Sunset Drive-in Theatre
San Luis Obispo, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Just off US 101 in San Luis Obispo, the Sunset Drive-In Theatre features a marquee that’s hard to overlook. The tall sign and its sweeping lettering catch the eye before you reach the entrance, making this a welcome roadside sight for anyone hunting down old outdoor theatres. Better yet, this one still shows movies.

The Sunset opened in 1950, when drive-ins were becoming a familiar part of California’s highway landscape. While countless outdoor screens have since disappeared beneath shopping centers and housing developments, motorists can still turn off the road here for an evening at the movies. No need to imagine what the place looked like in operation.

Located just off the US 101 in San Luis Obispo, California is the Sunset Drive-in Theatre. Remarkably seen from many points within the city, the Sunset Marquee is a distinct eye catcher.

The Sunset Marquee
San Luis Obispo, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The marquee is the standout, but the screen tower deserves a look, too. Together they give the property the unmistakable appearance of a classic drive-in. An April 2009 makeover refreshed the sign and the back of the screen tower, helping these large roadside features keep their place along the highway.

With room for about 600 cars, the Sunset has plenty of space for a crowd. There’s something different about watching a movie with the windshield framing the picture and the night sky surrounding the screen. Of course, finding a comfortable viewing position can take a little adjusting. That rearview mirror wasn’t designed with a double feature in mind.

The Rodkey family has managed the theatre for decades. Larry Rodkey took over daily management in 1985 after his father had spent 14 years as general manager. Keeping an outdoor theatre going through changing movie habits, equipment upgrades and rising costs takes more than leaving the gate open.

Sunset Drive-in Tucket Booth
San Luis Obispo, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Some things have changed behind the scenes. Digital projection replaced film reels, and movie sound now comes through the car radio rather than a speaker hanging from the window. The equipment may be newer, but the evening still begins with a stop at the ticket booth and a search for a good parking spot.

The snack bar remains part of the attraction, too. A trip for popcorn gives everyone a chance to stretch before settling back into the car. The theatre’s cash-only policy is worth remembering before heading over. A little preparation beats digging through the console for enough loose change to cover the evening.

On Sunday mornings, the grounds take on another identity with the Super Sunday Swap Meet. The same lot used for movie watching becomes a place to browse secondhand goods and assorted treasures. For roadside collectors, that could mean returning in daylight to see what turns up between the parking rows.

UPDATE: Here are a couple of new photos of the Sunset Drive-in from April 2009. As can be seen from the shots, both the screen tower and the marquee have been painted and made over since the above photos were taken in the 90's. The Sunset Drive-in originally opened in 1951 and is still showing first run movies. Many thanks to Daniel Sorrell for photos below. 04-09

UPDATE: The Sunset remains open for movies, with its landmark marquee still standing beside US 101. The Sunday swap meet also continues, keeping the old drive-in busy beyond the evening shows. 09-26

Sunset Drive-in Marquee San Luis Obispo, CA Photo courtesy Daniel Sorrell	Sunset Drive-in Screen Tower San Luis Obispo, CA Photo courtesy Daniel Sorrell

Skyview Drive-in Theatre (Demolished)
Santa Cruz, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The Skyview Drive-In Theatre near Santa Cruz featured a nicely kept marquee and a small billboard on the back of its screen tower. Like the Madera Drive-In, the screen itself did some of the roadside advertising. When these photos were taken, first-run movies were still playing here, and the old outdoor theatre looked ready for another evening of cars pulling through the entrance.

Located on Soquel Drive in the Live Oak area, the theatre opened as the Encina Drive-In on May 27, 1949. Its opening double feature paired The Untamed Breed with The Swordsman. With room for about 440 cars, the Encina gave local moviegoers a place to catch two pictures beneath the coastal sky. Hopefully everyone remembered a jacket once the evening cooled down.

The Skyview Drive-in Theatre near Santa Cruz, California features a nicely kept marquee. Like the Madera, a small billboard is located on back of the screen tower. This theatre is still open. First run movies were showing at this drive-in.

Skyview Drive-in Theatre (Demolished)
Salinas, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The screen tower was the big landmark, but the smaller details were worth a look, too. The entrance marquee announced what was playing, while the billboard on the back of the screen let passing motorists know there was a theatre tucked behind it. No need for an elaborate roadside display when the largest structure on the property could handle the job.

A second screen was added by 1971, and the theatre became known as the Skyview. Having two screens meant another choice of movies, but the familiar drive-in routine remained much the same. Stop at the ticket booth, find a parking space and make a snack-bar run before the picture started. Getting everyone settled could be a production of its own.

Skyview Drive-in Theatre (Demolished)
Santa Cruz, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The grounds also had a busy daylight identity. The Santa Cruz Flea Market began operating here in 1971, turning the movie lot into a weekend gathering place for bargain hunters. Spaces occupied by cars during the evening could be filled with tables, secondhand goods and shoppers by morning. Come for a double feature one night, return to hunt for a treasure over the weekend.

That combination kept the property familiar to generations of local residents, including people who rarely went to the movies. The Skyview was both an outdoor theatre and a place to spend a few hours wandering the flea market. Two very different attractions sharing the same patch of pavement.

The theatre continued showing movies until December 2, 2007, ending more than 58 years of outdoor cinema at the site. The flea market had finished its run on the property a week earlier. Local preservation efforts sought to save the drive-in, but the screens came down in May 2008.

Skyview Drive-in Theatre (Demolished)
Salinas, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Yes, Virginia, this is a nice ticket booth. Although the guard inside was slightly... let's say... red in the face (doubt it was the sun), the Skyview Drive-in Theatre of Salinas appeared in decent shape. Just don't go in while clean-up crews are picking up after the swap meet. Or when fog is covering the screen tower.

UPDATE: The Skyview was demolished on July 9th, 2001 to make way for construction of a school building. This update was found at http://www.driveinmovie.com/CA.htm. 07-07

UPDATE: The Skyview Drive-in Theatre closed on December 2, 2007 after originally opening up in 1949. The drive-in was demolished in May 2008. The new owners Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF)/Sutter Health has plans to develop the site into medical office and other health care related uses. See more information at metrosantacruz.com. 01-09

UPDATE: The Skyview’s screens and entrance signage are gone. The former theatre property became part of the Sutter Health / Palo Alto Medical Foundation’s medical-development site, giving the old movie grounds a very different use. 09-26