Solano Drive-in Theatre
Concord, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Part Burlingame and part Geneva, the Solano Drive-in Theatre brought a little of both sister theaters to Concord. Syufy Enterprises opened the two-screen drive-in on July 31, 1968, with a central snack bar and projection building serving both sides of the lot.

Opening night offered plenty of choices. One screen paired The Odd Couple with The Sons of Katie Elder, while the other showed The Green Berets and Cool Hand Luke. Pick a side, find a good parking spot, and hope nobody in front brought a taller car.

Solano Drive-in Theatre
Concord, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The Solano remained a familiar East Bay destination for decades, showing movies after dark and using the big parking lot as a swap meet during the day. It closed in May 2004 when Syufy decided the drive-in was no longer economically viable. For three years, the screens sat dark while plenty of local moviegoers made it clear that they wanted the place back.

The demand worked. Solano reopened in spring 2007 with upgraded projection and sound equipment. The old window speakers were replaced by FM radio broadcasts, and digital projectors eventually took over from film. The technology changed, but the drive-in routine stayed pretty much the same. Tune the radio, visit the snack bar, and try not to leave the headlights on.

UPDATE: The Solano Drive-in showed its last movie in 2004. (See below as the drive-in reopened in 2007). 05-06

UPDATE: The Solano Drive-in re-opened in Spring 2007. One screen reopened on May 4, 2007 and the second screen is re-opening soon. Many thanks to Angelica Rodriguez, Donald Smith, Greg McDaniel, Jen Niemotka, Richard Rangel, Scott Carlisle, and Terry Minton for update. 07-07

UPDATE: West Wind Solano remains open as the last operating historic drive-in theater in the East Bay. First-run movies play at night, the public market fills the lot on weekends, and the restored entrance marquee still welcomes customers. 09-26

Capitol 6 Drive-in Theatre
San Jose, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The parking lot at Capitol 6 Drive-in Theatre was bustling during another weekend swap meet. Rows of vendors and shoppers filled the space beneath the giant screens, giving the old drive-in plenty of activity long before sunset.

Syufy Enterprises opened the Capitol Drive-in on May 25, 1971. The property eventually grew into a six-screen outdoor multiplex, allowing several first-run movies to play at the same time. Pick the wrong row and the action movie on the neighboring screen might start looking more interesting than the feature already playing on the radio.

The lot has a busy double life. From Wednesday through Sunday, the West Wind Capitol Flea Market fills the pavement with vendors, bargains, and plenty of wandering shoppers. Once evening arrives, the stalls clear away, cars begin lining up, and the screens return to movie duty.

Capitol 6 Drive-in Theatre
San Jose, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The Capitol has kept up with the times by replacing old window speakers with FM radio sound and changing from film to digital projection. It may not have the scratchy speaker hanging from the window anymore, but sitting inside the car with snacks and a giant screen ahead still feels like a drive-in.

UPDATE: The Capitol 6 Drive-in is now owned by West Wind Drive-in and continues to show movies. The Capitol 6 has been open since May 25, 1971. 01-09

UPDATE: West Wind Capitol 6 remains open, showing first-run movies every night and hosting its public market during the day. It is now San Jose’s last operating drive-in theater, and the updated entrance sign still welcomes moviegoers and bargain hunters. 09-26