Drive-in Theatre held its last open-air picture show on Saturday October 3, 2009 after being purchased by a land developer. The former Cactus Drive-in first showed movies in 1951 and was Tucson's last open drive-in theatre. According to the Arizona Daily Star, the Evergreen Development Co. has no immediate plans to develop the property. 10-08
De Anza Marquee
Tucson, AZ Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
UPDATE : A fundraising event was made in June 2011 towards finding a permanent location for a replacement drive-in theater. The Cactus Drive-in Theater Foundation anticipated around $750,000 to build a new drive-in theater. Quick Trip convenience store is located where the De Anza marquee once stood. 06-23
choices for entertainment. Unfortunately,
the pace of change is quickening, and the could be next to fall
by the wayside. Former name "Cactus" info courtesy Andy Callahan 
1974 and closed around 1984 when it became a multiplex. The
name changed to the De Anza in 1977 when they made it a triple. A year
later, they added a fourth screen to compete with the Tucson 5. Many thanks to George Cohn for update. 05-04
UPDATE 10/09
